Methodic (2007)

I think this movie begs the question, "Should points be given for effort?" The verdict's still out.But let's start with the good -- Understanding that this script started as a treatment for a Halloween remake, I'll forgive the similarities and say that the script and dialog is actually pretty well executed. Sure there are a few issues with line delivery in spots, but the script as a separate entity isn't horrible.Second, the music was all completely on cue and built the scenes nicely. It wasn't overused and it never detracted from any of the scenes.Third, I mean -- talk about indie, talk about zero budget. This is what it looks like, folks. A film like "Ink" (which is certainly a class well above this), was made for $250,000. There's a huge difference between zero and $250,000.Where this movie really misses the mark are with issues related to budget but also some missteps by the director.Without using any real camera lenses the framing had a lot of issues. This would have been an easy solve for a few hundred bucks by slapping a 35mm adapter on whatever consumer HD cam he used for the project. I'm assuming it was in the realm of an HV20 or some lesser model. Had this been shot on any kind of DSLR or something with an adapter, some of the framing issues would have been solved. I saw attempts by the director to set up interesting shots, but when you're using a jitty camcorder with no lenses, it's nearly impossible unless you're manufacturing a DOF by having objects or talent always in the foreground, which isn't possible throughout an entire film.Lighting was another huge issue, and being that lighting can be solved using foam board and halogen work lights, I'm going to have to stick it to the director on this one. There are some basics of lighting that need to be studied before this guy's next feature (or fan) film."Crossing the line" -- that's what it's called when you move your talent from one side of the screen to the other mid-scene. This happened too many times. It's a rookie mistake and it's utterly confusing to the audience when it happens. So, to the director: If your actor is on the right side of the frame in a scene, that actor must stay on the right side of the frame throughout. If you want to move between two mid-range shots but don't want to cut from one mid-range shot to the next, then do a quick wide shot and then come back to your second shot.Next is color correction. This, of course, can still be linked to budget. But something as cheap as Magic Bullet Mojo ($99) would have given your scenes a more cohesive blending and would have given your camcorder footage a more filmic appearance.Location colors. This is probably the easiest thing to slip by the indie filmmaker. While you're probably going to have to use friends and family's locations to shoot your film, you CANNOT allow white walls to be in your film. Obviously the hospital is a different animal and most of that will have a blue tint when your color correction is done anyway (assuming you go the Blockbuster route), but when you're indoors you have to paint those walls. If it's a friend's house, paint the walls and then re-paint them white again if that's what they need. Go watch Amelie with the sound off. Watch the frames. Aim there.Last...I know it sucks and I know the director knows it...but sound was a big issue. Not sure what kind of mic was used. At times it sounded like the mic was on-camera which is just the worst thing I can possible imagine for a narrative piece. I can see how much work and effort was put into this film. There was some decent acting, a workable script, good pacing and at times some real effort went into framing certain scenes. But having lackluster audio, an amateurish understanding of talent placement in a scene (as it pertains to audience clarity) and a camcorder with no added glass for DOF, the director left us with a highschool-level product performed and written by adults.I want this director to get better because he has passion for all levels of filmmaking. I gave the movie 5 stars for potential.So, to the no-budget director of this film: 1) Pick yourself up a DSLR or HFS100 w/ JAG35pro or better (Panny and Sony just came out with 5K cams that are game changers) 2) Get some Sanken COS11D lavs and an NTG3 with an Edirol44 or Fostex FR2LE w/ Y XLR splitter cable 3) Grab a PRO AM 250 crane/jib 4) Magic Bullet Looks (or Mojo) And if you can, try to find someone who wouldn't mind training as your sound guy/girl. You're gonna need one.But kudos on your first effort. Your gal was completely solid in the lead role.Good luck!

Despite the high praise from reviews which misled me into watching this film I really did not find it a very satisfying watch.The story seems to feature familiar elements from at least two other films - the boy killer locked in hospital most of life till he escapes and hunts down his surviving family which really shows it's Halloween influence. I think the script and the performances of the actors are the elements that really failed to connect with me. Lines were fluffed and stumbled over and screaming was used as a substitute for emoting more than once. The whole demonic thing was dropped into the film almost like it had Fallen out of another film. So much of the film was wasted in scenes of little relevance and yet very little time was used to establish that this was a demonic possession. A completely irrelevant lesbian love scene forces it way into the story for no good reason heaves itself to a climax before expiring brutally just as expected.

Let me start by saying what a cool movie this was for being made for practically nothing. Chris is such a talented director and to be able to make a film of this kind of caliber for next to nothing is an achievement onto it's own. Methodic is chock full of wonderful homages to John Carpenter's Halloween and even James Cameron's Terminator. Both of which are favorites of mine. The script is very rich in dialog and the humor, though limited is still fun and quirky. I got to see a private screening of Methodic last week and after talking with the director I just really felt it necessary to post something. I'm even more amazed that he got THE sheriff Brackett in his film. I'm talking about Charles Cyphers. It was a real treat seeing him play a hard ass cop. And if there is a sequel I want to see him come back for sure. The Dollman was such a cool villain. Now I don't want to give much away. You really need to see this film for yourself, but when he goes after Lana in that climatic chase I was cheering. Not that I wanted her to die, but just the energy of the killer combined with the rock score got me all excited. And the best part, the Dollman RUNS! I was not expecting that. Usually the killers walks everywhere and pops up randomly, but not this guy. He jumps off roofs, smashes down doors, bursts through closets and RUNS! Oh and his escape from the hospital was great too. It was very..... METHODIC. LOL. All in all I will say this movie was so fun for me and brought back a lot of those classic things I loved about horror. I only hope I can make a movie as cool as this some day.

Let me start by saying, this film is not what you think it is. Despite all of it's thematic references to John Carpenter's Halloween, Methodic is NOT a rip off in any way. Methodic writer and director, Chris R. Notarile takes all the wonderful elements and themes that we've grown to love from Halloween and all other late 70's - early 80's horror movies and has woven them into a brilliant tapestry of suspense, horror and drama.Methodic starts slow. If you're looking for a popcorn body count movie with mindless wanton slaughter of moronic horny teenagers, this is not the movie for you. Methodic is instead incredibly story driven. So much so that there are actually moments in the film that if you don't pay attention to, it is very certain you will not understand something later on. I like this. I find it rare these days, especially in independent horror movies where people actually need to pay attention to a movie. Usually the story is simple, intoxicated coeds get taken out by a silent masked maniac.Now granted, Methodic does sport the classic silent masked killer stereotype, but fortunately, with very good reason. The Dollman is instantly classic, from the look of his mask right down the (no pun intended) execution of his actions. I would also like to bring up the wonderful gimmick deployed with this film, and by that I am referring to the "basher" term used to distinguish the film. Believe it or not, Methodic actually is the first basher film and that's actually a pretty clever thing to do. In a world where everything is being remade, its always refreshing to see something new come along. I predict we will be seeing more "basher" movies as time goes on. Let's just hope they are on par with this film.And now down to the technical "stuff". This is Mr. Notarile's directorial debut, sort of. Apparently he has a large number of short film credits to his name, but I believe Methodic is his first feature. Not a bad way to start a career if you ask me. For a first time feature director with what appeared to be a very large cast, I think things were handled more than admirably. I won't lie, some of the acting in the film was a little on the campy side, but I suspect that is usually the case with most low budget horror films. The shots were great. Most of the film really gave off a larger than life feeling and though it was limited, the action and the killing scenes in this film were very fun and intense.As for performances, most of the cast and more importantly, those playing the main characters, were very convincing. I enjoyed the natural flow of the dialog as well as some of more candid moments between characters, specifically the stakeout scene with Dan and Colin and the "chick flick" scene with Lana, Melissa and her husband. Great stuff.All in all, Methodic is a wonderful first film and great gateway piece into what looks to be a very promising career from Chris R. Notarile. I wish him well and cannot wait to see where he goes and what he does next.