Joe sent me a copy of the direct to DVD Dead Silence a couple days ago and I just got a chance to view it last night. Despite being self labeled as a “movie geek” I’m normally not a fan of horror movies. The acting is usually way over the top and horrible for me to enjoy, the premises are too stupid for me to enjoy, and basically I’m a big wuss who scares easy!! Having said that, I was pleasantly suprised with this film. It was done by the same people who brought you saw, Leigh Whannell and James Wan. I have to say, these guys do know how to make a suspenseful, creepy film.

It starts off with our main character, Jamie (played pretty well by Ryan Kwanten), receiving a mysterious package at his door. He and his wife Lisa open it to reveal a mini casket with a doll (a creepy as all hell doll!) laying inside. When Jamie is out getting dinner for the couple, Lisa gets murdered, quite horifically, by something that is unseen. Everything goes quiet right before it happens, almost a “calm before the storm” type of feeling. Naturally Jamie is the prime suspect in the case. Donnie Wahlberg of NKOTB fame plays Det. Jim Lipton in the film, and he also does a pretty nice job here. Some of the best scenes in the movie are of Det. Lipton and Jamie.

The movie then goes to the town of Raven’s Fair, Jaimie’s home town, which seems to hold a big secret. As the movie progresses, and the more plot develops, the more and more intrigued I was with the story. The director did a nice job of drawing you into this ghost story, making you think you know what is really happening but in reality there is always more that meets the eye. It was filled with so many suspenseful, down right scary sequences that makes you wonder how was it actually filmed? The ending, I must say, was what really brought it home for me. I don’t want to give anything away, so all I’m going to say is the ending really caught me by surprise and was a nice way of finishing off the film. Overall, I enjoyed the movie, even though I couldn’t sleep for hours!! Well acted, well directed with an interesting story will always lead to an enjoyable film. Coming from someone who normally doesn’t enjoy this type of film, I would defintely recommend it to anyone who wants to see a movie and be entertained. You can be sure just about all of your emotions will be hit while watching it! Just don’t forget to “Beware the Stare of Mary Shaw………”

It seems like direct to DVD movies might become more popular. This was a fairly big movie, with en established horror director and writer with a pretty well rounded cast. This could have definitely gotten a major release, but with less and less people going to the movies anymore why not just get it right to audiences at home. There are a lot of people who would rather just stay home, rent or buy the DVD, and watch it on their big screen TV, so why not appease these people, especially with movie ticket/concession prices through the roof. I really wouldn’t be surprised if more films get a straight to DVD release in the future.