[Albino Farm]
Plot:Involves four unlucky college students who while exploring the Ozark Mountains for a midterm assignment on rural America, run afoul of a community of vicious, mutated, cave-dwelling rednecks.

Cast:Chris Jericho, Richard Christy, Tammin Sursok, Duane Whitaker.

My Thoughts:Not bad, although I've seen it before.

Review:"Albino Farm" is a "been there done that" kind of horror movie. When have we last seen a horror film where some kids, college students even, find their way into a small town and are set upon by the local psycho pack? Hundreds of times. I mean a new one of these types of movies comes out every other week on DVD. But, this one does a few new things to make the recipe a bit spicier than the normal bland same old stale killer psychobilly stuff.

The movie follows college kids who find their way to a small rural town, planning to research rural people and their cultures. Not sure why they'd want to research such a thing, but that's the story here, so whatever. Anyways, the kids run into the weird-ass locals which include the usual suspects. Some weird rednecks, a dwarf, and some odd bible thumpers. The usual tiny southern town types. The kids though begin asking around for a local haunt called "The Albino Farm", after they learn that the place exists.

The locals agree to take them there, and this is where the terror begins. Now normally in these movies, we roll our eyes at the kids who dig themselves a deep hole by looking in places they shouldn't look, for things they shouldn't be looking for. But remember, these kids are on a college student assignment. And as long as you keep that thought in your head as a rational explanation for their misguided hunt for the Albino Farm, you can tolerate the events which are to come.

The Albino Farm itself is a terrible place where some horrible things have happened, and of course, it, and the area surrounding it, are lurked by deadly types. Which in this films case are mutant, cave-dwelling killer rednecks. "Albino Farm" goes wild on the stereotypes, southern jokes, and super-weirdness before it unleashes these beasts upon these poor kids. The kids themselves are atleast a diverse bunch. We have the hot girl, the smart girl, the jokey guy, and a middle-eastern guy who looked to be Iranian.

First time ever I've seen a middle-eastern teenager in an indie horror film. And it was refreshing to see that the guy wasn't a stereotype either. So kudos to some much needed cast diversity within this film, and also an above average motive for the teens trapsing around this small town. I mean it's an indie slasher film, and any reason for being there beyond "a flat tire", "looking for somewhere to screw and smoke dope", or "we're lost" is a step up in this genre.

This movie does take a little bit too much time to get the kids to the farm, and start the blood, gore, and carnage...but the locals are creepy enough and the small-town-setting is creepy enough to keep you intrigued and attentive throughout most of the movie. The third act is really where the Albino Farm's "inhabitants" are unleashed upon the teens, and it's a pretty good ride for the films final 20 minutes or so.

But interesting thing of note, the finale of this movie takes a large cue from the conclusion of Neil Marshall's "The Descent", and much like in that movie, the remaining women had to use their climbing gear to face down the creatures, this movies ending is too set inside an underground maze of sorts, and has what remains of the teens using anything they can find to kill off the mutant rednecks. But regardless, the finale is still suspenseful, entertaining, and intense enough to be overlal enjoyable.

The ending is really disturbing though, and it's creepy, eerie, and psychologically terrifying vibe can be compared with some of the works of Stephen King and others. It's definitely a twist ending, and also leaves you pondering a few unanswered questions. "Albino Farm" is an indie horror movie which despite it's stale storyline of "city teens meet small town america rejects with fatal consequences"...still manages to be a worthwhile slasher entry.

Positives:The characters aren't too annoying, and are a more diverse bunch than usual. The third act is great, and the ending is unsettling and disturbing.

Negatives:The psychobilly characters are overly cliche at times, and the story takes somewhat too long in getting the characters to the farm.

Overall:Three out of four stars.





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