THE DARK SIDE CRITIC reviews great horror films that YOU may NEVER get to see! PART TWO…
THE POUGHKEEPSIE TAPES (2007) ****
Another delayed release that’s taken its sweet time getting to the theater. Here’s a clue… It never will, but you’re in luck: Its DVD release is (finally!) scheduled for January 27th. Yep, that’s this upcoming Tuesday.
This grisly “mockumentary” chronicles the career of the Water Street Butcher, a still-at-large serial killer who operated out of Poughkeepsie, NY until 2001. The fake documentary shows interviews with victims’ families, law enforcement, FBI profilers and media coverage… as well as the serial killer’s own home movies. Apparently the sicko filmed EVERYTHING he did and was somehow smart enough never to show his face or leave a fingerprint. First clue the documentary’s not real: THEY SHOW THE MURDERS AND THE TORTURE. Something a real documentary would never do. Plus the acting ain’t great, a dead (pun!) giveaway, but the fake interviewees aren’t bad enough to take you out of the experience.
“The Poughkeepsie Tapes” is an extremely effective horror film anyway you slice it (more puns!). When you watch the killer do his thing on tape, you soon realize you’re watching some of the most disturbing scenes ever filmed. The first one, where he kidnaps a little girl, I vote as the sickest. Mainly because she’s completely helpless and you know what he’s going to do to her (and it’ll probably mentally scar the little actress who played her). This guy keeps changing his M.O. so the police can’t figure out which crimes are his. Plus he leaves them clues on purpose to mess with them. Finally, he leaves them just enough info to find his tapes… and a horribly mutilated sex slave he’s been keeping for the past few years.
This is some scary stuff and frankly hard to stomach. Very professionally done and almost worthy of a theatrical release… but not quite. I don’t think it could get below an NC-17 rating. I challenge those who think the whole “found footage” sub-genre is played out to give this one a shot. You might change your mind.
This film also reminds me of another inventive “found footage” movie called “The Last Horror Movie.” If you have Netflix, you can watch it instantly HERE. It’s about a serial killer with a talent for filmmaking who has left YOU (the viewer) a nasty surprise in your VCR/DVD player. The ending will have you looking over your shoulder for the rest of the night. Whatever you do, DON’T read Netflix’s description of the movie. It’s more fun if you don’t!
Here’s the trailer for “The Poughkeepsie Tapes.” The trailer states that the MPAA gave it an “R” rating. I find that VERY hard to believe…
And one for “The Last Horror Movie”…
until next time…
Do you mind if I film this? I’m making a little movie about my trip…
-The Dark Side Critic
P.S. Hey, Small Town… STOPS COPIES ME!!!
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okay now. c’mon. “the last horror movie” seems like it’s going to be a waste. it looks rediculous. but then again, you give good ratings and if you recommed it, there must be something interesting about it. in my opinion, it looks home made out the ass…i’m not talking about the actual home made vid’s. i’m talking about the movie itself.
You’ve gotta see it, Chas. It’s way better than it looks. It’s a really interesting viewing experience. I think you’d dig it.