Post by Mr.HoRrOr on Feb 25, 2012 18:57:23 GMT -5
Plot:A mousy librarian inherits her father's beloved old movie house, and discovers her inner serial killer -- and a legion of rabid gore fans -- when she starts turning out a series of grisly shorts. What her fans don't realize yet however is that the murders in the movies are all too real.
Cast:
Thomas Dekker
Noah Segan
Mary Woronov
Cassandra Peterson
Mink Stole
Peaches Christ
Patrick Bristow
My Thoughts:Job well done!
Review:"All About Evil" is Joshua Grannell's indie horror/thriller (and drama in some ways), about a librarian named Deborah Tennis. Her father was a filmmaker, and owned an old moviehouse. But he dies, so Deborah feels called upon to leap into the filmmaking business, and take over the moviehouse. To drum up money, she sets out to create a new collection of short horror films. Only she seems to be having trouble finding actors for her movies.
So she begins casting unsuspecting strangers into her "gory shorts". And to make sure they "die on cue"...she assembles a collection of sociopathic crew members to help her in the task. This movie was actually better than I thought it would be. I wasn't expecting a lot from "All About Evil". Especially because it was a movie that was trying to do new things with a new type of story. The "movie within a movie" thing has been done to death in horror. As has horror films where actors are killed for real in the process of making a horror movie.
But who's ever heard of a storyline where cinema verite turns deadly on "actors" in a movie who are unaware that they've even been cast into one?! It's a nice twist on a twist that in itself, is a twist on a particular subgenre of horror. Natasha Lyonne plays Deborah Tennis in spectacular fashion. Blending elements of an old Hollywood actress, an uber-driven murderess, and an obsessed filmmaker. All into one nicely cracked little package. And the character is even more heightened by those who she's flanked by.
Such as Adrian, a deadly sociopathic street walker, and two twins named Vera and Veda. Freshly sprung by Deborah from a local institution. The body count around town quickly rises, but Deborah isn't blamed for the killings. As the police instead at times, focus their attention on Steven (Dekker). A local horror film fan, who was a fan of Deborah's father's work. But due to his "interest" in the genre, he is hassled by his mother (Peterson), and a few of the nosier locals.
So this makes for a perfect storm for the killings to be "attempted to be", tied to him. Dekker's character isn't really all that interesting. But his situation definitely is. It kind of puts a spin on the age old belief that people who embrace the horror genre are "dangerous." Dekker's character is there for the opposite of this stereotype. While Lyonne's character Deborah is there to further strengthen it. It's an intriguing back-and-forth through the process of the film.
And gets even more interesting when Steven's girlfriend becomes Deborah's next "leading lady". "All About Evil" doubles as a slasher film of sorts also. Except it doesn't go overboard to make the kills super bloody. Instead, it does introduce blood into the kill sequences. Of course. But the kills are more twisted, and mixed with black-humor. Particularly one that takes place at a local library. Where one unsuspecting female victim learns she's landed a role in Deborah's next "short". Lyonne's character also doesn't come off as menacing in the film.
She is reminiscent of previous indie horror films femme fatales. Playing the more cagey, laid-back, and tricky killer. Instead of being the raging, wide-eyed psychotic type. That everyone can see coming. But this is also furthered by her drive to make movies, film, and art. And thereby, she sees herself as a filmmaker who's gone over the edge. But still a filmmaker nonetheless.
And so, this, along with her "day job" at the moviehouse...allows her and her fledglings to go around town and "shoot"...pretty unnoticed. And the fact that Dekker's character Steven, has his own issues to worry about at home with his passive-aggressive mother. And the usual pests at school. Ensure that Deborah won't be caught. Anytime soon that is. The film really turns on the juice in its third act though, where a mass execution/new short movie is planned.
And when a monkeywrench is thrown into that plan, things go from "bad". To "worse". If that's even possible considering how this film is architectually built. Story wise. But what a diamond in the rough this movie turned out to be. Lyonne gives the best performance of all the actors in the movie. In my opinion atleast. And even by the "exciting conclusion"...kind of gets you to grudgingly feel a bit of pity for her character.
Even as absolutely bonkers as she is. Seeing Peterson outside of her Elvira get up was interesting. And she gave a good performance as well. As did Jade and Nikita Ramsey as the "evil goth twins" Veda and Vera. Who could end up being my choice for favorite horror film deadly twin combo since the "Shining" girls way back in the day! Segan's performance as Adrian is decent, but it's his overall look as a stone-cold psycho that really makes his character work. "All About Evil" is definitely a horror film that fans of the genre should see. It's worth the time.
Positives:Excellent performance by Natasha Lyonne. It's a shame we don't see her in more horror films. Segan, Peterson, and the Ramsey girls were also pretty good. Cool death sequences, and a story that was overall strong, solid, interesting, and fun to watch unfold. Up until the climax where a fitting and exciting end was indeed put forth.
Negatives:Nothing major.
Overall:Four stars out of four.