Reviews
Monday, October 22, 2007
Automaton Transfusion
Director: Steven C. Miller
Writer: Steven C. Miller
Starring: Garrett Jones, Juliet Reeves, William Howard Bowman, Rowan Bousaid, Ashley Elizabeth Pierce
MPAA Rating: NR
Running time: 80 min
Country of Origin: USA
read my spoiler disclaimer
reviewed by Andrew James
at Toronto After Dark Festival
The second screening of a zombie picture at Toronto After Dark was Automaton Transfusion. A worthy addition to the zombie genre and loads of fun that mostly outweighed the problems - of which there were several.
After a small zombie outbeak at a hospital, the infection quickly spreads to the local high school. We follow two groups of teens throughout the course of the evening as they try to evade and fend off zombie attacks. One group is in a rural farmhouse party, while the other has driven to another neighboring town to catch a concert. Once they arrive at the city, they soon realize that there is nobody around and that the entire town has been overrun by zombies. Their goal is to get back to the car and back to their hometown in an attempt to rescue their friends at the farmhouse.
As for directing and the overall feel of this as a zombie genre picture, it works extremely well. It is very much in the vien of Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later, but without the use of a large budget. The shots and style and clever tactics to cover up the obvious lower buddget work amazingly well and in terms of directing, it's difficult to tell that it's incredibly low budget. A few scenes in which entire city streets and freeways are completely devoid of any human presence are ominous, while at the same time engrossing. But again, it's all been done in clever ways; not by buying expensive permits or using CGI.
Thankfully, the director has also not employed the use of "shakey cam". It's used in a few sequences sparingly and appropriately to show general chaos and confusion, but when it comes to the scenes where the audience needs to see what is happening on-screen, the camera stays still and let's us enjoy the art the director is trying to give us.
The actors involved leave a little bit to be desired however. At first, it feels like they might work pretty well. But as the picture wears on, it becomes evident that these kids are able to act as fun teenagers pretty well, but when the drama and terror kicks up a few notches, these kids are out of their league. It's not terribly noticeable or laughable; it's just... not good.
The other problem lies with the screenplay. There are a few weird loop holes and continuity problems that myself and I know a few others around me scratching their heads a bit. It's not a confusing plot or really intricate dialogue (quite the opposite actually), it's just that little things happen that just don't wuite make sense. On top of this slight confusion, is the lack of transisssion bewteen segments. It's difficult to say how so many zombies sprung up so quickly or why and how these characters choose to do what they do. The entire story is a series of goals that the characters feel they need to accomplish: get to the car, get to the farm, get to the school, get to the hospital, get to the bar and so on and so on. This methodology got tedious and a little annoying.
Tie all this together with a ridiculous resolution, or "unveiling" and some laughable dialogue and poor acting at the end, and you might think the film is practically unwatchable. But far from it. The positives far outweigh the negatives here and again it's all in the directing and one other aspect: the makeup/gore department.
The creativity involved with the kill shots and the terrific use of gore and blood and guts is spectacular. This is A level, horror filmmaking that overrides anything negative you might find with the film. Several of the money shots are slow, lingering and downright painful to watch. They are also unique and interesting. Again, no shakey cam here to cheapen the effect. You see each shard of glass in the eyeball and each decapitation clear as day and it looks gorgeous. This aspect made the whole film worthy of a screening and high praise.
So while not perfect, Automaton Transfusion has so many great aspects that it made for a pleasurable viewing experience. Not too short, not too long and enough crazy, bloody zombie action to make George Romero proud. Would I revisit A.T.? Almost certainly if given the chance.
Links:
IMDb.com - full cast and crew
Official Site
FLIXSTER profile for Automaton Transfusion
|
| ||
andrew@moviepatron.com Next entry: Poultrygeist Previous entry: In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale
-
xxx men <a href=http://rthveza.9ix.net/xxxdf9.html>free xxx long movies</a>
AntinnaVedVen on 01/18 at 10:30 PM -
pokemonxxx <a href=http://driueoj.hostbot.com/xxx787.html>xxx lesbian porn</a>
AntinnaVedVen on 01/20 at 08:41 AM -
mobile video wireless headphones <a href=http://uleveke.tripod.com/quedknd.html>national city mobile sign on</a>
ownekOffege on 02/14 at 09:04 AM -
far-reaching rub off by out!
http://extjs.com/forum/member.php?u=68758 - buy phen; vicodin vdfy http://forums.denverbroncos.com/member.php?u=362855 - medications online; where to buy ultram drg; http://vfxtalk.com/forum/member.php?u=23341 - buy xanax with out; drugs no prescription %-0;
guildecumenical esnugstem!bencetum on 03/24 at 04:43 AM -
It is a pity, that now I can not express - it is very occupied. But I will return - I will necessarily write that I think on this question.
forexAgon on 07/20 at 02:32 AM -
Informative professional site, whatmore can i say!!
ForexAgon on 07/25 at 03:17 AM -
every dofuser needs <a href=http://www.bawwgt.com>dofus kamas</a>, but most of them can’t find a good <a href=http://www.bawwgt.com>cheap dofus kamas</a> provider, so it’s a problem is they want to <a href=http://www.bawwgt.com>buy cheap dofus kamas</a>.now bawwgt will be your best choice on <a href=http://www.bawwgt.com>dofus</a>
kickJohn on 08/31 at 02:52 PM -
Do You interesting of Viagra 50mg pills? You can find below…
<size>10]>>><a href=http://wellbeingpillsite.net/products/men_s_health/genericviagra/order>Viagra 50mg pills</a><<<</size><a href=http://wellbeingpillsite.net/products/men_s_health/genericviagra/order><img>http://apapapas.ru/viagra/viagra-10.jpg</img></a>
Bonus Policy
Order 3 or more products and get free Regular Airmail shipping!
Free Regular Airmail shipping for orders starting with $200.00!
Free insurance (guaranteed reshipment if delivery failed) for orders starting with $300.00!
Description
Generic Viagra (sildenafil citrate; brand names include: Aphrodil / Edegra / Erasmo / Penegra / Revatio / Supra / Zwagra) is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction regardless of the cause or duration of the problem or the age of the patient.
Sildenafil Citrate is the active ingredient used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men. It can help men who have erectile dysfunction get and sustain an erection when they are sexually excited.
Generic Viagra is manufactured in accordance with World Health Organization standards and guidelines (WHO-GMP).
Generic Viagra is made with thorough reverse engineering for the sildenafil citrate molecule - a totally different process of making sildenafil and its reaction. That is why it takes effect in 15 minutes compared to other drugs which take 30-40 minutes to take effect.
<a href=http://cfbpetnet.com/smf/index.php?topic=98071.0>Viagra 100mg pills</a>
<a href=http://www.studentskisvet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t;=17372&p;=21780>Viagra Super Active</a>ManofViagra on 09/27 at 02:51 PM -
potter and hermione dating
you re dating a tumbling tumbling dickweed
military singles dating site
uk dating chat
amrita rao dating
dallas austin dating
100 free dating site in italy
dating advice
double your dating newsletter
insider internet dating cd
corden dating
of dating in canada
www dating to relating com
who is ed norton dating
dating services match
who is michael strahan dating
dating from the beginning ofGepbraikeGype on 10/21 at 09:13 AM -
asian dating asian
cupid dating com
of dating and relationship
dating affilate
free usa dating
rpg sim dating
david deangelo double your dating free
overweight dating
we are dating now
legwork dating site
online dating drasco
dating an american woman
linely dating demi lovato
dating a nonbeliever
tatou datingGepbraikeGype on 10/21 at 09:50 AM -
match one dating
dating online review site
hiv dating aids poz
jordana spiro dating
chinise dating
muslim online dating sites
kristin cavallari dating nick zano
women free dating
dating online profile
in carbon 14 dating
grand falls windsor dating
supremacist dating
senior citizen dating
dating chat services
rihanna dating
phil dating advice
ok cupid datingGepbraikeGype on 10/21 at 10:10 AM -
radiocarbon dating works
www plentyoffish com dating
14 dating
man love dating
alaska men dating
free europe dating
the sea on line dating
dating free online trial
us dating website
senior citizen dating services
butronic dating
piven dating
vibesconnect dating
group dating
script dating web site
free dating freedatingGepbraikeGype on 10/21 at 10:29 AM -
zac effron dating
miley and nick still dating
classified and dating ads find a
robert kardashian dating
long distance dating relationships
uk dating services
souray dating
danielle steel dating
new sim dating
ge dating com
professionals dating services
dating supro
free dating sites 2007
newest online dating site
yamada ryosuke dating
agency datingGepbraikeGype on 10/21 at 10:48 AM -
best american dating
love dating game
dating websites for women
loveshack dating
urijah faber dating
internet dating in the uk
free local dating sites in
free online dating matchmaking
affiliate dating program
russian jewish dating
christian dating info
100 free dating site in euro
christian contact dating free online service
free dating service toronto
dating comparison
dating and relationship in
dating message tips
polish dating randkiGepbraikeGype on 10/21 at 11:08 AM -
free lesbian dating service
free internet dating australia
sanaa lathan and omar epps dating
dating three guys
dating a photo
local girls dating
australian online dating site
star jones reportedly dating miami heat star dwyane wade
dating and married
christian dating services in
infidelity dating
ottawa free dating service
dangers of internet dating
china dating girl
on line dating san
online dating quizzes
michael bubble datingGepbraikeGype on 10/21 at 11:28 AM -
millionaire match dating service
christian dating
interatial dating in
tips on dating older women
radiocarbon dating used
dating sites for single women
hsv dating
telegraph dating agency
dating married site web woman
dates dating site
christian dating sites review
frriends reunited dating
and lesbian dating services
christian dating service com
internet dating popularGepbraikeGype on 10/21 at 11:48 AM -
www dating circle org id 2568
dating and guys
nartuo dating
dating violence sexual assault
senior dating uk
domestic violence dating
friends dating service
internet dating in north america
bicurious dating
mobile photo dating
one year dating anniversary gift ideas
carbon 14 dating definition
dating headlinersGepbraikeGype on 10/21 at 12:08 PM -
executive dating
free online christian dating sites
international internet dating
old dating sites
garrett hedlund dating
absolutely dating free online service
place to dating
100 free online dating in
100 100 dating dating free
new free christian dating
dating 72 com
best dating on
ashley tisdal dating
advice about dating
dating cambridgeshire
dating old furnitureGepbraikeGype on 10/21 at 12:27 PM -
huntingdonshire dating
dating young women
persian dating site
eva longoria is dating tony parker
international online dating service
african american christian dating single
dating advice article
devendra dating
alternative lifestyles dating
is adam brody dating
dating encounters
alicia dating
executive dating agency
dating for canada
is kevin zegers datingGepbraikeGype on 10/21 at 01:24 PM -
rock and roll dating
carbon 14 dating the
single dating agencies
online dating chat rooms for
lds dating service
dating boss pedals
dating club south
any 100 free dating site in
love singles dating
eight simple rules for dating
deangelo double your dating what every man should
genelia dating
relationship dating website
libyan dating
internet dating safety tips
relationship dating
alicia dating
arab dating websiteGepbraikeGype on 10/21 at 01:42 PM -
www dating sa
dating love love
online dating site in europe
dating tips text
dating games men
dating man married single woman
free dating websites
dating greek men
buyand sell dating
www dating 3dcity
one love dating
new dating site online
www web dating co
yohoo internet dating service
professional dating service in
greek woman dating
rebecca romijn datingGepbraikeGype on 10/21 at 02:01 PM -
free sa dating sites
50 dating uk
girl jill was dating on jack and jill
ryan gosling dating 2008
or st louisthe best online dating f
countryside dating agency
catholic dating on
devon werkheiser dating
russian dating
annabella sciorra dating
8 simple rules for dating my teenager daughter
ayesha takia dating
connections dating service
jesse mccartney and katie cassidy still dating
david henry datingGepbraikeGype on 10/21 at 02:20 PM -
dating show of love
ghauri dating
maureen dowd dating
agency dating online single
free dating personals for singles
dating simulator game
lesbian dating sites
100 free dating woman
dating free on line
vietnamese dating
charlyne yi dating michael cera
senior men dating
czech republic dating
filipino free dating
connections dating service
online dating service with over
on line dating web
dating tipsssstipsGepbraikeGype on 10/21 at 02:40 PM -
lundqvist dating
2008 100 free dating
dating east anglia
of a dating couple
www dating indiatimes com
dating site to date
christian dating service free
walhberg dating
riends reunited dating
dating agency in uk
people media dating sites
www dating girls com
reletive dating
girls dating boys
dating aphorismsGepbraikeGype on 10/21 at 02:59 PM -
junsu dating
dating agencies australia
adutl dating
usa local dating
online dating service ratings
rules for dating my daugther
who is taylor kitsch dating
dating presents
1 dating mate profile
14c dating
dating event
dating online thai
100 dating free in online site
online dating and matchmaking service for
best online dating services
lauren conrad dating stephen
who is charlie hunnam datingGepbraikeGype on 10/21 at 03:19 PM