SLAPFACE MOVIE REVIEW

Nothing says love like slapping someone in the face as hard as you can, right? I mean it’s not like it’s a sign of generational violence, or likely to provoke a shadowy witch(?) to murder a bunch of people, or anything, is it? The Screener Squad examines those very relationship dynamics in the new Shudder release, Slapface, written and directed by Jeremiah Kipp, and starring August Maturo and Mike Manning. Lucas (Maturo), lonely, traumatized, and still grieving the death of his mother, wanders the woods near the home he shares with his brother and guardian, Tom (Manning), who seems unsuited to being responsible for the care and well-being of a minor. Luca frequently visits a nearby abandoned institution, to escape his brother, as well as a set of twin bullies (Bianca and Chiara D’Ambrosio) whose merciless tormenting he tolerates because he’s infatuated with their hanger-on, Moriah (Mirabelle Lee). During his excursions, Lucas discovers a sort of urban (rural?) legendary creature with whom he develops a tenuous friendship. Given those elements, because it’s a Shudder movie, things can, of course, only go badly for everyone involved… Wright, Tessa, Marcos, and Lewayne discuss just how badly things go, as well as what works in this film, what doesn’t, and whether or not suggesting a game of Slapface is a suitable icebreaker in a budding young relationship.

WATCH HERE

DIRECTED BY: Jeremiah Kipp

STARRING: August Maturo, Mike Manning, Libe Barer, Mirabelle Lee, Bianca D’Ambrosio, Chiara D’Ambrosio, Lukas Hassel, Dan Hedaya, Alixx Schottland, John Backstrom, Mack Kuhr, Nick Theurer, Curtis Braly, Maha Maturo, Joseph DiGennaro, Stella Hollon-King, Larry Mihlon, Michael Thurston, Jason Perez, Marc Abbott, Debra Khan-Bey, Tim Dwyer, Tina V. Bickmore, Bryan Enk, Ilaria Malvezzi

 

YOUR REVIEWERS

 

Wright Sulek (Screener Squad, Digital Noise, Highly Suspect Reviews, Audio Editor)

Wright hails from the northern suburbs of Dallas, Texas. His passion for filmmaking brought him to Austin to study and make movies. Since then he’s had his hand in acting, writing, and directing his own short films with numerous like-minded film geeks he’s met along his journey. His newest interest has brought him into the podcasting world. He’s co-hosted a few different movie related podcasts such as ‘And Now This’ and ‘The Match Cut’. His current hosting gig is with longtime friend, Eric Samaniego, where they talk shop about the grimiest, trashiest, lost gems of movies on their show, ‘Trash in the Can’. Wright is also hosting reviews with Screener Squad and editing reviews as well.

 

 

Tessa Morrison (Highly Suspect Reviews, Screener Squad, Unstabletop Gamers)

Well-rounded nerd and artist, Tessa Morrison grew up in the misty mountains of West Virginia and was constantly ridiculed for being a “weirdo.” Then moved to Austin in 2009 where people said the same thing, but in an endearing tone. Tessa works an office day job, creates puppets and fiber art, cosplays, models for gaming and animation studios, and volunteers for various organizations. One of which is the Other Worlds Film Festival, Austin’s first SciFi film fest, working in the capacity of Outreach Director and programmer. Another is local DIY-comedy-wrestling league, Party World Rasslin’, where Tessa scrambles around stage-handing and doing art department nonsense. Wrote and contributed to website and magazine Strange Kids Club for five years reviewing films, video games, and Halloween candy. Co-hosted a Public Access show called Ladies of Fandom. Previously guested on podcasts Blood Over Texas, Threequel Club, Trash in the Can, Retro Movie Roundtable,