Celebração Macabra

I am surprised I didn't walk out of this movie. It baffled my brain as I was watching and trying to eliminate characters as the killer by thinking logically. Huh? Without the 20 minute wrap up at the end it wouldn't have made any sense. It was sorely appreciated. I did not catch the theme/report clue. Very mediocre writing and some very bad over-acting. Some good special effects. The very end left me losing hope. I am very happy I stayed to the end because I very much enjoyed the closing credits. Great graphics and fun animation that gave a very nice recap of the characters and how those that were killed died - otherwise watch when it streams.

After going to watch this movie blindly (not knowing what it was about, not having a seen a trailer) I am convinced that all the negative reviews don't get it. I'm a huge horror nerd, and this falls under the so bad - it's good satire horror film. It's not good like last year's Thanksgiving, but it is definitely a fun movie with some solid kills and a good laugh here and there.

I'm certain this movie is not to be taken too seriously, or at least I hope not, and if you do just that - you're going to enjoy the ride.

My only negative review about this film, which is why I give it a 6/10 and not a 7 is that - it's 20 minutes too long. From the opening death scene to the next, there's just too much back story that could seriously be condensed. Same with the ending, they over explain everything. And in the middle of the movie, they have like a false ending that goes for too long. But, genuinely, it's still a solid movie.

A small town is embroiled in a heated mayoral race. Tension is high with the upcoming Founders Day festival. Allison Chambers barely escapes from a killer wearing a Founders mask after just witnessing the murder of her girlfriend.

After the great successes of Halloween and Friday the 13th, Hollywood made horror movies out of every special day imaginable. This indie horror seems to be following that path whether in tribute or as a mindless work project. I recognize a few faces, but I don't really know these actors. This is marginal work, but I did enjoy guessing the mystery killer. The reveal is interesting but also problematic. While it is a little surprising, I don't think that person makes sense. That person would have to explain the unexplainable and there is no reason for the scheme. It is deflating to close out a borderline movie on a sour note.

Plot

A small town is shaken by a series of ominous killings in the days leading up to a heated mayoral election.

Cast

Naomi Grace leads competently, Devin "13 Reasons Why" Druid unintentionally comes across as creepy as he was in that and William Russ outshines everyone.

Verdict

Though I'm a horror fanatic slasher isn't exactly my favorite sub-genre, and the reason? They're all too similar, I grew up with 70's-80's slashers and they gradually died out because of that reason.

Founders Day tries to reel in some of that nostalgic magic, but in doing so falls into the same trap! It's so generic, so uninspired, we've seen this before a thousand times (Probably not an exaggeration). It doesn't color outside the lines for a moment, it doesn't dare wander off the path and delivers something that will only be appreciated by people who have never really experienced many slashers and therefore won't predict the whole thing straight out of the gate.

And don't even get me started on that ending, I absolutely didn't "Get" that in the slightest. I need an explanation, what were they thinking?

Rants

I don't like Erik Bloomquist, it's not a personal thing, it's not a talent thing, I don't in fact know what it is. He's just one of those people who when they come on to the screen I wince ever so slightly, feel a level of discomfort and if I had any children would cover their eyes. Therefore a movie written, directed and starring him never really stood a change.

The Good

William Russ is great

The Bad

Bland kills Offensively unoriginal Dreadful finale.

The writing was so bad I was wondering if we'd have to walk out only five minutes in. It seems like something written by a high school student who waited until the night before it was due to start. Eventually it got bad enough to stay just so we could see the train wreck unfold.

Cliche storylines and horrendous acting throughout. Several scenes brought us to laughter, but not intentionally.

I do have to give credit, I didn't know who the killers were until the end(it's a cheap Scream rip-off from the start so not a spoiler). But it turns out that's only because it made no sense to the plot whatsoever.