Totem (1999)

Thanks for the memories!

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

The first must-see film of the year.

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

I liked this movie a lot; had excellent pacing.My favorite character was the Native American. He knew how to keep his cool in the midst of the chaotic, but well paced events transpiring inside the cabin and around the graveyard. I know that if I were in the presence of something that could be older than Stonehenge, I would just ride my wheelchair right off a balcony or down a flight of stairs. Despite not being Native American (I don't think...?) he was perfectly cast, and his accent was dead on. I have seen other movies about Natives, like Braveheart and that one movie about the sled dog and the Eskimos that had Kevin Costner in it, and this guy was right up there with the very best. I learned a lot about his culture!My second favorite character was the girl that was tied to the table the entire time, who spoke in tongues. These scenes did not go on long enough.My third favorite character was the girl who wanted to kill everyone. This is an example of losing one's wits!! LMAO!My fourth favorite character was the guy who killed the first girl who who spoke in tongues. He was funny in a weird sort of way--the "beak nose" of the film, so to speak. Though I may have him confused with my least favorite character...the sixth.My fifth favorite character was the girl who fell in love with the zombie and was able to use the power of love to nullify zombie magic. This was a powerful life-lesson and I made my children come into the room to watch this part of the film ***they weren't allowed to watch the rest though because this is not an appropriate film for younger children***My sixth favorite character was the sixth character. I may have him confused with my fourth favorite character though--I have a hard time telling people apart. The production values were a little lackluster but that was made up for by storytelling and the excellent pacing. The rate of time by which the plot progressed left a little to be desired for, but this was made up for by the fact that there were 6 people in the movie (for a lot more information about these characters plz see above). I would recommend this film to anyone interested in history, and Native American Cultures.

I thought that the basic premise for Totem was pretty good. Six teenagers find themselves at a cabin. Three will kill. Three will die. Granted, they told the whole plot rather than showed it, but come on. This flick is all about camp. A little bit of gore, a little bit of humor, some silly monsters and a really out of place dream sequence (no shower scene?) I was even lucky enough to get another cheesy B movie on the same disc. Not a bad deal for a night of popcorn and a few tongue-in-cheek laughs.

I saw this movie with my friends and now we have this on going joke about the "TOTEM" if you are up for a laugh than i would say rent the movie "TOTEM" but if you want to see a scary movie rent"SCREAM". So if i were going to review this movie i would give it a 0 or below. Sorry.

In the tradition of Full Moon's excellent b-horror movies comes Totem. The story of six people who find themselves mysteriously drawn to a cabin in the woods. They decide to leave and wander into a nearby graveyard that contains a totem pole, the crux of the film. The gothic style pole has three monsters carved into it. These creature are looking to raise the dead or complete some sort of ritual and they need three victims and three killers.This movie is undoubtedly a product of Full Moon in its style, acting, and plot. The special effects are hysterical. One of the monsters who can supposedly fly sports a pair of wires that are all too visible. Also towards the end, when dead people are rising the make-up warrants an oscar award for a job well done. The corps wear rubber masks that yield no facial expressions whatsoever and when they grab for the people you can notice that nothing has been done to their arms so there is a complete contrast between the decayed face and the skin on the hands and arms.Perhaps not an instant classic, but definitely a movie to sit down to. Ifyou are a fan of Full Moon's other productions you're sure to like this one. Its filled with awkward lines and, as expected, at some parts less than good acting. Even though its a bit short ( about 73mins ), head out and rent this puppy!