Death Follows

Release Date: December 7, 2013
Directed by: Carmela Hayslett
25 Minutes

I have been dipping my toes into viewing short films as of lately and I am glad- I never really
wanted to give them a chance just thinking why bother. But in the past few days I have watched a
few exceptional shorts and Death Follows is creeping up right behind them. I am honestly surprised
at how much of a message a short can send in such a small amount of time. In Carmela Hayslett's Death follows Angelina a totally lost soul who just seems to have death follow her where ever she goes.

Now I'm not talking about some grim reaper trying to catch up and claim his marks on her either
No, it's a little different here since Angelina seems to black out or forget the events as they occur leaving her to wonder is she nuts? Does she have anything to do with the dead bodies that are dropping everywhere?  Could she possibly be strong enough to kill? Mean and sinister enough? Her doctor seems not overtly concerned and maybe he really should be, I mean that's a hell of a thing to forget!  

The Tell Tale Heart (Part 1 in trilogy of Tales of Poe)

Release Date: 2014
Directed by: Bart Mastronardi
30 Minutes

 

 

The talented Bart Mastronardi has taken a well known story from Mr. Edgar Allan Poe himself
and made it into a modern film adaption. From what I gathered is that there are three volumes in his Tales of Poe and I just delightfully just sampled the first one The Tell Tale Heart. Two of my favorite independent film actors Debbie Rochon and Alan Rowe Kelly star as the main characters so that was a definite plus. Miss Rochon is the narrator and befallen nurse of the film telling us of her wicked ways that landed her in the loony bin at the eccentric Bernice Estates. Told in true Edgar Allan Poe form, the dialogue is told in well spoken and pronounced verses that are from the actual story itself.

I found Tales of Poe intensely creative and Debbi Rochon did an amazing job especially at the end
she was actually frightening! You can definitely pick up the artistic angle in the filming while certain
little sounds and props enhance the viewing pleasure. You feel like you could be a fly on the wall of the room witnessing her complete descent into madness. I love how her portrayal of being fixated on the milky white blind eye of her formerly famous yet hideous patient Peggy Lamarr. I look forward to the next tale with eager curiosity for I am still a huge Poe fan and find the way he used his intriguing words completely and utterly fascinating! Cheers Bart!     

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tales-of-Poe/198251596914233

 

 

 

 

 

Klagger (short film)

Directed by: Casey Crow

It's rare in this line of work to really come across something special that just stands out and makes
you take notice. The independent film Klagger is that film! Perry shows up at an abandoned industrial
salvage warehouse where he must go in and get all the info from the vehicles for work. He unlocks the chains and slowly ventures inside fighting the dust. He starts to go about his business and decides to snoop in an old office and learns of a violent death that took place there years prior. Suddenly that
soulfully sad song can be heard playing but it's echo bounces off the walls confusing him of where the source of the sound is coming from. He soon finds he is not alone and the terrifying games begin.

The film is currently being made into a feature length version, and my ass will be first in line to view
it. Sometimes people just have a certain knack for getting their vision across loud and clear- Casey
Crow's got some serious skills! Everything meshed in together well from the hauntingly beautiful
tune "Tomorrow I'll Know" from Pat Murphy to the dusty desolate road that leads us to all the fun! I would honestly recommend this to everyone and anyone- I really was impressed with it all- from the plot to the flawless execution of the whole project. Don't miss this opportunity to see what I am speaking of- promise no disappointment to be had.


     

https://www.facebook.com/pages/KLAGGER/369381325526

Hysterical Psycho

Release Date: 2014
Directed by: Dan Fogler
78 Minutes

Do you remember those comedy classics such as Balls of Fury or Europa Report from the director Dan Fogler? Well he has mixed up some horror with comedy in his new feature film Hysterical Psycho. A trip to a cabin deep in the woods somewhere in Maine has a group of friends totally psyched for some much needed corrupt hard partying fun. Think they can handle it? 

The first thing they find once inside is a dead lady with a suicide note waiting for them. RV troubles render them stuck there at the creepy cabin trying to amuse themselves. Sara decides to get a shower, after dressing she has the blood squeezed out of her with it  landing everywhere in the bathroom. Everyone is in a state of panic and every damn time the one chick opened her mouth she puked!

The deal here is a hysterical psycho is on the prowl- he's hysterical because he is always pulling of this wheezy giggle as he hunts and maims. I almost wanted to reach in and give the guy a freakin Asthma inhaler so he would stop already. Gilbert Godfried even makes an annoying appearance in the beginning  .

I was not big on this one, I felt it tried to hard to be funny but it did have some great gore near the end. The acting was on point and all the females had a nice set of lungs on them- they could let out the perfect blood curdling scream. It's not a bad watch it just wasn't my thing- I suppose there are plenty of individuals out there that will suck this up.  

Happy in the Valley

Release Date: 2014
Directed by: Lee Madsen
91 Minutes
Dark Comedy

Stewart Fox is a pretty much washed up Rock n Roll photographer who seems to think he is extraordinary master of film when in reality he's losing the spark. His fed up wife Donna hires art major Wade Ward to take behind the scenes photographs of Stewart in action with his erotic models for his up and coming autobiography. Poor Wade had no clue that he'd be rubbing Vaseline on Porn Stars coochies to make them shine or cleaning the toilets.

Queenie is one broke ass bitch so she decides to go to Stewart and take it all off for some much needed cash- problem here is that she is not one to normally behave this way. Her morals battle intensely with her at each shoot but what else can she do? It's fast and pays well. Once her clothes comes off the true madness begins. From perverted Socko drooling with a hard on at everything on set trying to cop a feel in any way shape or for.

Stewart has lost all of his artistic abilities amid all the booze and drugs he is ingesting to self medicate his miserableness. Wade seems to bring along some much needed normalcy to this circus of freaks along with his good looks and creativity to boot. Sparks fly between Queenie and Mr. Ward and a relationship tries to bud but she is damaged goods.The work scene becomes tense with tempers flaring and arguments ensue leaving everything basically in jeopardy.

I loved this quirky comedy and Forsythe had me laughing out loud while the always beautiful Tiffany Shepis shines bright as a jaded porn actress who just wants love. It was cool to see her in something other than horror and yes she has the skills to project onto bigger things. I would whole heartedly recommend that you watch this one if you can handle crude humor- Happy in the Valley rocks!

Rolling

Release Date: 2014
Directed by: Billy Samoa Saleebey


FACT: 1 in 10 have tried ecstasy

MDMA was synthesized all the way back in 1912 and was used to suppress one's appetite then faded away until the U.S. Army busted it back out in the 50's. They had plans on using it as a type of truth serum. By the 70's shrinks were prescribing it to patients then the 80's popped up and it ran rampant all over the U.S.- from bars, clubs to Street corners. The Film Rolling tracks along eight ecstasy users and their various experiences.

Some argue that the users of E are just hippies at heart yearning for that lovey dovey feeling while others claim it's a life changing experience - are you up for it? Inspired by actual events Rolling is told in a cross between being a documentary where specific questions are being answered yet has a plot going on within it involving around all eight of them. The characters are likable, laughable and some flat out whacked! 

Some people like myself aren't even interested in the experience but sometimes fate deals you a very shitty hand. One night out I had some scumbag slip it in my drink- was I happy about it? Fuck no- I lost all control of my body vomited for 13 hours and wished I was dead while begging to go to ER. Christ imagine that, girl drowns in her own toilet! In this film though, a girl accidentally ingests it and has a fab time- not always the case.   

Wanna know more about E?  Like how you would act and what you would feel? Just sit back watch in silence and learn the ropes baby. If not, it's still is a fun flick with friends enjoying each other and with corny antics. The group is diverse and includes students, a teacher, lawyers you name it. Don't discriminate- he who wants, shall have no matter how many people they have to call in one night to get it- Roll on... 





https://www.facebook.com/indican.pictures

Helpless-

Release date:
Directed by: Thor Moreno
75 Minutes

Helpless, an independent film from Thor Moreno was an intriguing film that drew me in
effortlessly and had me engrossed in the film the entire time. I really liked how it was done in parts, or sections like chapters within a novel you would lovingly read. The plot is thoroughly planned and the acting is strategically on point.       

A frustrated couple are driving along engaging in a serious discussion of this much dreaded visit to Ned's dying Mother's house for her to see the baby. A flat renders them helpless stuck on the side of the road so naturally Ned gets out to flip on a new one. Strange sounds start to creepily undulate from within the deep dark woods warning him of the impending danger .

Morning arrives and the Sheriff pulls up to an alarming crime scene and the baby girl is missing. A man accused of an occult type of foul play leads him to the house of his crime scene and the frantic search for the baby begins. A proclaimed psychic Wendy eventually convinces the law to allow her to help them while a true crime novelist Abby Fulton weasels her way into it all- not smart!

Helpless is a hell of a twister that will smack you quite spitefully in the face while crudely laughing because you never even saw it coming- not even a clue! Thor Moreno seems to be a very promising writer and director who just might gift us with many more exciting titles for all of us to ingest hungrily.   



THOR MORENO

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3095256/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_6