My Whole Expanse I Cannot See…

I formulate infinity stored deep inside of me…

Jan 15

After Dark Horrorfest: Perkins’ 14

Category: Opinions

So, in my bizarre pursuit to see as much of this year’s After Dark Horrorfest as I possibly can, I ended up going to the 10:35 PM showing of Perkins’ 14. The title gave me absolutely no clue as to what I’d be seeing.

Perkins’ 14 tells the story of Ronald Perkins and his life’s work in the quiet little town of Lake Cove. Ronald had a rough childhood. At the age of 6, Ronald’s parents are killed while he’s in the house. Mom stabbed 14 times, dad shot in the face. Police rule it a murder/suicide, the case is closed. Ronald never buys this theory, he feels let-down and abandoned by the town. So, when he grows up, Ronald decides to kidnap 14 children and lock them in his basement. He tortures them, de-humanizes them, pumps them full of PCP and various other drugs. Ronald creates his own little army of mindless, heartless, really angry zombies. On the night of the ten year anniversary of the fourteenth kidnapping, Ronald’s kids get to go home again. It’s not a happy homecoming.

I admit it, I’m a sucker for zombie movies, so I really did love Perkins’ 14. It’s actually very well-shot, with just enough shaky-camera to give everything a very frenetic feeling. Visually, the film is quite reminiscent of 28 Days Later. I even found myself a little scared at times, as the killing doesn’t always happen when it’s expected. Perkins’ 14 definitely made my evening.

Next, Dying Breed.

7 comments

7 Comments so far

  1. redandjonny January 15th, 2009 11:05 am

    Thats the creepiest premise I’ve read in a long time. Found the trailer on youtube:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P-2rXS5LS4

    Looks pretty badass. I need to see this film now.

    have you seen ” Oldboy” ?

  2. Jenn Malatesta January 15th, 2009 5:12 pm

    Wow, that sounds like a movie I’d love! Of course, I loved 28 Weeks Later, while it horribly disturbed everyone else I know.

  3. Will January 16th, 2009 7:00 am

    How’s this horror fest affecting your dreams?
    I’ve noticed that if I’m completely content, at peace during day, I can have some pretty wild and violent weird dreams; but if things aren’t so hot, I will have actually very soothing, fun dreams. (strange reverse polarity thing)….same for you?

  4. josh January 16th, 2009 4:44 pm

    How’d you like the long curly haired Stranger who was picked up in the police car? haha, that was me, glad to hear you enjoyed the movie. 🙂

  5. michael January 16th, 2009 5:31 pm

    Will, I pretty much have bad dreams all the time, with or without movies.

    josh, that is awesome! I was sorry to see you go. Perkins 14 was really great, the only movie I genuinely liked of the 6 I saw. How’d you find my blog anyway?

  6. Will January 17th, 2009 1:01 pm

    If I was in a movie I’d set a Google News/Blog alert and I’d get an email each time it was mentioned……?

  7. josh January 20th, 2009 11:05 am

    Well, I didn’t set a google alert, I just searched for Perkins’ 14 on Twitter so I could read the reviews and saw your post.

    haha, I was sad to see me go as well… especially since mine was the weakest death in the whole movie. But the girl who killed me was HOT (not in the movie though)