Review: Outtake Reel

"...You go to war with the army you have - not the army you might want..."
-Donald Rumsfeld

What is a horrifying message from a former Secretary of Defense is a surprisingly real mantra for DIY and indie horror filmmakers. Sometimes we've seen the ambitions and imaginations of low-budget fare stretch the limits of its budget until it finally tears, showing us all that, yes, we are indeed watching a movie. That makes the achievements of Outtake Reel, the latest from Scott Feinblatt, writer and director of Summer People, so impressive. Sure, it's not perfect, but is it better than most cinema fare? Surprisingly, yes.

There are some prejudices to overcome in the viewing of Outtake Reel. Sure, the acting is going to range from good to serviceable, but Feinblatt has cast himself in one of the leads. Not to worry, aside from a handful of takes where things aren't quite on the nose, Feinblatt's performance as horror filmmaker Thomas Grayson carries most of the second half. I'm pleased to say Feinblatt is a pretty good actor, and manages to make the role real. Second prejudice: the use of the found footage meme. Once again, Outtake Reel takes a different road, using footage filmed during the making of a horror movie entitled My Brother's Keeper, as well as behind the scenes footage taken by the budding auteur Danny (co-director Jeffry Chaffin), given as evidence in the murder of Ashley Swan (Ava Santana) to tell the story of this starlet's death.

It's difficult to describe Outtake Reel without giving away some nice moves in the latter half, so, to give you a taste of the setup, let's talk horror films. Outtake Reel begins with the idea that there are breast-filled, gory slashers that we've become accustomed to, and the more cerebral brand that operates more from atmosphere and story. Outtake Reel is sort of about the making of the latter, while sort of being the former. You'll see. Harried writer-director Thomas Grayson is surrounded by actors who don't trust him or simply don't respect him, forced to work with an actress who uses her beauty and role to leverage her desires. When pain-in-the-ass documentarian Danny proposes that he and Grayson elicit some real emotion from the actress, things get bloody and complicated really fast.

To go further is to spoil some of Feinblatt's work here. This manages to be deconstructionist in its approach to horror, both lambasting and depicting old tropes, while inserting a sense of mystery and revelation into the last act. It's the sort of movie indie filmmaking was made for - too specific for a major studio, but a tale worthy of being told.

"Don't let your mouth write checks your ass can't cash"
-My Uncle Buddy

Grayson says in the early goings of the film, if you don't have a story, don't make a movie. If there is a complaint with story to be found in Outtake Reel, it's that there is perhaps too much of it, but it keeps things moving at a wonderful pace. Each time I found myself pigeonholing the film as torture porn, or straight satire, it zigged. I like not knowing where a movie is going, and this one had me wondering until the very end. Speaking of the end, the film promises cameos from genre staples Tiffany Shepis and Lloyd Kaufman, who do show up in the final reel. What's remarkable about the cameos is their utility. This isn't an appearance for recognition's sake, both actors have something to do, especially Kaufman.

From the early moments, Outtake Reel subtly tells us its ambitions, and it's largely successful in realizing them. If you can look past the fact that, yes, this is a digital, low-budget production, you'll find a high degree of thoughtfulness in this film. The question I always ask myself in relation to indie fare is this - "Is this movie better than a polished studio release?" Yes, yes it is. Pick it up as soon as you can. Feinblatt's second film is a BIG step in the right direction for this filmmaker and places him firmly in the "ones to watch" category. If you want to see a flawed, but clever and skillfully made, movie about horror movies, do yourself a favor and see Outtake Reel.