Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THIS RATING IS NOT A MISTAKE, July 24, 2008
Most film critics will tell you that a martial arts film rises or falls solely on the strength of the fight scenes and the ability of the fighters in them. Likewise there are those who will swear that horror movies depend solely upon the believability of the monsters and the special effects, and whether or not they look convincing usually comes down to one factor-- how much money was spent upon them. Then there are those of us who, while we can't help but agree with the statement regarding martial arts films, still plant out flat little feet firmly on the ground and shout into the wind of prevailing thought. "NO! Sometimes you can have a really great little horror movie with MEDIOCRE SPECIAL EFFECTS!"
Well, the time has come for me to retract that statement. Having viewed NIGHT FEEDERS, a film made in and around Charlotte, North Carolina, with local effects talent that redefines the term "amateurish" and a budget that brings new meaning to the words "minisule", I must now say that, "Sometimes you can have a really great little horror film with PATHETIC special efects." Yep. All you need are some capable actors, a nifty story, and a director who can pull things together in an unusual manner and still make them work. That's a pretty tall order, but that's exactly what Writer & Director Jet Eller has managed to do in NIGHT FEEDERS.
The first thing that Eller does is realize that what his audience wants is action. So almost from the word "Go" that's what he gives us. We're introduced to our characters in only the sketchiest of terms. In fact a meteor has crashed AND two deaths have already occurred before we even meet out main protagonists; John the Smart Guy, Andy the Young Studly Guy, Doug who has Victim written all over him, and Donnie the Redneck Slob who also seems doomed to become an alien entree. Other possible hero/victims are a young couple--he's abusive and doesn't like her stinky perfume so she winds up clocking him with a piece of wood, and a game warden named Marty who's out looking for Clyde and Helen's two cows.
Its John, Andy, Doug, and Donnie are the focus of the film though. Three of them are city boys, and Donnie's the only one who really seems to know which end of a gun the shot comes out of. Nontheless they're out hunting. The only thing they've bagged by the time they make camp is the deer they hit with John's mother's car. It isn't long, and I really mean IT ISN'T LONG, before they're under seige by alien monsters whose only weakness (other than southern Bar-B-Cue) seems to be photophobia. John, concludes that the meteor sample he's been pondering really resembles an eggshell more than anything else, and everyone else concludes that they really want to be inside the farmhouse they passed a few miles down the road.
To say anymore would be to ruin the film, but trust me this is literally just the begining of an unusually enjoyable redneck romp that breaks a few of the cardinal rules of horror flix, especially in regard to structure and pacing, but still manages to come out a winner. Why? Because it really makes you care about all of these characters, and one in particular. It constantly does unexpected things, like reintroducing characers you've completely forgotten about and having them become crucial to the plot. Just when you think its going to pull a NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD on you, it doesn't. It avoids most of the cliches that other films fall into with such graceful sidesteps that you hardly notice. But as I said before, in the end this film owes much of its success to the characters and the actors who portray them. Their good ol' boy, down-home likeability makes a big difference in caring about whether or not they live or die at the the hands (and teeth) of these very crudely annimated CGI creatures.
Its funny too.
NIGHT FEEDERS
Written & Directed by Jet Eller
CAST:
John--Brett Gentile
Donnie--Donnie Evans
Andy--Mike Monzitta
Doug--Michael Ruff
Warden--Chip Barrett
Farmer Clyde--Jerry Moore
Terry--Kate Leahy
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
What a surprise!, February 5, 2008
After watching Razorteeth the night before (see my review for that disaster!), my wife and I watched this. It was a real surprise and pleasantly so. A terrific script, intelligent and very funny, and some good performances. Well photographed and the beasties were shown and were pretty scary. Some good, tense, moments.
Needless to say, the cover shot bears no resemblance to the creatuers. But it is definitely one of the better horror films around, low budget or not.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Jet Eller's "Night Feeders" sets High Standards for budget conscious Thrillers! , October 7, 2006
This is a well paced low budget thriller/comedy from a small, very dedicated group of filmmakers. And it shows! Aliens, Guns and a Guy named Donnie! Oh My!
O.K. , I might have noticed a couple of errors, but I didn't care. The characters, a group of city boys on a weekend- warrior style hunting trip, find themselves the hunted-- by little ravenous aliens! The plot is timeless in this little horror/thriller dynamo. In the vein of "Deliverance", "Night of the Living Dead" but with enough humor from the laughable cast to keep me amused the entire movie. Eller's keen direction keeps the story moving.
I liked the "Look" of the movie. It was gritty and real. It creates that dark spooky feeling that doesn't just happen by itself The camera work is solid and engaging with just enough "shakiness" to keep the audience off balance.
The Special Effects Guys were working overtime on this one! See for yourself! There's one scene that I'm not sure how they pulled it off! One minute he's sitting in the chair and the next...Well, he's not. It's the most
memorable shot in the movie for me. Whereas it's obvious the aliens are CGI, the execution of all the computer generated effects is skillful and sparingly used. Less Is More, as they say.
Last, but not least is the powerful , pulsing Sound Track. It's a big sound ! Something that usually is not present in small(micro)- budget indies! It really sets the tone from the beginning and never lets up.
This film is not for younger children due to some graphic content. But if you enjoy a good story, well executed by passionate indie filmmakers then you should check this gem out.
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