All Souls Day (2005)

Tuesday, 07 April 2009 00:00

Reviewed by Carol Sullivan

Genre: Thriller
Released: January 20, 2009
Rating: R

Director: Jeremy Kasten
Starring: Jesse Jam Miranda, Marisa Ramirez, Travis Wester, Nichole Hiltz, Laz Alonso
Studio: Anchor Bay/New Arc

Here we go again with the 'movie-trailer-is-better-than-the-actual-movie' scenario. In the trailer for All Souls Day, the viewer is all but promised an exciting zombie film. What is delivered, however, is a no more than a really bad movie that happens to have zombies in it...

In Latin American, All Souls Day (or The Day of The Dead), is believed to be the one day of the year when the spirits can come back to earth to say "Howdy" to their family and loved ones. It is a cherished day of celebration, spirituality and parades.

But, in Santa Bonita, Mexico, a curse lies in wait for The Day of the Dead. In 1872, a bad guy named Vargas (Danny Trejo, The Devil's Rejects) murdered the entire village in order to keep a treasure that he had unearthed. Evidently, in doing this, he had pissed-off The Goddess of the Dead and every year since 1872, she wants a sacrifice. If she does not get her yearly sacrificial virgin, Miss Death will unleash zombies on the town. Knowing this, why do folks still live there?, you ask. Well, that is never explained, but when four Orange County friends get lost and end up in Santa Bonita, you can imagine what happens next.

This movie is just flat painful from the get-go, but does pick up a little when the zombies show-up to munch. But I must say that the special make up effects, by Robert Hall at Almost Human, are the only thing remotely redeeming in this movie. I kept wondering what the filmmakers were thinking, or perhaps smoking, when they believed this movie to be worth releasing.

Now, I know that filmmakers from every walk of life will continue to crank-out the beloved zombie flicks; many of which are worth seeing. That being said, All Souls Day is not one of those movies. The bad script and worse acting make it a groan-inducing movie that may have you swearing-off zombie films forever.

But, after flinging this DVD out the window, in the direction of the trash cans, I decided that I am not ready to give up on the ever-endearing zombie movie. So, fellow, fans, heed my warning and steer clear of the disappointing All Souls Day.

Overall Rating: 1/2 of 1 star (Truly a gift, and only because of the good make-up effects!)

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Last Updated ( Thursday, 09 April 2009 08:11 )