5.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.0 | |
Overall | 2.0 |
College students and best friends Ginger Matheson, Jim Duncan, and Kyle "Dixie" Canning, pool their cash to buy a "ghost" in an online auction. The three think it's all a goof, but once they open up the antique box to examine their "treasure," they unleash the vengeful spirit of an Irish servant girl who has been wreaking havoc on her owners throughout the generations.
Starring: Masiela Lusha, Stephen Colletti, Jonathan 'Lil J' McDaniel, Dean Cain, Fernanda Romero (II)Horror | 100% |
Thriller | 47% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.00:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.00:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 2.5 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 2.0 |
We all get a share in Casper.
Kill Katie Malone represents low budget filmmaking done fairly well. Director Carlos Ramos Jr.'s film superficially looks like it was done on a
shoestring budget, shot with equipment purchased from Best Buy and populated by actors selected from an upper level college Drama class, but for all
its general weakness, the filmmakers have managed to create a steady, competent, even somewhat entertaining little movie from next to nothing.
This certainly won't be mistaken for big-budget Summer blockbuster fare, but Kill Katie Malone
manages to improve on "bigger" large-studio-backed movies like One Missed Call thanks to an underlying spunk that elevates
rather generic material to passable heights, even considering that it lacks the production values of typical mid grade genre fare. This is a fine
example of a movie coming together MacGyver-style, making something out of nothing that everyone involved should be proud of. Audiences
coming in and knowing that the movie isn't up to the visual fluff standards of big-dollar fare and who choose to watch for the spirit (no pun intended) it
exudes should appreciate what the movie has to offer, even if that is what amounts to little more than a good old fashioned campfire Horror story
brought to life on the small screen.
Don't by a demon on the Internet.
Kill Katie Malone's oddly-framed 1080p Blu-ray transfer has two major problems, but Phase 4's image is otherwise smooth and proficient. The movie seems to have been captured on very low grade digital equipment. It's very glossy and flat, yielding heavy banding throughout the film. Black levels are also prone to crush; black and darker surfaces, objects, and backgrounds tend to melt into one indistinguishable glob. Colors -- even bright Halloween oranges -- are somewhat dim, though much of the movie is made of cold grays and blues. On the other hand, fine detail can be quite good; facial and clothing textures are solid from beginning to end, and decent clarity allows viewers to enjoy the fine touches around the characters' dorm rooms. While the image is never razor-sharp, it's never absolutely soft and undefined, either. The banding and the crushed blacks are there worst offenders here; otherwise, the movie looks fairly good on Blu-ray, especially when considering its innate limitations.
Kill Katie Malone features a shaky DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack that, like the video, is far from the Blu-ray format's best presentations but is fair considering the source. Music is adequately spaced and suitably clear whether light score over the opening titles or heavier beats as heard during two loud party sequences. Bass is rumbly and unkempt, reverting to a loud pounding sensation rather than presenting listeners with something tighter and more realistic. Ambience is light and limited mainly to those party sequences where the sound spreads out but never plays with much distinction or spacial clarity. The film's finale does produce some interesting high pitched "ghost sounds" that spread out nicely and immerse the listener into a fairly terrifying sonic environment. Dialogue is generally clear and balanced, lost to that heavy bass only on a few occasions. This track could have been more with an increased budget and added TLC, but as it is it's an acceptable companion to a low budget movie.
All that's included is the Kill Katie Malone trailer (480p, 1:35).
Kill Katie Malone probably won't become a staple in even the hardest of the hardcore Horror junkie's movie rotation, but it's a competent little go-getter that manages to pull its audience in for a shallow but fun ride through Ghost story clichés. What the film lacks in production values and polish it more than makes up for in heart, not to mention fair technical know-how and decent acting from the three main characters. There's nothing new here, but this one is worth checking out, if only to see a low-budget Horror movie done fairly well. Phase 4's Blu-ray release of Kill Katie Malone features decent video and audio presentations but no supplements outside of a trailer. This one is easily worth a rental, and Horror aficionados might want to add it to their collections when the price is right.
2017
2017
2006
After Dark Horrorfest
2006
Unrated Theatrical and Rated Versions
2013
2012
2016
Collector's Edition
2005
2019
1997
2007
Halloween 8
2002
2014
Collector's Edition
2001
2015
2002
2015
1998
Unrated Director's Cut
2010
2008