source: Sequence Break

This movie is an obvious homage to 80s style horror films, borrowing elements from Cronenberg especially, but also some nods to Wes Craven and others. As an homage, it's lovely. Especially the bit where the video game becomes soft and erotic (even if they do kind of telegraph how the did the effects). As a story, though, it kind of falls flat. In particular, the ending feels rushed, and I'm not exactly sure what's supposed to have happened. If a movie is going to play with the timeline, it's important that the audience understands the rules - if not right away, at least at some point. Anyway, I think it's a worthwhile watch for the body horror sequences. They really will make you nostalgic for films like Videodrome.

Interesting "little" film that delivers on its premise. I said little because this is a low scale production in that it has only a few settings; this allowed them to do more with the special practical effects (which at times were slimy gross) and the visuals of computer techno electrical. The acting was surprisingly good for somewhat standard characters written at best at a 2 dimensional level. Sometimes the limitations of the script and dialogue could be seen by the actors, but all of them pulled more from their "guts" to imbue realness to the best of the limitations of their lines. But the broader message of becoming obsessed with electronic media and retreating from rela life contact and interaction was well delivered in the quiet way the film spoke (using visuals and subtlety more).

This begins as a very appealing film about Oz (Chase Williamson), who meets Tess (Fabienne Thereze) - two happily 'nerdy' young people who love playing, and are very knowledgeable of, arcade games. Oz is games technician in a store due to be closed down, and they discover an arcade machine not seen before in the shop. As they play it against their better instincts, it displays unknowable powers ... That's about as much of the story revealed without going into deep spoiler territory. The genuinely delightful romance that blossoms between these two slightly eccentric outcasts remains the best thing about this. The horror elements, which straddle the kind of world HP Lovecraft wrote about and David Cronenberg directed, are unusual, bizarre, mostly unexplainable and increasingly fragmented. The latter half of the film gives itself entirely to this strange world, and the story, such as it is, becomes redundant. This is a shame, because it seems to go nowhere, until an equally strange finale comes along and ushers in the end credits. I applaud director and writer Graham Skipper for going for something different, but the result doesn't quite satisfy, despite the naturalistic and appealing performances from the main players. My score is 5 out of 10, mainly for the first half.

Oz (Chase Williamson, John Dies at the End) is content to be alone with the ancient video games - fixing them, playing them, creating them - in his boss Jerry's arcade. Everything in his life is thrown for a loop in one day: the arcade is closing, he meets a girl named Tess (Fabianne Therese, John Dies at the End) and a strange new game shows up unannounced. What follows is a Cronenberg-esque body horror odyssey with sexualized video game controls being manipulated, bodies being distorted to add circuits and time loops where multiple versions of Oz can exist. It's also a love story. The game, when shown, looks like what Polybius has been described as. It gradually takes over Oz's reality until he decides that the only person who made the rules for his game is himself. It's an interesting effort from actor/writer/director Graham Skipper, who starred in Almost Human and directed the film Space Clown. It's an obvious tribute to Videodrome, but where that film had volumes to speak about culture, violence and the intersection of both, this movie doesn't have nearly as much to say. I was kind of hoping for Oz to have more of a redemptive journey after he argued with Tess, telling her that he may have always been the person that he has become post video game freakout.

Working as an arcade repairman, a loner trying to carry on after losing his job at the store finds a likeminded woman to build a new relationship with only for her disappearance to coincide with a disturbing new game that begins to eat away as his mind the more he repairs it. For the most part, this one was quite an enjoyable effort. One of the finer aspects of this one is that this genuinely builds up an effective relationship for the two of them that they embark on. There's a sweetness and innocence to the way they hang out and date with each other, bonding over their geeky thoughts and musings they each share, and along with the general nervousness of the way they talk to each other creates a truly winning couple that serves as the basis for the film. Once this settles into the more horrific aspects of the story, there's a decidedly chilling look at the way it affects his psyche. Starting out with the chilling sequences of the flashing strobe-lights that are effectively reminiscent of the laser lights found in the games themselves while also witnessing strange shadowy figures or intense fuzzy static screaming in his head, this initial turning point into the supernatural allows the later scenes in the shop showing those who play the game to be affected greatly in some outstanding sequences. From the controls on the console turning into sensual objects and being tormented by distorted visions of everyone around being deformed and mutated, this is quite striking and far more gruesome as it goes along. Once in the later half, with the complete sensual overload of the game trapping him in its nightmarish world and subjecting him to the numerous rounds of mind-bending sequences of the console turning into mush, flashing visions of his friend's bloodied face screaming for help or the flesh melting off his face, there's a truly enjoyable and frantic energy created by this newfound setting. As this is combined with the big confrontation inside the game world for the finale which is full of impressively handled special effects and a great goopy body-horror aesthetic to the material, it really creates a fine high-point to end this one on. These here are what manage to hold this up over it's few minor flaws. One of the biggest problems is the fact that the central machine is a complete mystery as there's absolutely nothing given here as to what it is or why it's haunted. The thing just shows up and starts messing with him, so the entire concept behind it is entirely confusing as to what it's purpose is or what it's trying to do which is based around a rather twisting and convoluted storyline that never makes any sense. Due to the shorter length, it has a bit more plot than anticipated offering a lot of different elements here which overlooks parts of the story including what the actual point of the device is supposed to do or even who the visitor shown later is supposed to mean. These few small elements really hold this one down somewhat. Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Violence and Graphic Language.

Saw 'Sequence Break ', being fond of horror regardless of budget (even if not my favourite genre) and being intrigued somewhat by the idea. Being behind on my film watching and reviewing, with a long to watch and review list that keeps getting longer, it took me a while to get round to watching and reviewing it. Giving 'Sequence Break' a fair chance with being interest and apprehension, it turned out to be far better than expected. Won't say that 'Sequence Break' is a great film because it isn't and the potential, while not wasted, is not fully lived up to. Considering the large number of films seen recently being mediocre and less and wasting potential, was expecting worse and was relieved that while wanting in a fair few areas it was actually one of my better recent low-budget viewings. 'Sequence Break' started off quite well, the first twenty minutes or so starting the film off on a promising, unsettling and atmospheric note that really does intrigue. Production values did have some eeriness and nowhere near as cheap as expected, and the music, which not the most memorable in the world, didn't detract from the atmosphere. The setting is effectively spooky and the acting was not bad all round. There are spooky and suspenseful moments and it isn't dull. The direction doesn't feel phoned in. The effects were surprisingly decent as well in a nostalgic sort of way. However, the story was severely wanting. It is very disjointed and after the promising start the final third especially loses atmosphere, one loses interest and things start to not make sense. Too much of the film is vague and doesn't explore some elements and story strands enough, things happen too conveniently and the romantic element is too hastily done. Ending is unsatisfying, on top of feeling hasty there are too many loose ends hanging in the air. Got the sense that the writers didn't know how to end the film. Would have liked much more tension and suspense, scares could have been more consistent and some weren't surprising enough. Found too the script to lack natural flow and with a bit of cheese going on, and the characters bland with some adopting some annoying and not always logical decision making. Overall, better than expected but not great still. 5/10 Bethany Cox

So what we have here is a lovecraftian horror set in an old school arcade console repair shop. We have a small cast involved, mainly consisting of four people, two of which share the majority of screen time. There's Oz, the young quiet loner working repairing consoles for his kind boss Jerry until an attractive yet somewhat quirky and forward young woman named Tess comes in to look at what they have in stock. Jerry later excuses Oz and tells him he needs to get out and have a little fun and to go have some drinks at the local bar where he meets Tess once again who sparks up a conversation. Due to her outgoing nature they somewhat hit it off and plan to meet up later which becomes the beginning of a relationship that spans the rest of the movie. Shortly after a mysterious package arrives at the shop holding a chip board which Oz installs into an empty stand up arcade console. Upon playing this mysterious game Oz experiences a loss of time and becomes violently ill. Meanwhile a creepy homeless man repeatedly appears on the outskirts of the story observing Oz and Tess. Time goes by, Tess and Oz become closer, and the ominous game begins to affect our two protagonists in dangerous ways leading to mind altering body horror sequences commonly seen in Lovecraft inspired horrors. What I liked about this movie is all the special effects were real world common sense effects with little to no CGI. Good old fashioned disgusting special effects based on gooey melting bits and loads of slime and fluids. The story while bizarre is tight and paced well. The relationship between Oz and Tess seems rushed but they have pretty good chemistry. This movie won't be for everyone, some will find it confusing as it doesn't have a well outlined explanation for the events going on, but it's not meant to. Anyone familiar with Lovecraft themes should be able to appreciate it as well at those who enjoy the body-horror genre. I would definitely recommend it to these two groups with a soft recommendation to more mainstream horror fans.

A very lame and boring horror movie wannabe. The acting are bad, both Oz and Tess.

Not talking about the movie of course, but a game within. Of course as a viewer we are sometimes ahead of the main characters, giving them advice on what to do or not to do. Then again, if they'd always listen, we wouldn't have a movie. Still some things may seem to convenient or too easy (especially considering the way the woman behaves, kind of is stretching and probably just to get the story going). Apart from that, the effects are really good and there is value for money to be seen. So if you're after that, you are going to be served quite well. Script has some issues, but you wouldn't or shouldn't expect anything in particular. Characters serve the really out there story, that some may actually get a feel for (where it's heading that is). It's a mind thing - and it's also a taste thing. If you are into this, there is stuff to enjoy and enough suspense to go around