Scarewaves (2015)

Scarewaves (2015)
directed by:  Henrique Couto
starring:  John Hambrick, Erin Ryan, Joe Kidd, Josh Miller, Haley Jay Madison, Joni Duran, Eric Widing, Iabou Windimere, JoAnna Lloyd, Tara Clark, Geoff Burkman, Titus Young Wolverton, Adam Scott Clevenger, Vincent Holiday, Ira Gansler, Rachael Redolfi
tagline:  Listen If You Dare
format:  Online Screener

(out of 5)

 

The Movie:  Four horrific tales of terror straight out of Creepshow or Tales From the Crypt!  I am definitely a Couto superfan but this new movie just takes the top of his list as far as I'm concerned.  I am a lover of "tales" movies as I call them and this one was just perfect indie filmmaking in my opinion.  Why more indie guys don't try this out I will never know.  Especially knowing that it must be easier to film a series of shorts than a full feature of anything but I'm no filmmaker so who knows.  As I already said there are four tales being told by Amos Satan a night time disc jockey at a local who cares radio station.  His show is getting the can and this is his last night on the air.  So Amos plans on going out with a bang after being frustrated over a series of annoying listeners who have no clue what it is to tell a real scary story.

The Acting:  I really had no issues here.  It's made up of a group of people who work well together and a lot whom have worked together.  Shining stars for me were definitely John Hambrick as Amos Satan and of course Erin Ryan as Linda in the "Painting After Midnight" segment.  Her acting talent never disappoints...at least not for me.  Really though the entire cast were great.  Josh Miller and Haley Madison had an excellent chemistry together in particular.  This was one of my favorite Haley roles by far.  She seems to get the "oh she's just a pretty face" thing a lot but I cannot agree with that at all.  Henrique has a great taste of talent that much is clear.
The Story/Script:  Four tales.  The first about a very strange painter.  Can't give too much away but the first was my favorite of the four.  Really enjoyed the twist in that one and it reminded me of something straight out of Monsters or Tales From the Darkside.  Then we have story two about three robbers who of course cannot get along and when you add a little supernatural to the equation you get one hell of climax.  The third is about an ex-cop who has a run in with a series of old friends while trying to hold on to his new job as a security guard.  Finally Albert (Josh Miller) wants rid of his wife.  He and his fling Tara (Haley Madison) will find some way to get this done.  And last but not least I guess is the ongoing "On the Air" segment in between each segment which has a great little ending to it.  All in all each of the four writers for this one did their jobs and did them well.  I put Scarewaves up there with Creepshow and the likes of that. 

The Gore:  Hmmm.  Had it's blood where needed.  Not a super call for gore here. 

The Rating:  5 out of 5.  Yep.  Rewatchable.  Enjoyed all the actors.  Enjoyed every tale including the in between segment.  No stupid fx.  Shoestring effects for sure but nothing just plain terrible.  Plan on making this one part of my next year's Halloween list.  Not much else needs said.  My favorite Couto to date.