Arriving at a secluded artists' retreat, aspiring writers looking to pen a new horror script find the series of strange murders in the woods around the camp as perfect inspiration only to suddenly get caught in the killer's spree and must get away alive.This one here wasn't all that bad as a horror/comedy and offered a lot to like. What really helps this one out is the rather enjoyable and meta take this gives on the process of doing a movie, with the concept of the guys being chipper yet down-on-their-luck losers that can't catch a break in their work gives this a solid base for the kind of jokes present here once they get to the retreat. Again, basing it off of the guys being quite an obvious group of loners that can't get a break on their careers which makes for a rather funny time as it goes along here with the group being unfazed by the events around them and turning that into the genesis of their story they're writing. Tho reenactments of their story as they begin writing it, from the opening recreation of their slasher film villain stalking the gang in the cabin, the several encounters with the killer inspiring other great action throughout the film and the absolutely great stalking throughout the retreat that occurs at the end which is a rather fun and engaging part utilizing the area for some nice action while having a nice twist that works rather well due to the ploy of it being the recreation of his story which is pretty clever. The real-world realization of the killer comes off even nicer with the comedic set-up clearly painting him as such and then actually going through with it based on his over-the-top characterization that makes for a fun time overall here. Even beyond these positives, though, there's a few flaws at work here. The main issue here comes from the main positive aspect here where it's comedy isn't really all that appealing to everyone. This is mainly based on the idea of them being losers and having to always be corrected for their overblown ideas makes for a one-sided take on the comedy side of things and it may not always score a laugh here relying on this to be it's one singular route. Another problem here is the fact of it being way too slow-going in the first half before anything really happens here where it mostly tends to concern itself on areas outside the stalking and slashing where it's mostly on the writing process and going around the retreat where there's not a whole lot of action to come from these events. The killer doesn't come into view until nearly an hour into the film despite all the set-up, and even then it's the recreation rather than the actual kills. The other flaw here is the fact that there's just so little time here anyway that beyond the slow start up it doesn't get much time to actually do anything and it really shows when there's scores of bloopers and cut scenes still keeping the movie from reaching an eighty-minute running time with the credits. These here are the film's main flaws.Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language, Graphic Violence and Nudity.

How this big, fat, putrid turd of a movie garnered 6 stars (on here at least) will have me scratching my head for a long time. Two best friends and "screenwriters" (Todd and Bruce) are in line to make a fast buck IF they can come up with a BELIEVABLE script...in two weeks. Bruce (who I don't think had an opposable thumb) decides to spend their rent money for a visit to a getaway known as "Shangri- La," both for some R & R AND to get each one invigorated to get their script done. Upon arrival, they meet with other screenwriters and various artists who exchange clichéd ideas, binge drink, and sit around like they've just been hit in the head with a brick. Fun times. Then, as this clichéd mess was destined for, they all start being killed.For ANY of this nonsense to work, it would seem the screenwriter of this movie would have introduced at least ONE character the audience could root for. There is no way above or below that anyone could actually believe this moocher had ever done an actual day's work his entire life. Bruce, the one roommate/screenwriter, is SO obnoxious, SO self-centered, SO non-caring, SO lacking in any kind of social skills, I wanted him to die in the first minute. However, that does not happen, so you have to endure this 40-year old reject-from-a- frat-house-troglodyte. More good times. Todd, Brucie's roommate, was a simp, a wimp, a milk-sop, totally lacked a sac, and had no charisma to him at all. Yet, the writer(s) of this movie gave him a "love scene," which was so awkward, so out- of-character, so painful to watch, I actually fast-forwarded through most of it. It really only involved a kiss, but that scene was so forced and obviously so uncomfortable for him, the kiss came off looking like it was his first kiss EVER.This film lasts 83 minutes, is rated "R" for language, violence, and brief nudity, and can best be summed up by a line said in the film. "The best we can hope for is straight-to-video." Well, at least they got their wish. Oh, and as if you didn't already know, this one is NOT RECOMMENDED.

I found The Cabining very entertaining, although I feel it is more of a murder/comedy than horror/comedy. I believe the interaction between the two male stars carries the movie nicely. They work very well together, with Todd being the ultimate straight man and Bruce the comic relief throughout the story. The remainder of the characters all do an excellent job. The story itself does what good screenplays are supposed to do; i.e., present a basic theme and provide solutions to identified issues, all the while maintaining the audience's attention. I felt the balance between horror/mysterious killings and comedic relief is well proportioned leading to an ending which many viewers may not expect. Bottom line: I am not a big fan of horror, but fully enjoyed the film. It retained my interest throughout.

This movie was pure brilliance! 10 out of 10 for sure! I saw "The Cabining" at the 2014 Dances with Films festival in Los Angeles and was blown away by this clever, sharp, and hilarious horror-comedy. Since that time, I've been anxiously awaiting the DVD release, and just got my own copy from Amazon yesterday. Yay! I can't wait to share this film with my friends, who've heard me yapping enthusiastically about this "amazing indie horror-comedy flick" for several months. It's one great, big, fun-poking jab at the horror genre through the eyes of the bumbling writing team of Todd and Bruce, It riffs on a lot of horror clichés: a cabin in a woods, a who-done-it crime, creepy characters, etc, which are "just so derivative," because as Bruce says, "It's horror, of course it's derivative!" Great fun. Gotta love a film that simultaneously laughs at and celebrates its own wonderful horror genre. Bo Keister, Mike Kopera, Melissa Mars, and Angela Relucio and the entire cast are great in their roles -- all are very, very talented. The writing is sharp, the production value impressive. I can't wait to see director Steve Kopera's next project, though it will be tough to top this film!