[Hallowed Ground]
Plot:A young woman becomes stranded in a small, mid-western town and discovers her arrival there was foretold by the town's founding preacher. She soon discovers she is an integral part of the preacher's impending - and terrifying - rebirth.

Cast: Jaimie Alexander, Brian McNamara, Chloe Moretz, Nick Chinlund, Hudson Leick, Ethan Phillips, Jim Cody Williams, Ned Vaughn, Tamara Clatterbuck, Dan Warner, Steve Larkin.

My Thoughts:Those darn scarecrows.

Review:Killer scarecrow movies have pretty much been a failure for the most part as a genre. In the last three to 5 years, they've gotten worse with each new film. Now comes "Hallowed Ground", a film from director David Benullo. Sad to say..."Hallowed Ground" doesn't break the chain. The film follows a young woman (Jamie Alexander) who is running from some personal problems via a road trip. Unfortunately, she becomes stranded in a hick town in the middle of nowhere after her car breaks down.

At that point, she runs into a woman in a diner who happens to be doing an expose on an evil preacher (Nick Chinlund) who was killed but is rumored to still haunt the spot of his burial. Of course it wouldn't be a horror film if these two twits didn't go check out the area, which they do. In the midst of this search for a story, the locals in the town display the usual behavior of redneck wierdies who know "something" towards the recently arrived city folks who just don't seem to "fit in" there. If this movie were anymore cliche, it'd be on a list somewhere.

As if the films cliche's which are strolled all over the place weren't bad enough, the body count, writing, and entertainment value are all far below average. Jamie Alexander does show off some nice acting chops in the movie however, managing to carry the movie for as long as she can with her performance. But even Jamie as talented and good looking as she is cannot carry this picture even close to the finish line. There are just too many things to hate about it.

Chinlund as the evil preacher is no different than every movie character who was or is an evil preacher, quote unquote. He's all hellfire and brimstone, do away with the non-believers, has a strong influence over a large group of low IQ small town types, yada yada...we've seen this all before in "Children Of The Corn", "Silent Hill", the list goes on. You also have to hate how this film misleads it's viewer by labeling itself a killer scarecrow pic, yet the scarecrow doesn't do much really except for disposing of about 3 or 4 people.

Not to mention it's look comes off more as goofy and ridiculous instead of scary. The film doesn't enter it's major action sequences until the scarecrow comes to life, posessed of the spirit of the thought to be dead preacher. At that point, poor Jamie Alexander has to run around town seeking help from yokels who either don't care, don't believer her, or are part of the ...GASP..."conspiracy". It's amazing how in movies like these, even after a crazed "churchie" murders, lies, and decieves...when he or she return from the dead, there's still more than a few sad pathetic bastards who were waiting for 20 some years to "fall in line" again under their alledged religious doctrine.

What a waste. "Hallowed Ground" does try to show a few flashes of brilliance during it's final act by injecting a few twists into the story which pertain to taking down the villain. But the tries are pretty much futile and what comes before that is such a freaking drag that the film is simply beyond saving by act three. "Hallowed Ground" is a film one should see only if they're a huge fan of up and coming actress Jamie Alexander. While her performance is another top notch one in this movie, the film itself is a total waste of time.

If you're a "Jamieite", a fan of wacky religious-themed slashers, have been wondering what ever happened to the chick who played Callisto in "Xena Warrior Princess", or like films that involve folks too stupid for their own good getting sliced and diced in cornfields, then "Hallowed Ground" should make a good source of Saturday afternoon entertainment for you. If none of the above apply to you however, you might wanna skip this one.

Positives:Jamie Alexander turns in a good performance.

Negatives:Cliches for days. Lack of entertainment value, lack of blood, gore, or high body count. Poor acting by most of the supporting cast, a very uncreative story.

Overall:Yeesh...terrible.





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