Hunter
2018
by Paulette Reynolds
March 16, 2019
Director David Tarleton
Screenplay Jason Kellerman
Starring Jason Kellerman/Hunter, Rachel Cerda/Danielle, Leigh Foster/Paul, Nick Searcy/Volakas, Ryan Heindl/Luke, Ryan Kitley/K-Ron
2018
by Paulette Reynolds
March 16, 2019
Director David Tarleton
Screenplay Jason Kellerman
Starring Jason Kellerman/Hunter, Rachel Cerda/Danielle, Leigh Foster/Paul, Nick Searcy/Volakas, Ryan Heindl/Luke, Ryan Kitley/K-Ron
Hunter has seen better days, the only problem is, he can't remember them. A former boxer, he now struggles to survive the mean streets of Chicago while battling repressed memories of horror and violence. Eventually, our hero finds himself checking into a halfway house for homeless people, agreeing to subdue his rageaholic tendencies in exchange for a bed, food, and counseling sessions with the compassionate Danielle.
It doesn't take long for romance to brew into a feisty-sweet synergy between Hunter and Danielle. Jason Kellerman and Rachel Cerda are easily one of the best romantic pairings I've seen in a long time.
It doesn't take long for romance to brew into a feisty-sweet synergy between Hunter and Danielle. Jason Kellerman and Rachel Cerda are easily one of the best romantic pairings I've seen in a long time.
|
|
However, Morgan Eiland's musical score lacks all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, often competing for screen time when it should be subtly amping up the tension - but the noirish cinematography helps to ease my pain. Hunter’s cast is very good and the film's premise might be, but it can't decide whether it's a vampire flick, a slasher movie or a combination of the two kissing cousin genres.
When not in the company of the lovely Danielle, Hunter wanders through the back alleys, stumbling upon men doing bad things to good women. For some reason, these sights produce an automatic deer-in-the-headlight reaction in him, which is one way to build tension - not the best way - but serviceable for the occasion. Are they serial killers looking for a cheap thrill? Bloodsuckers just trying to get a decent meal? Hunter gets close enough to find out, but not before his new love is threatened.
When not in the company of the lovely Danielle, Hunter wanders through the back alleys, stumbling upon men doing bad things to good women. For some reason, these sights produce an automatic deer-in-the-headlight reaction in him, which is one way to build tension - not the best way - but serviceable for the occasion. Are they serial killers looking for a cheap thrill? Bloodsuckers just trying to get a decent meal? Hunter gets close enough to find out, but not before his new love is threatened.
Jason Kellerman strips his vampire tale down to a bare minimum - gone are the superpowers and the inherent frailties of the night stalkers. Gone too, are the female vampires, because, hey, if you turn them they're either 'too much' or 'nothing at all'. What is left is a sorry handful of murderers, who prey on women and girls, while their leader, Volakas, dreams of a super race of Aryan male fangers. Luke, a new member, seems lost in wondering just what is the point of being a vampire at all in 2019?
Hunter desperately needs to remember something else, too: That in the era of cinematic female empowerment, if you're going to show images of helplessly bound women and girls getting slaughtered, don’t kill off the only strong female, just so it supports an ancient, one-dimensional archetype of the Avenging Male Hero.
Hunter desperately needs to remember something else, too: That in the era of cinematic female empowerment, if you're going to show images of helplessly bound women and girls getting slaughtered, don’t kill off the only strong female, just so it supports an ancient, one-dimensional archetype of the Avenging Male Hero.
Yet, Hunter delivers fine acting, a happy ending for slasher fans, and the great Nick Searcy.
COPYRIGHT 2012/2019. Paulette Reynolds. All CineMata Movie Madness blog articles, reviews, faux interviews, commentary, and the Cine Mata character are under the sole ownership of Paulette Reynolds. All intellectual and creative rights reserved.
