The Red Man (2016)

I was contacted recently to see if I'd be interested in taking a look at Jimmie Gonzalez's full length debut The Red Man, a psychological horror show that intertwines madness with celebrity mayhem.

As the film's website elaborates:

"A celebrity DJ and recovering drug addict, Evan Gough has had enough — the fame, fortune and transparent friends; he is done. Increasingly recurring nightmares from a tragic past are stirring skepticism and suspicion about his life and neighbors at his trendy apartment tower.

Especially unsure about his psychiatrist’s prescribed medication regimen, Evan turns within and embarks on a soul-searching journey through psycho-self-analysis and his own intuition.

Suspecting that his psychiatrist, along with his new apartment neighbor, are possibly involved in a secret society conspiracy and are drugging and killing his fellow celebrity tenants, Evan teams up with Dr. Verde’s intern to find the truth."

I'll be honest with you folks, I had some skepticism about this - mostly because I couldn't quite wrap my head around a secret society that is drugging and killing celebrity tenants. But surprises awaited me ...

I also really really really love this poster. I mean - just look at it. Look at this brilliant work of art. Horror Habit Genius Award to whoever designed this because I seriously can't stop staring at it.

Genius.

This is an ambitious feature. Ambitious in that the story revolves around drugs, madness, nightmares, conspiracy theory's, secret societies, murder, sexual violence - all under the influence of an intense musical score. That's a lot to put together in one film (and for the audience to experience)! Still, I think the ambition paid off.

Cringy, claustrophobic, bizarre, and surreal - this is a film that will make you uncomfortable. You know, like a good horror story should. It's taken me some time to write up a review for this film because it encompasses so many different aspects of horror and in so many ways. For a while there I wasn't even sure where to begin with a review, but I found a portion of the Director's statement that I felt helped express the film and the film watching experience nicely:

"After going through my own “DJ career” meltdown in 2004 I found redemption in an old friend, Cinema, most significantly, horror cinema. Like an addict, I searched for the safest near death experience in the confines of my own home theater. In that, I not only found myself, but the pure beauty and art in filmmaking from the likes of auteur’s Dario Argento, Roman Polanski, Stanley Kubrick and Alejandro Jodorowsky to name a few. Originally I intended to write, direct and score a modest entry level “slasher film” but the deeper I dove into researching the themes of my story; psychoanalysis, spirituality and pop culture, I couldn’t deny my drive to not only crack a personal code, but the fictional psychological horror mystery that is THE RED MAN....The Red Man is not only a personal film, but I feel a universal story. The awakening of a searching soul striving to know the answers to life’s most mysterious questions. Why am I here? What is my destiny? What’s on the other side of that rainbow? Although personally an optimist, the film sticks to its horror-mystery path, leading our protagonist to his own nefarious fate."

This film questions much of sanity, security, and success - while also exposing the audience to some of our darkest sides to self evolution.

I am not certain this is a film for every horror fan, but if you're a fan of the work of Dario Argento, Roman Polanski, Stanley Kubrick and Alejandro Jodorowsky then I think you might want to add this film to your To Watch list.

This film is now available world wide for all to watch. Go here to learn more.

A huge thanks again to the team for providing me this opportunity, and best of luck to the success of this film and to everyone's future endeavors.

Agatha (Short Horror Film)

Timothy Vandenberg contacted me recently asking if I wouldn't mind taking a look at his short horror film, Agatha. 

Victoria era? Spirited orphan girl? A creature living in a spooky mansion? Sign me up!

The first thing that grabbed me about this one was the sound effects. Saints preserve us, I had to pause it a few times - and this only a 10 minute film - just to give myself a moment to process *the sounds*. So much beautiful cringe binge.

Gut-wrenching and atmospheric, this brilliantly filmed short will absorb you within seconds and keep you locked until the bitter end. By far one of the more sinister short horror films I've seen in a long time. Added bonus, the costumes and settings are simply marvelous. 

Well done, very well done horror.

Agatha has recently joined the film festival circuit (including the Transylvania Film Festival!) , please keep an eye out for it and in the mean time learn more about this film by checking out both the Facebook page and the teaser trailer on Fangoria.

Thanks again Timothy and team for providing me with this opportunity. Best of luck to the film and everyone's future endeavors. 

A Film by Vera Vaughn (Short Horror Film)

The director of this short horror film, Sorrel Brae, contacted me in October and asked if I'd be interested in checking out A Film By Vera Vaughn.

Short horror films, those delicious little morsels of terror, of course I'd be happy to check it out. Although it took me some time to get to the film - the second half of 2016 was all consuming - this short is a horrorific delight on all levels.

Synopsis: In this ghost story for the digital age, filmmaker Vera Vaughn works late into the night, editing her psychological thriller about a woman jeopardized by a mysterious home intruder. But when she’s interrupted by a knock at the door, Vera’s world takes a frightening turn toward the surreal as life threatens to imitate art – or is it the other way around…?

Director's Statement: What is the nature of identity? What are the psychological consequences of the creative process? Would you destroy a part of yourself if you could? And would you then still be yourself? How does a growing psychological isolation parallel our age of hyper-connectivity? These are just a few of the questions that inspired A Film By Vera Vaughn and, we hope, will inspire our audience.

Just 10 minutes long and packed with texture and bony ambiance, this cool and calculated thriller is sure to delight just about any horror fan, and maybe even a few who don't consider themselves fans of the genre.

Although it might leave you with a few more questions than answers, this one will still leave any viewer with a nice collection of chills and mighty mind melds. Smart, original, brilliantly shot, and totally engaging - a round of applause to Sorrel and team.

Already highly acclaimed, this short premiered at the fabulous shortoftheweek.com on October 19, 2016. You can also learn more about the film and the artists who helped make this short possible here: http://www.afilmbyveravaughn.com.

Pairs with smokes, a shot of whiskey, and your phone set to vibrate. I know you have 10 minutes, so do yourself a favor and check this one out:

A Film by Vera Vaughn from Sorrel Brae on Vimeo.

Hades (2015) and Tlmea (2016) (Short Horror Films)

Kevin Kopacka, director of both short horror films Hades and Tlmea, reached out to me in September, asking if I'd be interested in reviewing his films. I was more than happy to (once I had the time - second half of 2016 was insane. Thanks for your patience, team!).

Synopsis for Hades:

"The story of a woman trapped in an endless dream in which she has to cross the five rivers of Hades, each representing different stages of her relationship."

I watched this film several times. I loved it. It's beautiful, poetic, jarring, and weaved together with wonderfully striking vision. Everything had a purpose in this film, every tiny element, thus making (to me) the story that unfolded that much more of an intimate and tender experience. 

The symbolism throughout this short film is simply fantastic, from the sounds of running water to paying the cab driver, and every tiny detail in-between. All that reflect the many emotions related to relationships and their complications - all are done beautifully and poignantly here. 

I have recently discovered the conspiracy theories and various art forms debated/discussed regarding Kubrick's The Shining. So imagine my surprise at seeing The Shining's movie poster sitting in a closet in this film! What does it mean, you guys?!?!

This is absolutely a film that should be talked about afterwards with others. See for yourself, I know you have 15 minutes. Please enjoy:

HADES from Kevin Kopacka on Vimeo.

Synopsis for Tlmea:

"The sequel to Hades, Tlmea (pronounced Tolomea) tells the story of two undercover cops, caught in a dream during a drug raid, in which they descend down the 9 levels of hell."

A moving painting! A moving Bosch painting at times, but still a moving painting! This film, a half hour long, is very similar to Hades in story line interconnections and style but far, far more frightening. Frightening in that it welcomes you with open arms into nightmare land. 

Vibrant in color and cinematography, while also thrilling in it's ability to locate deep-seated dread, this film will have you looking for hugs afterwards. 

Terrific acting, score, (well done on those tunes, Kevin), and a dialog that seethes with tension: this a well made art house horror film that may not connect with every horror fan but one that every horror fan should see at least once. 

Kevin informed me that he considers both films rather unconventional in narrative and style (and I can see where he's coming from on that - love it!), and he's also a graduate of the University of Arts in Berlin and currently working as a painter. I absolutely see the influences in these two films. I also see him going far in this medium. 

You can learn more about the director and his work here.

Although the full film is not yet available to the public, please take a moment to check out the trailer:

TLMEA Trailer (2016) from Kevin Kopacka on Vimeo.

Best of luck to you, Kevin, the team and all your future endeavors. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to see these films. 

Shadows Fall (2016)

Back in September I was contacted by director Aditya Vishwanath, asking if I could take some time to review their first feature film, Shadows Fall (thanks again for your patience, team!).

Always a fan of independent horror films, I was more than happy to take a look (once I had the time - second half of 2016 was insane).

Here's a short synopsis from the film's website:

"A haunting story of Senka, a young widow who confronts and answers that eternal question - what would you do for one more moment with someone that you love? Resorting to the supernatural, she makes a bargain with a demon for the life of her dead husband, Jonas. Now she must live with the price of that deal. Trapped in her once happy home, she is caught in the balance between every moment of happiness with Jonas and the terror and darkness slowly invading their lives. Yet more terrifying is the fact that Jonas is no longer the man that he was. And the only ally she may have in understanding what happened to him, may be the demon himself."

If you're thinking to yourself: Oh, I don't think this is going to turn out well for Senka, then I trust you're not one to tango with demons. Smart.

This is a cerebral slow burn, I dare say almost a melancholy waking nightmare for anyone who's felt the pains of loosing a loved one (and one's mind in the process).

The cinematography, soundtrack, and special effects were all stellar. Minimal, effective, striking, and efficient. I particularly enjoyed the dichotomy that built the house (where nearly the entire film takes place). The cold, uninviting, and mentally disjointed world where there still is hope for a safe, warm, 'perfect' home. From the See No Evil, Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil art down to the cold blue colors in the bedroom, this clever and haunting creation of the environment is wonderfully done.

I got absorbed in the acting - the demon and the husband particularly. Both giving me the creeps mighty well! Although I didn't connect with the character Senka as well, it still worked perfectly because she's one you might not want to buddy up with anyway. Distance worked very well in this particular situation. And here is where I see the influences of David Lynch and art house horror: nothing is as it seems, no one is quite who you think they are, and yet the story will unfold nicely but remorselessly before you.

Shadows Fall is a surprise in that it's their first feature film. The quality of the work, the dialogue (particularly between husband and wife), and wonderful attention to detail while building up the suspense, all reflect the talented artistic passion and dedication that went into creating this movie. Well done, everyone. I look forward to future projects.

This is not a film for those who are not fans of slow burn psychological thrillers that induce the sads, or anyone who's struggling to move on after the death of a loved one. Pairs with tea, eggs, and pancakes - probably all served cold.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film, and I really appreciate Aditya and the team for providing me the opportunity to see and review it. Again, check out their website for more information about the film, and please take a moment to check-out the trailer. 

Thanks again, and best of luck to the success of this film and to everyone's future endeavors.