CUT! gets great review in The Hollywood Times!

http://thehollywoodtimes.net/2015/02/16/cut-restores-dwindling-faith-in-horror-genre/

CUT! Restores Dwindling Faith in Horror Genre
Posted on February 16, 2015 by Valerie Milano

Chris Moir, Dahlia Salem, David Rountree, Sam Scarber, and David Banks. (Photo: Brittany Banks, THT)

Psychological thriller’s distinctive concept and humorous undertone cut through the noise
By Brittany Banks Hollywood, CA (The Hollywood Times)2/14/2015 – “If people don’t like this movie, they can blame me. It’s my fault,” says director, writer, producer and co-star of CUT!, David Rountree. “I was very fortunate to be able to wear a lot of hats and have people accept me in that environment,” Rountree humbly articulates.    

Brittany Banks and David Banks (no relation) – Photo: THT

In this psychological thriller, an ex-con named Lane Hayes (David Banks) and Travis Simon, an aspiring filmmaker (David Rountree), set out to manufacture a horror film by scaring people for real. However, when things get out of hand and someone actually dies, the pair decides that killing on film is the only way to make a truly terrifying movie.

CUT! successfully incorporates multiple twists and unexpected revelations. Just when you’re convinced that you’ve gotten to the bottom of it all, another riveting curveball presents itself. I cannot recall the last time a horror movie left me feeling gratified as opposed to irritated by its sheer cheesiness or excessive gore, butCUT! prevails. Rountree does not believe that comparable films exist. Not only is CUT!’s concept original, but it effectively utilizes humor: an indisputable theme that was accentuated by the cast.

Rountree explains that co-writer and co-producer David Banks, who has historically gravitated toward comedic roles, brings his genuine humor to his role. “He says things that make you want to laugh, but you know you’re not supposed to.” The perfect example is when a woman is murdered and Banks’s character Lane says, “A disease-ridden prostitute? She’s a bad person. She’s already dead inside. She’d probably thank us.” It’s so politically incorrect and deranged that it works. The audience was palpably amused. These moments of levity are an integral aspect of the film. But Banks acknowledges that at times, he and Rountree had to tone down the dorky behavior and stray from their natural instincts.

Banks hopes that he was able to convey serial killer Lane as dark and demented, while simultaneously evoking empathy from viewers. “I wanted to make him somewhat likeable so you can relate to him a little bit, and maybe feel bad for him, like with Dexter. He’s a pretty pathetic character; he’s a wreck.”

In addition to Banks and Rountree, the film stars Dahlia Salem, Sam Scarber, Chris Moir, Allen Maldonado, Suze Lanier-Bramlett (as herself), and Gabrielle Stone (as herself).

Lanier-Bramlett (of The Hills Have Eyes fame), tries to dissect the humor in her characters. “If I really took them for real, I don’t think I could feel okay inside. I work through them with tongue-in-cheek.” She and Banks had to learn to contain themselves on set because they were constantly laughing at each other. “That’s the beauty of horror movies: they’re just fun,” Lanier-Bramlett asserts.

When I asked Rountree if it requires a somewhat twisted mind in order to create a story of this nature, he laughed, “Are you saying that because I’m one of the writers?” Rountree feels that everybody has a disturbing side within them that they usually internalize and conceal. “So having a creative outlet to put it out there without being judged is a very freeing experience,” he expresses. Filmmaking “opens up a limitless abyss of creativity that could go anywhere. It makes it acceptable to be disturbing,” he adds.

But how does he turn the darkness off? “I have a three-year-old daughter, so as soon as I walk in the door, she says ‘Daddy!’ and runs up and gives me a hug and it’s back to normal again. No matter where my state of mind was during the day, it instantly reverts to Dad mode as soon as I get home,” Rountree shares.

Sam Scarber portrays a homeless man who becomes vital to the storyline, but elaborating would spoil the surprise. “Everybody is really excited about CUT! and who knows? There might be a CUT 2!” Scarber exclaims. “We talked about it toward the end of the movie. Let’s do some more!”

After three years of writing, shooting, tweaking, and readjusting – and despite Banks’s acting coach’s insistence that he steer clear of the horror genre – CUT! has finally come to fruition. Banks’s enthusiasm and laugh are infectious. “It’s done. At least I think it’s done! That guy just yelled at us to go inside the theatre so I guess it is!”

CUT! won Best Film, Best Director (Rountree), and Best Leading Actor (Banks) at the 2014 Independent Film and Television Festival. It was also named one of the Top Five Horror Movies of 2014 by Movie Rankings.

The film appropriately premiered on Friday the 13th and is screening until February 19, 2015 at the Arena Cinema Hollywood.

**Fun Fact about David Banks: “People always make fun of me, but I love doing commercials more than anything. I know it sounds funny, but that’s my passion.”