Finale 2010 Beginner Level (Music Pro Guides)

I nearly stopped watching this movie in the first few minutes because they were slow. I decided to give it more time but found myself pondering getting up and turning it off throughout the film and only didn't because I had nothing else to watch. Unlike another reviewer I won't be talking about this for days, I'll be trying to forget it as soon as possible. Yes it had good visuals and reasonable production values. It didn't help.

I've been working on becoming a better reviewer the last few weeks, watching my favorite movies again, trying to see them through others' eyes, rewriting my reviews to make them more honest and focused on their worthiness to be or become cult films.I fell in love with Finale in the first five minutes. It had all the elements that tend to make me spellbound: a daring visual aesthetic, a bleak and gritty atmosphere, a fine attention to detail, and most of all a level of professionalism that you only see in films that are made primarily for love.There are strong religious themes at work here, there is committed acting, there is a lot of labor at play behind the scenes to create the notebooks of troubled young Sean Michaels, whose apparent suicide sets the film in motion.This film is challenging. As with most really good narrative, Finale makes a solid attempt at solving the Gordian Knot of exposition; how to make the plot clear without spelling it out—a corollary to the storyteller's law of show don't tell. Because of that, the viewer has to pay attention, expect the plot to unfold in ways we're not accustomed to but which are nonetheless deeply rewarding.I know that what I see as redeeming qualities in this film, many will see as faults, particularly when it comes to the quality of special effects and the adherence or lack thereof to traditional plot structure. But for those whose minds are primed to latch onto this film like mine are, you'll find yourself many a pleasant surpise.

More loose ends than a cheap wig and there was no gel to try and put it together. Watch at your own peril.

Finale has a unique look having been shot on film and truly captures some remarkable imagery that any horror aficionado will appreciate. Another low budget horror film that punches well above its weight and shows that when you approach a project with passion and love for the genre you will surpass your own limitations. Director John Michael Elfers first film is an excellent example of the genre I look forward to his next one.

I'd like to start by saying thanks to all you reviewers who marked this 3/5 and up. You really had me believing I would be missing out on the chance to watch a quality, low-budget film (yes, the two can exist simultaneously), instead...I feel compelled only to review this so that others don't fall into the same trap.That being said, let's make this quick and easy. The script is terrible-with a capital 'T'. The acting was poor-on everyone's part; just because you nail a line here or there, or pull off the right expression that is actually called for in the moment, that does not forgive an hour and a half of mostly missing the delivery. The story/theme/plot...well, I've seen some combination or another a dozen times. The only good things to come from this film? The director and the effects artist(s). The director has talent-that's obvious- interesting shots, a good eye for drama, but his vision is clearly too grand for the budget. The demon and the effects used to portray him, were actually impressive, and rightly creepy. These two things are about the only highlights of this film.I will also add that college/high school kids make for a very boring focus of this film (adults make for the best occultists ). However, I bet any drama student with a "wannabe" obsession for the occult would love it!All in all, I give one star for quality, but I award a second star for at least having the courage to not only make this film, but upon completion, having further courage to release it.*Nothing personal, just thought it was a crap film.*

Very well acted, and the characters make sense. The ending went on a little long. The ending is predictable, which isn't a bad thing in and of itself, but when you know what's going to happen (plus or minus one character's death), the ending needs to move faster. Creepy special effects. The characters are smart (well, maybe not the Dad), and believable, and made me care what happened to them.