Back in 2000, I produced a short film called Mary’s Grave, which was based on a Long Island Myth. For a short film, We got a lot of press coverage and even won a few awards. It’s been a while since then, and it seems that there is a shit load of new films popping up about a ghost named Mary. Coincidence, probably not, but sometimes I wonder.
Anyway Dead Mary is a two part film. The first half of the film is nothing but over the top character and plot development, in fact there is so much, that the movie becomes an instant bore fest. I mean seriously there was way to much development in this film and there is nothing in terms of horror for at least the first half of the film. The movie has a basic plot; So I don’t get why the plot needed to be explained.
Basically this is the plot; tell me if it really needs to be explained to the audience.
Dead Mary is about a group of friends who decide to spend the weekend at a remote cabin in the woods. (We’ve heard that one before.) While playing a game they accidentally summon the evil spirit of Dead Mary. Mary’s spirit starts to invade and take over the bodies of everyone she can get her hands on. The friends start to turn on one another as they don’t know who is possessed and who is not.
I mean seriously how many times have we’ve seen this same plot played over and over again in each horror film. A lot! However I give Dead Mary credit because towards the end of the film. The second part of the film is where all the horror begins and the story takes an interesting twist, and even gives us a surprise ending, however the overly long and boring beginning of this film will turn a lot of people away. People need action and horror within the first fifteen minutes, this film takes far longer than that, and it’s bound to be a film that people will lose interest in very fast.
The acting is pretty decent, as well as the over all production value of the film. The film is made very well, great shots, sets and a the lighting and overall look and feel was perfect. The effects, including the CGI were also very well done. We have some great kill scenes, ones that are very intense.
Overall, Dead Mary is just another one of those horror films that has to much of a basic plot that; we’ve all seen before. I don’t really think that it’s a film that garnishes much merit when it comes to being a groundbreaking horror film, because it is far from it. Pretty much; like I mentioned above, the first half of the film is boring, while the last half of the film is good. Dead Mary will probably be more of a horror film that young teens will rent and watch in groups. it’s your basic direct to DVD film, that will probably do well with teenage sleepovers and Halloween parties.
– 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
