BLOOD FARE

BLOOD FARE

USA, 2012
Director: J.A. Steel

5/10

Again, my hopes for a real good Civil War horror-movie were dashed. Ok, J.A. Steel's fourth feature film "Blood Fare" is obviously far from being as crappy as desasters like "The Supernaturals" or "Curse Of The Cannibal Confederates" - unfortunately, it's also far from being the kick-ass indie flick I actually expected.

I love the pretty original storyline which revolves around the legendary ferryman Charon, a haunted State Park, a dead Corporal who's doomed to walk the earth because he refused to pay his fare, and the Corporal's fifth generation grandchildren who do some research on an early, forgotten Civil War skirmish.

The direction isn't exactly inspired and the script is quite mediocre due to some major pacing issues in the first half. Fortunately, there are many interesting plot points and unexpected twists that keep you entertained from beginning to end.

- Thumbs Up -
Cool performances from Brandi Lynn Anderson (gorgeous!), Bridget McManus (what a hottie!), Michelle Wolff (cool!) and "Buck Rogers" Gil Gerard; great camera work, a cool soundtrack, some superb gore, nice use of Civil War re-enactment stock footage and the undead Corporal's eerie theme tune.

- Thumbs Down -
The incredibly awful performance of Savannah Ostler (overacting to the max), many bland and cliché-ridden characters, an underwhelming Charon (uncreepy look, laughable voice), many annoyingly stupid dialogue lines, the overlong end credits (9 minutes!!) and some weak CGI (though I've definitely seen worse).

Overall, a good but disappointing indie flick. Potential wasted.

Imdb

Big thanks to director J.A. Steel and screenwriter Christian Koch for providing me with an early screener of the movie!