Dreamkiller (2010) User Reviews

Well done for a beginner, still a long way to go

[keenast · 3/10 · 18 April 2010]

Congratulations to anybody who manages to actually finish a movie and even get it into a theater. that's no small feat by any means. A grand undertaking failing though on some levels: way too many characters - and all quite one-dimensional. I couldn't bond with any character and definitely not the lead. The story starts with a more or less clear cut premise but at the end is so utterly confusing and non-sensical, it'd be better the movie would have ended 30 minutes earlier. The movie is called a 'psychological thriller' - I don't know where this genre comes from really, but 'Dreamkiller' is more a horror/slasher/suspense movie. Psychology is the ingredient that is actually missing here. I doubt that the film's budget wasn't more than 50k as someone here mentioned. There's quite some production value on the screen. BUt don't look for any kind of sophisticated lighting, that's not there or was not in the budget. The colors are murky, the resolution is rather low, i suppose shot with a rather lowly video camera - nevertheless well done. 35mm was surely not in the budget and better a film is made and finished even with mediocre tools than just dreamed about and shot in vista-vision.

All in all I was sitting a bit on needles and hoped that the film would end sooner than what it did. I kinda has a lot of the right ingredients but not so great acting (with some exceptions) and a confusing story makes the film hard to recommend. The next one of this - so it seems - first time director, will surely be on another level. Doing it is the only film school worth visiting, and she'd done it !

It made me think

[blackdevil450 · 10/10 · 18 March 2010]

I went to The Beverly Center to see "Hurt Locker" when I was stopped by a team of young people promoting a new thriller "Dreamkiller", an independently produced psychological thriller.

I was intrigued by the poster (particularly the fear of failure) and they gave me a hard sale so I gave it a shot. This is not a big budget movie and it felt a bit slow in the beginning but about 10 min. in, the story became very intriguing and unpredictable and once it grabbed me I had to watch it 'till the end. In short, I was entertained.

On my way out I saw a group of people near a table in the lobby next to the Dreamkiller poster. I approached them and told the young girl (who happened to be the director) that I enjoyed the movie. We spoke for a while and I learned that the movie was allegedly made for much less than I imagined.

When she told me the actual number I couldn't hide my disbelief. This is NOT a Blair Which or such a movie with shaky camera and available light but a real production so I told her that I don't think that would be possible to which she responded "we didn't know it was impossible so we did it".

By the time I got home the general theme and questions that the movie arose started to nip at me. Even more so now, related to the people behind it.

I always aspired to create a feature film. I wrote my screenplay over 40 years ago and had been working on putting it together ever since. I got close a few times but it never truly came together, mainly due to the lack of financing. A few times I had almost enough money but was afraid to do it and needed more. And now, after all these years I look at these kids and wonder…

I get it. "Dreamkiller"! My fear killed my dream. Or did it, maybe it's not too late. Maybe I'll send my script to them. With the money I had available they would have made three movies.

This movie has nothing to envy to big budget movies. I give it a 10 because anyone can make a movie with money, but very few with talent and will.

Not sure if it's true?

[mschneider6510 · 9/10 · 15 March 2010]

I saw the movie yesterday at the Beverly Center and had a pleasure of meeting the filmmakers for the Q&A session afterwards (I was told they will be there every weekend thorough their release and I highly recommend it).

This is not a big budget movie, which I expected was made for under $5 million, but I was stunned when the director answered the question "What was the budget?" by, we shot the whole film for around $50K. $50K?

For anyone that has ever been involved in any kind of production (like myself) will be hard to believe that this movie was shot for so little budget. Most short films are shot for more so I suspect that this might be their publicity stunt.

But regardless of the budget I feel that the movie gives something completely new and original and it kept me in the seat. I was entertained thorough and the movie grabbed me from the very beginning.

I would not compare it to "Shutter Island", in terms of budget it would not be fair even if this movie was made for $20 million, but in terms of the story and execution this movie can stand tall.

the "perfect" film

[Godzillina · 12 March 2010]

Well, 4 out of 5 reviews already gave the film 10 stars... calling it a near perfect film... way better than "Shutter Island"... full of twists and turns... with acting performances larger than life... displaying a strong script through brilliant directing skills.

In a nutshell: go see this movie before you die, it'll give you the meaning of life.

With this kind of friends, the filmmakers don't need enemies. No honest perspective whatsoever, no clear artistic judgment, no clear criticism, only blind loyalty... or several alias-users, giving a hyper-positive new review every other day.

5 reviews, all written by "virgin" users in rapid-fire, one of them calling himself an ardent film buff... with no other "reviews" under his belt.

Still wondering who wrote those marvelous pieces?

Indy movie that is scary, smart

[compassionateproject · 7/10 · 19 February 2010]

While this is an independent movie, and there are reminders of this at times with the lighting and sound, you really get a lot out of the screenplay and star Dario Deak. Action, romance and suspense are all packed in, with inspired direction from a relative newcomer, Catherine Pirotta. Brief overview- Two Los Angeles doctors are running a program called F.R.I.T., where they attempt to cure people's fears and phobias by acclimating their brains to the fear. Test subjects start dying, and Dr. Nemet (Dario Deak) tries to figure out what is happening to his patients. The script takes you through a maze of mystery as to who is killing the patients. This movie keeps you guessing like any good thriller. Several stand outs from the cast. Like the ending!

Great Twist

[travisthecat88 · 10/10 · 27 February 2010]

Very cleverly done and brilliantly executed psychological thriller. Though occasional reminders that this is an indie do come out, you will loose yourself in the story and most importantly have a lot of fun. Acting is great specially from the lead protagonist Dario Deak in such a demanding role. The soundtrack is also great. Overall a very refreshing ORIGINAL in the world of remakes and sequels. I used to brag that I can always guess who the killer is or how a movie is going to end. "Dreamkiller" got me. It kept me guessing all the way through and the plot has one of the greatest twists I've ever seen. Definitely a thinkers movie. Makes one wonder how would my own fear would destroy me?

Great thriller!

[Puddinghead-64 · 9/10 · 3 March 2010]

Dreamkiller is a tightly wound indie thriller that matches up with any comparable big budget fare (Shutter Island). I loved this very well directed and acted psychological thriller. Newcomer Catherine Pirotta elicits some amazingly nuanced performances from a fine cast. Dario Deak fits the breakout actor mold, precisely. Dreamkiller kept me on the edge of my seat with my mind always working to keep up with the great turns and twists. This movie is spot on, all the way through, with some really good scares and thrills. Its a smart movie with a great twist. There are no name actors (yet!) except for cameos, by Oscar nominated John Savage (Deer Hunter) and Tyrone Power Jr. I sure hope we see more of this great cast and director. The ending is classic!

Fantastic thriller great acting and visuals

[JeffSB43 · 10/10 · 22 February 2010]

I was able to see this movie before the general public and really enjoyed it. I have taken a few friends to see it as well and they all enjoyed it too.

The movie is a psychological thriller that has a few twists and some great surprises. I admit that I was blown away by the acting and the way the movie throws the watcher in to the whole storyline. You will not be disappointed by going to see it. I am a huge movie buff and think that this suspenseful movie is one of my favorites for independent. More people need to see it.

The cast is not as well known, but the acting is great and the actors will soon be household names. I know that. The director is fantastic and the writer knows how to suck the watcher in with the story.

I highly recommend it.

An incendiary affair.

[sugardandy88 · 10/10 · 25 March 2010]

I had yet to see a film that had such an enormously affecting plot and characters before I had seen Dreamkiller. I walked into the theater not expecting much unfortunately, with the way films are made now-a-days, the Hollywood machine pumping out remakes and adaptations, and shying away from films such as Dreamkiller because of fear they will lose money. Missing out on true creative genius, and such subtlety in performances. Let me make this clear, I have never written a review before, I have seen too many films to count but haven't seen anything in recent years worth writing about. Since this film is struggling to get an audience, and simply because I know that it's worth the time to write a review, I am here to let you know that you need to see this film, it is enthralling, wonderfully acted, magnificently directed by a devoted young female director, whom I had the pleasure to meet at the q&a after the film. It deserves attention, and I hope that everyone has a chance to see it.

Way better than Shutter Island

[threedzd · 10/10 · 20 February 2010]

When I saw this movie, I had no idea who anyone in it was or what it was going to be about. I was VERY pleasantly surprised. First of all, it's an incredibly suspenseful thriller that surpasses the over hyped Shutter Island and, I don't want to give anything away but there are some similarities in the plot. The difference is, Shutter Island shifts around in so many dizzying directions you lose focus, while Dreamkiller is intriguing while remaining believable which makes so much of a better impact as a film. The main actor, Dario Deak seems as if he is new. I haven't seen him in anything before, but he was very good and kinda hot too! I highly recommend this film. Search it out!

Wow.. 5 stars.

[ashleynicole729 · 10/10 · 14 March 2011]

I had the privilege of attending a showing of the movie with a star of the movie my really good friend Diandra Newlin who played the younger sister of the lead (Dario Deak) and her mom at the Beverly Center. Every time i thought i knew what was going on or knew what was about to happen it took me for a ride. Overall a great movie! I can't wait to purchase the DVD. The cast was great and i loved how suspenseful it was. I honestly thought it would be a bit more scary but overall i think the movie played out very well. The cast is all so talented and the director is brilliant. i'm hoping they make a DreamKiller 2 because i'd love to audition for it. I'm surprised how well it came out for a small budget film but my friends and family loved it as well. I wish the final movie was a bit longer but it came out very well.