Black Waters of Echo's Pond - Red Carpet Premiere
Black Waters of Echo's Pond - Red Carpet Premiere
Special report and photos of cast and filmmakers.
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Report and photos special to Horror.com - by John Hutchins
Beginning in 1968 with George Romero and continued over the years by the likes of Tobe Hooper and Eli Roth, the template for youth-marketed horror films has remained virtually the same: Start with a group of young men and women, isolate and subject them to unimaginably violent circumstances (mixing in just enough sex appeal for seasoning), shake well and let simmer. And while there's certainly been no shortage of films adapting (and re-adapting) this formula since the late 60's, there have been plenty to get their recipes completely wrong. "The Black Waters of Echo's Pond" is not among them.
Which leads me to a significant disclaimer: The name really doesn't do the movie justice. Attending Tuesday night's premiere and subsequent after-party, I was asked by director Gabriel Bologna what I thought of the film. Having the tendency to wax articulate under the influence of alcohol (especially free alcohol), I remarked that his movie was reminiscent of "Cabin Fever," with the campy and often frisson-subversive proclivities of Eli Roth swapped out for a more cerebral, psychologically complex horror film experience. Is there a comedic aspect to much of the violence? Yes. Is there a gratuitous unveiling of the extremely hot girl's breasts? Of course. Unlike "Cabin" though, "Echo's Pond" doesn't so much pay homage to the genre as much as incorporates it into an unpredictable, highly entertaining and unique narrative. But that name...."The Black Waters of Echo's Pond" sounds like it could be a Disney film from the late 70's starring Angela Lansbury.
James Duval and Gabriel Bologna
James Duval and Richard Tyson
Questionable name aside however, what "Echo's Pond" manages to deliver is much more than typical indi-slasher fare. Led by James Duval ("Donnie Darko," "The Doom Generation"), the film begins by repleting itself with conventional horror-film mores before turning each one on its head. To wit, nine young friends arrive on a remote island to vacation for the summer, stalked by what a caretaker named Pete (Robert Patrick) describes as a throat-slashing "ghoul." Following their discovery of a demonic boardgame, the friends soon discover hidden antipathies toward each other, and....well....then it gets interesting. Spoilers are never any fun, suffice it to say an Angela Lansbury character does not appear, and the fine folks at Disney probably wouldn't want to be associated with any part of it (in fact, one scene in the second act involving a chainsaw and pliers would probably be enough to have even Miramax questioning the film's final cut).
Sean Clark
In the end, "Echo's Pond" is simply good 'ol fashioned horror movie fun. Lacking any agenda other than to excite, disturb and occasionally titillate (courtesy of Mircea Monroe and twins Electra and Elise Avellan), the film has the added bonus of positioning itself well for a sequel, and potentially even a franchise. Indeed, if "Saw" and "Final Destination" teach us anything, it's that genre films with original concepts and inventive death scenes tend to take on lives of their own.
Just one suggestion for the filmmakers: For the follow-up, maybe consider changing the title to just "Echo's Pond?"
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Guests the red carpet included Linda Halmilton, PJ Soles, Bai Ling, John Gulager and Clu Gulager
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