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30 out of 34 people found the following review useful: One of the better STV horrors of the past few years., 19 January 2009 Author: Slasher_Guy
I was initially excited for Farmhouse due to the fact that the wonderful Kelly Hu was finally starring in another horror movie since her role in one of the Friday The 13th sequels back in the 80's, and I also thought the premise sounded pretty good. Farmhouse is a twisted little tale with solid performances and a chilling twist, and is visually by far the best-looking Straight-to-DVD releases you could find right now.The movie tells the story about a young couple (Jamie Ann Allman, William Lee Scott) who are relocating due to a dark past they have. After a car accident on the highway, they find themselves at a local farmhouse, run by couple Kelly Hu and Steven Weber. The two appear very nice and welcoming at first, even offering them a room to stay for the night, but their dark intentions soon become clear.Daniel Coughlin (writer) and George Bessudo (director) work together again on Farmhouse, and do a far better job than they recently did with their 2007 slasher flick "Lake Dead", which was rather mediocre and lame. The writing was solid, with a haunting twist and some twisted torture sequences, and the direction was pretty good too. Visually, Farmhouse is one of the best-looking DTV movies you can find - not once does it look cheap or low in production values, and if the two leads were more "A-list", then this would have gone to theaters. Farmhouse just proves that STV movies are definitely getting miles better in quality, than they were a few years ago.The acting from all four leads was solid, with Kelly Hu and Steven Weber both standing out as two psychopaths - Kelly's weapon of choice? A cheese grater! All I can say is: Ouch. As mentioned before, the twist is pretty dark and haunting, and it was executed well, and it was definitely a twist of events - that's for sure. I can happily recommend Farmhouse to fellow horror fans - it's much better than you may think it looks.Twisted little film overall, that's definitely worth checking out.7/10
16 out of 22 people found the following review useful: Cheese and red wine., 2 February 2009 Author: ray-sammut
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
To those not acquainted with horror, try to persist. Do not be squeamish. Be fair to the people who worked on this production, and keep watching until the end. An armchair equipped with a good head-rest, and holding tight, would be ideal.I was about to give up at the point when Scarlet started writhing. Then I flicked the thing off at the point when Sammael started to have a go at Alal in the vineyard. Scarlet is a real bitch, I agree, but this thing was way beyond my threshold.I had to go back to it because two points needed closure. First, what the faceless man talking to little Scarlet in the church had to do with all this. Second, Dr Miller never said the child would not live. So how come they lost the child. Just as I determined to be resolute, then came the cheese grater, thanks to Kelly Hu for her inventiveness.Farmhouse is a gripping narrative, provided you can use your memory to store all the flashbacks and keep putting them together as the puzzle unfolds. Jack Donner is truly stunning as he takes control of the dialog at culmination. Scarlet keeps insisting that she wanted to have more kids. It is futile for her trying to "rationalize" her untenable position.The only shortcoming is the announcement of Alal by Sammael. I think that here is a lack of detail on the part of the director. Alal is in the same class as Lilith and Sammael, so he too deserved to re-emerge from the direction of the Gate and not from behind Scarlet. Although Alal's role is relatively minor, he is pivotal since he had succeeded in making Scarlet submit to her selfishness. Alal, therefore, deserved to be ranked equally with the other three.Farmhouse turns out to be a good investment. The writer knows his stuff on religion. We are reminded, in no uncertain terms, of the very important Biblical injunction. Whenever children are placed in our care, we must ensure that we give them priority no matter what. There can be no compromise.
9 out of 11 people found the following review useful: Farmhouse Sends Viewers Straight to Hell, 14 January 2009 Author: MichaelRAllen from Canada
Using a back story and flashbacks "Farmhouse," drifts back and forth between the past and present while delivering an interesting story of a couple on the run. William Lee Scott plays the father of a handicapped child and Jamie Anne Allman the mother; both actors deliver a performance rich in distress and anger at their situation. The story presents the struggles in dealing with a child who will never be normal or healthy and how a young couple chooses to cope with the situation. Slowly as the film progresses the actual environment in which the characters are attempting to get away from is given a reveal. In the "Farmhouse," the flashbacks actually work and breathe new energy into a sometimes brutally horrific cinema watching experience.The original score from Mark Petrie delivers a tone seemingly from ancient times as a woman's voice wails in low tones while string instruments fade in and out with the sound effects of the film. It is continually amazing how an original score can really amplify the intensity of a film and offer a one two punch as long as the story holds its own. In the "Farmhouse," both the musical composition and sometimes haunting visuals act as a team to create a harmonizing visual and aural experience. Never taking center stage, but heightening near the end of the film the score really adds its own personality to the "Farmhouse." Adding one of the most brutal torture scenes in recent movie history the "Farmhouse," does not shy from the gore or violence, yet the focus of the film is in delivering a tense, suspenseful story full of character insights. Steven Weber delivers a fine performance as Samael who seems to delight in the misfortunes of others while stalking, drowning, and basically tormenting other characters in the film. As well, Kelly Hu takes center stage and her characters brutal disfigurement of another female, with help from a cheese grater is almost completely unwatchable. However, each of the torture scenes is moving towards a frightening and shocking plot twist that few if any viewers might expect.Supernatural elements of hell, the afterlife, and consequences of actions are the main themes of this slightly serious film. Leaving the interpretation of right and wrong, and really when are judgements this clear, up to the viewer the fate of the central couple seems unjust, but not without some merit. The sudden shift in the last fifth of the film from a country house to the gates of hell, full of demons really gives the "Farmhouse," bonus points for originality. Staying within a mostly man versus man plot line the surprise ending of a couple attempting to save themselves from a life of damnation adds an unlikely, yet devilish little twist at the end of the film.Mostly unheard of supernatural, torture flick the "Farmhouse," will fully satiate horror fans with tales of extortion, and the (im)possibility of redemption. Starting off soft then immersing the viewer into the often times sick imagination of writer Daniel P. Coughlin, the "Farmhouse," is a cinema treat that must be seen. Enjoyable, surprising, and believable the "Farmhouse," can be found now at local movie stores as this film was given a late 2008 release date.
5 out of 5 people found the following review useful: Full Bodied & Disturbing, 7 August 2009 Author: SavageSue from United States
I'm not a big horror fan, but this wicked flick held my attention. It was a good mix of horror, suspense, fantasy and torture. It started out a bit confusing with the flashbacks and slow paced scenes but the storyline picks up and keeps you guessing until the very end, and it has a weird and disturbing end. It did make me jump numerous times and that in itself was worth it. I also learned new ways to use kitchen utensils. The acting was so-so but it was interesting seeing Steven Webber in that role, but he played it well. Kelly Hu who plays Webber's wife did a pretty good job too, sexy and disturbed what a combo. I would definitely recommend renting this one from your video store.
8 out of 13 people found the following review useful: Why I gave this movie a "10", 11 October 2009 Author: davemoore3 from United States
This film accomplished what too many thrillers, even though they may be entertaining, fail to do. That is to say AT NO POINT did I enjoy watching this movie! It was creepy, VERY disturbing, filled with an underlying tension on 2-3 different levels (i.e., 'did Scarlet blame & hate her spineless husband for their difficulties?', 'was he really such a self-centered coward?'), and I couldn't wait to see what the next flashback was going to reveal. Flashback is a tricky and too often ill-advised convention. It can be annoying when employed in books and confusing in films. Farm House was a veritable 'workshop' in how to use flashback effectively. In addition to the well-developed and excellently delivered story line,the cinematography was great, the characters were slowly and fully developed, and the ending,,,WHOA!!! A well done piece of cinema on all levels. One of the beauties of film is that we sometimes sit down to watch a movie with little or no expectations and end up being treated to a gem. Such was Farm House.
3 out of 4 people found the following review useful: I love this movie!!!, 30 September 2009 Author: gossipcom-1 from United States
I just finish watching and i loved it. I must say when i first watched it i thought it was going to be a regular horror flick but this goes way beyond that. At first i was thinking people who do not want to live don't live that is why they die. He could have shot her but he ran away they always run away because they do not want to live. So as the movies goes on i was hoping that the killers would kill them and burn them. I didn't see the end coming at all. I loved it. I have always believe that you always pay for what you do. No one is safe from sin.They deserved what they got and more so much more. I highly recommend this movie to everyone.
1 out of 1 people found the following review useful: A twisted take on the torture genre., 12 December 2009 Author: mdnobles19 from United States
This definitely takes torture films to a whole new level with it's brutality and very dark subject matter with a twist that will shock you to the core. I thought the performances were all pretty good but sometimes fell flat but nothing distracting and is very graphic and twisted in some scenes that is definitely not for the squeamish. There was dread throughout the moment it started and it will have you guessing how it's going to end and you will probably be wrong because it's devastating and horrific. The production values are pretty basic lifetime movie of the week material but that doesn't make it lose its effectiveness and being downright disturbing and dark, very dark. Overall this is a pretty solid thriller about a couple that tries to start a new life after the death of their child but wound up fighting for their lives and I recommend this slow trip to hell for the twist alone.
0 out of 1 people found the following review useful: incredibly below average with a decent twist ending, 27 December 2009 Author: TheatreX from Louisville, KY
Chad and Scarlet are leaving San Diego to start a new life in Seattle. They lost their only son, the gave away all their furniture and they apparently don't even have any luggage. While driving on some obscure back road through what's apparently wine country, Chad falls asleep and they crash the car. And what happens to be right nearby? Why, a handy farm house, of course. So they walk there for help.At first their hosts Samael and Lilith seem very pleasant and welcoming, but as Scarlet says, they're a bit off. Samael and Lilith have fed the couple dinner, offered to put the up for the night, and drive them to a distant town for a tow truck the next day. However, Samael and Lilith have no such intentions and subject them to a night of torture and fear. Of course, there are several instances of escape, turning the table on their tormentors, etc, and even attempts to kill them, but they just keep on keeping on, in the best bad horror film tradition.Now, if you can make it that far and haven't succumbed to an overdose of stupid dialog and by-the-numbers clichés, you will find that this film has a fairly decent twist to it, but unfortunately that twist comes a little too late to redeem the film. You will see what Chad and Scarlet feel they need to run from, but their running has come to an end and thankfully, so has the film.A lot of the problem with Chad and Scarlet is that they are NOT likable characters by any stretch of the imagination. Chad mopes, snivels and cowers his way through the entire film and his lips and jaw never seem to stop quivering. Scarlet is marginally better adjusted but she apparently can't live without Chad, so obviously she does have serious issues after all.Steven Weber and Kelly Hu do go rather over the top as the crazed host and hostess, and their actions are definitely right at home in the torture-porn sub-genre....have you have about all of that you can take yet? I think I have. If I had a cheese grater at home like the one used in one scene, I believe I'd throw it out rather than associate it with what I'd seen.This is not a film that I'd recommend to anyone, but I see that plenty of the other reviewers seem to have liked it. No accounting for no taste, I guess. 3 out of 10.
2 out of 5 people found the following review useful: Better than "Blood Lake" but really not by much, 23 November 2009 Author: movieman_kev from United States
Scarlet (Jamie Anne Allman, known mostly for her short, but very memorable, stint as a prostitute on "the Shield") and her husband, Chad decide to stay at the farmhouse owned by Sam (Wings funny-man Steven Weber) and Lilith (Sunset Beach's Kelly Hu) for the night after they have some car trouble while moving to Washington state in order to start anew after the death of their only child. But quite obviously the intentions of the farmhouse couple are slightly less that altruistic.Writer Daniel Coughlin once again teams up with director George Bessudo with only slightly better to show for it than their first film "Lake Dead" (that's solely due to the fact that whereas that film was utterly abysmal, this one is merely sub-par with an ending that sinks it). Jamie Anne Allman can and indeed has done miles above the acting she does here, the guy who plays Chad is atrocious and the other two fare no better. The ending just about ruins the film, not that it was spectacular before that. And I just look back on the movie as time that I could have spent more wisely by doing.....anything else.My Grade: DDVD Extras: a 10 minute Behind-the-scenes featurette is the one and only extra
1 out of 4 people found the following review useful: Pretty Bad Movie!, 23 November 2009 Author: AmericanPsycho2010 from United States
This is not the worst film I have ever seen but it was still pretty bad.The plot revolves around this couple named Scarlet and Chad who are leaving their home to escape some people Chad owes money to. Chad drives for so long that he eventually falls asleep, swerves off the road, and crashes into a ditch. Now, he and his wife are stuck out in the middle of nowhere. Luckily, there is a house nearby.When they arrive at the house, they are greeted by another couple named Lilith and Samael who offer them to spend the night at their place and wait until morning to get a tow truck. Chad and Samael just might be spending their last night there.Anyway, the scene that is worth checking out is one that involves a cheese grater and a knee. I've said too much but it's the best scene in the entire movie.The acting from William Lee Scott is terrible! He keeps the same facial expression through the entire movie and he's very annoying to look at. He always squints which I find annoying as well.The acting is terrible, the story just drags with a bunch of flashbacks that appear and clearly don't make any sense, the plot twist at the end made me furious.I give 3 stars because of Steven Weber's acting. He actually makes the movie worth watching. If it weren't for him, I would have given this movie 1 star.It's not a good movie at all.I give it 4 stars out of 10. Pretty bad movie!
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