Staunton Hill Movie Review
A group of friends on their way to Washington D.C. end up stranded and staying on a farm. What they don't know, however, is the family living there has a dark secret. I saw this 2009 film for sale at a second-hand store, noticed it was directed by George A. Romero's son G. Cameron Romero, and, considering the genes of the director, decided it was worth a buck to buy it and give it a shot--I'm still considering taking the DVD back and asking for a refund. We find out immediately this film is set in 1969, but if you happen to be grabbing a quick snack or drink when that shows and you miss it, you will never guess this is set in that time. Nothing at all about this movie would indicate this is set in 1969--it feels much more like people in 2009 occasionally dropping some 1960's lingo for no apparent reason. The actors delivering these lines even seem uncomfortable with the phrases! If you are going to make a movie set in the past, at least TRY to make it look authentic! If you don't, what's the point? Just set the movie in modern times and let it go!
Does this say 1960's to you?
Our issues, however, don't end there. I mentioned the acting, but my goodness, it gets even worse from there. Not a single actor in this film is even remotely talented. The characters are all one-dimensional, and, naturally, include the cliche country folk. As bad as the acting is, much of the post-production work, especially the sound editing, which is nothing short of atrocious, is even worse. The story itself is pretty much straight up slasher, with varying degrees of satisfaction--most of what we get is rather uninspired, including one of the most predictable "twists" you will ever see. Back to the director--Romero sure doesn't have the magic touch his father had, but there is a nod to Night of the Living Dead thrown in, so there is that. My beloved readers, should you happen to come across Staunton Hill at your local Salvation Army and wonder if it's worth the dollar they are asking, rest assured--it's not.
On A Scale Of One To Ten: 3
Staunton Hill Movie Trailer
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