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NIGHT FEEDERS

Produced by Paul Barrett
Directed and Written by Jet Eller
Edited by Tony Elwood and Paul Barrett
Director of Photography - Alan Newcomb

Donnie - Donnie Evans
John - Brett Gentile
Andy - Mike Monzitta
Doug - Michael Ruff
Terry - Kate Leahey

NIGHT FEEDERS tells the tried and true (or should I say tired and true?) story of a group of individuals, in this case deer hunters, who get attacked during the night by vicious beasts. While this is a common set up in no budget productions, NIGHT FEEDERS actually comes across as a breath of fresh air simply because it looks and feels like a real film.

What do we think of when we think of theatrical movies or movies shot on film? The medium itself gives off a distinctive look that almost all independent filmmakers have yet to grasp. This might be because of a total lack of talent, it might be budgetary, but regardless of everybody?s excuse NIGHT FEEDERS looks like a 1980's horror film. Given, the photography is not going to turn the average movie-goer's head, it is striking as to how much more watchable this film is than the majority of independent horror films being regurgitated and released onto video shelves.

Photography alone doesn't warrant a rental or buy, but NIGHT FEEDERS succeeds on all levels. I actually sat and watched the film, rather than suffer through it. The pacing and shot composition all lead to someone that has done their homework and actually taken time to set up a shot and block it out, rather than just pressing record and yelling "action!" The make-up and gore FX are convincing. Bodies get eviscerated and blood is spilled. The gore isn't the focus, but it is there to show how vicious the creatures are. Which brings me to my only complaint, and that is the creatures themselves. CG is essentially not a low budget filmmaker's best friend, especially when the creatures are one-hundred percent CGI. Normally, someone like myself who loves a guy in a creature suit would be seriously let down, but here again the CG is done well enough, at least in a Sci-Fi channel sort of way, in that is really doesn't distract you from watching and enjoying the film.

Overall, NIGHT FEEDERS is a very pleasant surprise. Technically, NIGHT FEEDERS is one of the best micro-cinema horror films I have ever seen. It doesn't stretch boundaries but it tells its story the way it needs to be told. If only more "wanna-be" filmmakers would take the time and treat their backyard productions like real films, then maybe I could start looking forward to picking up more micro-cinema films. As it stands, NIGHT FEEDERS is one of the best low-budget horror films I have seen in quite a while and will please the horror fan.

Night Feeders Official Site


Review by Gordon Loving