Groupie (2010)
Directed By: Mark L. Lester (Commando)
The Prologue
Well it's good to see that the man behind Commando is still in business isn't it? I can't tell you how many times I sit and ask myself, "Hmm..I wonder what the man that made Commando is up to these days!". And I can't tell you, because well, I haven't ever asked myself that. But here we are in 2010 and the man has made this movie called Groupie! And you might not believe it but it's about a groupie! One that just so happens to follow around a shitty band.
The Movie
So the rock band known as "The Dark Knights" like to do a few dangerous stunts while on stage. I assume it's because their music sucks, but it's never confirmed. However during one fateful show a kid ends up dead once the fire stunt goes bad! Now it's been a year and the charges are all dropped. So to spite the fans of this crappy band thinking they are cursed, they go on a tour! And wouldn't you know it a strange groupie shows up and people start to die..Hmmm..I wonder just why that is??
So if you want to the cold hard facts on this movie my friends it's about as cookie cutter as a film could get. Once this film start you pretty much know where it's going and what is going to happen from start to finish. Not that there's an overwhelming group of films about groupies, it's just even in that setting the director and the story stay by the same boring book every other paint by numbers horror/thriller film has ever followed before it.
Yet not all is lost with Groupie. The film has the man himself, Eric Roberts as the bands manager and Taryn Manning as the "groupie", so acting wise one could do a lot worse. I like to think that's what makes the film seem watchable, even if one could say it's barely watchable. I like Manning, I don't think she's that hot or anything special, but there is something I like about her to a point. She pulls of the role as one crazy bitch pretty well. Even the awful band members (or the main two we actually spend time with) aren't that bad as far as acting goes.
At times the films seems like a film that really wanted a bigger release than it got. One moment you see a scene and you think, "You know, maybe this could have been in theaters". Then as soon as you say it you see something very corny or just bad that makes you think again. But setting among the long list of straight to DVD films out there it may actually not be the worst you could see, even if you can clearly predict each twist and turn in the story.
There's some really dumb elements, the characters act like they have no idea what is going on half the time, there is little gore, and horrible rock in roll music. That being said, it can kinda hold your attention at times with some of the acting. It may be worth renting to see how awkward it is when Eric Roberts has to use the word "Dude". But I guess it's worth seeing for all the wrong reasons as it's just bad enough to be bad but not terrible.
The Conclusion
Maybe worth a rent but I'd almost lean towards skipping. Outside a few strong performances, it's nothing you have not seen one zillion times over. So if you want cookie cutter here you go. I bet even by reading this you can guess the twist and how it ends can't you?
The Rating (5/10)
hmmm maybe miss this even if it does have Eric Roberts in who I actually think is quite good, but I like a movie where I can't guess where its going and like you point out, this sounds as predictable as they come. Thanks for the post
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