Hatchet (R, 2007)

In Adam Green's low-budget slasher spoof, buddies Ben (Joel David Moore) and Marcus (Deon Richmond) are visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Because Ben is despondent over a recent breakup, good buddy Marcus accompanies him on a scary boat ride. They're quickly entranced by fellow boat riders Jenna (Joleigh Fioreavanti) and Misty (Mercedes McNab). The ride leads the foursome -- along with several other victims-to-be -- into the bayou, where they're soon beset by a deformed, unkillable monster. He turns out to be Victor Crowley (Kane Hodder, who's usually hidden under other makeup, such as in the sequels to Friday the 13th); tormented as a child, Victor now seeks vengeance on everyone who happens into his swamp. Ho hum. As Ben and Marcus do their best to keep each other alive through Victor's barrage of attacks, they're aided by Marybeth (Tamara Feldman), whose father and brother were offed at the beginning of the movie and who is now a walking repository of all monster lore.

Over the top and awkwardly paced, Hatchet isn't very clever for a spoof; it explains or repeats too many plot points. Most of the jokes come in the casting (they're all good sports, these aging slasher-movie stars). But the slasher films were already spoofy, with Freddy Krueger's one-liners and Jason Voorhees' implacable plodding and chopping. And that makes this movie's comedy feel old.