One factor for any good horror movie is that is must be atmospheric. However, the makers of Damned by Dawn take the word 'atmospheric' to mean 'foggy.' The film is about a young couple who return to their family home in the foggiest part of Australia to see a dying relative. However, a banshee pops out of the fog and causes brutal havoc.Now, I read some of the other reviews before I watched this and, I have to say, they kind of lower your expectations. But, for the first third of the movie, I had to wonder whether they were talking about the same film. I thought it was actually quite good. It had a nice (foggy) set-up and some potential.Then came the CGI. Not only are CGI baddies imposed on us, but also, if the cast happen to be running through a non-foggy area, CGI fog is added (and it's really bad CGI fog too!).The one dimensional characters just about manage to act their parts and the banshee's screaming is pretty creepy, plus there's some good gore (when you can see it through the fog), but, overall, I found myself eventually agreeing with the other reviews.It may not be the worst film ever made (not while Michael Bay's Transformers franchise is still on a roll), but it's definitely not the best. Unless it happens to be on and you feel like a so-so horror flick, don't bother paying to watch this.

During a violent thunderstorm, a family is awoken by piercing shrieks which summon the dead to rise again. Their lives explode in a blood soaked fury as they battle malevolent spirits, whilst fighting to save their souls from eternal torment with... the Banshee.The problem with this film is that the crew did not know their limitations. The acting is great, the directing is great, the cinematography is pretty decent... it is all in all a very enjoyable, watchable film.But where it fails is that the film reaches for just a bit farther than it can grasp. Had they scaled it back just one notch, they would have hit the mark and all would be right in the world. But by trying to go the extra mile, they have exposed their shortcomings.

The film has a great central concept. A woman in white (banshee) will come and wail at the passing of the living, and carry the soul away with her. This theme should have been better developed. Instead, the script trails off and leaves us with nothing but some fairly effective visuals and atmospherically foggy forest shots.The good: The lady in white is effectively frightening and I liked the "wailing" effects. Some of the Evil Dead inspired visuals and action were also effective. Creepy setting and atmosphere.The okay: The (mostly) CGI resurrected dead were passably done and I enjoyed the way they floated and moved. The scythes were a nice touch as well.The bad: A number of scenes dragged on too long. In a film like this, lacking a coherent script and character development, you have to keep the action moving along at a fast clip. The acting, especially by the lead actress, was largely amateurish. Some of the actions of the characters beggared belief, even for this kind of film. And the ending? Well, that went right off the rails. No explanation is given for the urn turning out to be a weapon against the banshee and the dead. And what was that bit after the credits when the heroine screams? I hope they weren't thinking there would be a sequel.Overall it wasn't painful to watch, and for a low budget release, I've cut it some slack with 5 stars. Better luck next time.

I have to give this film (respectfully) a 5, because there is no doubting that the special effects were innovative, unique and in some scenes - full on awesome! -but the film itself will almost put you to sleep. The direction in this film is lackluster and the performers were "soap opera." If you are a person who is into dissecting a film for its components, you'll enjoy the special effects portion of the film; otherwise, if you seek entertainment...move on. I commonly watch low budget film and enjoy it. Damned by Dawn will appear to the average viewer as a "rough draft" for another greater film. I am eager to watch the next generation of films from this company.