The Nevada Sagebrush

Although looked down upon by many, horror films like “The Ruins”, when done right, have a tendency to enter your head in such a drastic fashion that it lingers with you the rest of your life.

The films where guys take their dates and come out with dig marks in their arms are few and far between. Fortunately, producers Ben Stiller and Scott Smith (the writer of 1998’s highly underrated “Simple Plan”), have come out with a film that accomplishes just that, in what is by far the scariest and most blood-curdling film of the year.

The film starts off like most recent torture porn horror films. Two couples are looking for something to do on their last day of vacation in Mexico. A drifting stranger comes by and tells them of an archaeological dig he is going to with his brother and asks the couples if they want to go also.

Naturally, this being a horror film, they agree. Upon arriving, they are angrily sought after by locals who chase them up some ruins, while making it clear they will not let the vacationers leave. Soon, the couples realize there is something even more terrifying awaiting them.

One of the things that made this film work so well was the talent both behind the camera and in front of it. It was directed by Carter Smith, whose only other credit was a short documentary film called “Bug Crush.”The studio gets kudos giving him a chance to take on this project, as he can create tense situations as well as the most seasoned horror vets.

He also uses blood and gore much differently than I have seen from recent horror directors. He does not exploit it, he just uses it to capitalize on an already tense situation. I have noticed during other horror films that in most of the scenes with gore, the audience will cheer and laugh like crazy. During this movie’s gory scenes, all I heard and saw were gasps and hands over faces.

As for the actors, it is about time they take a movie like this and treat it seriously. It is a credit to all of them that I felt their pain when they were hurt, and that I was happy when they were happy. Credit especially goes to Jena Malone as Amy, who takes a role that might have come off as annoying and whiny in the hands of a lesser actress, yet she makes the things she does in her role seem plausible and sympathetic.

I should have known that a novel Stephen King himself called the best book of 2006 and was adapted by Smith would have come off this fresh and original. It does what every good horror movie should— make you think twice about going on an excursion while on vacation and, yes, make the guys sore from all the grasping of their arms by their female counterparts.

‘The Ruins’
Release Date: April 4
Director: Carter Smith
Starring: Jonathan Tucker, Shawn Ashmore, Jena Malone
Genre: Horror
Rating: R
Grade: A-

Photo from movieweb.com

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