Ten Minutes to Midnight

I really wanted to like this, the cast were great and shined through even in the most dull parts, but it just didn't work for me on any level. Nothing scary, the disjointed fever dream gave hints of descending into something darker, but never delivered. Williams was good, and most of the reason I watched this, but she can only do so much. The most amusing part of the movie was the professional critic reviews, they were all falling over themselves to say that it was for horror fans and devotees, a must see. But it really isn't. Interesting movie, but little true horror, and far too light on vampires for an alleged vampire movie. Another example of how disconnected most critics are from reality, too far up their own self-importance, and I question the integrity of their high rating.

Part vampire movie, part surrealist fever dream, part commentary on retirement and ageism (?), Ten Minutes to Midnight is an 80s-inspired bloody delectable mess. First, the title is fantastic — that along with the poster art is what placed this onto my watch-list. Second, Caroline Williams, an actress most well-known for her role in horror movies (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2) is fantastic as our perplexed, furious, hallucinating protag, Amy Marlowe. From the opening scene, we know that Amy is going to turn into a vampire… eventually. How that's going to manifest itself is why you stick around. At under 80 minutes, Ten Midnights to Midnight steps on the gas in terms of conflict (a recent grad student (Nicole Kang) has come ostensibly to shadow Amy, but really to replace her), she has two gruesome bite marks on her neck, she snaps at callers on her radio show, and begins to hallucinate all sorts of absurd, horrific visions. I especially enjoyed a few of Williams' screams (a true professional), the flashback scenes, and when all of the actors switch characters. I would've liked to have a little more closure for the film. What was real and what wasn't. But upon reflection, TMtM delivers as a violent, creepy throwback on a low-budget. Just enjoy it.

Oof. That was a tough watch. Just a clusterfart of concepts and situations. My girl and I both looked at eachother at the end and said we just wasted life on this thing. No excitement. No laughs. No sadness. Just an annoying movie.

I'm not sure what some of the quasi-philosophical stuff was, but all in all it worked a little more than it didn't.

Was kinda all over the place and nonsensical but the acting was good especially the character player Amy during her decent into madness 3.3

Bloomquist seems to be both utilizing ‘80s nostalgia and criticizing it. It's a nihilistic little film that also has a lot of hope. It's a cynical, bitter film that also has a big, pulsating heart. It'll rip that heart out and drink its fluids, but that's the fun of Ten Minutes to Midnight. Without the restrictions that sometimes come with a big studio and budget, Bloomquist has crafted something unique. From the opening moments to the abstract ending, Ten Minutes to Midnight is never anything less than wild. Full review on Back Lot 605: https://backlot605.com/ten-minutes-to-midnight-review/

Ten Minutes to Midnight introduces you to Amy Marlowe played by the effervescent Caroline Williams as the film's protagonist and Amy's core group of colleagues, friends and partners at a local radio station where she has had a thirty-year career and successful late night radio program. On the night where she receives unexpected news signaling an end to her career she ironically gets bitten by a bat..a rabid/vampire bat at the same time. Using the legends of Dracula and vampire history as symbols for youth and immortality, the plot weaves through Amy's past and present struggle with an end to a career, a change in life and a need to feel fulfilled that can only come within. The characters change faces but not names or roles showing Amy's worth having to come from within and the monster of time finding her before the vampire could. The movie weaves authentic horror with raw human emotion and themes that pulls at your heartstrings while also honoring the genre and the legendary scream queen's horror roots and heart. I recommend watching and asking yourself, are you happy where you are? where you've come from? What memory will you leave behind? And keep an eye out for any monsters while you're at it.

It takes a lot for me to mention a horror film's lack of subtlety — I'm usually more inclined to let genre films have their typical flaws and not even mention it. In this case, however, it felt like it was so overtly being hammered into your brain from the opening scene all the way to the credits. I really enjoyed long stretches of this movie, and I thought the performances were absolutely amazing. If only the writer/director had had a *little bit more focus* this film would've really shifted into a higher gear, which is the ultimate feeling you're left with by the end. There were so many ways this could've really gone for broke by making the majority — if not all — of the film a disorienting assault on our notions of objectivity & certainty. But instead we ultimately see every single narrative beat a mile away...which is just unfortunate. The most grave sin one can commit in a horror movie is being predictable, (or at least that's my major gripe with most horror movies made in the last 20 years or so). Horror *is* the best genre in all of fiction. Straight up. So why not lean in to it? Why would you want to tell a story in a way that kneecaps the impact of your film's central theme? It wouldn't have been difficult to make small changes that bring this up another notch. sigh.

The movie had lot of twists and turns. I wasn't sure how much they had to do with the plot but it had some interesting insights into Vampirism.

Another dark and twisty ride from the Bloomquist brothers. Throughout the film, you'll find yourself laughing, slightly confused, and at times, completely grossed out. Fantastic special effects and mind-bending twists makes this spin on a creature feature a solid horror film.