Review: TIN CAN MAN

Title: TIN CAN MAN

Year: 2007

Director: Ivan Kavanagh

Writer: Ivan Kavanagh

Starring: Patrick O'Donnell, Michael Parle, Emma Eliza Regan, Kreeta Taponen

Ivan Kavanagh's TIN CAN MAN is a pitch perfect example of how to use the limitations of low budget horror to create a genuinely creepy and disturbing film. The film isn't perfect but it's absolutely a success and well worth a watch.

Pete (Patrick O'Donnell) is just trying to recover from a rough day by having a quiet evening at home. His girlfriend recently broke up with him, confessing that she's met someone else, and his work life hasn't been much better as he's constantly getting harnessed by his boss. As he tries to forget the day he gets a knock at his door.

At the door is a man named Dave (Michael Parle) who is claiming to be his neighbor and states he's had an accident. Dave asks to use the phone and Pete allows him to do so. It's already clear that something is a little off with Dave but once he hangs up the phone Pete realizes that his already bad day has somehow taken a turn for the worst.

Dave begins to question Pete about the most random of things. Naturally Pete is thrown off by this and a bit confused. Despite this, Pete goes along with this. Eventually Dave becomes a bit aggressive. 

After this line of questioning, Dave admits to not be entirely honest earlier in the evening. He's not Pete's neighbor at all but there has been 'accident.' Dave then forces Pete out of the house as he takes him on a night he'll unfortunately never forget.

TIN CAN MAN is a brilliantly executed movie. Kavanagh cleverly uses extreme close ups and a fish eye lens to pull you into the film, leaving you to feel claustrophobic. This technique never feels gimmicky and gives the film a nice artistic style while helping to serve the story. 

Watching TIN CAN MAN I couldn't help me reminded of SPIDER BABY which is a great compliment. Both movies possess a level of weirdness that few other movies ever reach. The family element is the big kicker though. For years I've considered the family in SPIDER BABY to be the creepiest of all movie families. The family in TIN CAN MAN doesn't quite get there but it certainly rivals it.

TIN CAN MAN does suffer from a few minor flaws. The middle portion gets a little confusing and loses steam a bit before picking things back up at the finish. The minimal lighting, while effecting, does leave you wishing to see more in certain scenes. Still, TIN CAN MAN is a terrific horror film and one that I can easily see developing a cult following over the years. Check this one out for sure.

Rating: 4/5

Own TIN CAN MAN: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HEM1IR6?pc_redir=1403171751&robot_redir=1