The Last Horror Movie (2003) Reviews

• Interesting idea thats been done before

  diggler3022004-12-10

  The Last Horror Movie is a cinema verite film. Done obviously on a low budget and this does show. But this really does just add to the authenticy that the film is trying to portray, a home made documentary about a serial killers life. Starring Kevin Howarth as Max, a seemingly normal, intelligent and suave gentleman who works as a freelance wedding photographer. The problem with Max is the fact he is also a cunning, evil and cannibalistic serial killer. This film does borrow heavily from the great Belgian film "Man Bites Dog" and even seems to have even gone so far as to steal a couple of lines of dialogue from the above mentioned movie. This film does hold up on it's own merits. It has some very cringe worthy scenes of extreme violence. Even I, who on the whole part am quite jaded had a chill down my spine on a few occasions. Though it is not a murder fest with every scene yet another depiction of ultra violence. Overall it has been done before, but is still a refreshing film due to the intelligence of the script and amazingly scary portrayal of Max by Kevin Howarth. If you are into more mindless violence it really deserves a out 5 of 10 If you like a bit of story and character interaction then this gets a 7 out of 10

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• British filmmaking with an unnerving edge

  a-f-beeton2004-03-29

  Though the title of this film might suggest conventional horror forthcomings, don't despair. The last Horror Movie is a unique cinematic exploration in to the mind of a serial killer. Wedding filmmaker Max Parry [Kevin Howarth] is a London bachelor who enjoys looking after his sisters' kids, entertaining friends and honing the art of murder. He decides to make his own horror film in order to help him discover his victim's attitudes to death. The commonsensical style of this movie is its real charm. It lacks the sardonic comedy that makes Rémy Belvauxs' Belgian film Man Bites Dog an obvious fiction, but henceforth the horror becomes much more feasible. Howarth conceivably becomes someone we could know, and like. His charismatic portrayal of Parry makes us open to his rational debates of art vs. humanity. The last horror movie takes the horror genre and turns it on its head; it pushes the viewer to challenge why they enjoy purveying murder and brutal senseless acts of killing. It forces us to consider the value of a human life and then contradicts our opinion with the general antipathy shown for human life in the third world. It tries to make us believe that murder is in essence a force of nature. The protection and reassurance of your own home is no longer a safe haven but a fruitful opportunity to gratify the predator among us. If you can stomach horror and gore then go and see this film. It's a powerful piece of British filmmaking with an unnerving edge. Director Julian Richards commented that the real horror of this film starts when you leave the cinema, a concept that entertained me, as I lay awake, convincing myself that the squeaking floorboards below were not as innocent as they sounded.

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• Deserves to be huge

  nymus20042004-01-26

  ames Handel's brilliant script for The Last Horror Movie has a lot to say and does it without preaching or getting heavy handed. It's an uncomfortable film, but a compelling one and that modern day rarity, a horror film that makes you think while scaring the hell out of you. Howarth takes centre stage throughout and is simply amazing as the unreadable Max - he himself admits that he's not mad, but offers no motivation for why he commits his appalling crimes other than that he wants to create the "last horror movie you'll ever see." The Last Horror Movie will work even better on video and DVD than it does on the big screen though one has to wonder what its prospects will be. With no big name stars and the still unshakeable stigma attached to British horror films, this could go unwatched by many who would love its perverse charm and uncompromising violence. And that would be a shame as this is one genre film that deserves to be huge.

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• An interesting addition to the serial killer genre.

  BA_Harrison2006-06-06

  Smooth talking serial killer and amateur film-maker Max Parry has made a fly-on-the-wall documentary about murder. By copying his movie onto a rental tape at his local video shop, he gets people to unwittingly start watching his opus, in which he delivers a snuff showcase of his greatest 'hits', whilst glibly commenting about the nature of killing. Despite borrowing heavily from Belgian movie 'Man Bites Dog', the classic 'Henry: Portrait of a Seial Killer' and 'American Psycho', and ending with a gimmick which is reminiscent of Japanese ghost movie Ringu, director Julian Richards manages to deliver a grisly film that succeeds in being genuinely disturbing. The catalogue of stabbings, beatings and strangulations are filmed with a gritty authenticity that will shock all but the most desensitised; but despite all of the nastiness, there is a knowing sense of ridiculousness which will appeal to those with a very dark sense of humour. Kevin Howarth's Max is both chilling yet comic; he claims to be sane, and talks intelligently about his project and his reasons for killing, yet he is clearly a few sandwiches short of a picnic. At times he is logical, calm and collected whilst going about his business, but we see just enough glimpses of his completely wacko side to know that he is far from 'mentally balanced'. A sharp script, impressive hand-held video work and some gruesome effects (try watching the burning scene without wincing) add to the realism of the film. The Last Horror Movie is a brave plunge into the dark world of an unhinged individual. Unashamedly violent and unflinchingly graphic, it is not a movie for the easily offended.

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• I am soo surprised

  ffej1172005-04-18

  After checking the vote history on this movie I am very surprised it the votes on this movie in my age range for males is so low. Let me explain; I am a male that grew up on the slasher and crap flicks of the eighties and still enjoy them for their cheese factor. Do not get me wrong. I enjoy a good jump in the seat as well as anyone. on with it then; this movie is brilliant {my opinion}. This movie is exactly what a low budget movie is suppose to be. It is not a movie that will scare you right now but will stay with you and make you look at people in society different knowing that this movie hits home because these people are out there. Let me say it again this people exist. That revelation alone should send shivers down your spine. The lead in this is perfect, and I hope he is in for a long career and will look for him in the future. The secondary characters including the victims are as real life as it is possible to do with film. I am not one for giving away parts of movies, so you will have to check it out to see what I am talking about. Just know that if you are looking for Freddy, Jason or Michael you will be disappointed. If you are looking for a film that will stay with you for a long time this is your flick. I really look forward to seeing more from the parties involved with this film as much as people looked forward to Tobe Hoopers future products. Enjoy this film.

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