Movie Review: The Shape Returns (2017)

The Shape Returns (2017) - USA - Horror - Not Rated (PG)

Independent Short Film - 12 Mins

Directed by Tony Crespo and Mykee Morettini

Written by Tony Crespo

Music by Mykee Morettini

Starring Chelsee Chauhan, Rob Sheppard, William Welch King, Desmond Huey

A fun and fitting tribute to the original Halloween film with pastiches of other films in the series worked in.

You know the story, if you're a fan of the Halloween films started by John Carpenter. It's Halloween night and among the trick or treaters is a guy wearing the scariest mask you can think of, William Shatner, as he stalks a teenage girl. Almost makes one think this is the story of a Hollywood producer.

A fan film is a different area for me. Back in the 80s a Halloween inspired fan film was the next slasher movie to show up at the drive-in. Unlike the glut of slasher flicks to hit the big screen in the 80s, the fan film of today is one which openly emulates its source. But perhaps the most important aspect of a fan film, I would think, is staying true to its source and not warping it into something it's not; a lesson Rob Zombie should have taken to heart.

The Shape Returns has the earmarks of a fan's love of the Halloween movie franchise. Taking from the first film the most basic plot of a masked stranger and the teenage girl he stalks for unknown reasons (again, from the first film) is the core plot. What ups the film is the infusion of elements from other films in the series including the post-Carpenter sequels and Halloween III: Season of the Witch.

One of the prime elements working for The Shape Returns is the attention to detail in the mask. Several of the official sequels did a poor job in recreating the mask from the original, and being the mask is like the trademark of the franchise you'd figure it would be important. For The Shape Returns, being the original 1975 Kirk mask, though available, was sold out, Mykee Morettini was left with buying the best Michael Myers mask he could find and modifying it to look like the original. And he certainly succeeded.

For the attention to detail to the original, and especially the mask, the filmmakers have brought the character of Michael Myers into the present. The Halloween theme is naturally present, and Morettini brings some up-tempo to it that makes it feel celebratory. There is a bit of an early 80s feel with the character of Jackie who rocks a Sarah Jessica Parker Square Pegs look, though that's probably just coincidental. The film doesn't break any new ground, as that is not their intention, but is a tribute to the original. In that respect alone I give it 3 Fingers, but because of some extra fun worked into the film from the other sequels I'll take that up a notch.

My Rating: 4 Fingers

You can watch The Shape Returns on YouTube and find them on Facebook

Movie Review: Dark Romance (2013)

Dark Romance (2013) - USA - Dark Thriller - Not Rated (PG)

Independent Short Subject - 8mm Films - 8 Mins

Entrant in 48 Hour Film Project New York City 2013

Directed by Matthew Mahler

Written by Matthew Mahler & Ross Mahler

Starring Timothy J. Cox, Cameron Rankin, Tiffany Browne-Tavarez, Brian Shields

Early work by Matthew Mahler is a dark passage of obsession, even darkly comedic, showing the promise he has as a filmmaker.

Tim Cooper and Cam are modern day mad men developing ad campaigns for clients between their office cubicles and board room. But neither Tim nor Cam are truly the one who is mad as Tim becomes the recipient of a secret admirer's attentions, that start off innocently enough but soon turn dark and obsessive.

Dark Romance was made as part of the 48 Hour Film Project film festival in 2013, New York City location. This festival has filmmakers compete by being given 3 required elements their short film must contain and then having 48 hours to script, shoot, and edit their film. The required elements for this competition were: a character named Cam or Cat Dean who is an advertising executive, a prop of a trophy, and to include the line "when do you expect her?"

IMDb lists this as Matthew Mahler's first directed short film. I can only go on that as I don't know the extent of Mahler's work beyond what is listed on IMDb. There are obvious shortcomings with Dark Romance that are most likely because of what he had available equipment-wise. The sound has a constant hum early in the film, though this does not hamper the dialogue which is actually quite clear. Additionally the handheld camerawork is obvious in places, though most likely necessitated by the space in which they had to work. Though Mahler's creativity does shine through; creativity he will put to even greater use in his masterful To Be Alone, also starring Timothy J. Cox.

Technical issues aside, Dark Romance is well scripted telling a complete story; I make a point of this as in a 48 Hour Film Project a filmmaker has to go with what they have, complete or not. The cinematography makes good use of framing, focus, follow, and mood. The actors in this are excellent in their performances with Timothy J. Cox showing how well he can transition from the light to the dark in a role.

Originally I was leaning toward a rating of 3 Fingers to 3 Fingers Plus for Dark Romance. Writing this review reminds me to count what's most important in the film, that is how well done it is as a whole and not the limitations of what they had to work with. If anything, working with handheld equipment on a budget under $500 and in only 48 hours shows what they overcame to tell a complete story that hits its marks. My rating is therefore based on what they have accomplished in this film, and what they have accomplished is very good.

My Rating: 4 Fingers

You can watch Dark Romance on Vimeo and also check out Mahler's other work.

Movie Review: What Jack Built (2015)

What Jack Built (2015) - USA - Mystery Thriller - Not Rated (Family)

Independent Short Subject - 8mm Films - 11 Mins

Directed by Matthew Mahler

Written by Matthew Mahler and Ross Mahler

Starring Timothy J. Cox

Loud and proud in its score with a hint of pastiche to 80s future noir What Jack Built is an energetic ride with an obsessed driver at the wheel.

*Since the filmmakers don't have a movie poster for this film, I made one. Being the screencap I used belongs to the filmmakers and all I did was add the obvious text, as far as I'm concerned the poster image belongs to them to use as they wish.

Jack has an obsession, with something. He's a packrat with all sorts of goodies scattered about his workshop. Monitors here, keyboards and parts there ...electronics and paint cans and gizmos, oh my! It seems Jack has everything, yet one thing eludes him; and that one thing frightens him too. Jack has a plan to get that one thing, but he has to build something first.

Though this is the first review I am doing of a film starring Timothy J. Cox, I am no stranger to his work as an actor. If you are into indie film you will eventually come across the work of Timothy J. Cox, dubbed 'the hardest working actor in indie film'. I am no stranger to the work of Matthew Mahler either and frankly consider him one of the most artistic and promising directors today.

Cox and Mahler working together is certainly fitting as Mahler drives a narrative of sight and sound, devoid of dialogue. Cox is a wonderful actor and among his strengths is a talent with body language and expression. Mahler and Cox working together is a marriage made in filmmaking heaven

Matthew Mahler has scored this film himself with vibes that hint at 80s sci-fi movies, to me, but is its own original composition. Timothy J. Cox has fun with this role both with spot on moments, and moments of chewing the scenery; and that's talented when you can chew the scenery without uttering a word.

Mahler's composition of scenes is contained. By this I mean his scenes are full and rich, but he does not let that distract from his focus. With Cox's performance, this additionally keeps the focus as it would be hard to not keep your eyes on Cox. I do feel that the story is a bit ambiguous, for me, but some do like that ambiguity of filling in blanks for themselves, and certainly if that's you, you can have a lot of fun with this one.

The music in this is four times louder than it needs to be. Leaving my media player settings at normal and putting on my headphones results in what I call screaming critic syndrome. The volume is not bad if you're using speakers because you can be assured to have room filling sound. But this is a word of caution to those who also might use headphones.

My Rating: 4 Fingers

You can watch What Jack Built and other of Matthew Mahler's work on Vimeo

For more on Timothy J. Cox visit his Official Website

Movie Review: 72 Hours (2016)

72 Hours (2016) - USA - Horror - Not Rated (PG)

Independent Short Subject - Destination Desolation Productions - 9 Mins

Written & Directed by Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc (as Andrea Van Scoyoc)

Starring Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc (as Andrea Van Scoyoc)

A found footage film smartly uses vanguard conveyance of the author's narrative of a lone survivor and succeeds very well.

Many of us have seen, may even have, 72 hour survival kits; as a pre-packaged kit or customized. But what happens after that first 72 hours, like in the event of a zombie apocalypse? Are you prepared for the end of the world as you know it? Can you be? With 9 minutes of power left on her phone, a lone survivor shares her thoughts.

From pen and paper to the typewriter, various forms of audio recorders, film and digital video cameras to smartphones, varied are the technologies from antiquated to avant-garde but shared in common among all of them is the narrative, and therefore what that narrative conveys regardless of the means of transmutation.

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, H. G. Wells and H. P. Lovecraft are among the progenitors of the survival narrative. Telling a story through journal entries or directed first person narrative was formalized in its art form in printed text, moved on to radio with a prime example being Orson Wells' production of War of the Worlds, and advanced into a visual medium with film and eventually digital video. But really, would someone reach for a typewriter (shaddup) or a video camera in their final moments?

The smartphone has become almost an extension of our hands. We break down on the road; smartphone to the rescue. We need to search an item to see if a local store carries it; smartphone to the rescue. We see an index card on the bulletin board at the laundromat that says "for a good time call"; uhm... wait... forget that one ..ahem.

Andrea Van Scoyoc has married these two premises of the sole survivor and the natural extension of the smartphone. She portrays a survivor hunkered down in a room in her home as the chaos still takes place outside. Just her and her thoughts, for what little time she has left on the battery of her smartphone. And her thoughts on this do paint a vivid picture for the viewer to follow.

I have not done a review of a smartphone movie before. The vertical format is obviously different than what I'm used to. And that's an important distinction in art, is not to be confined by limitations but to express oneself in different ways, and Andy succeeds in this very well and the vertical format makes sense. And where do I go in rating this? Actually I approached this from a different direction, starting with my highest rating and asking myself if there is anything that detracts from that rating. And the answer is no.

My Rating: 5 Fingers, I give it a high five!

Watch 72 Hours on YouTube

Follow Andy Van Scoyoc on Twitter

Movie Review: John Schneider's 4:GO (2017)

4:GO (2017) - USA (Louisiana) - Action Thriller - Not Rated (Mature)

Written & Directed by John Schneider

Starring Kerry Cahill, Dean Cain, Marcus Bagwell, Jason Kirkpatrick, Johnny Lee, Billy Slaughter, Eddie Love, Jody Mullins, Don Shanks, Harrison St. John, Mickey Gilley, John Schneider

Keeps the viewer on their toes between bouts of falling down laughing in a fast moving mix of action, horror and comedy.

Four murderers escape from a maximum security prison with a hostage in tow as they head for the woods. Misjudging their hostage is only the first sign of their bumbling, matched only by the ineptitude of the posse trying to catch them. But they're not alone in the woods on this Halloween, and they will wish they had stayed in solitary confinement.

John Schneider is time and again proving himself to not only be a diverse actor and director, but also one of the top writer/directors of black comedy. In a genre that is easy to do, but difficult to do well, he does it very well taking the dark and tragic and approaching it with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

4:GO takes no prisoners (bwhahahaha) in bursting out of the gate at full gallop and not letting up on the pace. It begins with a mystery teaser of just audio that sounds like a couple and their child having a play day then moving straight into its story. It may seem confusing at first compared to some of things going on, but that's intentional as John Schneider uses bits and pieces of mystery to up the tension. Additionally he makes good use of the briefest of interstices, being he also edited this, which flash here and there, and though they seem to confuse in actuality he has creatively spiked the pace of the film with them. And before you know it, an 88 minute movie is over and you're like "wow, that didn't seem that long."

There feels like an occasional stumble, but this as much can be because of keeping the audience guessing and with its expeditious pace it is easy to get out of sync at one point or another, plus some ambiguity, but it does fall into place anyway. For me there's a point where it feels morose, losing its humor, but that does not affect the structure of the film, just the mood, as the film continues to move along as before.

Kerry Cahill, Johnny Lee and Jason Kirkpatrick shine is this. Cahill brings character to her performance with choice dialogue and spot-on delivery. Jason Kirkpatrick has his character of Forest nailed down providing humor in every moment he occupies. Johnny Lee is simply fantastic just being in this movie as he is a character unto himself and that adds to the fun. Eddie Love is a great foil for Lee's character often delivering some of the funniest lines. Special mention goes to John Schneider.. er.. I mean Harrison St. John who not only reminds one of a young John Schneider but his character is named Bo; well played.

The movie itself invokes that classic 70s revenge film motif as Schneider injects lots of humor, action, and bits of mystery. 4:GO is a fun movie to watch that has energy and abounds in laughs, and yes gruesome at times, but not too much. Though I watched it solo I'm betting this would be even more fun with several friends over for a movie night. Too bad my local drive-in has closed because this would be perfect for a fun night at the drive-in.

My Rating: 4 Fingers


You can rent or buy 4:GO on Vimeo

Get John Schneider music, movies and merchandise on his Official Website

Movie Review: Demons (2017)

Demons (2017) - USA - Horror - Unrated (R)

Written & Directed by Miles Doleac

Starring Miles Doleac, Lindsay Anne Williams, Kristina Emerson,  Andrew Divoff, Steven Brand, Jessica Harthcock, John Schneider, Gary Grubbs, Caroline Baggerly, Yohance Myles, Megan Few

A tautly directed thriller brings together a talented cast and excellent writing that takes us on a journey of the underbelly of the human soul and like its namesake... Demons gets under your skin.

"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you". - Friedrich Nietzsche

Pending nuptials bring together six people for a wedding the following morning. Two of these people are Colin Hampstead, a now successful author of the book Demons, and his wife Kayleigh. But it seems a seventh guest is present, harking back nine years ago to when Colin and Kayleigh first met, as he was the priest attending to her sister's exorcism.

When considering screeners up for review, this being when you have several available, some things stand out which influence your selection rather than my usual and unoriginal method of just going left to right or top to bottom. Demons stood out to me because of several of the cast:

Miles Doleac - A recognizable face, which I was first introduced to him in Miami Magma, one of many signs I watch wayyy too many disaster movies, brings success to a too often unsuccessful venture in film. That would be writing, directing, and starring in your own movie.

John Schneider - I swears I'm not stalking him. I swears I'm not. He just keeps showing up in everything. It's always a pleasure to see John in a film. Even if he's being disgusting he always brings integrity to playing his roles.

Andrew Divoff - What can you say about Divoff that is not said by his performances? He brings a powerful presence to every scene he is in. His deep voice and the intensity of his look demand attention. His presence is so powerful on the screen that when he makes characters on the screen uncomfortable, you just hope he doesn't look your way.

Gary Grubbs - One of my favorite character actors. Like John, it is always a pleasure to see Gary in a role. He just simply brings something special to the screen.

Jessica Harthcock - My main reason for picking this first. Having seen her performance in Fighting Belle, I was impressed with what a natural she is. She is seemingly effortless in her performances as she doesn't act her characters, but becomes them. I personally think she is a rising star, and certainly someone to keep on your 'pay attention to' list.

Demons is outright a haunting film. Part horror, part exorcism movie, part ghost story, all psychological thriller. Doleac has painted a portrait using a dynamic and fluid camera, with cinematography by Ben McBurnett, in hues ranging from ethereal to gut-wrenching.

Out of the starting gate I feel it stumbles a bit. The narrative is told is parallel, the story intersecting past and present. It begins at a point nine years ago, post-exorcism, then leaps into the present. As events happen in the present a chronological timeline of memories lead up to that very point in the past where the movie started. And might I say thank you Miles for having the distinction of the beard to make the transitions easier to follow. Of course the priest outfit helps too, but I am at times dense in that way.

Once the movie gets its footing things fall into place and it moves forward with elegance. Doleac's direction in akin to Tobe Hooper's direction in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre in not putting the grotesque on screen as so many horror movies would do, but imbuing it within the story. The end result is more horrifying than any superficial treatment can accomplish.

Demons challenges preconceived notions, stripping away the vestments of conformity and brings the viewer raw into the uncomfortable. The last half hour is so tension filled that it grabs you by the throat and won't let go. The story is ugly, yes, yet so beautifully rendered that you may find yourself wanting to turn away, but you can't.

This is not your average horror movie. Demons will demand your attention. This is a story both subtle and unyielding. At times deceptively surrealist in its overt frankness. Dismiss nothing along the way, for eventually it will all fall into place.

My Rating: 4 Fingers


Check out the Demons movie website or follow them on Facebook or Twitter

You can buy or rent the movie on Amazon Video

Movie Review: Faithful (2017)

Movie Review: Faithful (2017)

Faithful (2017) - USA - Drama - Not Rated (Family)

Independent Short Subject - (PRE)FORMA-SE Artistic Productions - 13 Mins

Directed by Niklas Berggren

Written by Aleksandra Milanova

Starring Clarissa Hoffmann, Ellis Miller, Cynthia Aileen Strahan, Eve Coquillard, Eddy Lee, Sarah Schulte

A well written story crafted into an impactful drama with tight direction and top notch performances.

Lauren has always been faithful to Ron. Not only as a loving wife whose heart is given only to him, but in sacrifices she makes for his, their, benefit. But is there such as thing as being too faithful?

Up front, Faithful is an amazing short film. Berggren's direction is tight, taking the viewer exactly where he wants them to be for the best vantage point. There is a scene in here that, when I saw the framing, I thought was Kubrick-esque. I was wrong on that as it reveals itself to be something else and you can really appreciate the beauty of his composition in this. His direction is deliberate, not wasting space and yet bringing full composition to scenes.

The actors really put out in this. Clarissa Hoffmann brings an edgy pensiveness to the character of Lauren. Ellis Miller is necessarily detached as Ron feeding Lauren's need to hold on. Cynthia Aileen Strahan brings a duality to Mary-Anne in having a glib bluntness but with sincerity and an open heart. And Eve Coquillard brings a powerful performance as Lauren's mother, hers and Clarissa Hoffman's mastery of expressiveness tendering the fulcrum of the story.

Faithful uses a destructured narrative of fragmentary collusion which crystallizes at its most potent moment. Story, direction and acting combine into a presentation that impacts the viewer like a ton of bricks.

My Rating: 5 Fingers! I give it a high five!


Faithful's Facebook Page

Niklas Berggren's Facebook Page

Movie Review: Nite Nite (2017)

Nite Nite (2017) - USA - Horror - Not Rated (Family)

Independent Short Subject - MaxiMeise Productions - 3 1/2 Mins

Written & Directed by Chad Meisenheimer

Starring Tommie Vegas, Brady Bond, Sarah Rhoades

A flashback to 80s horror movies, Nite Nite hits the spot in having an 80s feel and being spooky fun.

As his parents are out for the evening a young boy is being tucked in by his babysitter after a bedtime story. But things aren't so simple as that, being when his dad tucks him in he always checks for monsters. This night it will be up to the babysitter to make sure there are no monsters lurking.

At under 4 minutes Nite Nite defines the 'short' in short subject. When reviewing such short films, contrary to what one may assume, there is not a lot of difference in it and reviewing a feature film. The same basic questions need to be answered by the reviewer as to if it successfully tells its story and what it accomplishes in doing so. The only difficulty that is presented by a punchline skit such as Nite Nite, with regard to the way I review films, is in not giving away too much in my plot summary while still trying to introduce the plot of the skit.

Nite Nite does successfully tell its story. It additionally, being it is set in 1985, evokes the time period and the feel of the movies from that time period which inspired it. Chad Meisenheimer keeps it compelling with a dynamic camera, and keeps it spooky with tense composition.

Brady Bond (that's Bond, Brady Bond) plays the kid at the center of the story, is a natural and is as good as any actor his age, and being that Nite Nite hinges on his performance is exactly why this works so well. Tommie Lee Vegas (as Tommie Vegas) plays his exasperated babysitter perfectly being ever so subtly annoyed without being overt.

The only shortcoming of Nite Nite is it's obvious where this is going. But in the end that doesn't take away from it, and really it is fitting for its inspiration. It is spooky fun and the type of film you can watch over and over for that very reason, and perfect for the Halloween season.

My Rating: 4 Fingers

This is a post-production review of a film entering the festival stage. I'll update this when it is made available online.