Dead of Summer

I was expecting some Camp Crystal Lake Gorefest and I am glad I gave it a watch because it's not like that at all. Sure, it's the same type of theme, but it's very well done. There is actually little gore and there is a lot of character development, especially when we learn the pasts of Alex and Drew - very well-played out. I will continue to watch this show and have not yet missed any episodes. It's also kind of neat that it takes place in the 80's, with Bowie music and all. Give this a chance - it's not worthy of an Emmy, but it is pretty creepy and atmospheric with good character development. But the girls need bigger hair - it's the 80's!

So this TV show has a 80s feel. And the story takes place then. I love Once upon a time and I love the creators. This show has that Lost feel with constant running back and forth of a character's past. It has a Whodunit element along with a supernatural story. AND Tony Todd guest stars! The acting is good. I love both the Elizabeths. The only thing I disliked was that there were less kills. It's a slasher show (I guess) but the pilot was not gruesome. When you watch the Pilot, don't keep a critical mind and watch it without judging. It's entertaining and I know it'll improve in future episodes. I love the story line even though some characters seem lil' annoying. I suggest you give it watch.

If you like summer camp slaughter movies then this could be for you. Admittedly it takes a certain type of audience to like this movie and being someone that grew up on Friday the 13th, Slumber House Massacre, and Sleepaway Camp, I fell right into this category. If you're not in this category, odds are you'll be offended at the idiocy and lack of depth of the characters.

People who used to love these types of movies know the characters are the way they are so the viewer feels a level of joy when they finally get what they deserve.

The lead females in these stories always start off weak and eventually find the strength needed to survive. Usually this is straight forward in most of the genre, except a few exceptions like Angela in Sleepaway Camp.

The only real concern I have here is, they will add to much space between deaths in order lengthen the show.

Dead of Summer is based on a book and as many similar shows out there doesn't follow the book point by point, which is OK and not some horrific happening.

The screenplay is good, the cast is nice, the chicks are gorgeous and the acting well above average considering what they are doing and up to.

So, as one reviewer rightfully pointed out, all those who cannot sit for the entirety of episodes, let alone the series and have the mindless pretense to rate and review a show, better find themselves other hobbies.

This is a good series, lifting off weight from viewers' shoulders and allow them to pass some great moments.

As always, Elizabeth Lail rocks in her own very personal way.

OK, so it's not Scream the original movie. It's not smart or sophisticated and it's not a fresh and exciting new take on an old genre. But if you let go of all your preconceptions and expectations, it CAN BE something else. It can be a summertime guilty pleasure; and that's not at bad thing at all. Because it's actually pretty easy to be entertained by something you don't expect much from… and if you do that with this show, you give it the potential to deliver.

First, everybody has something to hide so by the end of episode 2 you know that much of what you've seen isn't what it appears to be. Sure, it's been done before but in some cases, and with these people, the humans are just as scary as the ghosts! If nothing else, trying to figure out who's going to mess with whom and why can actually end up fun. Or, put another way, let the backstabbing begin and just try to follow the knife!

So what if the history of the camp has been seen and done before in any number of ways. We haven't seen it done with Tony Todd, who floats through the show like an avatar of death and destruction without giving the viewer enough knowledge yet to be certain of why he does it or what it actually means. So, bad guy? Yes. In this context? No way to know yet.

And by the end of episode 2 it would also appear that filing this show away in a box marked "guilty pleasures 2016" might not be a half bad idea. So give it two episodes, get out your popcorn and surrender your disbelief, cynicism and critical analysis. Don't try to take it apart, take it for what it is and enjoy the ride. It's not brilliant, surreal or groundbreaking. But neither is a trip to the old state fair and we enjoy going to that every year in spite of it all!