(2013) ***
Todd and Cammie are headed off to Todd’s family retreat, a remote home in the woods (aren’t they all?). Cammie, who peaked in Todd’s suitcase (jerk) finds an engagement ring and is ecstatic at the prospect of being proposed to in the idyllic setting. As the two settle in and start pounding the punanni pavement their fun is interrupted when Todd’s lower-class brother, Salinger, and Salinger’s skank girlfriend, Masha, arrive unannounced for their own weekend of skronking. Incensed that her romantic weekend is in jeopardy, Cammie insists that Todd get rid of them. Salinger digs in and declares that he is not going anywhere. As things begin to get heated the two come to blows and Todd accidentally kills Salinger with an axe. When Cammie is informed about this unfortunate event she concocts a plan with Todd to get rid of Masha so they can continue their romantic getaway in peace; she wants that proposal, damnit! All goes as planned until a group of Salinger’s friends arrive for a large party. Apparently Todd’s jerk brother made the plans without Todd’s knowledge. As the party is in full swing one of the partygoers begins questioning Salinger’s disappearance. Soon his Columbo-like sleuthing starts to pay off and Todd and Cammie are forced to kill more people to stay out of trouble.
Director Tyler Labine (Tucker and Dale Versus Evil) does a pretty good job balancing humor and gore. I do have a few nitpicks, however; Todd is so wussy that he’s almost unappealing which makes it difficult to empathize about his ruined weekend. Moreover, it’s not clear why Todd and Cammie would even be together. He’s Mr. Nice Guy and she’s a shrewish opportunist. The film’s biggest misstep, however, is the choice to bring Salinger back as a zombie to haunt Todd. Grating in life, Salinger is nothing short of irritating in death. Bringing him back as a zombie was completely unnecessary, the film was doing just fine without him. Still, Cottage Country moves at a brisk pace and it will hold your interest and keep you guessing about how it will all end up.
6 comments:
I like "skronking" better than the pavement one.
Dammit, JPX, didn't you review another movie with a very similar plot this year? I even recall a photo that looks a lot like the one you posted at the bottom, with a guy in the left foreground and a blurry woman in the right background, except she's holding up a target. Or did someone else review that?
Oh, never mind. Cat reviewed this too. I thought I was going nuts!
I was thinking "this sounds good to me!" until the unnecessary zombie.
Unnecessary Zombie! New band name, yes?
Agree with the sweatpantsed one, the unnecessary zombie is a deal breaker.
I totally agree with your entire review.
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