pugdog#1

In watching any movie, I demand something for my time. Plot is usually too much to ask, but an ending I can be satisfied with is almost mandatory. I can even over look the ending, if getting there was a lot of fun (you know what I mean!).

This movie had nothing. It was not even a weak gore fest. One of a group of students on a hike (the reason for which was never explained) is possessed by the soul of a demon gladiator (again, poorly if ever explained) and goes around killing his friends and cutting off their limbs (again, poorly explained) until we get to the end, which is not explained. <sigh>

As for acting and effects, this movie had the usual potential. A few extra snips of the scissors, a few more moments of shooting, and _some_ thought as to WHY all this was happening would have gone a long way to making it a legitimate entry into the late-night horror movie lineup.

As it was, all I can say is I wasted my time (buying <ouch>) and watching this movie. I can't even think of a reason to rent it.

I didn't know what to expect when watching this. The summary on the box was somewhat misleading, and I don't like that. I like to have an idea of whether the movie is a drama, action flick, or horror/thriller before hand. This was a drama. About 20 minutes into it I had the distinct feeling of watching The Big Chill, but without the major soundtrack. I had the uncomfortable feeling of being more lost than any of the characters.

9 high school friends are invited up for a weekend, and we are given small cuts into their current lives. The movie gets going once Emily, the planned hostess, kills herself. There are no answers, and not even any questions. But there are lots of split-second vignettes into some "horrible" past event. Unfortunately, the movie sets you up to believe that one, or more, of the people invited were guilty of some major sin against her, or each other. The teaser leads you to believe that perhaps it's a horror film, rather than a very shallow emotional and psychological drama about stunted growth, emotional immaturity, and coming of age -- albeit a little late.

The end does tie it all up, but unfortunately, there was much more potential in this movie than was presented to the audience.

And if you love them, and Tim Thomerson, you'll love this movie. The'sequel' Dollman vs the Demonic toys, is little more than tape together of the left overs of a half dozen other films (and is quite funny in it's own right if you recognize this). But, Dollman is a heroic effort of a miniature intergalactic cop, with a very big gun. If you like these sort of movies, this is a definite "WATCH".