GrimPrecise I'll tell you why so serious

LouHomey From my favorite movies..

Acensbart Excellent but underrated film

Aiden Melton The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Leofwine_draca BEHIND THE MASK: THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON is a nicely-judged slasher spoof with a modern spin. It's a found footage flick for the most part, following a documentary TV crew around as they interview a notorious serial killer as he goes about his business. From the outset, it's obvious that this film was made with a love of the 1980s slasher genre as there are references to all the greats of the genre and they even get incorporated into the story at times. The film's subtext is where the interest lies, gently spoofing and referencing the rules of the genre a la SCREAM. It's not quite as funny or successful as the Wes Craven hit, but the more you like slasher films, the more you'll enjoy this. The unknown cast do well with their roles and there are some fine cameos from genre players Scott Wilson (pre-Herschel), Robert Englund playing the good guy for a change, and the wonderful Zelda Rubinstein of POLTERGEIST fame.

hellholehorror This dissects a slasher movie and takes an irreverent look at the making of a monster. The problem is that it tries to be funny and it tries to be a slasher. It fails at both. Freak Out (2004) was funny and knew all about all horror. This knew about mainstream horror and nothing more. It does turn against most slasher movies by removing the gore and replacing it with mild humour. You know what? I liked where it was going but I didn't like it when it got there.

thiszizlife The outfits in this film don't match a college documentary looking stereotype wardrobe. And, yes, I'm aware they made this on a shoestring budget, and they weren't thinking about that. For instance, the red trim of the windows, that makes my point look obvious. What were these actors and actresses told by the director, that's what I want to know. Where they told to scream and act nuts, or was some of that improv. Pointless subplots hang around every corner in a film like this, and this is no exception. For example, the batteries ... who cares? Why put dead batteries in the flashlights in the first place, and not just remove them completely? This is truly behind the scenes to the making of "Behind The Mask." I don't know a lot about this film, as far as where they filmed it, but it already makes me what to say, C' on dude, a farmhouse setting, really? It's been done a thousand times before. What were these guys thinking? We are going to make some cool art and turn it in for an A. Essentially, all it is is a tour of a horror set, at least, in the beginning, and then tips on what goes into, and how to make a horror slasher film. This holds back from an absence of horror, and we see the masked scythe welding lunatic a lot throughout the film, gracing us with his pleasures. Like a reoccurring nightmare ride, you can't get rid of Leslie Vernon. This film directed by Scott Glosserman has something for everybody. The idea is good, and the cast is fun to hangout with. And after a certain period the film takes a turn from an actual student project to the real deal. This creates the much needed tension, the spice to the food, if you will. A different mood surfaces in us, a suspension of disbelief is born, not only in  viewers, but as well as in the people on screen. So there you have it. A film complete with melodrama, tension and suspense, perfectly placed, in some places by Glosserman, as if he was laying out objects for a still-life painting. Also, I should mention the custom design of Leslie Vernon worked, but had we not learned who he was and what his aim was, it would have been all the more macabre. Okay, I took that last bit from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I particularly enjoyed the effort of the crew. There references to Halloween, etc, that made the movie less serious, and gave good chuckle. This one was a little more hard core to handle though, opposed to Beetlejuice, or say A Werewolf in London, but I'm sure horror comedy fans would love it.

TheRedDeath30 The horror comedy is a very hard mix to get right. Too much horror and the risk you run is that it feels like a horror film with out of place comedic moments. Too much comedy and you end up with SCARY MOVIE or spoofs that aren't at any moment scary. Though the medium once seemed to be a novelty, the indie horror field is littered with them anymore. As a result, it stands out all the more when one does it right. This film is not just a horror comedy, though as it is also a cleverly made examination of the slasher genre, in the fashion of SCREAM or CABIN IN THE WOODS, it turns the lens around to put a spotlight on the common conventions of the genre and point them out, then use those same conventions to fantastic effect.The movie plays out mostly like a mock documentary. A film crew is following a man named Leslie Vernon, who has a typical backstory full of familial drama and tragedy. He wants to become the next Michael or Jason (who in this world were real people). He has invited this crew to follow him as he sets up his masterpiece, a performance of murderous mayhem. The crew follows him as he choose his "survivor girl", does the cardio work necessary to stalk his victims and sets up the murder scene with the right pieces in the right places to create the right beats. It's all done so well and clearly made by people who love the genre and understand it perfectly.We get some great cameos in the movie. Zelda Rubinstein (POLTERGEIST) plays the librarian who is essential as a victim that will touch the right strings and, also, provides our backstory in the right scary voice. Robert Englund plays a twist on Dr. Loomis, Leslie's "Ahab", the man intent to hunt him down. Scott Wilson (Hershel from TWD) is his mentor. This is another super clever part of this movie. They clearly play on Scott's role in IN COLD BLOOD and use that to comment on the style of killer used in 50s and 60s "psycho noir" horror compared to the modern slasher.The star of this movie, though, is Nathan Baesal as Leslie Vernon. He is truly spectacular and I can't believe he hasn't got more roles indie horror. He plays the comedic lines and gags so well that he seems like a seasoned comedian, but does it with enough straight lace that we never cross into SCARY MOVIE territory. He's likable enough that the viewer forgets we are watching a man plot people's murders and almost cheer him on. He's sincere enough that we believe why this is important to him.The best horror comedies work, though, because they don't forget the horror and this movie is no exception. The documentary style of the film, with a crew following Leslie's every move, carries through into the final act. Then, there is a switch in point of view. It's not unnatural or forced feeling. You understand why we change smoothly in the plot. From that moment, the movie switches into a tense, thrilling slasher film complete with a spooky, iconic movie villain of its' own. The final act is every bit as good, if not better, than your average 80s slasher film and it's what makes this movie work so well. Yes, some will remark that it's completely cliché at moments, but that is the exact point. Leslie has spent the entire movie setting the viewer up that these are the essentials of a slasher movie and carries them out with spot on accuracy.It's a comment on the slasher genre, done as a sincere love letter. It's an incredibly fun movie and I will preach its' greatness to anyone who will listen.