The Hamiltons

Here we have an interesting example of how the hype packaged with this film festival can leave a bad taste in the mouth of the filmgoer when the film is actually GOOD rather than abyssmal.

"The Hamiltons" is a solid flick- one of four films from this weekend that I'd gladly watch again. It has a new twist on an old story in the form of a different perspective- we get a sympathetic view of classic horror baddies filmed lovingly in naturally bright surroundings rather than post-production color filters simulating night.

We're treated to a palette of interesting characters acted out by competent performers rather than a stock template of cliched horror archetypes (see Penny Dreadful... wait, scratch that. DO NOT see Penny Dreadful!)

And we get to see one naked boob for a split second.

So if the film is so good, how can the hype be bad? Quite simply because despite being a worthy expenditure of your time, this film is not "too extreme" in any single category. Gore? Not too extreme. The "Kill Bill" movies are far worse. Sex? Not too extreme. Heavier topics are touched upon regularly on prime-time network television and E! Hollywood Entertainment certainly shows more skin than "The Hamiltons", nipple or no nipple. Language? Nope. Check out "The Big Lebowski" or any one of your movie-going friends.

Is this bad in and of itself? Certainly not. But when your sights are set high for extreme content by a heavy dose of bullshit from the After Dark marketing department, any film- good or bad- is going to leave you feeling a bit empty if the most racy scene involves slightly more than kissing and Karo Syrup.

See this film, dear readers. But don't believe the hype.

-Jeff, Dude of Horror