Well what do we have here.  An awesome horror movie if you ask me.  The great thing about it too is that its not a toture porn movie.  Nor is it a comedy horror movie.  Nor is it a remake(thank goodness).  What it is though.  Is a good throwback to creepiness with a little bit of seventies mean spiritedness added in.  You know what.  It had me grabbing at the armrests all the way.
 
We begin with seeing the two main leads James(a very brooding Scott Speedman) and Kristen(Liv Tyler back in action), driving home after a wedding party.  Doesn't look like they had too much fun either because both have completely solemn faces.  They arrive at the their vacation house in the middle of the woods(brrrrr  hate the woods).  Where rose petals and candles were ready for a weekend of romance.  James had proposed to Kristen at the party and turned him down therefore things are already on a bad note.  Most of this is told through flashback.  Not too many and they are quick thankfully.  They aren't there long before a strange girl comes knocking at the door asking for Tamara.  They send her away and go about business trying to talk out the problem they are having.  Kristen realizes she needs some smokes and James volunteers to leave and get some cigs(dumb move #1).  Not long after the shit just hits the fan.  The baddies in masks show up and start screwing with the couples heads.  The whole grueling night takes place in 90 some minutes.  But the whole time I was on the edge of my seat.  The creepy brrrr inducing moments come one after another.  Even when things seem alright for a moment there is still a certain uneasiness that's like “oh crap what's going to happen next”.  There's a little bit of blood.  Not overdown.  No comedy to speak of.  I didn't laugh.  I didn't come to laugh.  It was a no frills, if unoriginal, mean ride that had me going the whole time.

 I loved this movie.  I was so happy to see it and felt great afterwards.  It legitamately creeped me out and gave me the willies.  I'm not a big fan of the woods in the first place so that just added to it.  The three killers wore some freaky looking masks to me.  With the big black empty eyes and such.  Many could think they are stupid but if ones coming at you with an axe you won't think it so stupid.  But they took their time with the couple.  Making loud noises and stalking them.  The three killers wanted to screw with their heads to the point of insanity.  Pretty much worked too.
 
Quibbles?  A couple.  James leaving for smokes at that time of night in the middle of freaking nowhere knowing that some strange people are around was not a smart move.  Not to mention the latter half of the film he kinda disappeared.  I was wondering what was up with that.   But all in all it was refreshing to see something different from the norm.  No pg13 bull crap.  Just a good scary time.  Loved the downbeat ending too.  I get so tired of happy endings.  Great movie.  Great horror.  Now, won't you introduce yourself to the strangers?

- Darrel