DIRECTED BY Chris R. Notarile
REVIEWED BY Mario Dominick
Nicholas Matthews was a young boy when he brutally bludgeoned his parents to death with a hammer. At his birthday party, his father observed him drawing a picture of a character called “The Doll Man.” Quickly institutionalized after killing his parents, years later, his sister (Niki Notarile) goes to visit him in the hospital to see if he’ll speak to her. Having not said a word since murdering mom and dad, Nicholas appears to be harboring something mysterious and dark inside him that his doctor is trying to figure out and understand. Who is this “Doll Man” and what did he have to do with the deaths of Nick’s parents and his bizarre behaviors that followed? Nick breaks out of the hospital, kills several doctors, nurses and security guards in his way and causes chaos and confusion by letting all the other patients out of their rooms. A detective (Brandon Slagle) and his partner begin investigating the rash of killings that proceed after Nick’s escape in which several victims are found with their heads mashed into bloody pulps with various blunt instruments (sledge hammers, golf clubs, baseball bats, etc.). Nick has also dawned a “Doll Man” costume which consists of a black shirt and pants and a mask made of white cloth with a smiley face drawn on. The “Doll Man” or whatever malevolent force that’s possessed Nick rampages across town until he finds his sisters (Notarile and Rachael Robbins). Can the detectives save them in time and defeat the evil that’s taken hold of Nick’s personality?
Methodic is a creepy, entertaining and stylish nod to John Carpenter’s Halloween. Considering Carpenter has been a big influence on director Chris R. Notarile, it’s no surprise that he made this a slasher with a story involving a killer who bumps off family members during childhood and then comes after his sister years later. Instead of being just a Halloween carbon copy, Notarile gave the film plenty of original elements to help it stand on its own, especially with the creation of the “Doll Man” character. Being called the first “Basher” movie, as the killer’s method of killing mainly involves brutal bludgeonings with blunt objects, was another fine element to help give the film its own unique merits. Charles Cyphers from the original Halloween even makes a cameo appearance.
The cast features several “B” horror sweethearts such as Niki Notarile, Rachael Robbins, Suzi Lorraine, and Zoe Hunter. That alone also makes it a very worthwhile watch.
The R-Squared Films DVD release of Methodic features an array of extras to keep you busy including a director’s commentary, behind-the-scenes featurette, outtakes, short film, trailers, DVD-ROM extras, and more.
For more info on Methodic, please visit www.blinky-productions.com as well as www.rsquaredfilms.com for DVD ordering info.
