Cast/Notable Credits:
Scott Glosserman (Director)
Nathan Baesel (Leslie Vernon): Invasion T.V. series
Robert Englund (Doc Halloran)
Angela Goethals (Taylor): Changing Lanes (2002), Spanglish (2004) (Pictured Right)Kane Hodder (Elm Street Resident)
Kate Lang Johnson (Kelly)
Scott Wilson (Eugene): The Right Stuff (1983), The Exorcist 3 (1989), Young Guns 2 (1990)
Zelda Rubinstein (Mrs. Collinwood): Poltergeist Trilogy
Trailer:
Plot:A female journalist (Taylor) and her crew are filming a documentary about serial killers as they tag along with self proclaimed serial killer, Leslie Vernon. With his permission they follow Leslie as he prepares for a night of slaughter.
Leslie stakes the claim of a local urban legend about a boy who killed his family and was then thrown into the river by the townsmen only to have his body never resurface. Now on the anniversary of his death, Leslie plans to stalk and kill local high schooler's planning to spend the night in his family estate in his hopes of following in the foot steps of great legendary serial killers like Freddy Krueger, Jason Voohrees and Michael Myers.
As Taylor and crew documents Leslie's master plan, he tells them the tricks to the trade and even plans the "night" down to the last detail. Leslie hopes that he has found the virginal "survivor girl" in high schooler Kelly Curtis (Kate Lang Johnson pictured right). Leslie wishes that the final confrontation will come down to him and her and he will set her free as she changes from the scared little girl into the strong female heroine.The Rise of Leslie Vernon was a surprising treat to watch. I had heard some positive things about the movie when it first came out and decided to take it in. And I enjoyed it. I thought it was a great idea about a "mockumentary" about serial killers.
For once we get to see the motives and thinking of a serial killer. Nathan Baesel (Leslie) plays a
great villain. Nathan's by far my favorite character and I believe he steals the show for the movie. His character is hilarious and funny but yet crazy enough to play the lead serial killer.The best parts of the film are early on during the planning stage as we here from Leslie himself explain how things go down. Leslie is always one or two steps ahead of the victims as he plans his killings down to the "T". He explains to the camera crew how he sabotages the house to his advantage. Leslie also gives us insight to the physical regimen of a serial killer. Great sh*t here!
It's a great idea to see the flip side of the equation when it comes to the villains of these films. Instead of having some troubled youth or psychologically scarred or deformed body be the motive for killings, we actually get to see a guy who gets a kick out of his "life's work" and do it with a smile. Here's something to smile about...Katie Lang Johnson pictured below.
The movie plays great homage to legendary horror films as they make direct or indirect references to the greats. Robert Englund (Freddy) plays a Dr. Loomis like character in the film while Poltergeist's creepy old lady has a role as the town's librarian. Hidden through out the film are other references to classic horror films such as Hellraiser, The Shining and of course the main ones.
Despite all the goofiness and humor in the film, it does take itself seriously. I believe this is what separates it from a straight comedy film. The film does go down the horror movie/slasher road as bodies do pile up. It's not quite as bloody or gory as most, but it still does deliver to the horror fans.
The Rise of Leslie Vernon is a fun independent film to watch. I love watching it, but I don't know if this is a film that could be made into it's own saga. I think that the style of the film (mockumentary) makes it so that you can only strike the "movie magic gold" only once. If they do decide to make a couple of these, they'll probably have to change the style of the film.
Misc. Movie Trivia:
-Film opened on September 14, 2007 & went straight to DVD
-Kane Hodder (Jason) is seen going into the 1428 Elm Street house (Freddy's house)
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