Jeruzalem

Filmed entirely in Israel at a myriad of historical sites, the new horror film "JeruZalem" takes the well-worn found-footage genre, mixes it with an "American Tourist in a Foreign Land" scenario, and adds demonic zombies to the mix.

The film opens with a girl named Sarah (Danielle Jadelyn) receiving a Google Glass-type product from her dad before her big trip to Tel Aviv with best friend Rachel (Yael Grobglas). This is a clever set-up for how we will get a first person perspective throughout the entire film without it being odd that someone would tote a camera throughout a night of terror. Well done.

We swiftly board a plane with the girls where they meet Kevin (Yon Tumarkin) a tourist going to research some ancient sites in Jerusalem that are linked to prophesies about Hell. You see, he has seen a video of a boy's mother who came back to life some thirty years earlier and then was shot in the head just as she sprouted black wings and hissed at everyone. Because this has been linked to the prophesies, Kevin has decided to go see for himself.

Somehow he convinces the girls to go there instead of Tel Aviv. (It might have to do with the fact that Sarah has the hots for him.) Anyway, the three visit the city, meet some of the locals (like a player named Omar played by Tom Graziani) and party it up. At the Wailing Wall, Sarah puts a prayer/wish in the crevices of the wall (a common practice). But being sort of a non-believer, hers basically tells God to bring her brother back from the dead (and then adds an expletive directed at the Almighty). Suddenly, hundreds of birds dash off in the sky, marking the beginning of the end.

After some more emotional shenanigans for our travelling ladies, an unknown force bombs the city, which apparently opens up one of the Gates of Hell, which supposedly exist in the desert, the ocean, and Jerusalem. Soon enough the dead are coming back as winged, howling zombies, and a monstrous demon lumbers through the city like a possessed Godzilla. The girls and their companions must find their way out of the city before they are snatched up, trampled, or injured -- which, as you know if you watch zombie films, causes the victims to turn into demons themselves.

This is a well-made little indie movie with a fresh premise saddled with an old concept. We've seen these traveling tourist thrillers before, and despite the cool look of the wings, these creatures are pretty much still zombies. The massive demon that we only see snippets of really only makes a few appearances, so there's never a final showdown or big reveal. Once all hell breaks loose (pun intended), there's just the typical running around, constant screaming, and watching as one of their own begins to transform.

The cast is game for the fun, but there is a weird lack of shock by our leading lady Rachel. She seems oddly calm and unsurprised even when she has seen actual winged demons chasing after them. There's no discussion about religion or belief; it's just a standard chase and run scenario.

Tech credits are fine with some nifty special effects, but they do grow weary after we have seen them over and over. The very first scene of the movie reveals a winged demon, so there is no surprise when they finally appear in the flesh. There are a few jumpy moments, and an insider's view of the city is pretty fascinating, but ultimately this is standard stuff. More of a curiosity, then a must-see.