A low-budget horror spoof that made its debut at Sundance last year, this shot on video exercise in low on the totem pole indie filmmaking is probably too rough around the edges to be accepted by mainstream auds but the pic has its charms for more adventurous film watchers.
From the Duplass brothers, Jay and Mark, who are no strangers to the fest circuit, previously unleashing the better 'The Puffy Chair' in 2005, the brothers have been on the cutting edge of what's called the "mumblecore" movement, a low-rent new wave of glorified home video directors who scrape together a few thousand dollars, film in their own apartments or relatives housings and try and survive on dialogue and ideas only.
Films that have premiers more comfortable on Youtube than a theater near you. This has seemed to work for the Duplass brothers however as they have Jonah Hill, John C. Reilly and Marisa Tomei attached to their next film. I doubt one of these actors will be wearing a bag on their head.
The film does make good on its meager goals as it does contain a few slight scares, even if you'll be kicking yourself afterward, and some nice comedic moments as well as a few knowing nods dealing with fest circuit conventions. The film is set up as a low-budget slasher.
We meet group leader Matt (Ross Partridge), presumably because he has 'Elvis hair', his long-time on-again, off-again girlfriend (Elise Muller - who should be attractive but rubbed me the wrong way for some reason), Matt's best bud Chad (Steve Zissis), the chubby, funny one, and Chad's latest crush Michelle (Greta Gerwig), a clueless, selfish creature who got on my nerves right away.
When denied to the after-party of an independent film ('We are naked') of a friend, the four amateur actors stew at a local restaurant until an idea presents itself: create roles for themselves by writing their own screenplay over the weekend! So heading to a cabin at Big Bear for the weekend, a lot of drinking, brain-storming for screenplay ideas and sexual tension will be waiting.
The film is driven at this point by the tension between the four leads. Michelle regards Chad as a 'friend' and has eyes for Matt who means well for his friend and constantly rebukes Michelle's advances on the sly all the while smitten Catherine who considers Matt her 'one true love' is annoyed by Michelle whose flirtations are plainly obvious.
The horror hook comes in when Michelle heads outside at night to puke after a hard night of drinking and thinks she sees somebody in the woods with a bag over their head. No one believes her but this idea gets picked up by Matt as the genesis for their screenplay, now of the horror genre.
This results in the four becoming 'Baghead' and swapping scares but when 'Baghead' rushes by the front window and all four are staring at each other inside the comforts of the cabin - has their creation become real?
A sudden shift in tone, 'Baghead' now takes on definite traits of a horror film and even manages to build some tension as 'Baghead' terrorizes the four as they hole themselves up in the cabin. Making a run for the highway after their car had been messed with, they make an eleven-mile hike only to discover.
The film is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen and looks as well as could be expected for the jingling change budget. Special features include a commentary from the Duplass brothers which is a fun listen, particularly for aspiring low-budget filmmakers. A short video interview with the directors where they answer questions they already answered and 'Baghead Scares', a short segment where various peeps do 'Baghead' scares as part of a film promotion.
Acting perfs are well done even if a few casting choices for me didn't work, certainly subjective, and idea is okay which manages to wrap relationship drama, horror, comedy and indie satire all into one convenient package but how well one responds is probably due more to your reception of ultra low-budget efforts mostly driven by improv.
Baghead is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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