Movie spotlight
When the Dead Start Singing
At the beginning of 1990s, two Croatian emigrants, economically minded Cinco and politically minded Marinko, arrive in Croatia from Germany, homesick for their families and hometowns. In order to get a German pension, Cinco pretends to be dead and travels in a coffin. Soon, Marinko joins him because he is running away from an old agent of the Yugoslav State Security Service. On their trip in a motor hearse, Cinco and Marinko face many adventures, which culminate when they are stopped at Serbian barricades close to their destination.
Insights
Plot Summary
A former LAPD detective, haunted by a case involving a serial killer dubbed 'The Puppeteer', is called back into action when similar murders begin occurring. He must confront his past demons and race against time to stop a new killer who seems to be mirroring the methods of the original.
Critical Reception
When the Dead Start Singing was met with a generally mixed to negative reception from critics, with some acknowledging its attempt at suspense while others criticized its predictable plot and derivative nature within the horror genre. Audience reception was similarly lukewarm, often cited as a forgettable entry in late 90s horror.
What Reviewers Say
Lacks originality and relies heavily on genre tropes.
Performances are uneven, failing to elevate the standard horror plot.
Attempts suspense but is undermined by a predictable narrative.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce and generally reflect disappointment with the film's uninspired story and lack of memorable moments, often positioning it as a low-budget thriller that doesn't stand out.
Fun Fact
The film features several actors who have also appeared in other direct-to-video horror or action films of the late 1990s and early 2000s, a common characteristic of films produced for that market.
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