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Overall Rating : 3/10
Directed By : Chris Gorak
Mary McCormack (1408)
Rory Cochrane (A Scanner Darkly)
Tony Perez
Scotty Noyd Jr.
Supplied By : Lionsgate Films
Film Reviewed By : Rick L. Blalock
Date Reviewed : January. 28, 2008
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| PLOT After multiple dirty bombs are detonated, spreading deadly toxic ash across Los Angeles, Brad is forced to lock his wife, Lexi outside of their home by safely sealing himself inside in fear that she might have been contaminated. With the city under siege and Martial Law in effect, Brad and Lexi struggle to survive with little supply, limited time and no information – all the while separated by thin doors and thinner sheets of plastic. When “help” finally does arrive, it appears to be anything but. |
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| THE REVIEW RIGHT AT YOUR DOOR focuses on a couple, Brad, who is an unemployed Musician and his wife Lexis whom seems to be the provider. One day when Lexis prepares for work it seems just like any other day - but on her way to work, things would soon change, when LA comes under attack. In amidst early morning traffic it seems as if someone or something has set off toxic bombs in which sends everyone into a panic. The bombs spew of a toxic gas which is harmful to those who come in contact with the gas. Knowing this information, Brad sets out to find Lexis, and when his search is unsuccessful he returns home, only to take the advice of local reporters, when they report that everyone should stay far away from the gas or those infected. So with the help of a neighbor, Brad barricades himself in his home with duct tape and whatever else he can find. Lexis eventually turns up, but she doesn't seem right and displays all signs of being contaminated by the dangerous chemicals. Brad must then make the decision to let Lexis in the house risking the possibility that he may be contaminated, or taking the simple route and just await pending medical attention - whatever the case, Brad's decision may be very crucial. Just like the recent slew of Zombie films of all types that have been released as of late, it seems that terrorism is also a hot subject in the film world. Ever since 9/11, it seems that not only America, but the world has kept one finger on the "panic button", while Hollywood has kept an eye on it, as a means to find a way to exploit that fear we hold inside. I have read reviews that state RIGHT AT YOUR DOOR as being a glimpse into what could happen, and how brilliant it is in displaying the realism that people may face in this sort of situation. I did not see this film as anything more than an exploitation of a current world situation, and the pain that such a situation has caused for many people. I understand the idea of making a film based on something that has or could happen, but sometimes it seems as if films are just made to cash in or shock us, with no other meaning or purpose. On the cover art for this film it is hailed as being "one of the scariest films you're likely to see this year".....is it just me, or did I miss the scary parts of this film? RIGHT AT YOUR DOOR is a low budget film, and it's a film that really only has just one central location which means, like the film BUG, it near leaves one setting, and if it does, it's just very briefly. Our film takes place in the vicinity of Brad and Lexis's home, in which Brad along with a neighbor have barricaded themselves inside at the advice of news reports. They say not to come in contact with the gasses nor persons that have possibly been infected. So naturally Brad is totally letting his wife Lexis in the house when she miraculously shows up after being thought of as dead. Honestly, not a lot eventful happens from then on, we just witness a lot of bickering between the husband and wife as to why he won't let her in......how excited are we supposed to be for that. Actually I believe this whole scenario would've fared much better had the bond between the two had been more solid. Sure both Rory Cochrane and Mary McCormack give great performances as individual characters, but I wasn't all that convinced when it came to the actual husband and wife thing with Brad and Lexis - I just didn't feel any kind of real emotion between them in a couple's sense. This may be a spoiler, but I thought i'd point it out. At one point in the film we are thrown a curve ball.....or so they think Through out the film, there are men patrolling the area in clad in gas masks and heavy duty suits. Our characters seem to believe that these guys are some sort of medical specialists/doctors that are steadying the gas in order to save them. It's eventually revealed that they are really some sort of soldiers that seem to want to kill them - what was meant to be a shock, doesn't - at least when it comes to me, because I thought the film did very little to establish these "gas mask" characters. I never really knew who or what they were to begin with, so the twist came and went without me noticing...and by then I had already lost interest anyway. I will say this however, that the last 10 minutes or so of RIGHT AT YOUR DOOR are quite suspenseful, and things do start to pick up for it, but like I said, it's the last 10 minutes, so it feels a little too late. Myself personally, I don't exactly enjoy films that stay in one location for the entire time, it's like if you lock yourself up in your bedroom for a month, the 4 walls and the surroundings are bound to drive you crazy simply, because of their familiarity - it just gets old and boring after awhile, especially if there isn't much to occupy or entertain you. |
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| GORE
METER N/A |
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| MUSICAL
SCORE 4.5/10 The score is a mix of melodic and up-tempo rock tunes. I always enjoy the scores produced by the team whom call themselves 'tomandandy'(THE COVENANT), but I feel that their talents may have been a little underutilized here. |
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| OVERALL
IMPRESSION OF THE FILM RIGHT AT YOUR DOOR is a film that tries to deliver an impacting post 9/11 message, but the problem is that......so have many other films. Thus RIGHT AT YOUR DOOR seems just like another one of "those" films, as it's really bland in the suspense and thrills department, and offers little to nothing new or innovative. I have seen many glowing reviews for this film, and all I can say is that I honestly don't share the same sentiment. The DVD will be available January 29, 2008 |
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