The way this movie starts it made me think it was a comedy. The lead ladies are actually quite funny. In the films set-up parts of the film the girls were like real friends just talk trash, which was very funny. This film got a low score but I don't think it deserves. This film is a fun ride and definitely and original script and well written and I liked the rich ending. Well done film, and just be open and I think you will enjoy the ride.
... View MoreWell, it LOOKS like a good movie.... but it is not. It has well-composed shots and decent lighting, which many of low-budget films do not. Unfortunately, it fails on many levels.The initial problem of the film is the premise that kicks the movie into gear. The reason for the characters to NOT call the police is such a poor and implausible one that you cannot get past it. From here on, the actions of the characters in such a dire situation makes even less and less sense. This isn't to say that the writing is all bad, because the dialogue is decent at times. It's just that the plot involves too many people not doing the easiest and most logical thing. By the end, you just cannot wait for the credits. I know that is normal for a horror film, but this is even more askew than should be tolerated by even the most fervent followers of the genre.As for the acting, a couple of people in this film did a fine job. The others, however... not so much.All that being said, I do think that Thomas L. Phillips, the director, did a fine job and as he works more and more behind the camera, I think he will continue to improve. Thomas L. Phillips, the writer, however, should have given this script to someone outside his circle to read it over and give notes and suggestions... maybe even giving a re-write or co-write, before sending it to production. That could have saved the plot from being the disjointed mess it is.
... View More"Sanctuary, Quite A Conundrum" is Thomas L. Phillips is the vows written for the unlikely marriage between trash cinema and horror."Sanctuary, Quite A Conundrum" follows a night of partying and sexing that turns into a cluster-f*ck of brutality and survival, when a disturbing event brings the party crashing down.This story is nothing short of amazing, and brilliant. At first "Sactuary, Quite A Conundrum" kicks off with cliché overhypes that I was sure were going to annoy me. However ten minutes into the witty banter between the two lead female characters I was hooked. The face-paced dialog, timing and delivery of the actresses is spot on. The characters are an updated Valley Girl persona that feels relevant to a contemporary setting. Plus them b*tches was funny as hell! "Quite A Conundrum" starts off as a light, campy satire that, when the scene turns sour, gets dark real fast. Phillips is as a modern day John Hughes. I felt the sudden sickening feeling hit as the story goes from one of light to total horror. His ability to both blend a satirical comedic air with an equal air of terror, without dragging the story down, is amazing. I felt conflicted the whole time. There is some completely nightmarish horror that takes place in the film, but there is some humor that cannot be denied. The story gets tense, then light-ish, before getting even more tense. "Quite A Conundrum" just offers a superb story from start to finish.The special effects are the standard for a film driven more by high drama and basic action sequences. The kill scenes stay pretty equal to micro-budget level but come off, through great direction and cinematography, as high production value scenes. The blood and deaths are sudden, blunt force moments that catch you in the headlights of a horrific moment taking place before your eyes. Even then the ability of the cast to effortlessly sway between such dark material and the lighter humorous stuff is a show to the casts' talent. The soundtrack is pretty stellar. A mix of thriller sound effects and contemporary tunes offer a mix of suspenseful tension and terror, balanced by almost MTV video quality atmospheric slow mo situations. There are small moments that seem a bit contrived but none that altar the entertainment value or overall energy of the film. But really there has to be, honestly the fact that based on Thomas L. Phillips writing style, it is nothing short of amazing that a lot of this film doesn't fail. "Sactuary, Quite A Conundrum" is a masterpiece and instant cult classic that everyone should see-not just horror and camp cinema fans!
... View MoreI first want to say I give it a 10 because I so LUVD it! If I LUV a movie that much I will give it a 10! Not sure I'll give anything away but I marked it as possible spoilers just in case. I thought it was funny, twisted, suspenseful, dark, etc. I can't say it's a horror film cuz it didn't scare me but it is a horror comedy I would say. It's definitely a movie I will watch over & over. I have the DVD but when it comes to Amazon & I can buy it as an instant video I will do so then I can watch it whenever on my computer, tablet & phone. I thought the story was so fun! Watching this I felt like I was on the outside looking in at a 2 hour period of someone else's party! I didn't see any of it coming & it ended totally differently than I expected. I give reviews only to tell others if I truly liked or disliked a movie. I'm just not into all those wordy explanations cuz I'm not a critic. So If I don't give U enough I apologize. Just take my word for it, U will LUV it too!
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