Review: Man Vs.

(imdb.com)

Reality television is one of America's most peculiar institutions. By far one of the most hated, but also one of the most often watched, reality shows collect some truly odd characters based in real life. Subverting this in what is perhaps the most post-modern, meta ways, numerous filmmakers and networks have made a move toward reality television shows that are knowingly scripted. Shows like Lifetime's Unreal, or the comedic Bajillion Dollar Propertie$, are scripted series featuring similar formats that either follow fictional contestants or the fictional production teams behind the camera. Seeking to tack itself onto this blossoming genre is the Canadian horror film (newly added to American streaming sites), Man Vs.

Like all of those Discovery channel shows following a man entering the wild to live on his own, Man Vs. is a near literal interpretation of these series. The film enters the horror genre however, about midway through when strange moments quickly become horrifying events and our main character comes face to face with something otherworldly. Man Vs. stars Chris Diamantopoulos (The Three Stooges) as host Doug Woods. He is the film's main focus and carries much of the movie on his back.

The biggest setback of Man Vs., outside of some truly awful visuals is the leads confusing personality. Diamantopoulos' character is disjointed since he's simultaneously supposed to be a courageous outdoorsman and television host of a show now in its third season, but is somehow instantly afraid of going in to what seems to be a simple forest. Even before anything bad happens, he is inexplicably wary of this adventure. Had he gone in confident and with little worries, perhaps the story would be more believable. This is the film's major flaw and one that'll set the tone for subpar results.

It's important to note that the filmmakers instantly receive credit for the movie's original plot. While the whole isolation thriller is very been there, done that, making the character a television host who intentionally sets himself up for a struggle, feels fresh. Even if not always true to actual production, one of the strongest aspects of Man Vs. is that it does offer that insight into reality television that media junkies crave. Similar to what Lifetime's Unreal has done for The Bachelor franchise, Man Vs. swipes much of its inspiration from survival shows like Man Vs. Wild and Survivorman with entertaining results.

Man Vs. is a relatively slow burn with very little rounding out a straightforward survival tale gone wrong. In various moments, there are efforts to showcase something new and scary, and at many of those parts the film manages to make ground. But, with an oddly established character, bad CGI and a relatively leveled plot, there isn't quite enough to make Man Vs. a homerun. While watchable, Man Vs. could have used a little more. 5 out of 10.

 

 

 

Review: The Devil's Candy

(imdb.com)

While disturbed men with questionable mental statuses and the crimes they commit may not feel fresh or new, IFC Midnight's latest distribution, The Devil's Candy somehow impresses.  Between the edgy, metal family at the center of this thriller and the dread felt throughout, The Devil's Candy is the one of the most refreshingly disturbing films of the year. It's the type of movie where every cliché and typical plot point is overcome with a sense of renewal. There's the man in an orange tracksuit who has all of the telling signs of a criminal and a family that moves to a secluded farmhouse, and yet, there is enough in this film to keep it relevant and ultimately, terrifying. Clocking in at less than 90 minutes, The Devil's Candy offers jackrabbit pacing infused with deeply embedded, human fears.

 

As noted, The Devil's Candy follows an artist father, played by Ethan Embry (Late Phases), as he and his wife, played by Shiri Appleby (UnREAL), and their daughter, played by Kiara Glasco (Christmas Magic), move into a recently reduced-price home. Turns out, the prior owners had died, leaving their voices-hearing, tracksuit-wearing adult son, played by Pruitt Taylor Vince (Constantine), homeless. Things spiral out as the father's artistic vision becomes intertwined with the demonic actions of the tracksuit man. Sounds like a lot to keep track? The movie is surprisingly easy to follow despite it's complex backdrop and for a horror film, that's a good thing.

 

The Devil's Candy benefits from a really, really outstanding cast; both Embry and Glasco do equally fantastic in their role as a tight knit father-daughter duo - sometimes acting more like friends than a parent and child pair. Embry is good at playing an artist who begins to lose track of time; his crazed eyes and shaky body doing giving all the more physical substance to the role and Glasco most certainly has a future if she wants to stay in horror (I see future final girl in her future). Then there is Appleby who is particular stunning and surprisingly effective as a more level-headed mother turned scream queen. This movie rests solely on us feeling attached to this family, and the resulting film has a lot to thank the cast for.

 

Other noteworthy aspects include a fantastic score and strong camerawork. The score itself builds a lot of tension. One place this is certainly commendable is in a flash sequence of Embry's character painting interwoven with the tracksuit man sawing and cleaning a body. It's stellar work like this that moves this film past basicness. Here is also where some of the film's best camerawork comes into play. With such a short runtime, The Devil's Candy certainly makes a lot of strong moves to engross audiences. Side note: for the HGTV-lover, the move-in montage is especially fun.

 

The Devil's Candy shows that while supernatural events may occur, the most evil things are surprisingly grounded in humanity. The tracksuit man may be possessed, but he also may just be disturbed; his life inexplicably interwoven with the visions of the father. Stranger things have happened and crimes have been more supernaturally solved. One thing is clear though:  as a well-shot, well-acted, ungodly tense film with little time to spare, The Devil's Candy is a taut thriller worth watching. Whether