K is For

I have to admit that I am no fan of reality television. I don't like to watch idiots be rewarded with fame and fortune for being absolutely worthless leaches who contribute nothing to society. The whole trend started years ago with an MTV show called The Real World. The concept was pretty simple, though actually revolutionary for the time. Take 10 or so people who don't know each other, put them in a house together, and see what happens. The concept proved so successful that the show has lasted nearly 20 years. (I think it's still on.) It has also spawned numerous knock offs like Big Brother, and others I'm too lazy to Google.

Kolobos is an independent film made during the time period of this nascent genre. At the beginning of the film, the camera acts as the point of view of a woman who has been mutilated and traumatized. She is accidentally hit by a car and taken to the hospital. During her stay, she flashes back to the events that have brought her to this point.

Answering an ad in the newspaper for 5 outgoing actors, Kyra and others arrive at a large house that is wired for video and sound. Her and her new roommates will be allowed to do whatever they want, as long as they are filmed doing it. The house is filled with a bright alternative chick, a moping college guy, a B movie actress, and a failed comedian. During their first night at the house, it becomes apparent that things aren't going so well in Kyra's head. She is having hallucinations and hearing voices. Meanwhile, the others are watching a cheesy slasher flick starring our actress.

When they become bored with the film, fun alterna girl runs to the kitchen for a soda. Out of nowhere, she triggers a booby trap with ends up with her holding her entrails on the kitchen floor. The doors and windows suddenly become shuttered and the lights turn off. It seems that someone has a bigger show in store than they first thought. The group panics as they try to escape their entrapment. They dodge traps and a mysterious man who picks them off one at a time.

The film is an independent, i.e. low budget, but it actually manages some strong cinematography and plenty of gore. The acting, while not Oscar caliber, gets the job done. The biggest thing preventing this film from achieving any sort of success is the cover box. I passed by this DVD a hundred times because it looked like some late night Skinimax movie that might have a kill or two in it. Don't let that fool you. Kolobos is actually a pretty entertaining film.