Summer School (2006)

Directors:

Lance Hendrickson
Troy McCall

Writers:

Lance Hendrickson (writer)
Mike P. Nelson (writer)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

Don't Worry, You'll Be Fine When I Wake Up...

Plot:

Having spent the last three days watching crappy B grade horror films, to catch up on his website movie reviews...

Plot Keywords:

Violence | Slasher | Hillbilly | Cult | Nazi

Awards:

1 win

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Simon Wallace	...	Charles
Amy Cocchiarella	...	Lindsey
Tony D. Czech	...	Steve
Lance Hendrickson	...	Dennis
Ty Richardson	...	Officer Hector Klein
Jennifer Prettyman	...	Mrs. Wickham
Troy McCall	...	Henry Klein
Adam Hendrickson	...	Bobby Klein
Mike P. Nelson	...	The Monsters

Runtime:

USA:89 min

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | Stereo

Certification:

USA:Not Rated

Filming Locations:

Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA

Company:

Random Creatureface Films

Unexpected enjoyable film

I just finished watching Summer School, and well, I enjoyed it. Surprisingly enjoyable. I enter into independent low budget films like this with as open of a mind as I can have. Typically I am still let way down, but not this time.

This isn't so much a movie, as a series of short stories involving the same characters coupled together with a simple basic storyline.

The basis is a teen shows up for summer school after having spent a long night researching horror films. He arrives to school early and while he is waiting alone for class to start...he falls asleep. The following is a series of horrific nightmare's where himself and his classmates, teachers, and school security are reoccurring characters.

Each story proves itself to be quite original, they all had an element of horror, suspense, and mystery. I could not tell what was going to happen next due to the pacing and randomness of this film and I'll admit, I enjoyed not knowing what was going to happen next for once.

Each story builds in suspense and you find yourself wondering, even hoping, for the climax to happen. You actually want a happy story to happen after constant shocking endings to each story. I won't say how it ends, but it is a definite surprise.

I felt the acting was adequate to impressive, the leading character and his two friends filled out their roles very well in each case. The female character I felt was very poorly acted for the most part, and very unattractive. I kind of wanted her character to die when she was on screen. The camera work is inventive and fun to follow. The budget and special effects though sparing are very well used. I knew I was watching a low-budget movie, but at no time did it feel cheesy or hokey.

Overall I recommend this film, I give it a 5 because it's not a top-notch cinema thriller, but for an indie film it is exceptional. I think those involved were pretty talented and I enjoyed the story line overall. I'd say pick it up for a watch if you can.