Paul Day II I haven't read the rest of the reviews but how does this rate 4.5?As one reviewer said, it's The Breakfast Club in the House of 1000 Corpses...and I'd add Come Back To The Five And Dime, Jimmy Dean. Bernadette, a lovely psychotic psychologist, plans a party murder mystery party for her friends...and then drugs them so they can't move. From there, she exposes their lies and hypocrisies. Sure, the fact that she's engaged in deception to know all that she knows and has her own hypocrisies doesn't make sense...that's why she's psychotic. In the course of the night, she shows the hidden videos of the "friends" cheating on each other, raping each other and spying on each other, while keeping their secrets. Throw in some mushrooms and general trippiness and what's not to like? The rock solid script takes you through the various sins with some excellent group dynamics and ensemble acting. Towards the end, Jules (the blond bombshell who's tripping) goes into a full blown hallucination which throws out an even more unsettling vibe with a gasp-inducing consequence. Everyone is spot on in their roles. Bernadette plays her insanity with a subtleness and restraint that could have thrown the movie off the rails. This provides the perfect contrast in the rare moments when she does flip out. Jules, too, shines in her role and brings depth to her party-girl persona. When I first saw her, I thought she was too pretty bring off the role but she fearlessly takes on the drug trip aspect and sells it brilliantly. All in all, it starts up quick and maintains its pace providing an amazing ride!

LasKeepsItReal The director debut of Danielle Harris the film Among Friends is her first offering in the horror/comedy genre.The story follows six main characters who get ready for an eighties themed party. When they all arrive at their friend Bernadette's house they take part in a murder mystery game where they go around looking for various clues. Once the group feel as though they have completed the game the lady of the house, Bernadette quickly drugs them all and straps them to chairs in the dinner room.It is then that Bernadette shows her true colours and informs the group of her intentions when her games take a twisted turn and before long she has them confessing their deepest and darkest secrets.The actress Alyssa Lobit who plays Bernadette does an exceptional job in humiliating each of her so called friends and successfully turning them against each other through not only a series of violent and sick mind games but also some video taped scenarios which expose their sins. She is prompt when informing the group of party goers on the lessons of their lack of morals whilst saving the best until last!I did expect to see more violence in this film although on the several occasions it does happen it is memorable. Bernadette herself does not have any real justification for extracting revenge on the group however another friend of the group Lily played by Dana Daurey, who is briefly mentioned early on does have a few things to settle particularly with one person.The film itself goes from having horror,comedy, thriller and drama moments so it has a little something that should please most viewers. The film progresses to become much more serious within the last fifteen minutes when one character who may appear innocent becomes the most guilty of them all!I would rate this film 6 out of 10.

trashgang I was looking forward to see the debut of Danielle Harris as a director. She should know what should be in a horror flick because face it, she's in the scene from her youth (Halloween 4 (1988)) until today and has been seen in a few classics within the genre. But I was left with a bitter feeling at the end. I liked it somehow but I also had a few problems with this debut.I liked the story and the way it was shown. But I had troubles with the editing somehow. It's clear that reaction shots were inserts and the inserts are edited to slow. The reaction of some doesn't fit into the fact or reason why they should react. On the other hand, the torture that we do see is okay and it all looked good but once one of the friends is tortured he or she just staid in the game. When fingers are being cut off or even one his testicles they all stay alive. maybe I don't get it and it's all part of this flick but for me that teared this flick down. It's funny to see Kane Hodder and Michael Biehn here in a cameo which is normal, Danielle worked together with Hodder in Hatchet to Hatchet 3 and her best friend is Jessica Blanc, who is married with Micheal Biehn. Due the way the torture and the afterglow was presented I also had a bit of a problem with the acting. Still, Danielle did well and there are a few rare scene's to see especially when Lily is tripping on paddo's. Is it a must see for the geeks of the genre, well, I understand that a few did have actual problems with Among Friends. It never really becomes gory and there's no nudity even as there are a few erotic scene's and the ending, there's a lot to say about that part too. Among Friends, you love it or hate it, sadly I'm in between.Gore 1/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 3/5 Story 2,5/5 Comedy 0/5

TheContorted Among Friends has some great things going for it. The story is interesting, the actors (for the most part) do a great job, and some of the directorial decisions make this a fun ride. The movie does borrow from a handful of other movies. Saw, Would you Rather, and Deranged being among them. But the movie distinguishes itself and is better than some of the movies it shares similarities with.However, as much fun as I had with Among Friends and as invested as I was with the characters and their situation, the ending kills this movie. Simply because there is no conclusion. The movie just ends. There's no reason for a film maker to not create an ending for their movie. As the viewers we've invested the time into getting to know the characters and anticipate how the story unfolds. It's the writer and director's job to make sure that the story has a satisfactory conclusion. Not always happy, not always straightforward, but an ending that makes me glad I invested the time into watching the movie. Among friends doesn't have this. I just felt frustrated, cheated, and completely unsatisfied.In conclusion, I can't recommend this movie. It's frustrating how much potential was displayed and then squandered.