Horror Thoughts ‘12—Red White & Blue (2010) ****

NR, 104 min.

Director/Writer: Simon Rumley

Starring: Amanda Fuller, Noah Taylor, Marc Senter, Jon Michael Davis, Nick Holden, Mary Matthews

So I’m watching this movie. I’m getting to know these characters. They’re dark characters, but they’re just living their lives. It’s a good movie. These people are interesting.

An hour into it and I’m wondering if this movie was a misplaced choice to feature during Horrorfest. Then the focus shifts to a different set of characters. I recognize them from the beginning of the movie. I know there’s a connection, but I don’t have the slightest clue of where all this is going.

Then, a development occurs. Suddenly what was interesting becomes more so. This development could not have been foreseen, not just for the audience but the characters as well. The reactions of the characters to these developments are even less predictable than the development. Where is all this going?

Then something else happens. The interesting level is now through the roof. Now, there is also great tension. What the hell is going to happen? It’s easy to predict how one of the characters will react, but the level of his reaction is far beyond what can be expected. This is now a full-blown horror movie. This is a man capable of any terror I can dream up. He’s very controlled in his actions, however. Everything has a purpose. All the outcomes are already determined in his mind. He just needs to bring the other characters along with him. They have no clue what they’ve done, no inkling that someone could be capable of what this man is capable of. And, no body knows why he is so motivated, not even the audience until after everything is said and done.