Flatmates Wanted

The bad then the good

Some who see this film will say what the hell? It was awful, bad acting, bad, well everything!

Being someone who is currently writing my own script and drawing storyboard for my own first film and who is also from New Zealand I can really appreciate just how much goes into making a film, especially in New Zealand with No budget to make it with,

I stress the No Budget bit.

There is really nothing much to help those wanting to make zero budget film in NZ. Post production and planning is a huge effort and takes forever, special effects makeup cost a fortune here compared to in the U.S, especially if you use genuine professional products. There's very few places that stock these materials as well.

These are the following reasons why I give Mr Davies film a 9

1. He used creative kiwi (New Zealanders are called Kiwis)ingenuity using hardware lights for studio lamps,

2. used different creative angles and lighting to add atmosphere.

3. Found a way to use some special effects in a country that is limited to supplies unless you chop up your cat.

4. Had a couple of scenes in the film that were reminiscent of the grudge/the ring, (no, there were no spooky Asian women with larengitis.or anemic Asian kid in nappies)

5. Managed to get film footage of up inside their ceiling somehow without falling through it. After all who needs a Stuntmen when you can just break the actors arms legs and back.

6. Added a twist that turned the film into an actual decent enough film to sit down and watch...... all the way through, which with NZ film is often hard to do unless it's made by Peter Jackson.

7. Didn't have platinum blonde bimbo of the universe with breast implants to take the lead in his movie just to attract an audience. You know the ones with breast implants so big they knock themselves unconscious when they go jogging.

8. Last but not least, did nearly everything almost alone with a really small film crew, I believe was made up from friends.

9. To be selected for a New York film festival I think he is doing very well not many get this far without a blonde bimbo

Especially when you come from a country with a population of only 4.2 million most of which, don't seem to know where the on button is on their digital video camera. :-)

Go for it Gary I hope to see more from you and your team in future.

For a kiwi gal who doesn't really see horror movies unless its hiding behind a pillow when the gory bits start in, Flatmates Wanted was a hard movie to watch but I rate it so highly - I have seen it three times. It is a fantastic character and tension building watch that I recommend to anyone who has the chance to see it.

Taking ordinary dudes and putting them into a surreal situation like this brings out the best....and worst of the characters. The use of light and camera angles brings it all together in a package of unease and mounting nerves, climaxing at the bitter end.

Knowing the background of the director etc made this movie even more close to my heart, no big budget here and it still rocks.

Go Wellington and bring on the next one Gary and Mike!!!!

.....most impressive.

You want to talk low budget horrors? Blair Witch doesn't deserve to lick the sweat from the terrifying armpit of Flatmates Wanted. You want to talk New Zealand directors? Peter Jackson is just the one we let overseas, they're all that good over here! and Flatmates proves it.

This movie alternates between spine tingling and pant wetting, and doesn't let go of you until the end of the credits (which, for those of you who smoke, means you spend the last half of the movie feeling unnecessarily angry). By the end of it I felt like I had had a really bad drug trip, and in my mind thats how all good horrors should make you feel.

Plus, in a little patriotic moment for me, I was pleased to note that all the killing was done in a down-to-earth, no frills, kiwi male fashion.

Rock on Gary and Mike! Can't wait to see the next one!