The basic idea is OK and I love the fact it's reminiscent of 70's horror flick, however it's very middle of the road. It doesn't make me hate it and I don't love it. It's the film version of a flavored rice cake. It has some flavor too it though, not enough to keep it interesting. Not much stands out, but I will list the points where it does stand out and that is what gives this rice cake it's seasoning and what easily takes it away.The killer coming out of the movie and design I find at least interesting. The killer's mask and look kinda remind me of Rick from Splatter house video games although much skinnier especially with the design of the killer's mask. I also like the killer's weapon and it coming out of the movie(the basis for the whole thing) is never once addressed how this happens. The Runes Radford uses in the beginning scrawled out of his own blood are never explained or mentioned ever again why he did it or anything just that he does because he's crazy and that's it.The other gripe I have is the shots of the killer coming out of the basement is and how it's angled is supposed to be a reference to Texas Chainsaw, but it isn't even a small subtle nod it's pretty much the exact shot with now of the scare factor chainsaw had. Also, while the gore effects are done well, there is never a moment were you are taken back by said gore/kill and the movie so short you don't really get to know many of the characters to develop any sort of liking one over another. Those gripes aside the gore effects are nice and I also liked how it dispenses with the stupid college kids/cop that don't believe until it's too late and they act like actual people. It's cool, what they were trying to do, but you end up with something that definitely feels like a half hearted attempt rather than a labor of love. In the right hands this movie could've been a lot better.

In a mental institution a doctor decides to treat one of his patients by showing him a movie the patient made years ago. It's a horror movie were allegedly people were really killed by the director who's now the patient. He obsesses over this movie. When he sees it, he starts hurting himself. When the doctor goes in the room he sees lots of blood and then is attacked. Later everyone has vanished in the facility but there is blood everywhere.Some years later this very movie is about to be shown in some small theater. We meet the kids who work there. Some of them and their friends decide to watch the movie. It's allegedly a cult movie but only two more people attend to see it--a biker and his girl. A cop and a surviving doctor from the facility also show up, expecting the killer to make an appearance.The movie which was made ages ago actually takes place in the 60s yet is black and white. It shows three hippies on a road trip when they get a flat tire. The driver goes wondering around looking for help and ends up in the house of the killer. But something strange happens. When one of the theater kids goes to the a storage room, he's attacked by the killer...and it's shown on screen. The audience doesn't know any better. Then another kids from the audience goes to the restroom and is similarly killed and it's also shown on screen. Eventually the remaining audience realizes that the killer somehow ended up in the theater and is going after them. They confront him, escape, some are killed. They notice that the movie has something to do with everything so they try to stop the projection. They also realize that the killer preys on their fears and figure the solution is to pray and not be afraid. When the hero girl is attacked she ends up in limbo where all the other victims are--dead yet alive.Midnight movie has a lame setting, a dull cast, an unconvincing killer with a weapon that couldn't possibly do what it shows to do. Supernatural horror is usually unsatisfying, even more so when no explanation is offered. How come the movie here has such a magical power to teleport the killer? We never find out. The killer is some tall skinny guy with a limp who wears a partial skull mask. His weapon a cone-shaped corkscrew thing that when inserted in a chest yank's out the victim's heart somehow. Despite that, many killings aren't explicit but focus on the victim's face instead. At least Rebekah Brandes is lovely and the biker guy is entertaining.Midnight movie had potential had it had a more charismatic villain, a better cast, a variety of setting instead of some movie theater, and if it had been more violent.

Midnight Movie is a supernatural slasher film that has gathered some inexplicable praise. It even apparently won best film at the Chicago Horror Film Festival; I don't want to watch the runners-up.The plot has a group of movie theater patrons becoming trapped when a cursed horror film from the early 1970's is shown. The film within the film is a variation on The Texas Chain Saw Massacre with a group of hippies breaking down and seeking shelter in the home of a psychopath. The murderer from this film within a film comes out of the screen and begins killing the audience members, sort of like the much superior 1985 film Demons.I worked in a movie theater. I was never a projectionist, but I did visit the booth from time to time. I know what 35mm film projectors are supposed to look like. What's more the filmmakers of Midnight Movie should know this as well since this is their field. The film within a film here is playing at a movie theater on a 16mm projector and consists of one reel. How long would that make the film within a film? I would guess fifteen minutes, maybe twenty. Also, throwing in a line about how cheap the theater is does not justify the set up. A cheap theater would run second run product of recent movies. A black and white horror film from the 1970's (?) which is known for having caused its director to go insane would not be randomly playing at a mom and pop theater in the 21st Century. This film would be showing as a gala event at a film festival or a cult theater like The Alamo Draft House! Midnight Movie is a lame horror movie with a promising central idea. Unfortunately, bad directing, bad acting, and too bright lighting (almost like a soap opera) kill all the tension. Nothing, nothing in this film (or the film within a film) convinces for a moment.

After watching a few big budget bombs, it's fun to watch a little movie that could.The plot is that an insane film director is shown his grind-house quality film in an insane asylum, but oddly enough, the entire staff of the asylum vanishes.Flash forward 5 years, and there is a midnight showing with some horny kids, a couple of bikers and a cop and doctor who are still on the case, hoping the director will show up at this showing. The film itself appears to be a low-budget film in the theme of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.The plot logic is the killer can pop in and out of the movie while it is playing and pick people off if they are afraid. It actually takes a few of the plot flaws of a film like this, such as why doesn't anyone call for help on their cell phones or why not just turn off the projector, and deals with them. Extra points for that.More imaginative and fun than other films of this genre.