Cry Wolf

I watched expecting a low-brow teenage horror movie, in the vain of Darkness Falls, Urban Legend, or I Know What You Did Last Summer. I received nothing of the sort. I watched a teenage mystery thriller unfold on screen. I am disappointed by the lack of gore, but I am happy it wasn't completely derivative. All in all, Cry Wolf is a harmless, albeit not thoroughly enjoyable, diversion movie.

The premise is interesting. Can a killer be created through the use of modern technology and the hi-jinks of a few rebellious prep school kids? By using the school's intranet, the new young man at Westlake Academy (Owen Matthews), sends an email out regarding a serial killer who is terrorizing the local town and campus. He assigns an outfit (orange ski mask, hunters outfit), an M.O. (a series of orchestrated killings), and a weapon of choice (hunter's knife). His new Westlake friends, including a sexy red-head and your usual gaggle of those who are "too cool for school," have been playing a deceptive game of Wolf / Sheep in the school's chapel at night; but this new game is broader and deadlier. With the premise given, and a supposed serial killer / copycat on the loose, you'd expect a gory teen horror movie to follow. But, not so fast. Cry Wolf is more of a mind game, an elaborate trick played on the new kid, and the audience.

While watching, I thought, "Oh, this isn't so bad. I wonder where this is going?" Then, after a few ridiculous coincidences and some bad Bon Jovi acting, I whispered to myself, "This isn't bad, but it's not realistic." A little later on, I asked myself, "What's up the fake buildups of suspense?" At the end, as the plot was spelled out for me, I yelled at the television, "Oh my (insert religious figure), this sucks!" In retrospect, it isn't all that bad, but it wasn't worth the hope I had given it in the first half hour.

The story plays out ok, but there are too many unrealistic moments, which occur often in teen movies directed by unproven directors. Example: Is there a library in existence that has motion sensor lights that turn off if you stand still for more than ten seconds? How would you ever find a book!?! Also, if anyone was investigating a mysterious noise, and they suspected it to be a killer, would they keep their head phones on? Personally, I'd want to hear the knife being unsheathed. Oh"¦ and the main character, the new kid, forgets when Halloween is, even though his faux email said the killer would kill him on Halloween. In fairness, there is a very good sequence when everyone at the Halloween dance is dressed as the killer. After listing these hits

and misses, it's a good time to mention the writer / director, Jeff Wadlow (co-written with Beau Bauman). It's a good first wide-release feature. He uses good composition and lighting, makes admirable attempts to build suspense, and manipulates a so-so cast into giving acceptable performances. If you want to see Wadlow's true potential, check out his short film, The Tower of Babble, in the section of special features. The design, cinematography, and other technical aspects of Cry Wolf are solid.

I had a few problems with the overall acting, but it's hard to verbalize why. It's as if an ok script (with a great concept) was being read by good actors, but the actors didn't connect. I think that's why the concept didn't truly work, because no one cared or understood it. The standout for me, and not entirely because of her acting prowess, was Lindy Booth as Dodger, the seductive, gorgeous little red-head. Man, I watched her in Dawn of the Dead and loved her, so this was a treat. Julian Morris (Owen Matthews) does well, but cannot handle carrying the film, and he is the main character, so that's a problem. The other gaggle I referred to earlier perform adequately; there were know standouts amongst them. Gary Cole, of Office Space and The Brady Bunch fame, has a role that I am not convinced deserves to be in the movie. And he has a weird English accent that comes and goes; I wish I hadn't seen him in it, because I feel he's talented and it hurt watching him. Mr. Jon Bon Jovi, or Journalism Professor 101, was too blasé for my liking. He plays a small, but important part, and he didn't reveal any of his character's life energy. Envision a lifeless human being, age 35, delivering the following lines during a meeting with a 16 year old student,

Bon Jovi as 'Journalism Professor 101': "The arrogance of youth."

Julian Morris as 'Student Owen Matthews': "Don't you mean the confidence."

Bon Jovi as 'Journalism Professor 101': "Actually, I meant the ignorance."

Now, it may sound like corny dialogue, but it holds great depth and truth, just as "Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it." (Ferris Bueller's Day Off "” 1986, John Hughes). Bon Jovi didn't do his homework; he didn't connect to his character. Paycheck deposited "” next concert!

One last note on the DVD: It is the unrated version and I have no idea why. There is no violence, the language is worthy of a PG-13, and there is absolutely NO nudity.

Special Features:

Commentary "” Wadlow/Co-Writer/Editor/Co-Producer:

One thing's for sure, they are excited about this movie. They talk an awful lot, giving lots and lots of information. I guess the value of the commentary depends on how much you enjoyed the movie.

Actors' Audition Tapes:

These

tapes are delicious. I cringe watching video of myself audition, so imagine having the emotional freedom to laugh at others, knowing they won the role. Good stuff.

Deleted Scenes / Outtakes:

Not worth the time.

Featurettes:

An excursion on-set, with a few characters carrying digital cameras around. It's ok, but I could make the same home movies with my friends, and you wouldn't recognize us either.

Jeff Wadlow's Earlier Films:

The absolute reason to check out this movie!!! As I wrote, the short film, Tower of Babble, is very interesting and has a voice over by Kevin Spacey.

Movie Grade: C+ (Not very scary, not very thrilling; just 'there.')

DVD Features Grade: B (Actors' audition tapes are worth more than the finished product.)

Overall Grade: B-