Dying Breed (Horrorfest 09) (V)
| release date | March 31 2009 |
| studio | After Dark Films |
| director | Jody Dwyer |
| writer | Michael Boughen, Rod Morris, Jody Dwyer |
| starring | Leigh Whannell, Nathan Phillips, Melanie Valejo, Mirrah Foulkes, Peter Docker, Billie Brown |
| site | dyingbreed.com.au |
| trailer 1 | Trailer #1 |
1 Comments
Creepy locals; you can’t live with em and you…err…can’t live with em!
In the tradition of ‘Hills Have Eyes’,'Saw’ co-creator Leigh Whannell wrote and starred in this frightening Aussie horror set in the Tasmanian wilderness. Revolving around the legend of real-life cannibal Alexander ‘The Pieman’ Pearce, the film follows a group of four friends who enter remote forest in search of the thought-to-be-extinct Tasmanian tiger. Serving as a back plot is the mysterious disappearance and death of the sister of one of the party members in that same region eight years ago. It soon emerges that for some locals, old habits die hard and sure enough, mayhem is the result.
As an Aussie, it’s a tough task to comment on the acting in this film as at times I’ve grown up on the style of Aussie larrikinism evident in this film. In my opinion, lacking a well-known cast is sometimes beneficial as you’re not watching a Hollywood actor but ‘some unknown guy’ which adds to the experience. With that said, I found the Irish female star tiresome and crossed my fingers that she’d come across something or someone nasty. With that aside, the villain(s) were reminiscent of the psychopath played by John Jarrat in ‘Wolf Creek’ with a little of the old Leatherface family from ‘TCM’ in the mix.
The first half of the film is frustratingly slow, much akin to ‘Wolf Creek’ (so many comparisons!) however once the action kicks off it is hard, fast and bloody. Although only moderately gruesome, some of the themes in the film are quite disturbing and do well to build a sense of dread and hopelessness (ie. there are worse things than death). The imagery including, the Tassie wilderness, is breathtaking and you get a great sense of the alienation that is relied upon in so many horror films these days (“You’re a looong way from home, boy!”).
Overall, ‘Dying Breed’ was well made, reasonably original and most of all, good fun. It’s a long way from perfect but the basic horror elements are all present. Dig in…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Pearce
i loved this movie
Yet another killer mutants in the woods film that starts off with some mysterious and interesting things
but then nose dives into the same old shit we have seen a million times before, acting wasnt bad but the story
is just something that isnt original or entertaining, had a few things been changed around, for example had the
killer(s) been animals in the wild, I would have enjoyed it alot better, but settling on the mutant family killers
that has been done in wrong turn, hills have eyes and so on and so forth, just wasnt that good of a choice to use as
the films killers, which is a shame because some of the cast are talented but couldnt really show that very much with the
script given.
I’m probably one of the very few that enjoyed this but it certainly made me creeped out about going down under and it’s a far better cry than that worthless piece of ball juice that is Wolf Creek! Gimme a fucken break! Anyway ow ironic to say that the same actor is in both films but at least in this you get to see him die and what a pretty way to go. I love Leigh Whannel b/c of SAW and if you’re a fan of his you will enjoy this movie. The gore is dumbfounded esp. the kiss/bite yum! What a randy way to make out with someone ay? And I liked the “No one gets out” theme it’s classic but this movie definitely aint a classic–it’s just fun to watch.
I guess I expected more and got a little less. After watching From Within thuoght horrorfest was exceptionally good. I guess I was wrong with this aussie slasher. I was definitely thinking this and Autopsy were the ones to beat. Boy was I wrong bout this one. The last 30 minutes is where ALL the action is. And it still isn’t as mindblowing I thought it could have been. Aside from that the acting was good, the plot had few holes (someone would have known and reported the canniballistic town, especially the way they kept secrets), and it was a decent way to kill 90 minutes. My vote 6.0/10, it was enjoyable just not amazing.
I went to f.y.e yesterday and was excited when they had the new horrorfest movies in, and I got even more amped because I found this one right before I walked out and I initially didnt think that they had it and I wanted to see this one the most, so $18 dollars later I took it home. I did like the acting, I liked the setting, and when the action kicked off, it was pretty cool. But this movie ended terribly. Just when the mayhem started, you could tell that the end was coming up, but when the end came, it just ended, it was like the director was like ” yea we made 85% of this movie good, now lets just end it like this!” Whats wrong with me I should have known anybody having to do with the saw movies would fuck it up. Had it had a solid ending, and not an abrupt, terrible movie-wrecking one, this would have gotton maybe 4 skulls. Well, 1 movie down 7 to go, I’ll be really pissed if at least 3 or 4 of this years films arent better. Overall, a dissapointment, go to the next one at blockbuster.
I really enjoyed this film! Some really cool gore scenes and ending that I didn’t expect and decent acting. Just watch this one and you will have fun in doing so.
I started off the Horrorfest 2009 collection off with Dying Breed. I can safely say this installment of the 8 Films to Die For started off on the right foot for me. Past films have really let me down so I was skeptical buying this flick. With the reviews so all over the map I decided I’m going to take the risk. As in all my past reviews I review looking at the many aspects of the film and give you my honest opinion of the picture.
The films from “down under” are making there way into the spotlight. Dying Breed is a film that not only makes me not want to visit Australia it leaves you with a eerie feeling at movies end. I’ll tell you now this is not a movie that is intending to jolt you everything three seconds. This film has an underlying tone that makes you feel uncomfortable as you watch it. The main objective I feel is to give the viewer (I hate myself for quoting Rianna) disturbia.
This film showed a lot of restraint on the gore, which I appreciated. Let me be frank with you, there are plenty of movies that show us 368 different ways to murder someone. That being said when a movie relies solely upon the audience seeing someone’s guts every three seconds it’s not all that original and shows bad writing. Dying Breed had the plot that would have supported the art department splattering red everywhere. However, the movie was not like that. Dying Breed as I said used restraint which in turn made for a more creative visual. The actors and directors and writers all had to actually think “what can I do to make this different.” Gore is a crutch to some films. Dying Breed had some great moments of blood and guts along with some great gags I haven’t seen before.
I loved the acting in this movie. Horrorfest at times lacked notable acting in there films so it was a breath of fresh air to see realism in front of me. If you have seen other Horrorfest films hopefully you too will note the boost in veracity.
In the end Dying Breed is a good flick. Though it barrows many clichés from past movies, the end product was well accepted from me. No, Dying Breed isn’t the next big thing, but its not a waste of time. The film didn’t really bring anything new to the genre but I’ll defend that it has good aspects and worth a watch.
-Zombie
Naked dead women hanging from trees.
Nuff said.
Ok,i am going to start by saying,about in hour into this one i was getting worried,then i picked up,quick.The gore..kinda weak by todays standards,but what i loved was the ending,bleak and great for a horror film.There was one scene that stand’s in my mind was the girl hung naked. and the bear trap death.i bought this autopsy,and broken witch were the ones that got the best reviews this year from all the GOOd horror movies sites.now on to autopsy.
It was entertaining and that was about it. A sub-par horror film that you will forget right after. It was very slow but the scenery was cool. The last half hour of the movie was really cool though. Not a really good film but really not that bad.
very strange but cool
i was expecting good about this film but it sucked 2 hell
nothing happened for an hour and 15 minutes and the whole thing was just boring and stupid but did have some good gore to it and the ending was pretty good
i was expecting good about this film but it sucked 2 hell
nothing happened for an hour and 15 minutes and the whole thing was just boring and stupid but did have some good gore to it and the ending was pretty good
This was the first of the horrorfest films for this year that I was able to see and I thought it was major improvement from last years bunch of crap. There was pretty good gore, certainly scenes that made you squirm at times and the story itself is an interesting one. I think most films that can use a local lore and make a film from it are going to be interesting and adding creepy aussie hillbillies just adds to this film.
Probably one of the best Horrorfest 3 films. The acting is actually pretty decent and there is much gore for all you blood-lovers.
Unhealthily slow. The film’s first quarter, is basically just giving is little detaisl on what to expect from the next 3/4′s. It has some creepy moments, but the film fails to really keep your mind focused. The settings and dialogue, are really modern and actually pretty realistic, but the characters are seemingly idiotic, by following a local who isn’t quite right, and they know it. It tries really hard to not be really gorey, which it isn’t, but more gore would make the film more entertaining, as it was a little boring at times. The death scenes were violent, and cool, which played a positive part in keeping your eyes locked on the screen.
The plot was really good, and very interesting, but i think that when reading the script, it may seem more entertaining, than the actual film. If the plot had a little more detail on “The Pieman” and added more in about the thylacine, maybe the film would’ve worked alot better.
The acting was really good, with overseas Aussies coming back to do the film “Lee Whannell” from “Saw” and “Nathan Phillips” from “Snakes on A Plane” were highlights, but the real highlight was “Mirrah Foulkes” who put on an Irish accent for the film. Her standout performene, makes her one to look out for in the next few years. “Melanie Vallejo” was also quite good, even in her supporting role. Supporting cast gave off the vibe need in order for the film to feel creepy, as did the weather.
Overall “Dying Breed” had loads of potential, but fails to really scare you. My rating is 2.5/5.
DYING BREED (Afterdark III)
I love it when horror has a back story with some true-life history. “The Pieman,” (Alexander Pearce) and seven other convicts escaped from prison in Australia in 1822. Tasmania was / is a hostile environment, and two of the convicts fled and gave themselves up. The others stayed in the wild, but only Alexander Pearce was left alive at the end. He was hung for murder and cannibalism in 1824.
The opening for “Dying Breed” sucked me right in with its dark look and feel, and Australia is an excellent setting for a horror movie. The film quality was great and suggested a healthy budget and wealth of talent.
The characters were realistic and likeable, save the boobing Jack (played very well by Nathan Phillips). He was annoying, but also comical with his constant complaining. The rest of the cast did an excellent job with their roles too. The “Locals” were fabulously creepy, and I love the fact that “Deliverance” was referenced more than once in the film.
The storyline was great with the “Pieman” legend, and the purpose for the kids being in Tasmania was interesting. There was everything a good slasher-type flick should have; a prior evil, our victims separated from help and/or authority, and the brutal slaughter of said victims.
That brings me to the gore-factor. It was bru-tal. I loved it! The action and terror had my heart racing with its intensity. The effects were great and there was a double helping of flesh tearing and very interesting death scenes. “Dying Breed” left the horror hound in me totally satisfied. I give this movie 5 out of 5 hairy eyeballs.
I was actually digging this movie for the first 70 minutes or so. Then the climax hit and it was a major let down. Cannibalistic inbred hick families? Yeah yeah yeah. We’ve seen it AND seen it done better. The last 20 minutes were just so ungratifying. No real confrontation or surprises. Nothing more brutal than what you had already seen. Just seemingly random events that didn’t help resolve the story in the slightest.
Loved the Australian aspect and that somebody actually bothered including the extinction of Tasmanian tigers at all (though their tie ins with the murders seemed underdeveloped and bizarre).
i respect that they didnt tag this one with a true story, but instead said that this is what could have possibly happened to those 250 people…a good movie, but it felt kind of stagnent throughout…no real umph to the movie if you ask me…good story, but kind of boring..
I thought this was an pretty good, gruesome and atmospheric backwoods/horror movie that was like Wrong Turn meets Timber Falls. It had its strong moments of intensity and bloody deaths but most of it took to long to get going and once it’s in high gear it ends, so I hope there is a sequel on the way, maybe at next years After Dark Horrorfest if they have another one that is because none of them have been amazing so far. I thought the acting was decent at best with likable leads and creepy villains. Overall this is nothing new at all but for a backwoods survival horror movie it’s one of the better ones out there just not the greatest or most original.
i finish this movie 10 mon ago . befor i see i told my self this movie is great . after i see i told my self . fuck me . what fuck is this . this movie is realy sucks
Good movie, I enjoyed it all and it kept me interested.
just didnt enjoy it, just couldnt get into it for whatever reason. the film on a techinal level i could apreciate was good it just felt soul less to me and just didnt engage me,
on the whole was okay, just didnt enjoy it i, felt like the bastard child of Wrong Turn, but just prefered wrong turn.
I found this movie to leave me with the same feeling as Eden Lake had, except this movie had less of an overall impact on me. (Eden lake was so much better, don’t get me wrong.) Still, I recommend it. It’s decent and could make up for the poor quality of Wrong Turn 3…
Finally, a really good Horrorfest 09 flick. This film reminded me alot of Wolf Creek. I’m not sure it is quite as good as Wolf Creek, but it is close. I have seen three different pretty good Australian horror flicks so far, so I will definitely make sure to check them out in the future.
The setting, acting and plot of this film are all very good- and classic. Best of all though, in my opinion, is the Tasmanian setting and photography. Its an interesting concept. They even reference “Deliverance” with a little tongue in cheek in this one.
This movie to me was good. i think it may have made it in theaters but there are some nasty scenes. its alittle unerving but overal its good
Weird and lame backwoods/cannibal/survival-flick. The premise sounded very interesting to me but sadly they just didn’t get it right: fairly tense and barely scary with an over-clichéd and messed up script, a whole load of boring scenes and some really annoying acting (especially that loud mouthed jackass who’s constantly talking and acting shit). Gladly it’s at least quite atmospheric, the scenery is beautiful and there’s some decent gore.
Completely average all the way around, nothing to really separate this film from others almost just like it.
“Dying Breed” is a very good horror flick from Down Under. It seems they’re doing it up right down there lately. Nathan Phillips (Wolf Creek) is here in a principal role and he gives the movie a needed dose of energy. He’s a walking bundle of libido with a crossbow… so much fun to watch, I’m tempted to call him the Australian Steve Zahn. The plot draws a number of threads together with some success: Tasmania’s history as a high security prison island, mysterious breeds of exotic animals that may or may not be extinct, randy young tourists seeking sex and high adventure, backwoods families exuding menace, incredible dark rain forest locales, and of course the requisite number of gory deaths. Builds slowly with a heavy suspense factor, then an explosion of violence and mayhem, and finally an ending that does try to tidy things up, although perhaps not to everyone’s satisfaction. One of the better offerings from the Horrorfest 09 series.
Bad movie.. I couldn’t even finish it.