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.