Title: Laid to Rest
Directed by: Robert Hall
Starring: Bobbi Sue Luther (Extreme Movie), Kevin Gage, Lena Headey (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), Sean Whalen and Thomas Dekker (A Nightmare on Elm Street).
Scores: Technical: 100, Story: 95, Acting: 88, Overall: 98
A terrifying story of a young girl who wakes up in a casket with a traumatic head injury and no memory of her identity. She quickly realizes she was abducted by a Deranged Serial Murderer and in an isolated rural town she must survive the night and outsmart the technologically inclined killer who is hellbent on finishing what he started. (Source: IMDB)
Laid to Rest is one of the most original horror flicks to come out in quite a while. I was not expecting much, just another low-budget “horror” movie that has the potential to be amazing but, leaves you totally disappointed. This was not that kind of movie.
The movie opens with some great opening credits showing the “making of the monster”. It was actually quite exhilarating and fresh, which of course, makes you want more. From there it goes to a girl (Bobbi Sue Luther) trapped in a casket. When she manages to get herself out, she realizes she has a severe case of amnesia, so she can’t recall how she got in the coffin, or who she is. As she tries to get help you start to understand how messed up she actually is, which I loved about the film. In most horror movies you get so frustrated when the antagonist/victim makes stupid choices. (If all your friends are dead, of course you should run outside half naked when the power goes out…DUH!!) This movie skirts that annoyance by making the girl very, very confused. That, in my opinion, is pure genius.
Now they introduce one of the most terrifying and original killers since Jason freakin’ Voorhees: ChromeSkull… (Played magnificently by Nick Principe) The mannerisms and movements make him human and not some super human machine. He bleeds and can be hurt, which again, makes him just a man.. As he does his business, he has his trusty video camera mounted on his shoulder. You never know why he does what he does; you just witness the carnage and remains of his past “indiscretions”. Which leads to the best thing about this movie; The Gore!!
Laid to Rest will satisfy even the most hardcore gore hounds. (Like myself) The SFX in this movie blows away anything I have seen the recent years (including the Hostel’s) The kill scenes made me cringe, clap, and holler all at the same time! The FX team outdid themselves and it makes a movie 10 times more amazing to actually see a face get blown off. It adds a realistic element that traumatizes the viewer even more.
The only thing about Laid to Rest that I wanted more of was back story. I know that movie goers don’t like to be bogged down by clunky back stories, but, I think in this film it would have added the empathy factor. It definitely did not need it; it’s still a great movie. I just would have liked to known a little more about the main characters.
My opinion, see the movie. It is a fun and thrilling horror flick that will keep you entertained and might even make you a bit squeamish. What true horror fan can turn that down?
Check back soon for some photos from the red carpet premiere of Laid to Rest!!
By Dave Minyard
Are you giving the story a 95%? ‘Cause there basically is no story other than anonymous killer chases amnesiac…the end. That is barely a story and definitely shows that there is no plot. How can you have a plot when the killer is given barely a one dimension. Those are my opinions, but I agree with you on the gore.
-Mike
When I gave the story a 95 it was because the “story” was entertaining. I could use your “one line plot” technique on any story line, that doesn’t mean the movie sucks. Here how about this: Innocent man goes to prison, spends years breaking out, goes to Mexico….The End. “That is barely a story and definitely shows that there is no plot” Come on man are you serious? I dare you to say Shawshank Redemption has no story just because I can sum up the plot in one sentence!! Some of the greatest stories of all time have simple plots, again, it definitely does not mean the story is weak!
I absolutly respect your opinion, I just don’t agree with them. Thanks for your comments.
-Dave
I honestly think that this movie SUCKS….If you’re only into seeing the gore of the film, well go ahead…it’s right for you. The gore was the only thing that would rate 10/10. The actress was terrible; the lines were just so cliche and didn’t make much sense. The intro gave away that it was gonna be one of those movies. It had no decent plot, in my opinion.
how dare you even mention shawshank in the same sentence as this movie,,or jason vorhees for that matter..this movie may have been watchable while getting a b.j.,,but all time classic or greatest horror villian ever,,,nooo way dave..
Ok, let me clarify, I never said “all time classic or greatest horror villian ever” In my opinion, Jason Vorhees IS both of those things! I did say the SFX were the best I have seen in a long time, I dare someone to disagree with that. I also said the villian is very original. The only reason I mentioned Shawshank was to point out that one of the greatest movies of all time can be explained in one sentence. Of course this movie is not even close to that list. Again I’ll point out what I said: “My opinion, see the movie. It is a fun and thrilling horror flick that will keep you entertained and might even make you a bit squeamish. What true horror fan can turn that down?” Now I will agree I think I scored the overall too high. It should be like 89-90 ONLY because of the gore and originality.
Thank you for your feedback!!
Watching it now; at best a fourth-tier horror “movie”. Technical: 20, Story: 10, Acting: 3, Overall: 11.
Thank goodness I didn’t pay any money for this “straight-to-vhs” gem; however, I feel as though the director and cast at least owe me an apology.
I’m not one for getting into horror, but gore was unexpected. The amount that is. I mean did u see that Mexican guys head? Holy shit!! I give movie 8/10 though. The eight is for horror though. Sometimes calm situations are important, which this movie sorta lacks.