[Borderland]
Plot:On a trip to a Mexican border town, three college friends stumble upon a human-sacrifice cult.

Cast:Brian Presley, Martha Higareda, Jake Muxworthy, Rider Strong, Damián Alcázar, Sean Astin, Marco Bacuzzi, Roberto Sosa, Humberto Busto, Francesca Guillén, Beto Cuevas, Elizabeth Cervantes.

My Thoughts:Surprisingly good.

Review:"Borderland" is yet another cautionary tale of what happens when americans go trekking through foreign territory. In horror films, they usually get laid, drunk, and stoned. Then, they get dead, mutilated, tortured, the usual. This film however avoids the typical backdrop of Europe, and sets things on the U.S./Mexico border, in a border town where a local ritualistic cult has the locals, and law enforcement scared and shaken. Three american kids Ed (Presley), Henry (Muxworthy), and Phil (Strong) decide to hit the town for booze and fun before heading off to college. Of course eventually, terror, mayhem, and gruesomeness ensues. However, Zev Berman, who directed and co wrote the film along with Eric Poppen doesn't put his main characters in jeopardy too early.

He really lets the atmosphere sink in first, and allows his characters to play around in that atmosphere first, before injecting a serious dose of darkness into the movies overall plot. And when this film gets dark, it gets really dark. But Berman is sure to avoid all the typical cliches, such as local wackos who get off on torturing and killing americans, or any cannibalistic endeavors. Instead, the villains in this movie are after these three, specifically Phil as we eventually learn, because he is an important cog in an upcoming ritual which will give the cult great power.

This creates an intriguing and interesting dilemma among the characters, who while they are friends...are not exactly on the best of terms during the trip as Henry wants to go to college so he can earn a degree and strike it rich soon after, while Phil and Ed have different career paths set out for themselves. One's Henry doesn't necessarily agree with. Now with Phil getting snatched, Ed and Henry have to put aside their differences to find out who took him and why. Luckily for them, they get some much needed aid by a local bartender woman named Valeria (Higareda), who knows the town and uses her knowledge to help guide the visiting american teens away from danger.

She too knows of the cult, which has the locals and cops frightened, as so does a local man/ex cop who's partner was slaughtered by one of the cult members a year prior. "Borderland" does an excellent job of using the scenery to it's advantage, as the dark small border town creates a very creepy mood and tone for the movie during the night time scenes. The villains of the movie also add to that tone, a group of vicious killers who at the behest of their cold, murderous leader...pursue the teens through the town wielding machetti's, guns, and an insatiable taste for blood.

The movie is filmed very well, and the night time scenes are very easily viewable, something many indie horror films don't get right. While most indie horror films shoot night time scenes poorly, Berman did an excellent job keeping them viewable so the viewer can enjoy all of the action taking place during those moments. The film contains some extremely intense moments, such as chase scenes in tiny hotel hallways, on rooftops, and a final confrontation which lives up to everything that builds towards it. This movie is also very bloody, so if you're looking for a film where the red stuff flows like a waterfall..."Borderland" will satisfy.

The film not only splatters the screen with the red stuff, but it also has a very twisted and dark tone to the death scenes that take place in the movie. The cult itself presents a very scary antagonist to the american teens who just want to get their friend, and leave with their lives. That's what adds a much needed realistic tone to "Borderland"...the fact that normal american kids, are going up against your A-typical deadly cult members.

Berman makes sure to keep his story grounded in more relaity than fantasy, and the fact that it's said to be based on true events adds a slightly eerie tone to it all. "Borderland" is a great indie horror picture, filled with action, terror, great performances by good guys and bad guys, and intensity...all strung together by a very high entertainment value. The movie should satisfy most horror fans looking for something different within the "young people in distress abroad" genre.

Positives:Great performances, bloody and gruesome death scenes, intriguing and eerie plot, good story, and a great ending.

Negatives:Nothing major.

Overall:A horror film you should see.





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