Rating: 
Summary: A Real Sleeper-One of the Best Horror Films of Recent Memoy!
Review: "If I Die Before I Wake" is far from a typical genre effort these days. In an age of 'hip' horror films which provide neither the promised horror nor suspense, it's refreshing to come across this little hidden gem of a movie! Fully loaded with both terror and suspense, it is a far cry from most modern horror films and because of this, most genre fans will be very pleased with this little offering. Think back to the late 70's, a time of exploitation/revenge cinema. If you've seen Wes Craven's "Last House on the Left", you know what kind of film you have on your hands with "If I Die...", it's not nearly as good as "Last House...", but worlds better than your typical "Urban Legend" or "Dracula 2000" offering that has sent horror fans running for the exits in disgust in recent years. This film opens rather quicky, with an immediate home invasion. There is no character development before things get underway, at the start,we are plunged headfirst into a realisitc nightmare along with Lori-Beth (Stephanie Jones) and her very young sister Mary (Coryanne Sennett). Three thungs have broken down the door and entered their home, while Lori-Beth quickly and carefully hides her little sister and herself, we hear the intruders sieze the rest of the family, mother, father and brother. These scenes are unsettling without being terribly graphic, director Brian Katkin keeps the violence off camera choosing instead to focus on the terrified expressions of a frantic Lori-Beth and the young and terrified Mary. For the first half of the film, we follow Lori-Beth and her efforts to keep Mary safe, as well as find a way to get help. This is where the film is most effective, some of the scenes of Lori-Beth hiding from the intruders are heartpounding. Some of the moments where young Mary listens to her parents and brother being beaten in the next room are among the most unsettling I've seen in a while. During the second half of the film, the pace slackens, but just a little. We begin to learn a little about the attackers' personalities and learn that the one in charge is Daryl (Muse Watson, the killer from I Know What You Did Last Summer). He is the most threatening of the bunch and is clearly the biggest menace in the film. Of course, they eventually find out about the two hidding siblings and so begins a game of cat and mouse for the third act. One of the thugs is also overcome with remorse and befriends the little girl, which makes for a more interesting and tense finish. It also gives the villians a much needed human characterisitc which was severely missing at the start. In many ways, seeing this human side makes these characters more frightening. "If I Die Before I Wake" has a few uncomfortable moments, including beatings, rape and even sodomy. Although none of these moments are portrayed graphically, this may be enough to keep some viewers at bay. Seasoned horror vets shouldn't be overly bothered, but this film does produce moments of an unsettling nature for sure. If there are any complaints regarding this film, it's the villians. They're not quite as believable as the rapist/killers in "Last House on the Left", at times (especially at the baginning) they tend to ham it up and go overboard balooning up their characters into larger than life cliches. This is both disapointing and a bit distracting. Most of this film is so good that it's sad to see it funble in one of the most crutial areas. At 77 Minutes, "If I Die..." isn't very long giving it little chance to wear out its welcome. Overall, it's a mean little horror film that's actually scary and unsettling. This is a must see for horror fans, a welcome throwback to one of the golden ages of horror. It's a shame this great little sleeper didn't get a theatrical run, don't miss your chance to catch this one on DVD, it's really very good! Hats off to the cast and crew, you've made a horror film that's all too rare these days, it both scares and disturbs. Get this one along with the foreign chiller Funny Games for a night of close to home terror. To the viewer, consider yourself warned!
Rating:
Summary: A Real Sleeper-One of the Best Horror Films of Recent Memoy!
Review: "If I Die Before I Wake" is far from a typical genre effort these days. In an age of 'hip' horror films which provide neither the promised horror nor suspense, it's refreshing to come across this little hidden gem of a movie! Fully loaded with both terror and suspense, it is a far cry from most modern horror films and because of this, most genre fans will be very pleased with this little offering. Think back to the late 70's, a time of exploitation/revenge cinema. If you've seen Wes Craven's "Last House on the Left", you know what kind of film you have on your hands with "If I Die...", it's not nearly as good as "Last House...", but worlds better than your typical "Urban Legend" or "Dracula 2000" offering that has sent horror fans running for the exits in disgust in recent years. This film opens rather quicky, with an immediate home invasion. There is no character development before things get underway, at the start,we are plunged headfirst into a realisitc nightmare along with Lori-Beth (Stephanie Jones) and her very young sister Mary (Coryanne Sennett). Three thungs have broken down the door and entered their home, while Lori-Beth quickly and carefully hides her little sister and herself, we hear the intruders sieze the rest of the family, mother, father and brother. These scenes are unsettling without being terribly graphic, director Brian Katkin keeps the violence off camera choosing instead to focus on the terrified expressions of a frantic Lori-Beth and the young and terrified Mary. For the first half of the film, we follow Lori-Beth and her efforts to keep Mary safe, as well as find a way to get help. This is where the film is most effective, some of the scenes of Lori-Beth hiding from the intruders are heartpounding. Some of the moments where young Mary listens to her parents and brother being beaten in the next room are among the most unsettling I've seen in a while. During the second half of the film, the pace slackens, but just a little. We begin to learn a little about the attackers' personalities and learn that the one in charge is Daryl (Muse Watson, the killer from I Know What You Did Last Summer). He is the most threatening of the bunch and is clearly the biggest menace in the film. Of course, they eventually find out about the two hidding siblings and so begins a game of cat and mouse for the third act. One of the thugs is also overcome with remorse and befriends the little girl, which makes for a more interesting and tense finish. It also gives the villians a much needed human characterisitc which was severely missing at the start. In many ways, seeing this human side makes these characters more frightening. "If I Die Before I Wake" has a few uncomfortable moments, including beatings, rape and even sodomy. Although none of these moments are portrayed graphically, this may be enough to keep some viewers at bay. Seasoned horror vets shouldn't be overly bothered, but this film does produce moments of an unsettling nature for sure. If there are any complaints regarding this film, it's the villians. They're not quite as believable as the rapist/killers in "Last House on the Left", at times (especially at the baginning) they tend to ham it up and go overboard balooning up their characters into larger than life cliches. This is both disapointing and a bit distracting. Most of this film is so good that it's sad to see it funble in one of the most crutial areas. At 77 Minutes, "If I Die..." isn't very long giving it little chance to wear out its welcome. Overall, it's a mean little horror film that's actually scary and unsettling. This is a must see for horror fans, a welcome throwback to one of the golden ages of horror. It's a shame this great little sleeper didn't get a theatrical run, don't miss your chance to catch this one on DVD, it's really very good! Hats off to the cast and crew, you've made a horror film that's all too rare these days, it both scares and disturbs. Get this one along with the foreign chiller Funny Games for a night of close to home terror. To the viewer, consider yourself warned!
Rating: 
Summary: RING-A-DING-A-LING
Review: Hel-lo!...a telephone in the bedroom and she doesn't even use it? And this is supposed to be a smart person. Oh, silly me, I guess you wouldn't have a movie if she would've used the telephone in the bedroom to call for help. This movie certainly keeps you on the edge of your seat, but it's difficult to be fully engaged when you keep asking yourself why she didn't use the princess phone featured in the first scene.
Rating: 
Summary: So What's The Point?
Review: I just rented this movie and let me tell you it was very bad. First off, the girl didn't use the phone in her bedroom to call for help. (duh!) I also just loved how she would repeatedly lay in front of the OPEN bedroom door, and the killers would just keep walking by her, scene after scene, and never even notice her. The stupid girl who was the main character also kept climbing up and down the fireplace, while her brother and father were inside being killed. Hello! Maybe you should get yourself and your sister out of the house and maybe get some help? I also noticed how in one scene the girl has no shoes on, and then in the next scene she has shoes on. Skip this stupid movie! A waste!
Rating: 
Summary: If I Die Before I Wake
Review: It seems, from reading the reviews that are written about this film, that people either absolutely loved it or out right hated it. I actually found myself in between while watching this film for the first time yesterday. After reading some of the reviews here, I was browsing through my local dvd store and picked it up on a whim. Here's what I thought: The plot of the movie couldn't be more simple. A gang of hoodlums break into a family's house while they are home. They begin to terrorize the family while the two daughters (who the thugs didn't know existed yet) try to escape and get help. That's it. There's no backstory on any of the characters and the movie gets under way without and development at all. Most of the violence in the film is done off screen so we really don't get to see much of it, just hear it. And since there are no special effects, no set changes and pretty much no budget, what we are left with is the story, the characters and the acting. I felt the real winner in this little film was the acting. The girl who layed Loribeth was actually quite good. Coming off as very scared but determined. The main "bad guy" (done in meniacal fashion by the same "bad guy" in "I Know What You Did Last Summer") also was very convincing as the instigator/leader of the group. Most of the supporting cast was acceptable enough. Overall, the movie successfully comes off with a bit of a scared and tense feeling to it and does the job of making you interested and feel sympathy for Loribeth. I felt with a little more effort and maybe a few more bucks in the budget they could have made it into something much better, but it's a reasonable entry into a genre that doesn't get much attention nowadays....
Rating:
Summary: An insult to those who watch! AVOID! The worst movie ever!
Review: It SUUUUUUUUUUUCKED. It's an insult. Anyone who had anything to do with this movie should never be allowed to work in the movie business again!
Rating: 
Summary: Scary movie
Review: Ok, I've read some of these reviews...And i've never actually written one of these, but i have to STRONGLY disagree with the negative comments. First off, If you like thriller chillers, this is a MUST see! I can SAFELY say i'm a horror movie fan and I've NEVER seen a movie that has actually scared me or made me check the house every night before bed, NONE! And I can safely also say that i've never even yelled at the screen before, but this is one you WILL enjoy! And what makes it MORE enjoyable...Is that you can watch all the stuff that Smart people WOULD do...Not those people that would panic! It's GREAT! Oh...And the reason she didn't use the phone...Gah! Cause the man ripped it out'ta the wall and she saved her sister first People need to pay more attention to what they watch...Watch it twice people and watch how neat it is! Ok i'm done rambling...This is a MUST SEE!
Rating:
Summary: A MOVIE THAT GOT MEE SKEERED?!
Review: Ok, I've read some of these reviews...And i've never actually written one of these, but i have to STRONGLY disagree with the negative comments. First off, If you like thriller chillers, this is a MUST see! I can SAFELY say i'm a horror movie fan and I've NEVER seen a movie that has actually scared me or made me check the house every night before bed, NONE! And I can safely also say that i've never even yelled at the screen before, but this is one you WILL enjoy! And what makes it MORE enjoyable...Is that you can watch all the stuff that Smart people WOULD do...Not those people that would panic! It's GREAT! Oh...And the reason she didn't use the phone...Gah! Cause the man ripped it out'ta the wall and she saved her sister first People need to pay more attention to what they watch...Watch it twice people and watch how neat it is! Ok i'm done rambling...This is a MUST SEE!
Rating:
Summary: Scary thriller flick!
Review: This is a good movie. I added it to my DVD collection so we know its good :) .
But this movie is about a family of 4 (2-daughters, 1-son, mom and dad). Well it starts off when 3 burglers break into a home at night, the family was a sleep and the 2 - daughters were the only ones that were aware that there were some crazy people in the house. The Parents and son sure get abused and treated badly while the 2 daughters try to figure out a way to either save the others or the run away and get help. This flick will keep you off guarded and worth a watch. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars is becasue I am picky when it comes to sound quality and the sound was Dolby Surround,,, but kind of staticY,,,, so that why 4 stars for me.
Rating:
Summary: Funniest Classic I've ever seen
Review: This masterpiece was absolutely hilarious. I could not stop laughing at the terror the family endured from these responsible human beings. The three killers are modern-day American heroes. I recommend this movie to anyone who just wants to sit down and watch a nice movie with their family. If you like the Brady Bunch, then you will absolute cherish the film for years to come.... This heart-warming tale of one family's hope of survival will remain in the gentle valve of your heart forever. I should warn you though, there are a few scenes in the film that may bring a few tears to your eyes. This is of course when the demented Mary viciously attacks our beloved trio. I cannot begin to descibe the emotional breakdown I had when she struck the bald guy with a bat. This was a cruel act of violence and he did nothing to provoke this evil witch from commiting this heinous act. I don't want to give away the sad ending of this excellent film (some of the family survives.) I recommend you all pick up a copy. For [the money] you can't go wrong. I guarantee you will love this film.
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