Bdub's Film Reviews

[BWilli]

“Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer” stars Michael Rooker, Tom Towels and Tracy Arnold and is directed by John McNaughton.

Henry (Rooker) becomes the roommate of Otis (Towels), a parolee working in a gas station, and then Otis’ sister, Becky (Arnold), arrives from out of town and moves in. She is fascinated by Henry's stories of violence. Otis, who may have a homosexual interest in Henry, eventually goes along with him in a series of brutal killings, including one where they pretend to have car trouble and then shoot a good samaritan and another where they invade a home and videotape the murder of an entire family.  

Props to Dan (nosticker) for recommending this film to me.

The film is based on real life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas.  “Henry” was filmed in 1985; however its release was delayed until 1990 due to ratings issues.  The MPAA wouldn’t give it an R rating, most likely due to one disturbing scene in particular where Henry and Otis invade a home and videotape the brutal murder.  It was recently released on DVD in its unrated format.

In its short, 83 minute run-time, the scene I mention above is easily the most troubling to watch, along with one other scene involving a rape followed by a bloody killing.  Despite the graphic nature of the film, “Henry” is very well done by McNaughton.  It’s not as gory as the psycho-slasher films of today, and it honestly doesn’t need to be.  Henry is the monster, a monster who is created by the abusive past he comes from.  The story is well told.

Rooker is just absolutely amazing as Henry.  This was his first appearance in a feature film, but you’d think he’s a veteran.  Excellent performance.  Towels also puts on a good show as Otis, and Arnold is nearly perfect as Becky.  She was very believable as a woman who's been a victim all her life.  Top notch acting by all three.

DVD Note:  On the 2 Disc Special Edition, there is a documentary called “The Serial Killers: Henry Lee Lucas” which tells the real life story of Lucas.  This is a good piece to watch, as it bookends the movie nicely.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: 8/10

[BWilli]

“Cry_Wolf” stars Julian Morris, Lindy Booth, Jon Bon Jovi, and Jared Padalecki.  The film is directed by Jeff Wadlow.

Eight unsuspecting high school seniors playing a game of lies come face-to-face with terror and learn that nobody believes a liar - even when they're telling the truth. After one too many incidents of bad behavior at his last school, Owen Matthews (Morris) arrives at Westlake Prep - where a young woman has recently been found murdered in the dark woods near the boarding school's campus. Owen quickly falls in with the school's unofficial "liar's club," including Dodger (Booth) and Tom (Padalecki). The group decides to expand their game's reach beyond campus, by spreading an online rumor that a serial killer called "The Wolf" committed the recent murder and is planning to strike again. When the school's journalism teacher, Rich Walker (Bon Jovi), warns the group about the kinds of predators that lurk on the internet, Owen begins to regret sending their falsified story into cyberspace. When the described "victims" suddenly start to disappear, Owen, Dodger, and Tom are no longer able to determine where the lies end and the truth begins. What starts as a joke, soon turns deadly and now they find themselves victims of their own game as someone starts hunting the players themselves.

“Cry_Wolf” was an interesting film.  The best part about the film is that it’s not your typical slasher flick.  Not to mention that there is a great twist at the end.  So it’s technically not a horror movie, but it makes a pretty damn good psychological thriller.  It’s got jumpy moments, but that’s about it for the scare factor.  Wadlow does an excellent job directing the film.  He gave the film a mature feel by using slow camera movements, creative shots/angles while not overdoing it with the quick cuts.  (There were a few well used quick cuts)

I’m not familiar with Julian Morris, but he does a good job as Owen.  Lindy Booth is fantastic in her role.  She had so many levels to play and she hit them all on the head. Jared Padalecki was efficient as Tom, the “duder” like member of the group.  Bon Jovi is quite the good actor, and shows that here, in a small, but pivotal role.

“Cry_Wolf” is an all around fun psychological thriller.  I recommend fans of traditional “slasher” films to check this out, as well as everyone who likes to be, well, a little teased while watching a movie.

:thumbsup:  :thumbsup:  8/10