STAKE LAND (2010)
In 2010 this was one of
the most critically acclaimed horror flicks out there. STAKE LAND was basically
the anti-TWILIGHT and reached for unsettling horror in a way most vampire
flicks really never did. This one starts out in a US that has basically fallen
apart and been taken over by vampires (for the most part). A young boy and a
guy named Mister decide to try and get as far north as possible. Meanwhile they
run into a nun (played by Kelly McGillis), a pregnant girl named Belle (played
by Danielle Harris who you almost have to have in a real horror movie these
days or you will be arrested) and this guy Willie who just got back from the
war because most of the middle east was jacked up by vampires.
One of the
biggest problems in this movie is not the actual vampires, it’s the people.
Some of the left over religious fanatics form a group called the brotherhood
and wind up being anything but righteous. As a Christian this part of the film
would have bugged me had they painted ALL Christians with this broad a brush,
but kindness and faith are actually given credit and respect in this film as
well.
Harris does a good job in this but it doesn’t feel like her best
performance because she isn’t given very many lines. McGillis does such a
superb job it’s almost un-recognizable as her. Conor Paolo as Martin does a
great job as well which may have actually helped him land roles in TV’s REVENGE
and GOSSIP GIRL. Overall the mood in this is dark, dreary and almost completely
hopeless until the last few scenes. STAKE LAND should also come with a warning.
This thing is a horror film and some of the elements are truly messed up.
Proceed with caution. I give this one a 4 out of 7. To many gaps in dialog and scenes
where not much seems to be happening.
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