Touted as a true story and possibly where V/H/S may have got some inspiration for their tape ideas, Carver, written and directed by Franklin Guerrero Jr, tells the story of naive young adults that go camping, never to return.
A group of twenty something’s head out to Halcyon Ridge for a weekend camping trip. Upon arriving at the camp site, they are first greeted by a friendly bar proprietor who asks them for help getting supplies from their storehouse in the woods. When they get there, they discover bizarre snuff films which, unbeknownst to them, are real, and they soon become the targets of two homicidal brothers with an insatiable blood lust.
Imitation snuff flicks are a regular occurrence in the world of horror so it’s hard to make them stand out from the others and Carver is no exception to that rule, but thankfully while the snuff film aspect may be the plot point, most of the good stuff happens sans camera.
Carver contains one scene many guys will wince at that include a pair of vice grips and an outhouse, I won’t say any more but if you’ve seen it you’ll know what I mean.
In general the acting wasn’t the best by the group, even for a horror movie, but they did all look like real people and fit well with the creepy location and set.
The sound production was good and the use of the song “Turkey in the Straw” is very effective with Guerrero doing a solid job of not going for the cheap scares induced by sudden loud music. Carver is a low-budget, independent effort with a 70’s video feel, which for those who love good camera work will probably hate.
Maybe it’s the blood and gore, maybe it’s the possibility that this really happened, or maybe it’s the innocent song that randomly plays, but for those dedicated horror fans you should find something you’ll enjoy in Carver.
WICKED RATING: 4.5/10
Title: Carver
Director(s): Franklin Guerrero Jr.
Writer(s): Franklin Guerrero Jr.
Stars: Natasha Charles Parker, Erik Fones, Matt Carmody
Year: 2008
Studio/ Production Co: Finney/Thompson Entertainment, Two For Flinching Pictures
Budget: (unknown)
Language: English
Length: 97mins
Sub-Genre: True story
