Skip to main content

The Ranger (2018) - Jenn Wexler

The Ranger (2018)

An American independent horror movie from director Jenn Wexler. The film stars Chloe Levine, Granit Lahu, Jeremy Pope, Bubba Weiler, Amanda Grace Benitez, and Jeremy Holm. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival as the Official 'Midnighter' Selection, on August 17th, 2018.

Synopsis 

A group of young, brash, drug-addicted punk rockers kill a police officer then hold-up in a cabin out in a closed off State Park. It seems like a solid plan. The only problem is the psychotic park ranger that won’t leave them alone.

Analysis 

Jenn Wexler delivers another low-budget horror movie, paying homage to the b-movie slashers of the eighties. It’s a decent premise and I found myself really liking Jeremy Holm’s work as The Ranger. However, aside from Chelsea (Chloë Levine), the characters in this movie are horribly unlikeable. I literally couldn’t wait for them to start eating it.

We are graced with a mix of practical effects and light CGI for a very decent outcome. I liked the effects. Gory and satisfying. The ending is pretty brutal. However, the editing was really poor. I didn’t like the quick and rapid cuts used in the action scenes. It was annoying. The acting leaves a lot to be desired too. It can get downright frustrating at times.

Overall 

This was a pretty decent effort. I really appreciated the brutal gore and practical effects. But then the acting and quality of filmmaking really drags it down. This would be a great movie to catch on some reboot of USA Up All Night, but I wouldn’t seek it out. It’s not horrible. It’s just not memorable.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ju-On (2000) - Takashi Shimizu

Watching Japanese horror is similar to watching British comedy. If you enjoy dry whit then you probably enjoy the boys of Monty Python in drag. That's the joke, they're dressed like women. Get it? Well, that's British humor. But if you're like most Americans you probably prefer Adam Sandler farting his way across a football field and hooking up with chicks that are way out of his league. Americans usually prefer this more in your face, crass brand of humor. My point is funny in England is different from funny in the US. The same goes for J-Horror. What the Japanese consider scary is very different from what Americans consider scary and it shows in this horror film. Japanese horror is generally slow (a little too slow sometimes), suspenseful and creepy. Ju-On is a creepy effing film. The movie has almost no soundtrack. It is incredibly suspenseful and the pay-offs are pretty awesome, but I think that it was done better in the American version (cultural t...
Post a Comment
Not scared yet? »

Sleepy Hollow (1999) - Tim Burton

Tim Burton's take on the old Sleepy Hollow tale is really interesting. He adds his own flair of course. He delves very deeply into the original story by Washington Irving. The casting is usual for Burton. Johnny Depp of course in your lead. Helena Bonham Carter, thrown in for some flavor. The score is done by Danny Elfman. It's literally just the Ichabod Crane story run through the Tim Burton machine. But in a good way. Sleepy Hollow has a problem with a guy, running around, taking people's heads. Like, a lot of people. The town sends word for assistance and the nervous  Constable Ichabod Crane reports. He starts to unravel clues that take him down an incredibly strange path. With the Horseman still murdering patrons, Crane tries finding who's next before they lose their head.  I've always been a big fan of the Disney cartoon,  The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad . This movie is a far cry from Bing Crosby and quaint animations....
Post a Comment
Not scared yet? »

Escape From Tomorrow (2013) - Randy Moore

This review may contain spoilers. An American independent horror movie from filmmaker Randy Moore. It stars Roy Abramsohn, Elena Schuber, Katelynn Rodriguez, Jack Dalton, Annet Mahendru, and Alison Lees-Taylor. It premiered at the official selection of Roger Ebert, at the Sundance Film Festival on January 18th, 2013. Synopsis Jim is a depressed middle-aged man that despises his family life but wants to try to hold it together for a vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort. Jim receives a call before they leave and, unfortunately, Jim has lost his job as well. It proves too much to handle as this trip to the Magic Kingdom becomes a hellish nightmare. Jim’s mind cracks as we watch him deal with Disney’s seedy underbelly. Complete with elaborate corporate conspiracy, undercover sex workers, and demons. Oh and two very young French girls that Jim lusts over. It’s gross. Analysis The acting is amateurish. It’s nothing that’s going to win any awards or anything. The wri...
Post a Comment
Not scared yet? »