Quarantine

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 10, 2008

DVD Release Date: February 17, 2009

Plot 411: A reporter and cameraman shadowing firefighters responding to a call become victims with everyone else when the apartment building is locked from the outside and deadly force is used to keep them in.

Review: This is like a tribute to The Blair Witch Project and Cloverfield because it is shot with the same hand-held shakiness and documentary feel. Technically speaking, I think it's pretty awesome how the cast and crew are able to shoot long takes using one camera angle. As a viewer though, it's really disorienting and frustrating because you can't see what's happening. I guess you're supposed to feel as though you're stuck in the building with the characters. Personally, it's annoying when you can't see around a big fat head and the focus of the camera wavers in and out. Jennifer Carpenter, who I thought did pretty well in The Exorcism of Emily Rose, was also good in this one. Lots of screaming, running and shaky hands. Jay Hernandez and Johnathon Schaech play the firefighters. Basically the building's residents call 911 because an old lady in the building is screaming bloody murder. When the cops and firefighters enter the woman's apartment, the lady is foaming at the mouth and bites a cop in the neck. At some point, the entire building is locked up from the outside. Confusion ensues and people start dying.

Watch It: If you can stomach the wobbly camera without puking.

Skip It: If you don't like these faux documentaries and like your movies wrapped up in a nice package.

Trailer: