Day 9 2013 - REVIEW

This is one of those times I love being contacted by film makers who ask me to watch and review their films. Day 9 was written, direc... well, everything was pretty much done by Thomas Ryan. We see a lot of this these days with Indie film makers on an already stretched budget. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

Day 9 starts off like a lot of other films... a husband and wife (Melanie Ryan) are finally able to drop the kids off at Grandma's house for a little time to themselves, which would be GREAT if they weren't on the cusp of impending doom. Reports begin hitting the airwaves about people violently striking out at one another that ultimately leads to the Governor imposing a curfew on the state. Soon after, there is nothing but dead air and static and then hopelessness as the realization that the end is near sinks in.

The story is told mostly in flashbacks as we gets glimpses into happenings of the different days, then thrust back to Day 9 as we see how far the survivors of this apocalyptic event are unraveling. Ryan did a good job with the set up and dialogue of the film. For a first time venture, he took a lot of risks that ultimately paid off in his favor. The special effects makeup left quite a bit to be desired but I know first hand what purchasing those can do to a budget so I'm willing to forgive a little in that department. Besides, the end is the payoff for this film.

I'm quite confident that given a bigger budget and some more time, Ryan would be able to weave a frightening tale. It kept my attention and the ending had me talking to my TV so, to me that ramps up the points right there. Can't wait to see what they come up with next.

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