I had a chance to check out Dustin LaValley's short, revenge slasher, Party Girl, in Gettysburg at Horror Find Weekend Film Festival this year, where it took home Best Special Effects. I'll start with the writing as I'm a writer myself, I appreciated the subtle symbolism and social commentary (it's based on the short story of the same title in his fiction collection, Lowlife Underdogs available from RDS Press). This film is put together as smooth as butter, it flows from shot to shot, scene to scene very well. This is done well with narration by who we learn at the end -a very nice twist- is the antagonist, the rapist. The acting is great, though only four members of the cast are actors, there is no cheesy acting that's widespread in low-budget films, party due to LaValley's script, which seems to have been written with these constraints in mind. We're treated to beautiful atmosphere, creepy lighting, stylish camera work, a fun score and of course, pretty sweet gore and effects. Tom Young and Candace Porter's performances are played with passion that's not seen in smaller films. It's amazing how these film makers were able to pull off such a film without falling in to the holes that so many others do. A touch of dark humor gives the gags a few laughs along the way. If you're looking for a violent, smart, well crafted slasher that doesn't insult the audience, this is your film.
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