Play Hooky (2014) (DVD Review)
Directed By: Frank S Petrilli
Starring: Becky Byers, Kim Kleemichen, Vincent Kulish
Rated: UR/Region: 0/Widescreen/Number of disc: 1
Available from Wild Eye Releasing
Five high school friends skip class in hopes of finding the perfect spot to party. They chose the wrong place. Against all warnings, they break into an abandoned mental hospital, notorious for reports of ghost sightings, satanic rituals and demon possessions. Now, armed only with a camera, they are trapped inside, haunted and hunted by something they cannot stop, reason with, or describe.
You know, there are a whole lot of found footage films in the world these days. It is hard to find one that even somewhat looks legit. While this isn’t a perfect film and there are things to wheel you back into reality, the fact this one is shot by way of a FLIP HD camera at least ads a genuine look to the movie that a lot lack. The plot follows the escapades of a group of kids who decide to take the day off from school After we spend time with them trying to find a place to party, they finally end up in the worst posible spot for them and then the bad stuff starts to happen. The movie seems to have a lot of random things in it that feels like padding, but the film never bores you and can be shockingly entertaining enough from start to finish that you don’t feel like you’ve wasted your time with it. It also helps when you have actress Becky Byers on the screen. I had never seen her before this film, but she is entertaining and might be the best part of the film.
Now I’m not saying we have the second coming of Paranormal Activity on our hands here. However, I do think had a couple things been tweaked and had this one came before all the rest, there would have been a better shot of people actually being fooled into thinking it was real due to the more natural take it takes. There are some goofy moments, but there are some fun moments as well and I actually had to sit and think to myself “not bad” once this one wrapped on the screen. If you have yet to be burned out by the overflow of found footage films be sure to check this one out, because you might it to be a bit better than you might have guessed it to be once you see it. PS, stay after the credits.
- Director Cast and Crew Commentary
- Intro by Pollygrind’s Chad Clinton Freemon
- Original Promo
- Alternate Ending
- Bonus Scenes
- Short Film: Kuriosity Kills
- Short Film: The Bet
- Trailers
- Liner Notes
