So I saw the 2001 nil-budget horror/thriller "Cookers" this past Tuesday on recommendation from Teresa Nieman over at Cult Iconic, and since I pretty much agree with what she has written, here's what she wrote.
I think the opening credit sequence perfectly sets a tempo for the movie; the distorted music gets our heads in the right place, director Dan Mintz's camerawork moves in measured fits around the vehicle and scenery on the couple's approach their isolated digs, and the touch of fish-eyed lens (somewhat comical in and of itself, if you ask me) further distorts our introduction. The "Merle" character (coolly played by Patrick McGaw) steals the show though. He's both barometer to the cloistered couple and rural raconteur who's ghost story essentially kicks-starts the movie in earnest.
Whether or not "Cookers" languishes in places or cops out of its horror theme is debatable, I guess, but it certainly is a gem in the genre and a must rent against most of this year's major horror releases.
2 comments:
Friday, October 09, 2009
Yay. That's a pretty sweet shot of Merle, too. Haha.
To me the movie really is like a best-case scenario for low budget ghost horror. It plays on its own strengths and avoids its weaknesses (though could have avoided special effects more, since those were clunky). I hope the director does more, because he clearly has talent.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Yeah, the combo-platter of production talent and funds allocation went a long way. Looked great, sounded great.
Too bad about old Merle, he was hilarious!
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