DEATHLIST

Produced by Andrea M. Garay
Written and Directed by Guy W. McConnell

Guy - Guy W. McConnell
Andrea - Andrea M. Garay
Dan - Dan Torres
Chris - Christian Torres

There's something about DEATHLIST that's pure Hollywood, and it isn't the production values. DEATHLIST is true, shot-on-video, underground horror and looks about as un-Hollywood as a movie can. The problem is in the story, or at least in how it plays out. There's nary a Hollywood cliche that doesn't push the movie along, most of which I can overlook or forgive, but the talking villain is a no-no. "Shut your yap and kill ‘em already!"

The premise itself has potential. Think The Dead Pool Game in reverse. Instead of making a list of who you think might die in the near future, there's a psycho who uses that list to start knocking people off.

A thought just occurred to me, a good twist for a future film might be to have those marked on Dead Pool lists to go after the bastards who are warming their graves. Picture Walter Matthau giving it to Howard Stern, or even better, Robin Quivers. Oh, the possibilities...

Jokes aside, DEATHLIST has possibilities that I hope are utilized in the future. This first installment is supposed to be the start of a trilogy. To be finish the set on a high note, director Guy McConnell should take note and pay attention to his pears, people like Ryan Cavalline who work at the no-budget level and only improve with each picture.

Guy, From here on out I'm talking to you directly. Heavy handed dialogue only sounds more forced when the actors stumble through the lines. You will need to rehearse your actors, including yourself. You owe your audience a quality picture if you expect them to pay. Mind you, bad acting is something I can look past.

Your plot needs to be fully realized. A slasher can't just up and kill characters until they've been completely developed. You might as well call the actors "Red Shirts" and put their asses on Star Trek because noone is going to give a rats' ass if they get phased out in the first reel or notl. But again, I can look past this.

But for the love of God, DON'T HAVE THE KILLER JUST STAND AROUND REVEALING HIS PLANS ALLOWING THE MAIN CAST TIME TO FIGURE OUT AN ESCAPE. That's just uninspired filmmaking. With as much potential as the premise has, follow through and don't sell you or your audience short. When you have momentum building, don't allow for such a dull break and just move straight into the action. Beside, you've got two more films to slowly reveal your slasher's origin.

Am I busting Guy's balls a bit so harshly? Probably, but considering the other films I've seen from other first time filmmakers, there's no excuse for not making the best product you possibly can. There are moments in DEATHLIST that border on greatness, and could be if only they were followed up on. Next time, I hope Guy goes all out, holding nothing back, and makes a film deserving of a great European-sounding title like DEATHLIST. Guy, think it through, take your time, and do it right.

Deathlist
Foxpack Productions
Dept.13

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