Malevolence (DVD)

While Malevolence is a fitting title, "Cheesy" would have been a good subtitle as this film tackles horror cliché after cliché, and while it is an extremely independent film I just can't get over what writer/director expected us to view as scary. Over and over again we are supposed to jump at faces in a window and unexpected things popping up on screen, but it was all just plain silly.

Starting off we are introduced to our destined to become chopped liver characters who have masterminded a plan to rob a bank and solve all their problems, unfortunately, as with most bank robberies something goes wrong and one of our fated children meets his maker before expected, leaving us with a hapless duo who obviously make for the country and an abandoned house in the middle of nowhere, which couldn't be safer for the on-the-run felons.

Unfortunately this house isn't as abandoned as originally expected and our story continues on from there into oblivion... And if there is one thing to say about our malevolent killer; whether it was a throwback to the original Psycho or just a complete mistake, Malevolence takes the straight armed style of knife stabbing to heart and the psycho killer is no more than a rigid oaf than a scary monster.

It is unfortunate, that this film is just not worth the time, there isn't a moment of fright or the inclining of fear throughout as you have zero respect for the two hunted criminals whom rightly deserve a good ass whooping if you ask me.

As for this DVD Anchor Bay certainly does give it much more respect than it deserves as it is offered up in their Divimax quality HD video along with a hefty group of features including a making-of featurette where you will learn just how independent this film was and actually get a god look at the making of an independent film even though the film itself isn't too good.

On top of that you get a commentary by writer/director Stevan Mena among others, who once again offers up a good amount of tidbits and anecdotes for young filmmakers looking to get into the business. Then there is some rehearsal footage, deleted scenes, trailers, a still gallery and a copy of the screenplay on DVD-ROM.

Overall this is a 50/50 disc whereas I thought the movie itself was a pile of crap but the features do provide some good stuff for a particular audience. Young filmmakers will get a lot out of the special features and will be able to either take the info offered as what to do, or what not to do... but if you are looking for a DVD purely on its entertainment value this is one I would pass over.