Better Late Then Never

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

The Ghouls is a shot on video horror film about a man who freelances for local news stations. He drives around at night and films whatever terrible things he can find, then sells the footage. We see that this life is taking its toll on him, but we don't learn until later just how far he has gone.I was lucky to discover this movie without knowing much about it. I can understand how some of the reviewers who saw the DVD box at the store would feel misled. This movie was done on a very small budget, and the horror element (in this case, zombie-like creatures) does not play as big a role as some may have hoped. It is more about this man's torment. He is barely making a living, he witnesses the worst things that go on, he can't keep a relationship, and he has zero respect from his peers or employers. Even the paparazzi don't have this bad an image.When the cameraman happens to stumble on a woman being attacked by the sewer dwelling creatures, he sees it as his big chance to capture an exclusive. Supposedly, footage of one of the attacks will lead to a big payday and a better life. He tries to get his ex-girlfriend involved, but we find out she wants nothing to do with him: she discovered a tape he made of two children trapped in a fire. He continued filming but did nothing to help them.Eventually, while trying to find the creature again, his camera is stolen by a mentally challenged man who uses it to record a murder. The man gets his camera back and the footage left by the special needs killer makes him a success.For me, the movie was successful at creating an atmosphere. The scenes of L.A. at night felt more realistic to me because it was shot digitally. The soundtrack, which was full of ambient noise and some sort of freaked-out jazz, helped the mood along. There isn't much gore because that isn't the point. It's more about what a bottom-dweller this guy has become. I would compare it to the Tony Curtis movie The Sweet Smell of Success. It might not be as well made, but for me, it was just as effective at transporting me into the life of a man who makes his living off of other people's misery.

This is the worst movie I have ever paid to see. I love horror flicks, zombie movies in particular, but this wasn't bad in the good way, it was just bad. The cover for the DVD made it look pretty cool. I saw no creature like the one on the cover in the movie. The zombies were not scary at all. They danced about like the flying monkeys in the Wizard of Oz. The acting was abysmal. The periods without action were so tiresome that we ended up fast forwarding through the last half, stopping only to watch the ridiculous action sequences. The camera work was sloppy and you can tell that the equipment used was purchased on clearance from Mom and Pop store X a decade ago. Just look at the camera the reporter used to shoot his stuff! My aunt had one of those in 1991. This movie reminds me of the work of some kids flunking out of film school, or perhaps who are still in high school would do for fun. I am honestly surprised that ANY video store carries the title. They must not have watched it first.

Bluntly , Chad Ferrin does not deserve the feedback, time, or thought for this movie. He is a 33 yr old who was done odd jobs as a production assistant on several 'productions' (AKA fetching coffee while a friend of a friend shoots bad student films) who has now found a taste of success with this film. I like to think it hasn't gone to his head and is humbled by it instead of hanging out in star-bucks in a black turtleneck with his nose in the air.(generalization cliché acknowledged)It is not a good film, it is not original, clever, or insightful. The dialog, acting, effects, plot , lighting, camera work are extremely amateur. It is a shame that Blockbuster tries and saves money by space-filing their shelves with this kind of cheaply obtained fare. However , My utter disdain for this movie would be all but gone if I had caught a viewing of this as part of a series of student films projected in a local Indy theater. I would have laughed and cheered at the sheer silliness of it. Don't waste your time with it. IT is not camp or classic simply because it is of poor quality. Just let Chad Ferrin drift into obscurity and hope in 20 years they aren't releasing a directors cut.

My Tuesday started off like most, wake up, shower, eat a balanced breakfast and head to work. My day was somewhat routine, no ups or downs, just......typical. I left work a little stressed and while driving home, I got a flat tire and was forced into 30 minutes of extra work that I had not intended. I got home late, and then attempted to wind down. What would I do? Watch some TV? Eat a snack and take a nap? "Hey man, do you wanna watch this movie, The Ghouls?" my roommate asked. "Hmmmmmmmm" I thought, this could be a pretty good idea.Man was I right! I quickly forgot about the ills of my day quite quickly as I was cast into a world of depravity and horrible film-making. I was blown away at all the talent bursting from the seems in this picture, from the A+ acting, to the directing, most likely helmed by a retarded 7 year old, or the inane pacing that made my life feel so much better than anyone else's associated with this movie.It's a really comforting feeling to seek satisfaction through the misfortune of others. Kind of like watching someone fall and spill their drink on themselves. This movie was like watching a really arrogant skate boarding teen brag to his friends about the 720 he's sure to pull off, only to break his face on the unforgiving pavement.I cherish the thought that I may ever get the chance to meet the makers of this film, perhaps at a low caliber festival they are sure to play, so I get the opportunity to belittle their amateur efforts. Hey I'll even make my own festival and fly them right to me just for that chance.You remember when you were a child and you wanted to do something that your Father said you weren't old enough for, like hold your new baby cousin, or help carve the Thanksgiving turkey? All to spare you the obvious misfortune of failing. Well Father Filmmaker should have told everyone involved that "You are not old enough, mature enough, competent enough or talented enough to make this movie". The childish filmmakers would have sighed "Awwwwwww but I want to!" and then stomped their feet as they left the room. But it would have spared them the massive rejection that they must be feeling now.If I had tried to ride a bike for the first time and bailed as badly as this, I surely would have learned to jump rope instead. Makers of The Ghouls: Please for the love of anything decent and proper; seek another form of employment, because you will only get hurt if you continue. Film-making doesn't like you.