Splinter (2008/I)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Toby Wilkins

Writers:

Kai Barry (writer)
Ian Shorr (writer)

Release Date:

3 April 2009 (Turkey)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

It will get under your skin.

Plot:

Trapped in an isolated gas station by a voracious Splinter parasite that transforms its still living victims into deadly hosts, a young couple and an escaped convict must find a way to work together to survive this primal terror.

Plot Keywords:

Escaped Convict | Parasite | Convict | Gas Station | Hit By Car

Awards:

6 wins & 1 nomination

US TV Schedule:

Mon. Nov. 9

5:00 PM

SYFY

Cast

Shea Whigham	...	Dennis Farell
Paulo Costanzo	...	Seth Belzer
Jill Wagner	...	Polly Watt
Rachel Kerbs	...	Lacey Belisle
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Charles Baker	...	Blake Sherman Jr.
Laurel Whitsett	...	Sheriff Terri Frankel

MPAA:

Rated R for violence/gore and language.

Runtime:

82 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

USA:R | Australia:MA | UK:18 | Singapore:R21 (cut) | Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA

Company:

Indion Entertainment Group

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: At (01:00:05) Just after Dennis' arm has been cut off you can clearly see him hiding his actual arm beside him, just behind the special effect amputated arm.

Quotes:

Dennis Farell: Jesus lady, help can't even help us.

Movie Connections:

References Cool Hand Luke (1967)

Good acting and good script with mediocre effects

This movie is stuck somewhere between a theatrical release-quality film and a direct to DVD movie, but much better than your ordinary Sci-Fi channel special.

The acting is top quality. All characters, especially the one portrayed by Shea, are portrayed exceptionally well. The plot keeps you glued to your seat, and you can't wait to see what happens next or how they will think of a way out of their predicament.

The only problems lie in the filming of the "monster" and to a lesser degree, the sound. I'm not a personal fan of the "flicker" style of filming so it may work for others. I prefer a fluid style of filming throughout the entire film. It's hard to keep track of the events occurring when things "flash" around rapidly.

But if you can overlook it's extremely minor flaws, you're in for a treat with this one. The acting and the central theme of the plot are strong enough to overcome its shortcomings.

My final ratings: Quality: 7 Entertainment level: 7 Overall: 7 Consensus: This might be Toby Wilkins' break as a writer/director and is a standout performance for Shea Whigham