User Reviews

I almost didn't watch this because I tend to steer clear of movies with a rating below 5 but once I read the synopsis I was hooked. It sounded like the kind of movies I typically enjoy and I was not disappointed. It's listed as a thriller but I definitely found some dark comedy in it especially once some of the other characters entered the movie. Lindsay Rose Binder, the lead, has only done one other film but I liked her and thought she did a great job portraying the single woman so desperate to find love she goes to extreme measures once she finds a potential catch. Nothing justified her crazy action but I have to say that even though she was insane I didn't completely hate her because the guy was definitely a jerk. I had to wonder at the end if she would ever find someone to fit into her insane idea of the perfect relationship.

The film opens with first person narration from Dori (Katia Winter) who talks about love. She has apparently met Mr. Right in Norman (Matthew Settle). They have an intimate relationship she reads too much into. Norman agrees to a long weekend getaway to a secluded home up north. Here Norman is surprised by Dori's two children and grandparents. Things turn sour after Dori says the dreaded "L" word and we soon see Norman in the tied up condition depicted on the cover.

Dori abides by a relationship book that claims you have to experience all the holidays with each other, which she quickly does in June, with her family considering the odd behavior normal.

This is indeed a quirky film, one for women who have grown tired of bad relationships. It is an impressive indie which oozed with dark comedy and ironic statements. Great date night film.

Parental Guide: F-bomb, sex, brief nudity (Katia Winter)

Norman is a busy, successful real estate agent who is deeply interested in making money, no matter how much time it takes. He likes his girl friends, but tends to cycle them, a new one every so many weeks. Dori, however, gets him to go on a long weekend early enough in the relationship that he decides to go.

Dori has surprises from the beginning. She goes through the 'I love you' dance a bit early. The next morning, Dori introduces Albert and Dolly, her son and daughter. Then she introduces her grandfather and grandmother as well. Norman is by no means ready or willing for this to happen.

Norman attempts to leave, but Dori has sawed off the steering wheel on his Porsche. This is where he needed to do anything he could to leave. He comes close to it, but his cell phone reception is poor. Dori slams him over the head with an iron, then ties him down to a bed. The kids are on with it, as are grandpa and grandma.

The festive tortures that the kidnappers put Norman through are both ordinary and disgusting. They celebrate all sorts of holidays during the long weekend: Valentine's Day, Easter, Father's Day. They tie him up with duct tape, chain his legs together, then make fun of him when he cannot hold his bladder after a long time.

Norman does his best to leave, but the ball and chains make it difficult. They talk, and talk, and talk.

Norman does get free, locks Dori away, then starts to run away. Dori suckers him in by yelling that Dolly had trouble breathing. This was an horrid moment, when Norman's small piece of compassion is leveraged by this family of psychos. They re-capture him, then subject him to Christmas carols while dressed for Halloween.

Norman knows he's in trouble when the New Year's celebration involves voting, rather like the voting in an elimination derby, such as Survivor. Is there any way out for Norman?

------Scores--------

Cinematography: 8/10 Well done.

Sound: 10/10 No problems.

Acting: 8/10 I liked the performances of the veteran actors. The child actors did well in their roles.

Screenplay: 7/10 Story makes sense in a sick sort of way.

-----Conclusions-------

A bit too much of the PC bovine scatology. Dori sounds oh, so calm and clear and philosophical as she drags Norman's body into the shed. This is one of the harshest crushings of the human spirit I have seen in quite a while. This is horror at its purest, not a thriller, as billed. 'I still believe in love,' says the kidnapping multiple murderess at the end. A much better ending would be that Norman escapes when he had the chance, comes back with police, and the four kidnappers are killed in a hail of bullets. That would have been a thriller, as opposed to this embrace of murderous madness.

First, what is with the ratings on IMDb. Seems like bull. Man was it entertaining. I will watch this friends next time. Rotten Tomatoes gave this good enough props audience anyway. who the hell believes critics? I thought i'd check it out Sunday night.

It gave me gas watching the man get tied up and rolled up and pushed around by the family. I nearly crapped myself when Norman decided to think of the kid instead of his sorry self getting kidnapped by a bunch of hillbillies.

I once had a girl, a serious girlfriend not just a fling, tell me she had never been married before... Not only was she married, she had four kids from different men and she was looking to find a father for all of them. No way in hell do I want to raise another man's spawn. It's called responsibility as they say, 'Not My Kid Not My Problem'. This movie was twisted and alright. And save your money. OBLIVION is garbage.