Evidence (2013)

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Director: Olatunde Osunsanmi

Writer: John Swetnam

Actors: Stephen Moyer, Radha Mitchell, Torrey DeVitto

Synopsis: A detective hunts down a killer using video footage shot by the victims of a massacre at an abandoned gas station. (IMDB)

Review: While, I was curious about this movie because Of Stephen Moyer and Radha Mitchell. I wasn’t like all crazy nuts about watching. So, I kept putting it off. I was bored af one night with me and Netflix and thought what the heck. It is moments like these found footage movie lovers wait for. When the credits roll and you are sitting there like WTF!

It held my attention. You watch cops piece together what happened at an old abandoned gas station when people just start dying left and right. And all they have to go on is some footage found at the scene. I don’t usually like to admit this but my mind was more than a little blown at the end.

I would love to gush on about this movie but if I do I will end up giving it all away. So you should check it out. It is still streaming on Netflix as far as I know.

Note, if you liked The Fourth Kind this could be something that interests you because it is done by the same director.

Found Footage O Meter: 7.5, I don’t always get these types of pleasant surprises when it comes to found footage but this one was pretty darn good. The twist will leave you like…what just happened.

The St. Francisville Experiment (2000)

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Director: Ted Nicolaou

Actors: Madison Charap, Troy Taylor, Ryan Larson

Synopsis: A group of young people were given video cameras and the opportunity to spend the night in an abandoned mansion in St. Francisville, LA. It is rumored to be haunted.

Review: I have watched this movie many times. It came out about 1 year after The Blair Witch.  I was ecstatic because I wanted to see more movies shot in the style of The Blair Witch Project. The movie went straight to DVD which is not surprising I am sure it was a shoe string budget they were working with, and this was before the found footage craze. Though at times it could be very cheesy, I really enjoyed this movie. I am in the minority on this one. I think because a lot of people thought some camera angles were shot by cameramen which is  true but come on it is a movie don’t read so much into it.

I loved the true history they share of Madam Delphine Lalaurie which some may recognize that name from American Horror Story Coven. It was one of Madam Lalaurie’s houses they were investigating. The movie is set in Louisiana which is already filled with ghosts and history. Plus, Louisiana is my most favorite place ever. I think the historical part of the story kind of outweighed the annoying characters. Yes, sometimes the characters could be very annoying especially the two girls Madison and Ryan. I liked this movie a lot and think it is very underrated. FYI..this movie is currently free to watch with Amazon Prime.

 

Found Footage O Meter: 7/10 I enjoyed The St. Francisville Experiment. I liked the history behind the movie and I love the fact it was shot in Louisiana. Any movie shot in Louisiana instantly gets extra points from me.

The Gallows (2015)

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Director: Travis Cluff, Chris Lofing

Writer: Travis Cluff, Chris Lofing

Actor: Reese Mishler, Ryan Shoos, Pfeifer Brown

Synopsis: 20 years after a horrific accident during a small town school play, students at the school resurrect the failed show in a misguided attempt to honor the anniversary of the tragedy – but soon discover that some things are better left alone. (IMDB)

Review: 

I was so stoked for this movie. I knew the reviews were mixed more bad than good, but I never take reviews completely to heart or I will end up never watching anything. This one I don’t even know where to begin. It starts with an accident that happened 20 years ago during a small town school play. And today the school is trying to honor it, but things go awry of course. Frankly, I am not sure why someone would want to honor something so horrible. But nonetheless, I loved the idea and concept behind it.  But the movie just went in a direction that didn’t keep me interested mostly because the actors and actresses were just plain annoying. I didn’t  find one likable character nor one with any redeeming qualities. There was lots of yelling, screaming and bickering which most found footage movies are known for that. But this movie took it to whole new level. I found myself rooting for people to die so they would shut the hell up. I think in this instance the reviews ring true. I have been trying to talk myself into a second watch but haven’t mustered up the nerve to do so.

Found Footage O Meter: I can’t believe I allowed myself to get overly excited enough to buy this movie. What a huge disappointment. Not only a  waste of money but a waste of time. I give this 2 out of 10 and it is only getting that because I liked the concept or idea behind the story. Watch at your own risk.

The Sacrament (2013)

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Director: Ti West

Writer: Ti West

Actors: AJ Bowen, Jo Swanberg, Kentucker Audley

Synopsis: A news team trails a man as he travels to an undisclosed location to find his missing sister. Upon entering “Eden Parish” and meeting the community’s leader, it becomes clear to the newcomers that this paradise might not be what it seems.

Review: 

The Sacrament which I found to be one of Ti West’s better films in my opinion. Starts out in typical Ti West fashion a very slow burn. Vice a new team follows one of their own into an undisclosed location in order to find his sister who ran off with a cult leader who goes by the name Father. Under the surface, Eden Parish looks like a utopian society but in actuality it is anything but. It is a basic retelling of the Jonestown Massacre.

I really enjoyed the movie It is shot more documentary style so the camera doesn’t shake all over the place. That doesn’t bother me, but I know it is bothersome to some people. I also loved that most of the cast from this movie was in You’re Next (not found footage, but very good). You will recognize AJ Bowen, Jo Swanberg, Amy Seimetz, Sharni Vinson. They all make appearances in both movies. And Ti West even plays a small role in You’re Next. I think this cast works well together. I know most will already know how the story ends because the movie is on actual events. Don’t let that keep you from watching it. Ti West does job.

Found Footage O Meter: Honestly, I think this is my very favorite Ti West movie. I give this movie an 8/10.

The Afflicted (2013)

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Director: Derek Lee, Cliff Prowse

Writer: Derek Lee, Cliff Prowse

Actors: Derek Lee, Cliff Prowse

Synopsis: Two best friends see their trip of a lifetime take a dark turn when one of them is struck by a mysterious affliction. Now, in a foreign land, they race to uncover the source before it consumes him completely.

Review: Hand down one of the best found footage movies of 2014. This movie is what found footage is all about. Take two buds Derek and Cliff, who head off to see the world on a vacation I can only dream of. The movie maintains a steady pace. And I love the fact that Derek Lee and Cliff Prowse are good friends in real life. It made them so believable, and you found yourself rooting for them.

Basically off in a land far away these buds are out looking for fun. I mean who wouldn’t if you could just jet set across the globe. Fun comes in the form of a hot brunette for Derek Lee. The brunette was more than any of them could have ever expected. After that encounter it is a whirl wind edge of your seat ride. Derek Lee begins an unexplainable transformation that he, and his buddy document on film.

The is one of  the best solid plots in a found footage movie I have witnessed. I am not left guessing at anything for the most part. The two main characters are well-developed, and definitely well acted. It is actually fun watching this thing get so out of control. It’s like watching a train wreck in slow motion. Made on a shoe string budget kudos to these guys.

 

Found Footage O Meter: 8/10 for me on this one. It was just so well done. It is in my top 5 possibly top 3 of found footage this year. It is definitely in my top 10 of all time found footage.

The Taking OF Deborah Logan (2014)

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Director: Adam Robitel

Writer: Gavin Heffernan, Adam Robitel

 Starring: Jill Larson, Anne Ramsay, and Mitchell Ang

 Synopsis: The daughter of a woman with Alzheimer’s allows a film crew to document her mother’s descent into dementia. However, things are not what they seem and Deborah Logan may have more than just Alzheimer’s.

 

Review: This movie is a little different than your usual found footage or even possession movies. I’d almost say it’s a breath of fresh air except I found it good, not great as some have coined it.

 Trying to help pay the medical bills of her mother, a woman allows a film crew to document her mother’s decline due to Alzheimer’s Disease. However, things start escalating into something that isn’t just due to the disease at all and that’s where the possession or occult aspect comes in.

 I found the acting pretty decent, especially with Anne Ramsay, who plays Deborah Logan’s daughter. There are quite a few creepy moments and one that is especially shocking so that in itself gives the movie some extra points. I didn’t care for the open-ended ending with the little girl (not a spoiler, by the way) and while I enjoy some endings like that, this one was just “okay” to me.

 I do like that the movie took a different approach to the usual possession theme. We have an elderly woman instead of your usual teen girl, the atmosphere was decent, and like I said, the acting was pretty good as well. I don’t know why I didn’t love it more but then again, it is probably one that I’ll watch again and that may change my review to an even higher score.

 

Found Footage O Meter: I give this one a solid 6/10 and that may change with another viewing. I dare say one of the best found footage movies of 2014.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

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Director: Eduardo Sanchez and Daniel Myrick

Writer: Eduardo Sanchez and Daniel Myrick

Starring: Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, Joshua Leonard

Synopsis: Three film students vanish after traveling into a Maryland forest to film a documentary on the local Blair Witch legend, leaving only their footage behind.

 

Blair Witch Project is the movie that started the found footage craze. I remember going to the movie theater with my friend TJ Rogers to see this little screen gem. It was from that point I fell in love. Blair Witch Project follows 3 college kids (white of course) into the woods. Heather, Michael and Josh head out into the Maryland woods in search of the Blair Witch. There have been so many naysayers on this film. All though when it was first released everyone loved it.

 

I remember holding hands with TJ cringing at every twig crackle and though you already have a good idea of how it’s going to go you can’t help but watch. It’s kinda like watching a crash in slow motion. I have to admit for some reason I loved Michael. He was my absolute favorite of 3. Heather very annoying. Josh was cool, but my Michael was just adorable and I felt sorry for him most. With that being said I would say the acting was stellar.

 

There was a lot of complaints about the film and the shaky camera effect. I know it is difficult for a lot of people to stomach. But I believe that is part of what made this movie not to mention the epic marketing strategy allowing people to believe this was actually real. I remember the billboards with Michael, Josh and Heather’s missing photos. I thought that was awesome.

 

The movie was entertaining and had its creepy moments. I know it bummed a lot of people out that they never actually so anything. But I don’t feel the end result is always what makes the movie. It’s the build up, and this movie had plenty of that. They began with all kinds of interviews in the first 10-15 minutes from people in the tiny town. And the history and back story was very interesting and believable.

 

10/10: I don’t think to many people who love found footage would give this anything less than 8. I gave it a 10 because it was this movie that made me fall in love with the found footage genre, and not to mention it paved the way for lots of other found footage movies.