Borderland (DVD, 2008)

In Texas, a party is on a beach with a pair of friends. Henry and Phil, are wondering where a third, Ed, is. The next morning, they find Ed sitting on the sands on the far side of the beach. The trio are facing their last days together, their last hurrah before heading off to their respective graduate schools. So they head for the border for booze, drugs, and sex. They drive across the line into Mexico for some unadulterated, unregulated fun. Never in a million years could they have suspected what lay ahead of them, what fate would hold, and what horrors they would encounter.

One day will tripping with some girls on mushrooms at a carnival Phil wins a giant teddy bear that he wishes to give to the teenage prostitute that had been chosen earlier to relieve young Phil from his virginity. It was an act that had not taken place since he found out she was a mother and developed some fast feelings for the young woman. This would prove to be the trigger effect that would set in motiont he events leading them into hell.

That hell would be a gang of drug traffickers that practice palo mayombe, black magic used to communicate with the dead and grant them powers. This group just happened to be on the lookout for an American, for their fear at the prospect of death was a powerful ingredient and proved to be more intense than the locals. Phil, walking along the streets, alone, at night, and high, was just to enticing an opportunity to pass up. He is taken and held captive until the time is right.

The next morning when Henry and Ed realize their friend never returned, set out to find him. First they do the obvious first step and go to the police. Now, if movies teach us nothing it is that the Mexican police are ineffective against the gangs and crime bosses of the town. With no police activity Henry and Ed turn to a couple of friendly locals to investigate their friend's disappearance. These friends include Ulisses, a former police officer whose partner was murdered by these same drug traffickers who have abducted Phil.

This is a low budget GOODIE! It's wrapped in some bloody disturbing trappings. There was a very strong sense of reality in this film. Some dialogue is bad, but the performances sell it. You will believe what is happening, and you will feel a disturbance in the pit of your stomach. The bad guys are messing with the occult and there are some Hostel-like activities being engaged in, but there is a grittiness that will likely make you think twice before heading for that border town for some unregulated entertainment.

Borderland is based on the very real investigation of a college student's disappearance. In 1989, 21-year-old Mark Kilroy disappeared while partying in Mexico. At the same time Berman and some friends were in the vicinity and crossed paths with the Mexican Police who were looking for the young man. The van Berman was traveling in had been decorated with voodoo-esque trinkets and the police thought they may be involved. The real crime turned out to be gruesome when Kilroy's body was found, dumped with a number of other bodies. The crime syndicate were sacrificing people in an effor to protect their operation. So, while this tale may seem far-fetched, it is not all that far removed from reality.

Rider Storm plays a good role. Better than Cabin Fever! Pick up on ebay!

A great surprise, give it a looksee. The acting, the effects, the humor here and there and the atmosphere created a great movie.

When it comes to horror fest you never know what to expect as far as a movie worth about 2 hours of your time. But with Borderland you won't be disappointed. This movie is really interesting and has alot of intense moments and being that it is based on a true story I was caught up in it even more. This DVD even has a documentary on the real story which I found disturbing. Let this be a lesson to those that vacation out of the states.

A GOOD MOVIE BUT KNOWING IT HAS BEEN REAL, GIVES ME GOOSE BUMPES... & SCARED TO GO TO MEXICO OR THE BORDERLINE FOR A VACATION, I'LL STAY NORTH AND JUST WATCH THE MOVIES

With the release of Borderland on DVD, the sales were great! You gotta give this movie just a little time after the opening kill scene. It is not all like that pile of garbage directed by Uli Lommel titled, "Borderline Cult." With Borderland, you great acting, superb camera work and great gore! And it's based on a true story! Watch the extras on the menu after viewing the DVD. You will see live documentary footage of the actual crime scenes!

I liked the story, and I enjoyed watching the whole move in one setting. I didn't have any trouble getting to sleep after seeing it. I just wondered why I have never heard of it before.

My boyfriend and I love scary/horror movies. This one was sucky! Not scary at all. I couldn't wait for it to be over so I could re-list it on ebay. My boyfriend fell asleep in the first 30 minutes!!