Goblin (2010)

 

Sometimes, while surfing through channels, you find a horror movie that makes you stop and go, "Hmmm... I think I'll watch this one..."  It makes you curious about what it's about, and whether it's any good.  Such was the state of things while watching TV with my Sister-in-Law... and "Goblin"...

Neil and his family have arrived at a small town hoping to start a new business and a new life.  Soon however, they realize that something's wrong with the town... and that something wants Neil's newborn son...

"Goblin" is a Syfy Channel made for TV movie that was filmed in the forests surrounding Pitt Meadows, British Columbia- which made it of interest to me, living in British Columbia myself.  From the title alone, I could tell that it was going to be a B-movie- and I wasn't disappointed.

For a B-movie, this one was entertaining and fun to watch.  The premise was actually interesting, with some decent plot points that made you think that the movie could go one of two ways.  I wanted to know more about the town, and the backstory leading up to the events presented.  The actual plot beyond the premise is average and normal a B-movie (especially a made for TV one), but was solid enough to develop some decent characters, kills, and humour.

While the teen characters are somewhat cliched, the core ones are interesting, likable, and believable.  The main teen girls- Tracy Spiridakos as Nikki, and Erin Boyes as her friend Cammy were enjoyable to watch.  I could see them being friends, and felt that they made a good team, with Boyes' humour balancing the more serious nature of Spiridakos' character.  Gil Bellows as the father, Neil was quite good too, and the chemistry he had with Camille Sullivan- who plays his wife, Kate made their scenes together above average for a movie of this type.  I also really enjoyed Charlie, who was played by Donnelly Rhodes.  The character was a little cliched, but still fun and quite likable.  His best scene is when he's talking to Bea (played by Chilton Crane) in the diner about "doing right".

Just below these actors, I felt that Andrew Wheeler and Chilton Crane as Sheriff Migreen and his wife, Bea were good and interesting.  Their characters were unique, and provided ample material for to contribute to the story.   Of the two, the Sheriff was the character that had the most depth, and Wheeler did a pretty good job in the role.

The teen boys, played by Reilly Dolman and Brett Dier- were, unfortunately, rather cliched, though the actors put forward a good effort to make them interesting.  The actors just weren't given alot of material to work with, as their characters were more or less monster bait.  I will admit that I was pleasantly surprised to have my expectations for Dolman's character, Kyle, pulled out from under me.  It's nice when a movie can surprise you in regards to the characters.

The only actor I had a hard time with was Colin Cunningham as Owen.  The character was cliched, and the acting was too.  During his scenes, I thought I smelt bacon because of the haminess.

As can be expected from a low budget TV movie, the camera work is fairly routine- though there are some great pieces spread throughout.  The editing and filming of the opening scenes was really well done, and I also really liked the scene at the convenience store with the two old female shop keepers. 

I was actually quite pleased and impress by the special effects for the kills.  There isn't a lot of blood splashed around, but you get to see some nice gouges, and innards spread on the ground.  A great example is when Neil finds Cammy's body... or at least half of it.  I was quite satisfied with the grue factor in this movie.

I do, however some some qualms with the goblin itself.  For most of the movie, it's in a black cloak- which look good.  The problem comes when it's face is shown.  It's CGI- and you can tell it's CGI.  I can understand using CGI for the climatic scene when it's cloak has been destroyed, but up until then, I think make-up would've sufficed... and possibly seemed more realistic.  It was a nice design and look- but as I said, it was rather obvious that it was CG, and didn't mesh well with the film.

Despite some flaws, I can honestly say that "Goblin" is a TV B-movie that I would definately recommend watching at least once, as it is fun and entertaining... provided you enjoy b-movies.  I wasn't expecting much, and was pleasantly surprised. I'm putting this movie in "The Bad"