On Bloody Sunday (2007)
Isabel is a high school journalist who has stumbled into a frightening - and potentially deadly - story. Lately, the teenagers in Isabell's small town have been disappearing at an alarming rate. When Isabell learns that a killer known only by the online moniker of "Azreal" is stalking MySpace on a mission to punish amoral teens, the budding journalist enlists the aid of her best friend Zeek in hopes of stopping a relentless maniac. But "Azreal" is no amateur, because whoever this killer may be, they have clouded their true identity by constructing a complex web of deceptions and dead ends. When Old Springs Valley Detective Ramirez appears to investigate the case, the sleuthing teens fast begin to discern that they may be in mortal danger. Now, as Isabell carefully attempts to uncover the blood-soaked motivations of a mysterious serial killer, it's only a matter of time before she comes face to face with her worst nightmare.
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It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.
Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.
Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable
The movie really just wants to entertain people.
Christian Sesma's incisive screen play exposes the dangers of the internet as no other film ever has succeeded in doing. Powerfully directed by Sesma as well, this terrifically enlightening motion picture uses My Space as a platform for deadly terror against helpless teens. Such a mega social media center of communication is a revealed to be the breeding place for evil that puts youth at risk. Annamarie Pasmino gives what is undoubtedly the performance of a lifetime as an innocent young girl targeted by a hellish online predator. The suspense is almost overwhelming and the thrills unrelenting as the film peels away the layers of horror within the world wide web. The screen play pulls no punches as to how monumental the struggle is for law enforcement to protect and in effect rescue misguided teenagers from the worst threat of all: themselves. Nestor Rodriguez is superb in the role of a police detective tasked with resolving the internet maze and he does magnificently in showing the frustration and anger he feels. The film is ultimately a significant cautionary tale that should be seen by every parent and potential teenage victim.
Struggling high school photojournalist Isabel (a sweet and appealing performance by the lovely Annemarie Pazmino) finds herself in considerable danger after she discovers that a crazed and vicious on-line predator named Azrael (well played with fierce and frightening intensity by Mike Hatton) is conducting a bloody crusade against various amoral sinners he hooks up with on MySpace. Writer/director Christian Sesma brings a galvanizing hopped-up vitality and flashy stylistic panache to this tough, absorbing, and gritty tale of madness, anguish, and revenge. Moreover, Sesma warrants extra praise for his spot-on accurate presentation of the vicious high school pecking order, builds and sustains a substantial amount of suspense, and offers a vivid evocation of the sleepy small town setting. The startling moments of brutal violence pack a really nasty punch, with a painful castration set piece rating as a definite wince-inducing gruesome highlight. The strong and provocative religious subtext and savage take-no-prisoners tone both provide an extra potent kick. The sturdy acting by the fine cast keeps things buzzing: Pazmino makes for a totally sympathetic heroine, Yousef Abu-Taleb impresses as Isabel's loyal and smitten nerdy best friend Zeek, Kim Arfetsinger radiates real charm as the sweet Crystal, and Nestor Rodriguez does well as the quirky Detective Ramirez. Popping up in neat small roles are Danny Trejo as the referee of an underground fighting match and Ken Davitian as Zeek's mean browbeating grandfather. Steven Salisbury's grungy cinematography gives the picture an effectively raw look. The pulsating score by Mark Manning hits the heart-pounding spot while the roaring hard rock soundtrack seriously smokes in no uncertain terms. Recommended viewing for fans of hard-hitting indie fright fare.
After being inundated with emails about the post from Eko Beach about the movies title, I agreed to comment on it. The term "Bloody Sunday" is a media phrase given to any massacre occurring on a Sunday (obviously). The first was in 1905 with Nicholas II, the czar, of course the most publicized in Northern Ireland in the early 70's. And even Iraq's Bloody Sunday a.k.a BlackWater ( to name a few). So I thought being that these killings take place over the weekend and are uncovered on Sunday....There you have it. I apologize if it was taken as on offense. It seemed a fitting title to a teen slasher flick. I do know that anything can be construed and taken badly if one's out to do so. Being a Latino filmmaker, I could easily choose to take offense to a million and one things in our society. But ultimately I understand where people are coming from. So there you have it. Hope it helps clear the ground a bit. And again sorry for any misgivings. Thanks for the support and or the fuel.Christian