Dead and Buried

[Dr. Briggs]

I'd heard about this one many a time before actually seeing it. It's been called a little-seen gem, surprising, and scary. After seeing it, I am disappointed to say that while I found it pretty surprising/mind-bending (the twist is heavily foreshadowed, but the motive behind it and the execution are rather out of the ordinary), it just was not a gem.

For starters, the acting was below par for almost everyone as I remember it, most fatally the lead (though my heart goes out to his loved ones all the same, considering he passed away recently. R.I.P.). For reasons that I won't detail as I still don't want to ruin the twist for anyone, the suspense eventually fizzles as it becomes obvious later on that there is a foregone conclusion to the film's rising action.

So, in summary, Dead and Buried is rather overrated for one that's supposed to be underrated. I expected more from a film by one of my favorite screenwriters, although as it turns out apparently Dan O'Bannon actually may not have had anything to do with the writing...

I give it a 4.5/10 for the aforementioned stagnant suspense, but a good plot, nice direction, and a score that haunted and depressed me (though it did not scare).