Millions witnessed Philip Markham's (Edward Furlong, Terminator 2: Judgment Day) public humiliation when he got dumped by Catherine, the beautiful star (Jaime Pressly, TV's My Name Is Earl) of a popular dating show, and no... more »w--several years and reality series later--he wants revenge. After taking Catherine captive, he lures nine unsuspecting co-eds to her luxurious mansion in the middle of nowhere, trapping the contestants in his own sick version of reality TV--where the challenges are bizarre, the danger is real and death is just a competition away.« less
"Cruel World is a low budget scary thriller more than horror movie that works. Not much titillation (just skimpy bathing suits), not much gore and splatter, but an original story and a competent cast that make this DVD a good watch.
Creepy guy is cheesed off at having been rejected on a Jane Millionaire show and sets up his own real reality show where a contestant is voted off and then offed.
The story has a new twist or two, the movie is well-made, and, unlike many of the genre, does not waste a lot of time or the viewer's time.
"
Okay thriler
Gregory L. Hennessey | NJ, USA | 11/30/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"When I bought this movie I had never heard of it. I'm not sure if this even came out in theaters or not, but since it's only $10 I figured why not. This movie is mostly lame. There are some good moments. Edward Furlong's acting is pretty good and sadistic.
There are absolutely no bonus features at all. The only menu is a pop up menu to use while the movie is playing. Still it's not so bad for the low $10 price tag."
Cruel Scam
Matt | Denver, NC | 05/09/2009
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Cruel false advertising is what THIS is. Put Jaime on the cover (Wearing something she never wore in the movie) with a shadowy monster figure in the background, and everyone will think it's a cool new-age horror film. Hopefully everyone can see through the lies the cover holds, including the fact that Jaime is in this for less time than any other character in the movie. Aside from that, the movie is a lame use of a special FX guy's talent. In this scene we'll lob a head off, and none of the characters will even flinch. How about a finger? Don't worry, he'll just bandage it up and be all right. I hate you Kelsey T. Howard. You're a punk."
He Wants You To Feel His Pain
Richard Ross | 06/29/2009
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Phillip (Edward Furlong) is a little unstable since he was rejected on live T.V. on some dumb dating show. He's waited years to get his revenge on the girl (Jaime Pressly) who humiliated him and after murdering her he moves into her mansion where he lures nine unsuspecting people to participate in his own twisted reality show. Thinking they are appearing on a "Survivor for College Kids" type show where they can win a cool $1 million, the kids have no idea the danger that lays ahead. Like any actual reality show the kids all fit stereotypes: the Southern guy is a hick farmer, the Southern gal is the most promiscuous, the Gay guy is the cattiest, the Asian is skilled in karate, and the Latina curses out her competitors in Spanish. The stud (sleazed to perfection by Andrew Keegan) actually tells the girls that he's the guy their mothers warned them about. The challenges include locking themselves in coffin like crates and fumbling around in green goo until they can unlock themselves from the inside. Those who lose are "sent home". Things go from gross to gory as challenges grow to include carving raw, bloody meat from a hanging cow carcass and then eating it. The movie's pretty gross but it's also a lot of fun. There are three really hot girls (Laura Ramsey, Sanoe Lake, and Aimee Garcia) and Keegan is debauched perfection. Furlong is hilarious and Daniel Franzese, who plays Phillip's slow brother Claude, is wonderfully weird. These two make the movie worth a watch. The film ends on a cliffhanger that sets up the possibility of a sequel but I doubt that's gonna happen any time soon. Worth a watch whenever it's on late night cable."
Great idea, love the actors, but...
*Maureen* | West Haven, CT | 02/18/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"honestly i bought this movie because the concept sounded different and the actors although not "popular" per say are some of my faves (andrew keegan!!!) as a previous post stated the execution of the movie could have been better yet it is still an original idea about a reality show loser who retaliates by creating his own reality show where the voted off members actually get killed off. if you like the actors edward furlong, andrew keegan then buy this but if your looking for an "awesome" movie that your going to watch over and over again this is not that movie. also jamie pressly pulls a drew barrymore (think scream). they make her seem like the star but shes gone within the first ten minutes."