Rarely have I ever watched a film where I kept saying to myself 'why did they make this film?'—but I found myself thinking this repeatedly as I watched "The Sacrament". It's a shame, as the quality of the film was actually pretty high—but the choice of subject matter made absolutely no sense whatsoever and I really cannot see folks wanting to see this movie —at least I hope they don't. I know I certainly cannot recommend it.

When "The Sacrament" began, I thought it was a variation on the story of Jonestown—where the basic idea of Jim Jones and the Guyana tragedy of the 1970s might have inspired the filmmakers. However, aside from changed names and having the film take place in modern times, it IS the Jonestown massacre re-enacted for the camera. Who wants to see this?! Now I do understand a dramatization, such as "Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones"—this was a very good picture that was made for TV about the life of Jones which included the mass killing and suicides as part of a larger story. And, I understand documentaries about it, such as the exceptionally well made "Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple" . But what I don't understand is changing a few names and simply re-enacting this awful tragedy for the camera--as well as showing us just about EVERYTHING!! Yes, if you see this film you'll not only see folks drinking poison and dying in foaming convulsions but you'll also be treated to seeing the Jim Jones-like leader shoot himself in the head up close as well as one of his more rabid followers lighting herself on fire!! And there are gallons and gallons of realistic blood, dead children and a mother slicing her little girl's throat! To me it didn't feel like a documentary or fictionalization but more of a snuff film that somehow might excite some sick viewers. Me, it just made me mad. Mad that they could exploit the tragedy and mad that they didn't change the script to make it INSPIRED by Jonestown—making it different in some ways. But, aside from a few less victims and a modern setting, it IS the Jonestown killings and suicides. And who wants to see that?! Who finds this entertaining or original?!

It's really a shame. The actors actually did a very nice job and the footage appears like hastily filmed stuff you'd typically see in a so- called 'lost footage' film. So, at least technically it is well done. But, unfortunately, so are the killings—too well done.

It's rare I say this, but this is one of the few films I have reviewed that I strongly recommend you don't watch and especially let kids see it. It just hits too close to home and seems very exploitive and creepy. And, morally offensive.

The journalist Patrick (Kentucker Audley) works at the VICE, a company dedicated to cover bizarre news. When his sister Caroline (Amy Seimetz) joins a community, she travels abroad with her new family. Out of the blue, Caroline invites her brother to visit her in an undefined country and Patrick travels by helicopter with his friends Jake (Joe Swanberg) and Sam (AJ Bowen) that work with him at VICE.

They find weird that the men that have come to guide them to the Eden Parish have guns. On the arrival to the camp, Patrick, Sam and Jake find a community of happy people that worship Father (Gene Jones). They interview Father but soon they realize that people are not as happy as they seem to be. Further, they find that they are trapped in the Parish Eden and they want to leave the place with the newcomers. But the Father does not have intention to let them go.

"The Sacrament" is a suspenseful horror movie with a music score in the beginning that recalls "The Twilight Zone". However this awful "found- footage" genre spoils the creepy story. The Dogma 95 has only 77 recognized movies, but this rip-off of the genre seems to be the easiest means to produce cheap low-budget movies in the present days. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "O Sacramento" ("The Sacrament")

PLOT SPOILERS

Jake goes to visit his sister in a remote area as she has joined a cult, you know the type that looks like they drink Kool-Aid. Oops sorry about that. He takes with him two friends so they can make this look like a hand held camera documentary.

This wasn't a real documentary. Did they have to end it the way I expected it to end from 5 minutes into the film? Ti West ever hear of a twist? Now having said that, the film did hold my interest. Even the boring interviews were well done. Then when they ended it all with orange flavor Koo-Aid, I had to groan...surely there is more....a twist...please!!! I need. I want.

Apparently this was done for a whole new generation that knows nada about the Jonestown fiasco which inspired this film.

Parental Guide: F-bomb. Implied sex. No nudity. No twist.