DON'T KILL IT (Mike Mendez, 2016)

[Jox]

http://www.weareindiehorror.com/review/ ... ing-flick/

Don’t Kill It was perhaps the most fun one could have had at Screamfest LA this past week.

The film’s plot seemingly sets up a scenario where a high body count is possible, and one can only hope that does happen; and happen it does! From the scene’s opening sequence we’re immediately thrust into a wildly violent world of demonic possession. And the violence doesn’t stop at its inoculating opening scene as the film delivers plenty of thrills, comedy, and gore throughout.

Mendez continues to celebrate the campiness of horror and science fiction through Don’t Kill It, with a cool and unique premise from a script by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, in a film that is a bloody good time and does not disappoint.

Special credit goes to lead Dolph Lundgren who doesn’t just carry the film but, shines in his role as Jebediah Woodley. He plays the character with an undeniable cool, charisma, and with an aura of general badassery.

[Jox]

Don’t Kill It is prime for a potential franchise. With the establishment of dozens (if not hundreds) of various demons and entities – there’s no telling how long Jebediah’s exploits could go – assuming this finds the right audience and the right investors.

In the end, I don’t think Don’t Kill It was the most original piece to ever hit a cinema screen. But when you can plainly see that the filmmakers never wanted it to be “brand new” and that you as the audience are never meant to take it too seriously – you can just sit back and enjoy the ridiculousness, the gore and in this case; the fantastic and hysterical performance from Dolph Lundgren. Who’d-a-thunk it?

http://horrorfreaknews.com/dont-kill-2016-review

[Jox]

Interview with producers Scott Martin and Michael Slifkin from Archstone on Fox 7 prior to Fantastic Fest, hints at a possible theatrical release in 2017...
https://vimeo.com/189375513
http://www.fox7austin.com/good-day/207524386-story

[Jox]

This review is probably the most "so-so" of the bunch and it's not that bad...
http://weliveentertainment.com/welivefi ... ee-either/

[dude hallenbeck]

If we're lucky, Netflix could acquire this for distribution.

[Jox]

http://linkis.com/sinfulcelluloid.com/UdYm6

Once again, Mike Mendez proves that he has an innate talent for mixing horror and comedy. The audience at Screamfest roared with hysterical laughter one minute and yelled out “Don’t Kill It!” the next. “It’s my natural voice as a filmmaker, I can’t help it,” said Mendez regarding his magnetic draw toward horror comedy as opposed to strictly horror. “At times, I have tried to suppress it, but it was doing more harm than good and I was taking away the element that gives my films a unique personality. So, I’ve decided to embrace it and just go with it. I’m much happier with the results that way.”

And so are we, Mike. So. Are. We.

Aside from the loads of laughs mixed with horror, one of the most enticing qualities of Don’t Kill It is its ability to provide an avenue of catharsis for its viewers. With the intensity and gory nature of the violent scenes and the the heavy rock n’ roll tracks, the film is like watching a friend play a bloody video game in that it is a fun way to let off a little steam and leave the killing to the actors. If you are having a rough day, don’t sweat it and watch Don’t Kill It.

Canadian premiere in Vancouver on November 4th at the Rio Grind Film Festival, followed by a Skype Q&A with director Mike Mendez
https://www.facebook.com/events/349086072103706/

It's November 6th
https://riotheatretickets.ca/events/515 ... n-premiere

[Jox]

Yesterday at Archstone Distribution booth of the American Film Market (AFM)

[Jox]

https://alifein24fps.com/2016/11/08/sla ... t-kill-it/

“Don’t Kill It” was a lot of fun. Silly, trashy, violent, and very entertaining, it’s exactly what I hoped for

It offered a couple of really funny moments (like the hilarious bit where the police tries to drag Jebediah out of the Sheriff’s office, while he goes on and on with his monologue), cool scenes and great one-liners, and also offers a Dolph Lundgren in top form. It seems like he did have a great time shooting it, and the movie definitely profits from his engaged performance.

Overall, “Don’t Kill it” is a good bad movie. It knows exactly what it wants to be, and doesn’t pretend to be anything else than trashy B-horror-fun – something it excels in.
7/10

[DRC2013]

Just saw Don't Kill It at the Night Visions film festival and thought it was pretty great actually. It's a lot of fun, a good mix of horror and comedy, not really super scary, but very moody, really funny and entertaining.

Mike Mendez does a good job of balancing between the campy and serious and scary and funny. Although I have to say at one point the movie does take a turn that I think might have been too dark and maybe hurt the fun loving nature of the storytelling going forward, but perhaps it was the filmmakers' intention.

It's a clever premise, and translates well into a solid 90-minute movie like this.

Dolph is clearly having a blast, and proves here that he has very good comedic timing, and even though his southern accent comes and goes, some scenes he's full on drawlin' and some scenes he just speaks in his regular accent, he never comes across as stiff and has the perfect amount of self consciousness and winking at the audience. We're laughing with him not at him. Jebediah Woodley is a great character, and someone I would actually like to see Dolph play again. So here's to hoping for a sequel.

I also liked that it was set at Christmas time. It never really works into the plot in a big way, but it gives the movie that extra something like other genre movies that take place during Christmas like Die Hard and Gremlins.
It's also a bit of a running gag that Dolph's character keeps saying Merry Christmas at inappropriate times.

It's a perfect festival movie. Best seen with a big audience. The theater I saw it at holding 200 people was maybe half full but overall everyone seemed to enjoy it, lots of big laughs throughout.

It's definitely not for the squeamish though, some scenes will offend certain people for sure.

Dolph picked a winner with this one IMO. This makes up for all those Serafini movies and paycheck cameos.

[Jox]

Archstone is launching an Indiegogo campaign to fund a theatrical release
https://igg.me/at/dontkillit/


(featuring set photos and promo video with behind the scenes and interviews)

Perks include DVDs, t-shirts, signed screenplay, signed props and costumes from the film, diners and more...

We are on Indiegogo to raise money for two reasons:

1) After a movie is finished, there are several technical items that need to be created in order to get the movie out there. This process is called Delivery.

We need to create the Final Audio Mix, items such as the DCP (hard drive used for theatrical exhibition), have the film put through the Quality Control process, and more. They are expensive items, and they have to be done. It isn’t fun or pretty, but it’s a very important part of the process and we need your help getting it done!

2) Lots of demons. Gory, bloody deaths. This movie looks amazing and deserves to be seen on the big screen.

But between cutting a new (and WAY less bloody) trailer for MPAA approval, MPAA fees, insurance, advertising, and the other costs of a theatrical distribution (P&A), we need help!

The more we raise, the more cities in which we will be able to release the movie. We want to go as wide as possible!

Storyboard

[TEMIRLAN]

this one is already a success for dolph.

[bomaz]

Too bad for the indiegogo, I think they aim a little bit too high.

[Jox]

This is a "flexible" goal so they can still use the amount that is raised even if it doesn't reach the primary goal.

EDIT:
The release is set March 3, 2017.

[TEMIRLAN]

theatrical?

[Jox]

Yes, I guess it's possible it's gonna be a limited theatrical / VOD release (unless this trend has now passed).