Deadtime (2012) User Reviews

Worst of 2012 as 18th august.....

[FlashCallahan · 1/10 · 18 August 2012]

A band are ordered by their unhappy record company to an old post office, the goal being to re-start their ailing careers with a new promo video.

Unfortunately the band and their entourage find themselves targets of a mysterious knife-wielding maniac, haunted by the voice of Satan, and for some reason out for revenge....

Within the first two minutes of the band arriving at the warehouse, it's evident who the killer is. He may as well have wore a T Shirt saying it's me, rather than use the awful theatrics he does throughout the movie.

There are a couple of plus points in this dog of a film, Terry Christian and Leslie Grantham pop up in the first five minutes in silly cameos, which are both really archetypal of their personalities, but a little fun.

Then the film goes plummeting downhill.

The acting is dire, none of the characters are likable, and the fact that the main guy Zack is a little eccentric, gives the game away a little.

The actor who plays him is trying to be like Russell Brand, but really misses the mark and turns out more like Joe Longthorne.

and to top it all off, there is the most ridiculous scene featuring the drummers uncle giving him some advice, thretening him, calling him a good lad, and going away. There was no reason for this at all, and just felt really out of place.

The rest of the borefest, is the killer dressed as Scarecrow, kiliing people with really poor CGI.

It's most definitely the worst film I have seen this year, and in my all time top twenty bad movies.

Even By The Low Standards Of The Genre This Is Very Poor

[Theo Robertson · 2/10 · 23 March 2014]

Love Meets Murder are a band who are failing to sell records . Their manager has a word with their record label who come up with the bright idea to do a promo video at a deserted warehouse somewhere in the Midlands . While the band and their entourage are making the video a murder takes place and it soon becomes clear that this murder will be the first of many

DEADTIME cost a grand total of £25,000 to produce so it deserves some congratulations . It was also filmed in Wednesbury and anyone who feels the need to stay in the English West Midlands is a braver man than me so again congrats to the production team . This will be the only praise they shall be getting for making this unlikable little monstrosity

When you watch a film and the only positive you can say about the characters is that they're not as bad as the mad serial killer that's not much of an endorsement . The whole idea is to make you empathise and understand the characters and their predicament . Watching these self centered slags taking drugs and have it off is slightly alienating . The last vestiges of any sympathy I might have had for them as soon as they found the body of the first murder victim where they had two choices to make

1 ) Leave the warehouse

2 ) Carry on making their promo

Guess what option they choose ? Worse than that it's set in the present day( 2012 ) as far as I know and yet not one single person seems to have brought a mobile phone with them . Very disadvantageous if you need to call the police and tell them you're getting stalked by a madman waving an axe about . This entirely sums up the clumsy ill thought out scripting of the story where common sense is totally ignored and if the screenwriter can't be bothered why should the audience be ?

The biggest piece of...

[Leofwine_draca · 2/10 · 7 June 2015]

...nonsense you'll have seen in a while. DEADTIME is an affront to the British film industry, a total waste of time and money for all involved (not talent though, because there's no talent gone into this) and one of the very worst films I've seen in a good while. I always seem to be saying that, but this really is poverty row stuff, with no redeeming values whatsoever.

The 'storyline' sees the talentless members of a music group set up shop in a rambling old mansion ready for a new shoot. While there they fall prey to a masked, knife-wielding maniac who offs them one by one. Even worse, the psycho killer may well be one of their own, killing them due to one unknown grievance or another.

To say that this is poor is to understate matters, because it doesn't get any worse than this. We get acting that ranges between the stilted and the completely over the top, with no middle ground. The narrative that involves characters pairing up and going off to have sex before being slaughtered in unappealing death scenes. There's unpleasant sexual violence, some absolutely awful CGI gore effects, and a couple of one-scene cameos from Terry Christian and Leslie Grantham apiece. It's an amateur hour production that should be avoided at all costs.

Not so bad, but not so brilliant

[malconnor12 · 4/10 · 19 May 2012]

I got this yesterday and read all the reviews this morning and thought I'd say my own little bit.

I have to agree with it on some points,the first being the acting. In places the acting is horrendous and I don't see how some of these people were cast. Notably,the females. All of them were awful and I was actually angry that two of the worst survived,but at the same time relieved one of them was stabbed.  The leading man (i think he's the band manager jimmy) was dreadful,he made me cringe where I can sometimes turn a blind eye and have a snigger but he seemed completely out of his depth and would have been much better in a badly acted porno.  I think some of the performances,because the worst actors seem to be on screen more it drags the others down. Fear not thou as there are some great performances from some unseen gems like the twisted lead singer Zac, the shirtless thug Mike and the Comically camp Nigel! Not forgetting the entertaining, yet short lived role of the studio owner with the yellow teeth. These guys keep the film alive and make you realise it's not all that bad. I Just wished they had more screen time as the worst actors were over used.

There was some nice cameos as well, most notably the horrible 'Dirty Den' from Eastenders who played a quick yet effective role.

The film dragged, much too long and could have easily finished 15 minutes early. Once the killer was revealed it just dragged and dragged with some annoying girl running round like a headless chicken (would have been lovely to see such an annoying actress meet a grizzly death).

The soundtrack is brilliant for an independent film. I really enjoyed the music although one track was over used time and time again to create suspense, it was great first time I heard it but I felt myself saying 'not again' when hearing it again. The bands song is very catchy and entertaining.

The locations were great, and for a small budget production they utilised them for effectively. Talking about small budget, you can see this from the blood and guts as 95% of it is CGI, and in some parts its noticeable but still good considering.

Overall, I take my hats off to all involved including the bad performers as they often make an entertaining bad horror movie. I wouldn't watch it again but things like this are always worth watching for a quick laugh.

A truly British horror of a movie

[pigmoney · 1/10 · 30 July 2014]

This truly is a British horror of a movie, which makes the viewer endure more than any person should. The only shocking thing throughout is the acting and the sooner the cast were killed off the better, none were believable and possible to like or dislike in any way.

It was a relief when the poor ending arrived and I could turn the TV off, understandably you might be wondering why I saw it through to the end, I too am surprised. This may be the movies redeeming feature, although I will never repeat this mistake. There is a place for rubbish movies on the TV but this may have overstepped the mark.

There was a total lack of imagination in this film and considering the real talent in the British film industry I cannot understand how this ever got made. Don't waste your time.

Poor

[neil-476 · 4/10 · 22 December 2013]

A rock band go to a deserted industrial warehouse to shoot a promotional video: a slasher in a sack mask proceeds to kill people one by one.

This British slasher/last man standing film features soap star Leslie Grantham in a brief cameo and buckets of fake blood. Those are the only reasons for seeing it (if, indeed, they are reasons for seeing it).

And they pale into insignificance next to the reasons for not seeing it which include - but are not limited to - bad script, worse acting, unconvincing killings (the only reason for the film to exist) and poor image quality and cinematography.

This is one to be avoided.

a DEAD good TIME!

[tjason432 · 8/10 · 8 June 2012]

Deadtime is an Independent British slasher pic, helmed by a first-time director with a first-time cast on a first-time budget which, against all the odds, manages to deliver a more than acceptable post-pub viewing experience, and hints at bigger things to come from all involved.

Alex Hanly brings just the right mix of vixen-like sexuality and credible vulnerability to the key roll of Katie, Carl Colman does himself proud as the essential everyman viewer-conduit; Laurence Saunders is enjoyable as Zack, the staple Jack Nicholson hot-head type; and John R. Walker is a bona fide scene-stealer in the underwritten but memorably played supporting role of Rupert - the campy PR guy.

Boasting a polished production style that transcends its financial shortcomings, and a director with his finger poised firmly on the pulse of the horror genre, Deadtime delivers a big bang for your small buck - a DEAD good TIME indeed!

Rollicking Good Fun!

[lordbalhamglitterproduct · 7/10 · 24 May 2012]

This rollicking film sizzles with energy; a boisterous romp of pure Brit' horror. OK, it's low budget, OK, it's got it's flaws, but go with it as viewer wanting entertainment, not a grizzled critic that hates everything. Some familiar faces, some lovely moments and overall it's a high octane, tongue in cheek British comedy horror film that is played for laughs. There really is some great music here with some great performances and great effects and the overall cocktail adds up to a scenario that draws you in and sustains your interest. I watch a lot of horror movies and this one has a few rare things - atmosphere and a sense of fun. Enjoy it for what it is and have a giggle.

DO OR DIE FOR "LOVE MEETS MURDER"

[nogodnomasters · 7/10 · 14 August 2018]

Birmingham's hottest rock band is going through a "transitional phase" with a new guitarist. With their last album being a flop, the record company is reluctant to spend any money on them. They compromise by allowing them to record a low budget video in an old studio, one that is a bit primitive with bars on the windows and only one exit. Nigel (Adam Fray) the director brings in girls who add to the conflict.

The idea is to create or recreate the band's "primal energy." From the start you know something else is in the works for the band from the coded and secretive talks that the director and their manager (Carl Coleman) hold. As you know from the description, a hooded slasher enters the locked studio with no cell reception.

Fairly good integration of sex, slashing, and rock and roll...although we have seen better. Laurence Saunders is no Gene Simmons, still a decent film for those who love rock and roll slashers. Better than "Slumber Party Massacre 2", not as good as "Trick or Treat".

Drug use,F-bomb, sex, nudity (Alex Marieka Hanly, Emily Welch, Elle Wood)

Brutal Bloody and British!

[a-degroot · 7/10 · 3 June 2012]

I'm sorry but found Deadtime very much an entertaining movie! This Shocker! Rocker movie ticks all the right boxes and some, it's quite funny in parts too. With a couple of interesting cameo performances particularly from Leslie(Eastenders)Grantham, Terry Christian and Joe (Sherlock Holmes)Egan who all add to the mix of this delicious BLOODY yarn. The basic story line is a rock band well past its sell by date and now a burden to its record company, are giving one more chance to make good on their contract. So are sent to a warehouse to shoot a promo for their forthcoming musical release, which they hope will resurrect their careers. Unfortunately the desolate location is a 'Psychos wet dream' and all hell breaks loose when a murderer decides to join the shoot. It's Brutal, Bloody, British Indie Movie Extraordinaire, for starters the budget wouldn't even cover the transport taxis on a Hollywood movie. Bearing that in mind this movie is a triumph on many levels firstly it pays homage to the slasher genre credibly, its full of fast, fun and furious BLOODY frolics. Not to the mention the Blood and Guts and there is lots of it! Did I mention its gore? It was rumourer that it even had to be censored at a R rating due to some really gruesome Killings in the movie, what bloodier than this? Well the D.V.D extras may be worth a look at if you fancy even more blood. Before I start slating the movie or its actors which a lesser more cynical, malicious or possibly even agenda driven critic might to choose to. It's worth mentioning the performances are both credible and believable for the genre with some exceptions of lesser characters. That blip aside Jimmy the bands manager played by (CarlColeman)the lead fronts the film with refreshing honesty as an Idealist who loves music, but not the industry and believes in his band. Anji his girl friend (Elizabeth Shalavi) adds a bit of comedic northern spice to the mix and not forgetting Zac (Laurence Saunders) who's performance is also witty and sharp. This trio all shine above the rest, also the castings of Carl Coleman and Elizabeth Shalavi movie are bold as they are refreshing both leads are black think (Hunger Games) but this shouldn't be about race but end results. So leave your brains(PUN) at the door, get the beers, snacks, popcorn in and have a good night in and believe you me, it's highly likely you will enjoy this movie. My only criticism is it should have been released for HALLOWEEN!

Slippery Slapdash Slasher Shines Slightly

[BobforTrish · 6/10 · 25 April 2015]

Director Tony Jopia and writer Stephen Bishop bring us DeadTime, a rock 'n' rollin' British entry in the slasher genre.

Love Meets Murder are a 'rock'n'metal' band whose last album flopped. Given one last chance of redemption, they are whisked away to a studio in the Midlands to record their 'magnum opus'. Along with their manager and PR team making the accompanying video, they are locked inside for the weekend...

The opening of this film disingenuously states that it stars both Leslie Grantham, an actor probably most famous for his role in EastEnders, and Terry Christian known more for being a TV presenter. Neither of them have roles of any particular significance and are not seen for more than the opening few minutes. similarly, Joe Egan the boxer-turned-actor, turns up later in a cameo which adds nothing to the storyline. Added to this is the appearance of Ian Hill from the group Judas Priest.

Regardless of the above-mentioned cheap selling points, viewed simply as a slasher movie, this is a fair effort, the high points being the over-the-top performances from Laurence Saunders as the madly murderous Zack and John R. Walker's equally outrageous camp performance as Rupert. There are a requisite number of gruesome deaths with some nice variations on the theme. The location, supposedly a former post office, has a nicely spooky feeling to it with lots of floors, corridors and interconnecting rooms.

Disappointingly, not all of the acting is up to a suitably high enough standard to lift this film into the realms of great slasher movies. The cast are not helped by a script which requires them to spend most of their time simply swearing and shouting at each other. Along with the lack of coherence in dialogue there are also huge plot holes which simply cannot be glossed over. Slack editing has led to a slightly overlong running time of 98 minutes of which the first hour, prior to our slasher being revealed, appears to linger, the tempo suddenly increasing along with the excitement of the chase.

Other reviewers more harshly critical of this attempt than myself may like to bear in mind that the budget for this film was a mere £25,000. a fair effort in the circumstances.

Good old schlocky slasher with a British taint

[headsign · 6/10 · 23 August 2012]

I really have to break a lance for this highly underrated movie. Deadtime is an amusing slasher that picks up the tradition of the genre, as established somewhere between the 70's. It doesn't ask to be taken seriously for one second and features some decent performances and dialogs. Although the story and sceneries aren't shy to refer to classics of the genre, it features a very own twist and thus escapes the trap of being a single patchwork of past successes. the music is good, the figures quite believable as a Rock'n'Roll band and they are obviously having lost of fun in the production. The effects are decent on regard of this being a low budget production and I really had quite some fun.

Now a little word on the side: obviously, many people rated this movie with one or two stars out of ten: these people should take a moment and think about how much worse many productions are and this also include some high budget ones. If this movie deserves the lowest note, we would have to introduce an additional minus scale for some other movies, so I can't take any judgment seriously that doesn't give it at least 3 stars. (Besides I suspect that some puritan crusaders are just spending their free time cruising IMDb to give any horror movie the lowest rating, regardless of its quality).