Writing comedy isn’t easy. It’s one of the most difficult
things to write especially when writing for film. When it works it’s glorious
and leaves a lasting impression. When it doesn’t it leaves a bad taste in the
mouth of the viewer and a feeling of sorrow for those who made the attempt and
failed. As viewers we give those who make the attempt credit for trying but
find it impossible to recommend the finished product to friends. Such is the
case with DEAD SHACK.
The premise that we begin with is a dysfunctional family
(are there any other kind in movies these days?) going to a cabin in the woods
for the weekend. Making up the family is dad Roger (Donovan Stinson) who seems
intent on being the buddy type dad but is usually more intent on his own
well-being than that of anyone else. Roger is single but has a long string of
failed attempts at finding a significant other we learn as the movie
progresses. His current flame is Lisa (Valerie Tian), an apparent alcoholic who
wants nothing to do with his kids who feel the same and doesn’t seem that much
more interested in Roger.
Roger has two kids that are his and the friend of one he’s
taken under his wing. Summer (Lizzie Boys) is the elder of the two, a smart
mouthed attitude filled young girl who has no use for any of the rest of the
group. His son Colin (Gabriel LaBelle) is a perpetually adolescent young teen
who finds humor when none is there and constantly makes an attempt to irritate
any and all around him. And then there is Jason (Matthew Nelson-Mahood),
Colin’s best friend. Jason never lets Colin pick him up at home or see where he
lives, ashamed of his family and conditions.
It’s established early on that the family is poor rather
than wealthy or middle-class. Due to this for their vacation Roger has rented a
cabin in the woods that was within their budget. Translate that into not the
best of accommodations though not as bad as it could be. With no cell phone
signal and nothing to entertain them the three kids wander off to explore the
woods around them.
Eventually they come across a house that we saw in the
film’s opening where a padded/helmeted figure shot and killed a victim. Calling
out to see if anyone is home they get no response. Being the curious types they
peek in through a window when someone does come home and find a woman they met
at a diner on the way up who’s brought home two young men she met there. They
watch as she drugs them, ties one up and then serves the other to someone she’s
keeping in another room. Yes she has a zombie she keeps in another room and is
feeding him. Of course the teens make noise and almost get caught before
running back to their cabin.
When they arrive Roger and Lisa are already drunk. Rather
than hightail it out of their location Roger drunkenly insists that they
investigate. You can pretty much guess where this will lead if not the end
results. The single surprise that the film offers is who the woman is and why
she’s keeping zombies in her house to be fed. It’s been done before somewhat
but that being the only original thing here I had to mention it.
The acting isn’t the best but the material on hand to work
with doesn’t help. The effects which are the mainstay of a gore fest like this
one are passable but only. The artwork on the box art is better than what we
eventually see in the film. The outfit worn by the woman, played by Lauren
Holly, is great but not used to full effect. The suspense is non-existent. But
the fact that this is intended to be a comedy/horror hybrid is what really
suffers. Jokes can be seen coming a mile away. And unless you find people
peeing to be hilarious there are too many references to that bodily function.
I wasn’t all that hopeful when I saw the trailer for the
film but being a fan of horror flicks I did want to see it. The odds are most
horror fans will. And some will indeed enjoy the film. I’ve seen lesser films
receive high praise from those who simply like all things horror and gore
related. For those who are a little more discerning you might not want to pick
this one up. If it’s airing on Shudder, who produced the film, and you
subscribe you might want to watch it to decide for yourself what you think.
I will say that I was stunned to see that Lauren Holly was
the main star in this film. Even more so while watching the extras to hear her
say she at first didn’t want to do it but that she loved the script. What
scripts are her agents sending her that she thought this was the best among
them? Still attractive with a resume that includes films like DUMB AND DUMBER,
DRAGON: THE BRUCE LEE STORY and having appeared on series like PICKET FENCES
and NCIS I was shocked to see her in something like this. She’s a talented
actress but even her contribution can’t save this one.
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