DVD Review: Melvin: Patrick O’Driscoll, Leif Fuller, Lloyd Kaufman, Lilly Maher, Shane Cohn, Henry Weintraub: Movies & TV
DVD Review: Melvin: Patrick O’Driscoll, Leif Fuller, Lloyd Kaufman, Lilly Maher, Shane Cohn, Henry Weintraub: Movies & TVASIN=B002H0QPV4&
Review
There’s just no getting past it, Melvin is a fun ride. It’s gory, it’s trippy, it harkens back to the eighties but is still serious enough that it keeps the audience drawn in to the plot. A very nice start for filmmaker Henry Weintraub who introduces himself to the world as a name to look out for. Although the performances aren’t quite up to academy standards, the cast gives their all and do provide their own unique additions to the film. With Patrick O’Driscoll as Norton and Lilly Maher as Wendy being the standouts in their leading roles. O’Driscoll is charming in his performance and believable as the quiet nerd who wishes for something better but is ultimately shut down by life. Lilly Maher is also great in her role that walks the line of seductress and yet sincere girl next door type. She also has an astonishing beauty that sets her apart from just about any group, with her wild eyes that add to her stark and wondrous look. It would certainly be a different film without either one of these performers. The last technical aspect I should probably cover is the overall look of the film which was a real surprise for me, as it never gives away its digital roots and is so stylized that the film never looks all too cheap. It rarely features a boring shot, as the filmmakers generally create some very interesting and unique compositions. Credits go to Leif Fuller, who not only plays the titular character of Melvin but also worked as cinematographer in the production. I can probably think of a few other things to stretch out over a countless number of paragraphs, but I’ll just slow down here and end saying that Melvin is one of the more impressive independent pieces of horror I have been sent in a long while. Partly a comic book come to life in much the same vein as Dance of the Dead, and partly a dark and comedic love story. There are a lot of different ways you can take the film, but I recommend checking it out for yourself and drawing your own conclusions. It’s a professional enough project that I could see it making it’s way to DVD shelves near you, and I sincerely hope for the best for these filmmakers. You can read more about Melvin and all the great people behind it over at 531productions.com. Check them out! –roguecinema.com
Review
Melvin is one of those fun old school feeling flicks that we d watch way back on USA Up All Night showings. It s got the 80 s comedy horror vibe all the way through but there s a darkness there just underneath. Melvin isn t as carefree as those flicks even though it retains their charm. Produced, directed, and written by Henry Weintraub, Melvin tells the story of a nerdy high school student, who after dying in a prank gone wrong, comes back for revenge. In a sort of American Werewolf in London meets Night of the Living Dead scenario, Melvin wakes from his grave and bites a fellow nerd named Norton, who manages to kill Melvin (again). Afterward, Melvin shows up in ghost form and tells Norton that he chose him to help wrought his vengeance (since the same bullies who inadvertently killed Melvin are now torturing Norton in college). Things go bad to worse for Norton after that. Weintraub brings a sense of fun and his own spin on movies like Evil Dead and Romero zombie flicks. There s also more than a little bit of Troma there (Lloyd Kaufman has a cameo in the movie within the movie, Driller Killer which I hope will be made a full length feature in the furture). The budget of $4,000 isn t huge, but the cast and the crew make it work. The zombie effects and the gore are decent. The acting is great and there is plenty of vomiting of blood. There s also a moment that begged for the word Fatality in bloody Mortal Kombat font to flash on the screen. The films music also adds to the atmosphere which is quirky, darkly humorous, and actually in the end, sort of sweetly romantic (in a very twisted way). The visual style is also pretty sweet, with scenes coming out you from skewed angles and shadows being used to nice effect. It s obvious that Weintraub and his cast and crew could do great things with a bigger budget, considering what they pulled off here. Melvin is fun and gory, and a great entry into the realm of zombie lore. It takes the mythology and spins it into its own gnarly, blood soaked tapestry (Melvin even asks Norton if he realizes just how much it hurts to come back and die a second time…something we ve never really heard before.) So if you get the chance, catch this little gem at a theater, or buy it! –Horror Hound Magazine
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If you like quirky independent horror, buy it.,
By Steve P. Pizat-newcomb “Steve P.N.” -
The people at 531 have done a great job making this movie much more than what you would expect from a low budget independent film. The special effects are authentic looking, the care taken with the overall look and quality of the images is also impressive. The original score and the numerous independent local band tracks are a treat and keep the whole film fresh. Even though many aspects of the movie are polished, it never loses sight of its goal, which is to be entertaining. Check it out.
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