Trippin
Year: 2012
Director: Devi Snively
Stars: Zed Wilson, Nicole Buehrer, Heathyr Clift
Studio: Camp Motion Pictures
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 90 Mins.

Plot Synopsis:

“Trippin” is the feature film debut from director Devi Snively. She has directed some very entertaining short films in the past such as “Death in Charge”, “Confederate Zombie Massacre” and ‘Last Seen on Dolores Street.

The film is allegedly based on a true story, where one person survived. It follows six friends, who go on a road trip to an isolated cabin in the woods. There, they planed on spending the time to get high and have sex. But unknown to them, there is a mysterious killer stalking them. Soon, they start disappearing and the remaining survivors must find a way to find the killer, before he strikes again.

Film Review:

“Trippin’” is one entertaining horror comedy. Writer and director Devi Snively does a very good job with the way that she handled the writing and directing. One of the things that makes her direction good, the way that she approaches each scene. I liked, the way that Snively makes the scenes so far out. From the way the film was shot to the very trippy flashback sequence, the scenes felt like they had a purpose. You felt like that you were in a drug induced state than watching your typical slasher film. It helps the film stand out and your not feeling bored considering there isn’t much suspense than your accustomed to. I also liked, the way that Snively directs the cast. She allows her cast to add some personality to their characters, which was definitely needed for this film. You need characters to have personality. If the characters have a bland personality, then your stuck watching a boring film. The other thing that Snively does very well, she makes her cast interested in her screenplay. This was one of those films, where you could tell that the cast was interested and having fun.

Sinively’s also does a very job with the way that she handles the screenplay. What makes her story and screenplay good, the fact that this felt like a different kind of slasher film. Sinively does a very good job making this feel like a Kevin Smith comedy with the way the dialogue was written and the fact that it focuses on characters that you don‘t see in other slasher films. She does that, by adding humor when needed and coming up with an interesting story that makes you forget that your watching a slasher film. Usually you would see a killer chasing characters and blood go all over the screen, but this film doesn’t have that. Instead, this film has characters that are interesting and fully developed. That’s what I normally like to see, when reviewing a film. The other thing that I most liked about this screenplay, the way that this screenplay felt different from other slasher films. Snively doesn’t go the blood and gore route. Instead, she makes this screenplay more about the characters, the dialogue and the predicament they are in. It makes up for the fact that their isn’t any suspense. Still, your in for fun time.

DVD Extras:

First on the DVD is “High Hopes: Trippin’ Behind the Scene”. This felt like your typical behind the scenes featurette that documents the happening during of the making of this film. Sadly, there isn’t much is the way of cast and crew interviews. Next on the DVD is “Welcome to Deviant Pictures”. This featurette goes into the film company’s films and their upcoming projects, while adding a humoristic twist to the proceedings. It’s worth a look. The second disc contains all of Devi Snively short films. This is a very good set of short films. On the disc there is seven short films and behind the scenes of “Confederate Zombie Massacre”. My favorites on the disc include “Death in Charge”, “Confederate Zombie Massacre” “Raven Gets a Life” and “I Spit on Eli Roth”. Definitely check this disc out, if you intent to purchase this film.

Final Summary:

“Trippin'” is very good first feature from director Devi Snively, as she one director to keep you eye on. The film is horror comedy that is fun to watch and will get you stoned.

Film Rating: Four Stars
DVD Extras: Three and a Half Stars.

Alternative Cinema has send us over information regarding their anticipated 2 disc release of "Trippin", which hits stores on April 10th. The film is the feature debut for Devi Snively, who made the very entertaining short film "Death in Charge" a couple of years ago. DVD Features on this 2 disc set includes "High Hopes: TRIPPIN’ Behind-the-Scenes", "Welcome to Deviant Pictures" and seven short films including "Last Seen on Dolores Street", "I Spit On Eli Roth" and "Death in Charge".

Press Release:

An isolated cabin in the woods is the setting for Devi Snively’s refreshingly ironic spin on horror genre clichés, TRIPPIN’. A film festival favorite that garnered several awards including best screenplay, best actor, best feature and best score amongst others, TRIPPIN’ employs the classic “group of friends go into the woods and bad things happen” – replete with weed, booze and sex - to unexpected and outrageous results.

Synopsis:

Told from the perspective of the sole survivor, six friends road trip to a remote cabin in the woods with deadly results. A year later, the survivor meets director Devi Snively in a bar and offers the rights to his story for a case of beer and a role in the film. Trippin’ is that film. So, prepare yourself for a little sex, a little gore, some good and bad times with some good and bad buds. Think a bloodier The Big Chill for a Kevin Smith generation!

Available to digital and home entertainment markets for the first time, TRIPPIN’ is presented with behind-the-scenes material and seven of the director’s acclaimed shorts, including Death in Charge (sponsored by AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women) and Last Seen on Dolores Street (Comic Con 2011 Short Film Showcase).

2-Disc DVD Technical Information and Specs
Title: TRIPPIN’
Director: Devi Snively
Stars: Zed Wilson, Heathyr Clift, Ken Dusek, Jr., Nicole Buehrer,
Jake Perry, Lindsay Robertson, Circus-Szalewski, Marina Benedict (‘Torchwood’)
Production Company: Deviant Pictures
SRP: $19.98
UPC: 612385008696
Aspect Ratio Feature Film: 16x9
Number of discs: 2
DVD Format: 5
Rating: Not Rated
Audio: 2.0 & 5.1 Stereo Options
Total Run Time: 208.84 min

Disc Breakdown, Disc 1:
Feature Film TRIPPIN’ 87 min.
High Hopes: TRIPPIN’ Behind-the-Scenes
Welcome to Deviant Pictures
Total Run Time Disc 1: 104.77

Disc Breakdown, Disc 2:
Teenage Bikini Vampire Short Film
Confederate Zombie Massacre Short Film
Raven Gets a Life Short Film
Death in Charge Short Film
Meat Is Murder Short Film
I Spit On Eli Roth Short Film
Last Seen On Delores Street Short Film
Total Run Time Disc 2: 104.07 min

"Trippin" Official Trailer

Death In Charge
Year: 2008
Director: Devi Snively
Stars: Marina Benedict, Kylie Chalia, Gillian Shure
Studio: Deviant Pictures
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 15 Mins
Official Website: http://www.deathincharge.com/

“Death is Charge” is a very entertaining short film that has played in such festivals, such as the 2008 Rhode Island International Horror Film Festival and the 2008 Palm Springs Shortfest. The film was created, in conjunction with the AFI Directing Workshop for Women.

“Death in Charge, is about a grim reaper, who is mistaken for a babysitter and has to take of a nine-year-old girl, while her mother goes out for the night. Soon, the girl teaches her things that she has never experience, like playing video games, making macaroni and cheese, and the magic of sea munkees. The girl, then reveals some dark thoughts of her own and it’s up the reaper to make sure she does carry out those thoughts before the young girl does something that she regrets.

“Death in Charge” is a very dark and charming short. Writer /Director Devi Snively did a very good job with her direction. The film was entertaining, while being humorous and twisted. One of the things that was done well was Snively’s ability to the make the dark material that she written and the ability to direct this material. Snively’s direction was dead on, especially with the development of the bond between the little girl and death. I was sold on the chemistry between the two actresses, as it made this film very charming to see the relationship develop. Those scenes, in which the two are in, helps make this a very good film.

What also made this short very entertaining was the fact the Snively’s story was original and the fact that the characters were very good. One of the reasons’s for that was that they story focuses on a lot of issues like parenting, violent video games and the need to be loved. Also, the character development was very good. I thought, the development of the relationship between the girl and the reaper was very heartwarming. It was done that way, because she doesn’t try to scare you with this film. What Snively does is to make the relationship, as charming as possible. She does that, by focuses on the reaper’s experiences babysitting the young girl. Snively makes that character experience things like someone, who is experiencing it for the first time. It helps make the character likeable, even though, the character is supposed to be dark. This film also gets very dark when it begins to focus the relationship between the young girl and her mother, near the end of the film. I liked how she handles that. It’s an examination on society today with single parenting, the violence in the media, and the fact that a child can easily access a weapon, because of the parent’s stupidity of leaving it in a place where someone could have easy access. It’s issues like that makes the story demented and shocking, as well.

Death is Charge is a short that needs to seen, as it’s very dark but also heartwarming short that you will appreciate.

Review Rating: 5 Stars

Upcoming Screenings:


Sun. Dec 21st. 7PM. I-75 Film Series Mcgeady’s Town Pub Theater, Monroe, MI