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Cast: Ace Marrero, Katie Stegeman, Nick Principe
A group of college kids travel to a small, mountain town called Madison County to interview the author of a tell-all book on the accounts of several grisly murders that happened there. But when the kids get to Madison County, the author is nowhere to be found and the towns people act like they haven't seen him in years, stating that the killer never existed and the murders never happened. However, when the kids start digging around to get their own answers, they find out that the stories may be more real than the townspeople are letting on.
"Madison County" doesn't really offer much in the way of originality, the story is very much like any other horror film you might have seen in the past but the execution and talented cast of unknowns make it worthwhile for horror fans. The story is about a serial killer who killed 33 people over the course of 2 decades but the townspeople claim he was made up and never really existed. When a group of college kids head to Madison County to interview the author of the tell-all book on the killer the people in the town, mainly the old lady that works at a diner there tell the kids that nothing ever happened there and they haven't seen the author of the book in years. The group of course don't believe the old lady and decide to do some digging around town themselves to see what they can uncover. It isn't long before they're met with some resistance from the townsfolk and eventually meeting face to face with the story they came to find out about.
Like I said before this isn't all that different from "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" or "Hills Have Eyes" but the film does a few very good things going for that help it stand out. One being the cast, each and every actor in the film give believable and realistic performances, at least as realistic as they can considering this is a horror film. Secondly, the direction is flawless and the editing is excellent. Director, Eric England does a great job at keeping the story moving at a brisk pace, sure it's a bit slow to start as it sets up the story and introduces us to the characters but once the action begins it doesn't stop till the very end. There's also a some nice twists and turns you will never see coming. As far as the gore goes the film isn't overly bloody but it doesn't need to be and the moments of gore that are in the film are nicely placed to enhance the story and not become it.
So the bottom line is that in some ways this is just another slasher movie we have all seen before but it's also one of the better ones that I remember seeing in some time. If you like the genre and you're looking for something to watch to past the time this one is worth picking up.
Available on DVD with Special Features that include
Audio commentary with Eric England, David F. Dunn and Ace Marrero
I have to admit I wasn't expecting much from this one but I was surprised by it's tension filled moments, it's cast that delivers and it's excellent direction.
You can order the DVD HERE.
Released by Image Entertainment
*** 1/2 Out Of *****