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[BD Review] ‘Home Invasion’ Is Rough On Duff
What is more horrific than a Lifetime movie? Right! There aren’t many things. Home Invasion, starring Haylie Duff, C. Thomas Howell and Lisa Sheridan, was originally just that. It’s a simple story: Jade (Duff) wants to ruin Nicole’s (Sheridan) life because Nicole killed Jade’s boyfriend. Of course, this was in self defense after he and his buddy, Ray (Howell), broke into her home and threatened both Nicole and her foster daughter.
Home Invasion is basically a thriller in the realm of The Hand That Rocks The Cradle, but, as stated above, made for TV. For the most part, everything that Duff’s Jade does is a wee bit farfetched. Her antics range from poisoning the buffet at Nicole’s newly opened restaurant to burning the place down and planting evidence at Nicole’s house. Sure, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, but for Jade to pull of everything she does in the movie would take someone a bit more intelligent than the character that is presented.
For a TV movie, and especially one that aired on Lifetime, Home Invasion isn’t particularly horrible, but also isn’t Oscar worthy. For the most part, I actually enjoyed seeing how over the top it would go. However, the most entertaining aspect is watching Haylie Duff’s acting. For 80% of the film, Duff’s expression remains the same – pouty lips and slightly flared nostrils with arched eyebrows (and perfect hair throughout). While Sheridan’s acting might be stiff at times, she at least appears to be the part. Supporting cast varies on their acting abilities, as well. Yes, the script is campy and Howell’s portrayal of Ray, a thug with neck tattoos, is a bit laughable. The worst, sadly, has to be Kyla Dang as foster daughter Abigail. Someone’s parents need to make sure they’re banking this money for college.
MTI Video is releasing Home Invasion and other films like it on DVD. Is it worth buying? No, I can’t say it is. However, if this one shows up on Netflix and you enjoy cheap women based cable station films – plus you like seeing Haylie Duff in bad situations (Did you see her on Sons of Anarchy? This girl can’t win!) – then definitely throw Home Invasion on to watch. At least you can kill an hour and a half.
One of contemporary horror’s best werewolf movies is 2017’s Good Manners, and it’s finally set to receive a proper physical media release.
Icarus Films is partnering with OCN Distribution to unleash a new Blu-ray that’s now available to preorder via Vinegar Syndrome. and with a limited edition slipcover.
Set in São Paulo, the film follows Clara, a lonely nurse from the outskirts of the city who is hired by mysterious and wealthy Ana to be the nanny of her soon to be born child. Against all odds, the two women develop a strong bond. But a fateful night marked by a full moon changes their plans.
Good Manners is the second collaboration between filmmakers Juliana Rojas and Marco Dutra, who write and direct. Zama’s Rui Poças‘ cinematography captures this unique werewolf tale described as “Disney meets Jacques Tourneur.”
Our own Trace Thurman wrote in his review, “With Good Manners, Rojas and Dutro have made one of the best werewolf movies ever made. That they are able juggle commentaries on racism and classism while still managing to tell two deeply affecting love stories is remarkable.”
BONUS FEATURES:
- Commentary from film critics Shelagh Rowan-Legg and Carolyn Mauricette
- 12-page booklet with an essay by film critic Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer
- Making-of short film: The Making of a Werewolf (2 mins)
- Two additional short films from the filmmakers: A STEM (15 mins), directed by Juliana Rojas & Marco Dutras, and DOPPELGANGER (24 mins), directed by Juliana Rojas
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