Intermedio (2005) Reviews

• script to screen

  Producethis2005-04-01

  I had read the script when it was workshopped on zoetrope.com or triggerstreet maybe, so i was looking forward to the film. I was saddened to see that the script which I had read was not the one that had been filmed. I'm not sure what happened between the translation from script to screen but this movie wasn't the original campy horror it once was. Sure there were moments (Railsback monologue was cool), but the production just fell short. Seems to many corners were cut. It was really "The Inbetween." At times the editing worked, others it didn't. Same with the acting. It could have been better and it could have been worse.

• A good little horror film provided you don't expect too much from it.

  Zombified_6602005-08-19

  Before I say anything that gives you a bad impression about this movie, let me first say this, Intermedio (or Dead & Dying as it's known in the UK, which is how I shall refer to it from now on) is pretty good as straight to video horror movies go. It's probably about the third or fourth best one I've seen. That said, it was also disappointing, probably due to the promise of it's idea being squandered by mediocre execution. Dead & Dying could have been a cool terror ride, but as it is it just slides in with all the other STV 'teens in peril' horror movies. Although it is a bit generic, what stops it from sinking into the depths never to be seen again is its fantastic cast. With the exception of the main character Jen's boyfriend, everyone in this film is giving it 110%. Key duo Edward Furlong and Cerina Vincent (watch this girl, she is totally wicked) both hand in warm, sympathetic performances that make you really want them to make it out alive, and Amber Benson gives a good go of it as comic relief too. The acting alone elevates it from the sludge, but unfortunately there isn't a lot else to it. The ghost effects are cool, and for a while very creepy, providing some refreshingly genuine scares, but once it's revealed that they aren't the true villains their ability to terrify dwindles, plus they all but vanish from the movie for the second half anyway. The horror element of this movie feels really tacked on, like they had a thriller written but they needed a horror so they augmented it with some ghosts and a bit of gore. The gore is a nice bonus, but it's pretty straightforward in comparison with films like Shredder or Curse of the Forty-Niner's gleefully complex overkill. This movie doesn't do anything you haven't seen forty or fifty times before. It's a shame, as this is a genuinely enjoyable movie, but it's tarnished with the feeling it could of been a lot better, like they rushed to get it out. Add to this a soundmix that is so unbalanced I wound up turning the TV set up and down about ten or eleven times, and you can see why I say it just fails to excite as much as it might. All in all, you could do much much worse than Dead & Dying, and it's worth a rent purely for Cerina Vincent and Ed Furlong, but you could do a lot better too. Give it a shot, don't expect miracles.

• Eddie Furlong Needs Rehab

  bruceleroy2005-06-07

  I thought the presence of a known actor like Eddie Furlong might mean that this movie has a certain level of budget, if not quality. Neither is the case. This is a cheap movie with cheap "effects" that are eye-rolling at best, laughable at worst -- the "ghosts" are guys dressed in skeleton costumes, a la Karate Kid (Plus, I'm getting sick of digital blood in horror movies.). The dialog is a ridiculous heaping of clichéd yelling ("We're not gonna get anywhere yelling at each other like this!" and that sort of crap). The actors are no better -- just a bunch of overacting, and Furlong is not immune. He's seen better days. His hunched over, paunchy stoner body, and baggy eyes make him look increasingly like Peter Lorre. The only entertaining part of this film is watching Cernia Vincent running around in a cut-off t-shirt sans bra and with thong-cut jeans. Too bad the director is so incompetent; the cuts are jerky and disjointed, and he even has Vincent do some sort of Matrix-like fall-back maneuver to dodge a projectile, all with a straight face. The director tries to throw in some cheap "boo!" scares, but nothing -- nothing -- in this movie is remotely frightening, except for the fact that it was even made.

• dead and dying

  gottalovehawk2006-02-04

  Dead and dying as its known in Ireland is not that great. I just finished watching it around two hours ago. Kinda boring. I am in love with Edward furlong but he kinda needs to lose the belly! Oh gawd that amber benson one just got on my nerves thank gawd she died! She just drove me insane, gen had a gun she should have shot her, Hun stick to Buffy with the other bad actors! OK am i the only one who found it a bit strange that gen and malik hooked up? They grew up together it would be like doing it with your sister! the acting in this film wasn't all that great my personal opinion Edward furlong (malik) should stick to comedy! He's a great comedy actor! Detroit rock city genius but he was outstanding in American history x, he just got stuck with ''actors'' than can't act to save there life! Eddie and the old guy were the only one's who could act! MESSAGE FOR CASTING AGENTS PICK ACTORS WHO HAVE TALENT NOT FOR HOW BIG THE SILICONE IN THERE BREASTS ARE!!!!!!!!

• Cerina!

  moviephantasm2005-02-28

  Cerina's a babe...sexy as hell in this movie. This sorta has a feel like the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Railsback actually looks like he could've stepped off the set of TM. Good pace overall. Could've used some more special effects but I'm guessing the budget didn't allow for that. I saw a behind the scenes on this on one of Amber Benson's sites, some funny stuff. Could've been longer though. I wonder who's gonna be the next Buffy cast member to do a horror? If you're a fan of the the 70's indy horrors, check this out. Again, Tobe Hooper comes to mind... and maybe a young young Wes Craven. Some nudity woulda been nice too.