Horror movies are supposed to have several things in order to be successful. 
Attractive Characters.
Suspense
Gore (although depending on the amount of suspense, it may not be needed).
So, where does “Anniversary at Shallow Creek” stand? “Shallow Creek” stars Eric Fisher (“Sam”) and the attractive Brianna Lee Johnson (“Paige”) (Attractive Characters – Check) and follows them after events one year prior where two unfortunate souls find themselves on the losing end of a game they didn’t want to play. Sam has planned a nice little getaway with Paige and in typical horror movie fashion, finds unwanted friends tagging along ruining his good intentions.
Here is where the suspense comes in. Everyone starts getting picked off one by one by a crack shot with a rifle. Sure, not very creative on the ways to go, but it’s a sniper rifle and since a sniper can kill you from quite a distance, it builds the suspense greatly as you never know where you can turn, look or stand without the fear of getting a bullet in the head from 700 yards out. This really does have you on the edge of your seat at times, wondering where the next shot will come from. (Suspense – Check).
From the get go you can tell this movie is a low-budget flick, but I give credit to the director here because he apparently spent most of his budget on the gore effects, because they are awesome. Sniper bullets can clearly do some damage and they make sure you know it. (Gore – Check). Sure, not all the kills are from the gun but let’s be honest, how would that be fun if you couldn’t get up close every now and then?
As for the story itself, there are times when it drags a little bit and you feel like you are given filler just for the sake of filler, but what it lacks for in pace it certainly makes up for in gory kills. Even if some of the kills I feel are justified, simply because of the “horror movie logic” where people do things that NO ONE would do in real life and ultimately there are consequences for being an idiot and as such I am glad they had a balanced lead diet.
This movie won’t win any awards for acting or story and it shouldn’t. However, it is a great flick to sit down and watch with your buddies and in the end, which is what most horror movies should be anyway.
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