~Spoiler~
Storm Warning is the latest release from the Dimension Extreme label (which hasn't been all that impressive yet). You might remember the film's director, Jamie Blanks, from the hackfests Urban Legend and Valentine. Try not to hold that against him. I can say he's developed as a filmmaker since those days. But when you're working from a script by Everett De Roche (Long Weekend, Razorback), you're work is half done. De Roche wrote some of the best Aussie movies of the 70's and 80's. Storm Warning follows a couple who get lost during a storm and take refuge in the wrong cabin. When the owners come back to find someone has been in their house (and in their marijuana crop) things go from bad to worse real quick. The villains of the piece are truly menacing sorts and they create a tangible feeling of fear in this viewer. Once again De Roche's writing helps, but the actors assembled here really sell it. After all this, the film does still have downfalls. No matter how successful the movie was in making me uncomfortable, I've seen it all before. There's no reason to give films like this and Wolf Creek a second look when The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes (the originals natch) exist. Those films did it first and still have done it the best. But you can't blame Blanks and De Roche for trying. It upsets me that they are tackling a remake of Long Weekend next. Perfection should be left alone.
Storm Warning is the latest release from the Dimension Extreme label (which hasn't been all that impressive yet). You might remember the film's director, Jamie Blanks, from the hackfests Urban Legend and Valentine. Try not to hold that against him. I can say he's developed as a filmmaker since those days. But when you're working from a script by Everett De Roche (Long Weekend, Razorback), you're work is half done. De Roche wrote some of the best Aussie movies of the 70's and 80's. Storm Warning follows a couple who get lost during a storm and take refuge in the wrong cabin. When the owners come back to find someone has been in their house (and in their marijuana crop) things go from bad to worse real quick. The villains of the piece are truly menacing sorts and they create a tangible feeling of fear in this viewer. Once again De Roche's writing helps, but the actors assembled here really sell it. After all this, the film does still have downfalls. No matter how successful the movie was in making me uncomfortable, I've seen it all before. There's no reason to give films like this and Wolf Creek a second look when The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes (the originals natch) exist. Those films did it first and still have done it the best. But you can't blame Blanks and De Roche for trying. It upsets me that they are tackling a remake of Long Weekend next. Perfection should be left alone.