I started tonight watching what is probably the worst Hollywood produced film ever, No it’s not this film, but it was a film called Epic Movie. (Dumbest film ever made). Anyway after putting the wife and baby to bed, I crept on down to my office and found the envelop from Maverick Entertainment containing this film Bad Reputation. Now I have to admit that the last two releases from Maverick I didn’t really care for, so right off the bat I was bit skeptical whether or not I was going to like this one. The box cover looked great with the sexy looking Angelique Hennessy on the front cover, but I never go by the cover.
The film starts off with a group of high school jocks/ popular kids whom invite a lonely girl in there school named Michelle to their party. While at the party the guys put a date rape drug in Michelle’s drink and take her into a bedroom and proceed to rape her. After they have their way with her, the guys girlfriends find Michelle passed out in the bedroom. They all know she was in there with all three of the guys, so they drag her outside and tie her to a tree and write slut on her forehead. The next day in school the rumors have run wild and Michelle fins out that she is now the school slut. With no one to talk to or help her with the problem, Michelle decides to take matters in her own hand instead of transferring to a new school or putting up with the abuse, Michelle decides to embrace her newfound label and use it to get revenge on the ones who did this to her.
Bad Reputation starts off a bit slow, using the first fifteen minutes to set up the plot and lay out the details of the characters. But after the initial setup of the film the plot picks up quickly. I really enjoyed the sleek and witty dialogue. The script is your basic girl in high school revenge plot. Very similar to the likes of Carrie which this film seems to be a tribute too. When it comes to the films directing, I have to say that Jim Hemphill did great job. While watching the film, I saw a lot of things that were similar to the first feature I produced. So shaky camera shots, the lighting was off a little here and there, but that’s what ultimately made the film for me, that great independent look. However what Jim did right that most other first time directors do wrong is that he knew his shots, knew what worked and didn’t worked and most importantly knew his script. His editing was perfect, and is what actually made the film easy to watch. Too many times I’m sent movies by indie filmmakers whom always have to have their characters explain the story to the audience. Jim explained the story though his editing and that’s the way most professional filmmakers tell their story. You cut out all the bullshit that the audience already knows about and keep the movie flowing. Which is what we get with this movie, a great flowing plot with all the bullshit left out.
Most independent films always have bad acting; it usually is always a give in. However Bad Reputation is one film that is arguably an exception. Angelique Hennessy who’s plays Michelle did such a wonderful job in her role. She reminded me of that lonely girl in high school that you knew was good looking but no one really ever paid any attention to her because she wasn’t trendy enough, that’s what she did so perfectly with the part of Michelle. I see bright future with her within this business. The rest of the cast was good as well and I give them credit, but Angelique gave the character of Michelle, what I think is almost an icon status of the likes of Carrie and May.
As far as the production value and special effects in the film go, everything was pretty much practical. The sets where your basic on location homes and buildings, so production value was what it was. As far as effects go the movie didn’t really have much. Of course we got a basic blood everywhere, but the film relies on the less is more routine.
Overall, despite a few first time filmmaker flaws, ones that were minimal, Bad Reputation is very well put together film. The script is very well written and the acting and directing is good. The film is edited perfect and that’s what make the story flow and keep the film interesting. Bad Reputation is the independent version of likes of films such as Carrie and May. It has that teenage revenge taste that those film had, and is well worth checking out when you get the chance.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
