Whilst not every film screened at this year’s FrightFest will be receiving nationwide release anytime soon (some may even have the casket lid slammed back down on them forever), here’s a few that are available on a DVD shelf near you (a bottom shelf, admittedly) from today…
WRONG TURN 4
Director: Declan O’Brien
Cast: Sean Skene, Jenny Pudavick, Tenika Davis, Blane Cypurda, Dan Skene
Plot: A group of collage friends decide to go snowmobiling during their winter break. But a snowstorm forces them to take a ‘wrong turn’ and they seek shelter in a nearby former psychiatric hospital. But they soon find they’re not alone…
Horror highlights: The familiar cannibalistic oddities are given their own back(ward)-story, as we learn how the suitably monikered Three Finger, One Eye and Saw Tooth began their bloodcurdling adventures in this gory prequel.
Gory gash: Sticking with the dumb teens verses disfigured inbreds, there is gore aplenty as the they stumble into the seemingly abandoned abode. The 1974 hospital opening sets up the remaining 80 minutes as the usual troop of sexually liberated boys and beauties attempt to survive the sick trio’s vile antics. Jenny Pudavick is the (stunning) standout of the pretty but blandly acted cast.
Overall: Declan O’Brien writes and directs his second entry (with another on the way) into the WRONG TURN franchise, which is predictable and poorly plotted, but boasts enough inventive kills and stomach-churning set pieces to keep things fun. It never takes itself too seriously but also doesn’t offer anything we haven’t seen in the genre (and franchise) countless times. Amongst the usual straight-to-DVD efforts, WRONG TURN 4 feels above average and it’s certainly the best of the sequels, but the original remains the benchmark.
OUTPOST II: BLACK SUN
Director: Steve Barker
Cast: Richard Coyle, Julian Wadham, Clive Russell, Michael Byrne, Catherine Steadman
Plot: Haunted by past atrocities of SS Nazi chiefs, Lena gets more than she bargained for when seeking vengeance for her murdered family members…
Horror highlights: A strong opening as Lena’s ruthless is given a stark introduction, using her sweet natured personality to con her way into a retirement home where one Hitler’s former henchmen now resides. But…
Gory gash: It’s downhill from there, as the simple plot becomes overly complicated. The saturated screen pallet also doesn’t help matters and often scenes are too dark to even make out what’s happening. Much of the camera work during the action – especially as a military crack team is introduced – feels like it’s come directly from an first-person shooter videogame, leading to a literally dizzying effect.
Overall: Director Steve Barker’s follows up his moderately successful OUTPOST with this sequel, another zombie-themed effort that never feels threatening or frightening. Whilst make-up and production design is impressive given the film’s small budget, it’s ultimately a dull disappointment. The set up for yet another sequel also comes across cheesy and a ‘try hard’.
WRONG TURN 4 & OUTPOST II: BLACK SUN are available to buy on DVD now.
Check out all of our Frightfest 2012 coverage here!
