The DVD Pub reviews Eyes of the Chameleon

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# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

EYES OF THE CHAMELEON

Reviewed by: JimmyO

Directed by: Ron Atkins

Starring:

Ann Teal
Bobby Howard
Mikos Zavros

Movie:
DVD:
Overall:

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A young woman begins to lose her grip on reality when a psychotic stranger begins to kill those around her. And as he gets closer and closer, she soon finds herself falling into a pit of sex, drugs and madness.

Eyes of the Chameleon is not a horror movie in the Halloween vein; it's more like He Knows You’re Alone with a little Maniac thrown in for good measure. This little creeper attempts to create a nasty psychological slasher with T & A and a fair amount of gore. Although the budget was obviously limited, director Ron Atkins knew exactly what kind of film he was making. Yet he was able to make a pretty disturbing slash at the genre. The story is your average horror plot; a young woman named Sara (played by Ann Teal) begins to notice that all of those around her are being murdered. But the big difference between this and every other cheapie horror is the character of Sara. This is not your average leading lady. She drinks, she gets high and she even screws her boyfriend’s brother. And Ann Teal plays her with a vengeance. When told that someone she worked with has been murdered, she is cold and brutal with her “at least it wasn’t me” attitude. And it works. Ms. Teal’s performance is what keeps this film alive. Her black eyeliner, her long black hair and her goth exterior make her the perfect anti-heroine. It was refreshing to see the leading lady not be the victim. And when her sanity starts to slip she finds the balance between "normal" and total loon wonderfully. She kept me involved.

I also dug Mr. Atkins attempt to take this film to a higher level by using his camera in some pretty inventive ways. He knows how to set up a kill and he’s not afraid to try something new and creative to get there. He gives this flick a sense of urgency by distorting the look; whether it be funky camera angles or the good old “shaky cam” used at particularly cool scenes (loved the “cocaine cam”). Although his choice of “under lighting” in specific locations was questionable. Dude! Unless there is a really strong reason for making it dark… light it up! I’d like to see what is going on. The ending may also turn a few of you off because it leaves you questioning everything that came before it. I for one don’t mind not getting all the answers, but if you like your horror clear cut and simple, this one is not for you.

On the down side, there are a few low-budget issues that took me out; including some weak supporting performances and the whole lighting issue. But this flick is still good slasher fun! With the twisted performance of the leading lady and some clever use of editing and direction, we also have one very important “horror” element. Yeah, I’m talking T and A. We get tit shots all over the place including Ms. Ann Teal herself. She’s naked in the shower, she gets naked at a f*cked up orgy (more tit shots to go around guys) and a pretty wild sex scene with her boyfriends bro Greg, played by Bobby Howard. Although some of the nudity is pretty freakin' disturbing, including the orgy. And just in case you ladies and guy lovin’ dudes think they forgot about you. Bobby shows a whole lotta ass himself. He also gives a pretty credible performance as a dude who keeps seeing his friends die. Not bad, buddy!

I wouldn’t necessarily call this a great movie. But as a cheapo slasher flick… it’s a blast. Ann Teal relishes every moment of her twisted version of a damsel in distress and I had fun along with her. We also get a director that truly loves this genre and knows how to play it with no money. Yet the terrible lighting and some bad performances bring it down a touch, this is still worth a look. C’mon people, you got blood, sex, a messed up psychopath and an ending which leaves you with, “What the f*ck?” For such a ultra low-budget flick, these eyes are worth plucking out.

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