BreadCrumbs

source: BreadCrumbs

A horror film that takes place on the set of a * movie production, sounds just brilliant, though quickly degenerates into a huge 'damp squib'. neither sexy or scary. Such a throw away movie.

RELEASED IN 2011 and directed by Mike Nichols (not the famous director), "Bread Crumbs" is a slasher taking place on remote Long Island where a 9-person crew travel to shoot a * flick at a rented house in the woods. Unfortunately for them, two weird teens and perhaps a woodsman are lurking in the area and the crew starts getting violently assaulted one-by-one. The reason I watched this movie is because it was included in a DVD multi-pack of slashers where the five other films were no-budget independent flicks. What's strange is that "Bread Crumbs" doesn't fit that category because this is a slasher that smacks of professionalism. Now, people may not like it, but it IS a professionally-made movie. But, is it any good? I think so, here's why... While the topic of a * crew is distasteful (to me, at least) it's a perfect set-up for the slasher tradition that sexual immorality equals death. Although a couple of the crew are unlikable, most of them are more-or-less genial with past-her-prime Angie particularly winning the viewer's sympathy (Marianne Hagan). Two of 'em are the requisite sexpots, a typical vapid blond (Alana Curry) and a voluptuous equally-vapid brunette (Zoe Sloane). The "Hansel and Gretel" characters look to be around 17 (Henry) and 16 (Patti). The former is played by Dan Shaked while the latter by Amy Crowdis. Patti is a somewhat interesting character and Amy possesses a unique beauty. The tone is austere with maybe a little realistic humor thrown-in, but the air quickly turns dead serious by the second act with suspense effectively building. Meanwhile you wonder the purpose behind the attacks and who's going to live, if any. The cinematography features some awesome visuals, particularly in the last act, and the score & soundtrack are fitting. THE MOVIE RUNS 88 minutes and was shot in far eastern Long Island, New York (Sag Harbor & Southhampton). GRADE: B ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY ***SPOILER ALERT*** (Don't read further if you haven't seen the movie). An armchair critic argued that the crew could easily overpower the two teens & the woodsman, but (1.) it was night, (2.) they didn't know the area, and (3.) they didn't have any weapons. By contrast, the antagonists (1.) lived there, (2.) knew the area well, and (3.) had several weapons, including bow & arrows, knives, axes and hidden traps. Besides, Henry wasn't a kid and could have easily been around 20 years-old, same thing with Patti. Then there's the woodsman who was a formidable full-fledged adult. Lastly, the crew wasn't sure how many people were behind the attacks. Some of their colleagues were either seriously wounded or dead and they were understandably freaking out and simply seeking a way to survive the night and following day.

Gore is only half the reason you buy a ticket to a horror movie, and I think you know where I'm going with this. Sex and nudity is the other half, and just as the rules of cinema dictate, the price you pay for good sex is death. In "Bread Crumbs", directed by Mike Nichols (not the one you're thinking of) sex is on everyone's mind, as the cast of characters is working on a quasi-professional * shoot. It's "Boogie Nights" meets "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", and the greatest risk of the film might very well be that the sex storyline eclipses the horror. Depending on how much you buy the performances, you may start rooting for fewer scares and more sex (though, sorry to let you down, there's not much of the latter after all). Horror and Gore Bread Crumbs' violent peaks are fairly graphic and the suffering of maimed characters is painful enough to watch, so you at least have to give kudos to the creative team's use of the camera and editing. What truly redeems Bread Crumbs is the fact that the film's logic is completely believable, since there is no need for "suspension of disbelief" when you're dealing with a bunch of * stars, who would probably not make the most educated guesses when it comes to eluding knife-wielding maniacs. How to Watch It Bread Crumbs' villains, an homage to Hansel and Gretel, are in the hillbilly horror vein, and thus may need a few drinks to impress. Dan Shaked is a bit green, and not quite up to Deliverance quality, but keep in mind his range may have been purposely limited since he's essentially playing a mentally handicapped maniac with a drawl. If you're a fan of old school horror you may catch some very subtle similarities to a 1970's film called "Girly". Whenever someone says you're playing Cowboys and Indians, it's usually time to take cover!

I normally love cheesy horror but this film was just plain bad, and not bad enough to make good watching. The characters are bland, undeveloped, and the acting is terrible. The plot is slightly different than other horrors, but not interesting enough to make it worth watching for that reason alone, and the filmmakers don't provide any other reason. The pace plods on like a metronome ticking and there are no memorable moments, shocks or build ups that are so integral to the genre. Skip this one if you're a fan of good horror, with or without cheese, because this one is just plain bland.

Not very many movies impress me these days and I'm not going to say this one was an exception. However, obviously low budget, this movie was genuinely creepy. You can pick up any horror movie and it be gory these days and really that's all they are. Gory sequences with a light plot thrown into it. This one took the original Brother's Grimm fable and twisted it. I enjoyed it. Some of the acting wasn't very good but fit well with their supposed industry, seemed like a bit of an inside joke. There are a few funny moments in it as well which seems to be necessary for the Horror genre as well. I wouldn't classify this movie as horror though. It's more like a creepy camp fire story.

A film crew making a * flick at a cabin in the remote woods run afoul of a couple of deranged and dangerous children. Director Mike Nichols, working from a twisted script by Charles Black and Sam Freeman, relates the gripping story at a brisk pace, does an expert job of creating and sustaining a spooky atmosphere, builds a good deal of tension (the last third in particular is quite harrowing), keeps the tone grimly serious throughout, and caps everything off with a nerve-shredding bummer ending. Moreover, the startling outbursts of brutal and grisly violence pack a pretty nasty punch and the plot about the abandoned psycho kids has a genuinely unsettling warped modern-day Grimm Brothers fairytale aspect to it. The secluded sylvan setting projects a potently upsetting feeling of stark isolation and vulnerability. The sound and credible acting from the able cast rates as another substantial plus, with praiseworthy contributions from Marianne Hagan as weary, aging veteran * actress Angie, Steve Carey as the brave Billy, Jim J. Barnes as geeky camera dude Chuck, Alana Curry as the catty Vanity, Zoe Sloane as hot young starlet Skylar, Douglas Nyback as nervous novice Dominic, and director Nichols as mean jerk director Eddie. Pretty redhead Amy Crowdis and scrawny beanpole Dan Shaked are truly creepy and unnerving as sicko siblings Patti and Henry. Ian Dudley's slick'n'shadowy cinematography and Matt Sorenson's ominous score are both up to par. A neat little chiller.

doesn't do justice even to b grade horror movies .i was fooled into thinking that the great Mike Nichols had experimented with a different genre but couldn't believe that it was the same after watching the movie.finally came to know through IMDb that this is a completely different guy who had earlier helmed "a dead calling"(i have the misfortune of watching that too)..i think he should write something with his name so that there is no confusion to people...the movies plot was different but handled so poorly that you feel like tearing out your hair especially the wooden performances of the child actors of indeterminate age...my rating of 2 is for the somewhat different plot...but nevertheless its an hour and a half of my life i'm never getting back

BreadCrumbs