Shrooms (2006)

REVIEW: Shrooms (2006): Reviewed by BRYAN SCHUESSLER

Paddy Breathnach directed Shrooms (2006) with a unique idea for a movie: Kids go off into the desolate woods to take hallucinogenic mushrooms and trip their balls off. Does that sound unique or over-used? Well, there is much more to the plot and the following additions may make this movie more than your typical slasher-fare I think.

The film takes place in Ireland with a group of kids that are friendly, but not all that nice to each other. You have your steroid-amped jock-o, your slutty prom queen type, your undercover hottie chick that is posing as a nerdy prude, your Jay and Silent Bob hippie-stoner (one of the characters totally looks like Jason Mewes), and the drug connection. This film’s characters are the standard assortment of kids that one would expect to get massacred, just like in so many slasher films. This film offers something a little bit different, which is loads of atmosphere and mood. I don’t think atmosphere and mood can always carry on a film, especially one that is not an art or experimental film. David Lynch is one that I can think of that turns pure atmosphere into masterpieces. Cinematography was done by Nanu Segal (director of photography) and those responsible for the Visual Effects were Sam Bassett (digital compositor), Peter Hartwig (digital compositor), Troels Hoe (digital compositor), Michael Holm (digital effects artist), John Kennedy (digital effects consultant), Alexander Marthin (visual effects supervisor), Patrick O’Casey (digital compositor). The Special Effects were done by Kevin Byrne (special effects supervisor) and Cliff Wallace (special effects makeup designer). I took the time to mention everyone listed in the credits because I felt the Visual and Special Effects were the most worth noting in this film. If more blood and gore was thrown into the mix, this film would have been a winner in my book!

The cast of Shrooms consists of Lindsey Haun (John Carpenter’s Village of the Damned, 1995) as Tara , Jack Huston ( Neighborhood Watch, 2005) as Jake,
Max Kasch (Right at Your Door, 2006) as Troy, Maya Hazen (Shutter, 2008) as Lisa, Alice Greczyn (House of Fears, 2007) as Holly, and Robert Hoffman as Bluto (Hoffman was in Pirates of the Caribbean , 2003) playing a skeleton- remember, no role is too small!).

Breathnach filmed a slasher film and threw in unique camera angles and tricks to visually give one an experience as if they were tripping from the mushrooms that all the characters took at one time or another during the film. There was a vague creepiness throughout the whole film. It did get a bit confusing at certain points in the film, though. One was not sure if they were viewing reality or just another hallucinogenic trip sequence. My other complaint, of course, was the lack of gore and blood. There were enough scenes in the film that showed murders that were cut short or edited before the viewer had a chance to see how the victim was taken out. I just felt that this film had so much potential, but it just fell short of being a really good slasher film.

The unique shots and cool camera angles and effects just started to feel monotonous and over-used. I felt the that by the end of the movie the film just fell flat. It was a porno film with no money shot! I felt robbed. I felt that the story of behind the film should have been “fleshed out” a bit more and explored. They really could have had a creepy character, maybe even an icon.

I am not sure exactly how much horror is coming out of Ireland, but it was nominated awards from IFTA (Irish Film and Television Awards, https://www.ifta.ie/) for Best Director For Film (Paddy Breathnach ) and Best Film. Ireland must be big on atmosphere and unique camera work. I am too, but in horror film there should be elements of terror, suspense, and blood and guts.

I have seen far worse slasher films than this one and Shrooms really was not that bad overall. It just could have been a great slasher film.

https://www.shroomsthemovie.com/