my thoughts on.... 'Body' (an original Creepercast site review)

As with all of my reviews of the independent films that we get sent here at The Creepercast, I fully recommend that you check each and every one of them out. I am one man and this is my opinion. I've seen plenty of movies that received reviews that were the complete opposite of how I saw the film. These writers, directors, producers and actors all put a lot of time and love into these projects. They deserve to be seen and appreciated for what they are. Everyone has a dream and I fully support the people that take the time to make theirs a reality. With that being said....
Hey kid, want to see a dead body? Then keep reading....
In our continuing coverage of the upcoming Christmas carnage this year, tonight I curled up next to a roaring fire, with my two basset hounds and settled in with one of my early presents, Dan Berk and Robert Olsen's film, 'Body' (2015). Taking a few pages out of the Hitchcock playbook, these up and coming film makers have created a simple, slow burning and very satisfying piece of cinema to enjoy after wrapping all your gifts on Christmas eve. It's not heavy handed, it doesn't try to hard to be hip and it never gives you a moment to really catch your breath. Don't let the pacing fool you, I found myself on the edge of my seat for the entire ride. It just proves that you don't need non-stop murder and mayhem to make an incredibly effective film. This one boasts a very small body count and an equally small cast, but each and every one involved is committed to the story and the way it's being told. That makes me believe that we've got more great things to come from this writer/director duo.

'Body' (2015) opens with a frantic 911 call, as the credits slowly roll by one by one. Initially, you're a little thrown off, as you have no idea what's happening or why? However, before you can really understand what's happening, we cut to the outside of a suburban home decorated for the Christmas holiday season. Inside we meet Holly (Helen Rogers), Cali (Alexandra Turshen) and Mel (Lauren Molina), three teenage girls who are all lazily gathered around a heated game of Scrabble. It's a Friday night and due to the holidays, everything is closed. The girls have spent the night drinking and eventually getting a little high. In an effort to liven things up, Cali suggests going out and finding something to do. Mel and Holly are a little hesitant, but soon find themselves driving down a darkened road to an unknown destination. Before long, they come across a truck on the side of the road, surrounded by flares. In an attempt to help, Cali slows down, only to find a rather frightening looking, bearded man. They quickly keep moving, as none of them really want to let some strange man in the car. Soon, they've pulled into the driveway of a very large, very expensive home.. Cali tells them that it's her uncle's place and he's away, so it's okay for them to hang out inside and continue where they left off from before. More drinking and being teenagers continues, until they realize that someone else has shown up to ruin the party. Before they even have a chance to assess the situation, they opt for making a run for it. In all the chaos, they knock the man (played with subtle brilliance by Larry Fessenden) down a flight of stairs and are soon left with a conundrum no one ever wants to be in.... do you call the police and report that you've killed a man or do you try and cover it up and protect yourself from what the consequences that might soon follow?
Like a present, neatly wrapped under the tree, you're going to have to wait until you see the movie to find out what's inside. A large part of the reason this film works so well, is based on the premise that you don't know what's going to happen next. You can shake the package all you want, but when your main characters are 3 teenage girls with limited life experience outside of what they've seen on TV and in the theaters, you'll never known what you're going to get next. With that being said, I highly recommend that you avoid the trailer and any other early reviews, before watching this one. In my humble opinion, the decision to tell a story that we've seen before, but from a different perspective and in a modern world, lends itself to a rather unique outcome. One that creates a very fresh feeling and take on a classic morality tale. What would you do, in an impossible situation?

As a former film student and long time lover of the art form, it's not always easy to find something new or that I haven't seen before. 'Body' (2015) accomplishes this using elements from a lot of other source material and putting it so seamlessly together, that I was hard pressed to really pull it apart until long after it was over. I'm still puzzling out all the nods to other genre's and film makers that Dan Berk and Robert Olsen paid homage too. It's a virtual patch work quilt of all the things that make for an enjoyable movie going experience. I think a large part of it was the casting decisions that were made and the commitment of the actor's to the source material. It felt well thought out and didn't have any wasted moments. That's saying a lot, based on Hollywood's current expectations for what makes for a good movie. I really can't find too much at fault with this film. If I had any criticisims at all, it would be with the portrayal of Mr. and Mrs. Greenberg (played by Dan Brennan and Kimberly Flynn). They felt a little tacked on and bit ham fisted, but I understood why they were necessary to drive the plot forward. Josh (Ian Robinson) provided a bit of comic relief and Ben (Adam Cornelius) added some additional tension, but the main characters overpowered both of them in the small bit of screen time each of them had.
All in all, if you're looking for a Christmas movie that doesn't feature any killer Santa's or mythological demon creatures that are out to steal your children, then you really can't go wrong with 'Body' (2015). It may be set during the holiday season, but the story is timeless. It's one that we've all pondered over, during those quiet down times, but would never admit to thinking about. It's a cautionary tale to anyone who thinks that the perfect crime exists or that two wrongs make a right. I'm giving this film a solid 4 out of 5 stars, for creating something much bigger than the sum of it's parts. There's not a lot in terms of actors, sets or complicated storytelling. This one is a concentrated formula of all the right elements mixed together into a virtual plate of milk and cookies, but instead of them being left out for Santa.... they're all for you. So put on your favorite pair of footed pajamas, cuddle up under a nice fleece blanket and watch this one with the lights off. 'Body' (2015) is the gift that may not have been on your list of presents this year, but it might just be the best one you get all season.

If you like this film, also check out these slow burners: 'Stuck', 'The House of the Devil' and 'Shallow Grave'