Australian horror, also known as "Outback", about a gang of four friends traveling south to the coast through the remote Boanyoo Ranges they encounter a stranger. Stopping to help they soon feel like they are in a cat-and-mouse game with a stranger. Yeah, it's one of those films. It's not the easiest genre to please a viewer, but it shouldn't be that difficult either to make something worthwhile. The film manges to make the right vibe, of roadtrip going all wrong. The film starts the way these films do, and this one doesn't start any worse than others. Creepy and good. Then the gang starts acting so silly that it ruins the whole film. In a horror film it's OK that one person is doing an irrational and stupid thing, but four persons traveling together? No,that's not possible, not even in with city slickers outback country.This is one of those film where they don't run when they see a person starting to point a shotgun at them, but waits until they are shot in the leg, and where they run towards the shooter instead of away from. And where you can see there's no one in a car when it crashes. It's awfully annoying.Effects are good, and so are the production values, music, sound, and photography is excellent, and the acting is OK until that also stumbles for a couple. The script and the instruction is what are failing here.In the end we start thinking irrational ourselves, and I was thinking it's such a pity spoiling those light colored seats in the classic Volvo with all that blood.
... View MoreThe first half of Wrath (also released as "Outback") was rather intriguing. The outstanding question being just why were the two or possibly three (and it was) hillbillies taking out travellers in the outback. However when the question is answered the reveal is underwhelming. When one of the assassins called the other a retard i began to piece it together before all was revealed. Why name check Summerfield? Well if you know your Australian movies you know that incest is the key just as it is here. This being the new millennium violence and a small amount of gore are thrown into the mix as well. When the inbreeding family finally all appear on screen together they are a rum bunch and are frankly irritating. Their victims, all the ones who are murdered , are the interesting characters and are also the better quality actors. Pity to see them all exit by the hour mark. The countryside is bleak yet the cinematography is excellent. Wrath is worth a watch but the pay off was very disappointing.
... View MoreOne of the best things you can say about this movie, is that it is different. Another one would be that it tries to stay true to its nature from start to finish. Problem is, the execution (no puns intended by the way) isn't as good as it could be. The script might have a few twists here and there, but the characters will annoy you at best. To be fair at best is what the other comment is and I wish I could share his enthusiasm (good for him).While promising at the beginning this drifts to the absurd and almost unbearable at times. The (special) effects are good, the cinematography is nice too. But there is a lot missing to make this a stand out.
... View MoreI saw this little gem at the AFM last November when I accompanied one of buyers (a friend of mine) to a screening. I had no idea what I was in for, all I knew was that it was this little indie thriller from Australia, so I wasn't expecting much... but I quickly found myself getting caught up in it all! The film is full of twists and turns with interesting characters that actually have depth and aren't just, for lack of a better term, "slasher fodder". The antagonist in the film is interesting too, you don't really know who this evil force is or what it wants, until the end of course when all is revealed. It keeps you guessing all the time and just when you think you know where it's going, it tricks you. Very entertaining- but not for the faint hearted! I highly recommend it. A top notch thriller!
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