The Dummy

This has got to be the very worst film I have ever had the misfortune to endure. The dummy himself does absolutely nothing at all he just sits there with a silly grin. The plot is extremely poor and very very dull. You will most likely find that just trying to stay awake during this film is nearly impossible. But enough about the good points, The acting is second only to a primary school play, and the production values are non existent. in summary its fair to say I didn't like this film a whole lot. Avoid this film at all costs, also beware of any film from the Film 2000 label.

This film certainly has its ups and downs, but I wouldn't go to the extent of saying it's one of the worst films made, especially since it had some really great plot twists along with a good kill here and there. I personally liked it, especially the ending because damn I didn't see that coming, impressive for a direct to video film. Like I said I gave it a watch while st*ned so maybe that's why I got more enjoyment out of the film than I bargained for but who knows, it weren't no scream film but it sure as hell made a nice little indie slasher. I purchased the DVD a few months ago and only decided to properly watch the full feature now, was actually a good film, better than I expected, might cause some controversy me saying this but people's opinions aren't always gonna be the same.

It shouldn't take a genius to see that the DVD transfer in the U.K. was botched by being zoomed all the way in. All you can see is the exact center of the frame, making any review of the picture meaningless. The DVD transfer facility further maligned it with a constant jiggle. It's only fair to point this out, and unfair not to.

The U.S. release on VHS proves the movie has smooth cinematography. But don't expect any bloodbath or special effects. It's an eerie melodrama and not a horror movie by any means, which can antagonize those attracted to the box art.

Apparently the DVD transfer was zoomed in too far, cropping off actors heads and short-circuiting visual nuances and award-winning cinematography. In truth, one of the best photographed films of it's budget. Every shot except 2 or 3 are anchored with a tripod, though poor transfers make it appear a bit shaky in places.

The script does assume too much awareness of the subtle implications of the ongoing classic "jekyll-hyde" premise of the ventriloquist being taken over by his dummy, and editing needs to be tightened up. Good example of how script and final editing reflects on actor's talent, giving them too much of the credit or too much of the blame. It has to work on the page or it won't work on the stage.

The poster promises a horror show with blood and violent special effects. In actuality it's a subtle character study of the effects of schizophrenia, and not much violence. Gorehounds will be let down. Beware.

The female lead, Irina Bjorklund, recently won the Academy Award in Finland for Best Actress after many starring roles there in record-breaking major films. This was her first American film. Best seen on VHS, NTSC version available in America.

Written, produced, directed and starred in by Keith Singleton, this film is quite simply the worst I have ever seen. Admittedly, the female cast is quite easy on the eye, yet Singleton could think of nothing more imaginative than a quite gratuitous sex seen involving him and his 'suspicious' girlfriend.

Some of the scenes are quite simply bizarre- to pick one, the camera (shaky and excessively zoomed in as is the case in the majority of the film) pans across to a Matron like figure in the office of the psychiatrist (who is possibly the worst actor you will ever see), accompanied by the ever present, bizarrely selected and ludicrously timed 'tension creating soundtrack'. The one point in the film where you are led to believe that there may be a twist in the storyline, nothing more is seen of this mysterious figure!

Possibly the worst thing about this film is that, unlike the case in many other poor films, Singleton seems to have made the film in complete sincerity, so even the 'comedy badness' edge is absent.

If only there were a 0/10 category...