Monday, July 25, 2016

Movie review: Rest Stop: Don’t Look Back

Nicole and Jess set out for California a year ago and were never heard from again. When Jess’s brother Tom returns from Iraq he sets out along with his girlfriend Marilyn, and best friend Jared, to find them. Instead they find the Rest Stop and the same psychotic madman who may have also killed Jessie and Nicole.

Movie review: Rest Stop: Don’t Look Back – 2008
Richard Tillman (Tom), Jessie Ward (Marilyn), Graham Norris (Jared), Joey Mendicino (Jessie), Julie Mond (Nicole), Brionne Davis (Driver), Steve Railsback (Owner).

This one kicks off with some good horror action which at the same time gives us some background and basis for the rest of the movie. Things then slow down for a bit as the rest of the cast is developed before jumping back into the twisted story. I don’t like comparing episodes in a series but I will here because this one felt like a cheat. The original was about terror and horror whereas this one delved into the supernatural in what looks to be nothing more than an attempt to continue the story. I would guess they made enough money off the first film they felt it was worth continuing but had written themselves into a corner. Poof, use ghosts! Problem solved. It felt like this story was forced in an effort to continue the original and sadly it added nothing to the original story. The film felt more like a re-telling of the original with different characters and perspective with the supernatural slant necessary only to maintain continuity with the series.

Acting was pretty good with Ward and Norris both putting out great effort. Railsback does a great job of being freaky and creepy and I loved him in this role. Camera work, sound, dialogue, background and effects were all well done. Gore shots were pretty good with a great Squeamish Factor at points.

Plot was a bit disjointed at times but overall the story can be followed easily. Overall a decent horror flick but a disappointment compared to the original. Put this about the middle of your Must See list.

Brief mild nudity, foul language, violence, blood, and gore so save this one for the oldest teens and above.

Released: 2008
Reviewed: 7.20.16
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Teen Screams, Horror, Slashers and Serial Killers, Thriller, Supernatural Horror

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

No comments:

Mine mine mine!!!!

Blog disclaimer and copyright information. . .

-I hope to make this blog revenue generating in the future and as such any posts found here may be paid posts. If you want to pay me to post for you, let me know!
-Content may change over time resulting in inaccuracies. I also make mistakes, some will be here.
-I have no control over what is at the other end of any links you may find here.
-Film pictures, dvd covers, film banners or whatever you like to call them are copied here from widely available public locations. I did not create them nor do I own them.
-Any files, programs or downloadables are provided only for convenience and fun. I in no way warrant, represent, or otherwise imply they won’t cause you problems. Use at your own risk! If your computer blows up I don’t want to even hear about it.
-Reviews posted here are my opinion and meant as informational for prospective viewers and are not meant to malign, defame, or otherwise harm anyone or anything. They also are not meant as advice or counsel , not necessarily factual or absolute, and the author will not be held responsible for the results of their use.
-Comments are NOT the opinion of this author, nor is he responsible or liable for the comments or their results. I will try to moderate them in a reasonable (to me) manner.
-Translation of any portion of this blog may result in other than desirable language for which the author is not responsible. Furthermore, I’m not an English major so there will be bad grammar and punctuation found here. There may also be language that is intentionally objectionable to support my opinions. Tough.
-Copyright: All reviews and opinions expressed here by the author are owned by the author. Please enjoy reposting and/or linking, I ask only that you give proper credit and inform me you have used my content for your own pleasure and devious purposes.
-Legal limit on damages: .02 cents, U.S. (Yes, I will give you my 2 cents worth if you abuse me in court).