The Dead Record

Director - Nate Thompson (Cult Affairs, The Cult Leader)

Starring - Madelein Malice, Dakota Musarelli, and Nate Thompson

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "In the dark it waits"

Format - Streaming (YouTube)

Rating (out of 5):

     Sometime ago I was contacted by filmmaker Nate Thompson to review his horror short The Cult Leader.  The short really impressed me and I was quick to befriend him on Facebook so I could keep an eye on his upcoming projects.  Since then he has began work on a new short titled The Dead Record and when he finished it he was kind enough to send a link over for me to check out.  I want to thank Nate for keeping Horror Society in mind when it was finished so we could check it out.

    The film follows a record store employee who has a package dropped off by a mysterious stranger.  When a co-worker arrives he decides to give the record contained inside it a listen.  Before long he finds himself drifting off to sleep and is soon tormented by a female demon.

     The Dead Record is one of the few horror shorts that kind of doesn't work as a short.  It's leaves too many questions unanswered and with a little more writing and exploration it could be a damn good feature film.  Regardless, it's a fun short but I can't help but wonder what it would have been like if the backstory was fully explored.  The acting in this one is very solid.  The cast is small but everyone carries their own weight very well.  Nate is great as record store clerk and really shines during the darker scenes.  His small talk is a little awkward at times but nothing that takes away from the film.  The supporting cast is great as well but I feel like there could be more screen time for Malice and her character.  She was very underutilized.  The story for this one is a super short spin on Lords of Salem where we find someone that receives a mysterious record that has a supernatural connection.  It's fun for a short but I need more like why this particular record, where did it come from, and who was the guy that dropped it off.  It's cool to leave some things up for the viewer's imagination but these questions really need answered for the film to be effective.  I like it as it is but it doesn't live up to it's full potential.  Finally, the film has some cool make-up effects and the demon looks cool but a little on the generic side.  However, if you are looking for blood then you will be very disappointed.  Overall, The Dead Record is a fun horror short that can be found streaming on YouTube.  It's nothing groundbreaking but it does bring some enjoyment to the genre.  Check it out.  

Play. Pause. Kill.

Director - David Teixeira (Visiteur, Girls Night)

Starring - Lucas Dutilleul (Woke) and Anasthasia Hilda (L'echiquier Des Deux Reines)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (YouTube)

Rating (out of 5):

     I recently had a horror binge after receiving requests from several filmmakers to check out their work.  I started my little marathon with a Finnish extreme horror short titled Melody of Madness.  When I finished with that one I moved on to the French short Visiteur.  I enjoyed it but it was a little difficult to review due to it being so short.  The third short in my marathon also came from Visiteur director David Teixeira.  I want to thank David for sending over Play. Pause. Kill. to review.  I greatly appreciate it.

     The film follows the beautiful Julia who is speaking through text to Henry.  After a small chat Henry agrees to come over for dinner and horror movies.  Before long the two make their way to her bed where things take a sexy, yet deadly, turn.  

     Before I watched this short I was really digging the poster.  When you look at me you don't expect to see a guy that liked lime green and hot pinks but I do.  Bright colors are my trademarks so I love seeing posters that have these type of color schemes.  Play. Pause. Kill. doesn't really fit the poster but it was a fantastic horror short with great atmosphere and some solid tension.  The acting in this one is great.  Dutilleul was solid in his role but Hilda was absolutely phenomenal.  She's stunning and delivered a fantastic performance.  Her gorgeous looks was only overshadowed by her bloodlust.  The story for this one was not what I was expecting but it was painfully fun.  I don't want to get too far into the story to prevent spoilers but this was not twist I was expecting.  Once the movie started rolling I assumed the movie was going to go a certain way but it didn't.  The twist really worked.  Finally, the film has a seriously bloody moment that will leave most men cringing.  The practical effects are limited but the blood flows freely.  There may be one kill but this one kill fucking works.  Overall, Play. Pause. Kill. is a fucking blast.  Anasthasia Hilda carries the film with her beauty and talent and the story takes you down a path most men would never want to go.  I highly recommend this one.      

Breathe

Director - Samuel Vainisi (Senses, Violet)
Starring - Alyss Winkler (Slaughterhouse Slumber Party, Jessie's Super Normal Regular Average Day) and Dominic Vainisi (Akrasia, Senses)
Release Date - 2018
Genre - Drama/Horror
Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love watching a short. They tend to pack so much into a short running time where most feature length movies run out of wind before the final act.  I recently purchased a few films from the young filmmaker Samuel Vainisi who has a few shorts and a feature length film under his belt.  He's a stand up young man who is very supportive of other filmmakers and I really wanted to check out his work.  The first short I tossed in was 2018's Akrasia.  Honestly, I wasn't a fan of this one but I kept moving on.  The next short is another one from 2018.  This one, Breathe, stars indie starlet Alyss Winkler.  

     Breathe follows Riley (Winkler) who is suffering from anxiety and insomnia.  She lives in her head and every waking moment is a nightmare for this young woman as she hallucinates.  Over time she starts to think about taking drastic measures that could be life altering but in the end she remembers that she just needs to breathe...

     I was very curious to see how Breathe was going to play out.  Much like Akrasia, the film was not meant for movie fans like myself.  I'm too immature with a taste for bad movies.  This film is obviously very close and personal with the filmmaker with the story focusing on mental health.  People will appreciate what he is trying to say but for people like myself the 12 minute short is a little too long with the story we are given.  The acting in this one is very one sided which can be said about Vainisi's other short Akrasia.  Winkler is alone most of the film but delivers a very powerful and impressive performance.  She has to communicate with the viewer without speaking which she does a phenomenal job with it.  Roles like this is why she is one of my favorite indie scream queens.  The story for this one is simple and works if the film was just a little shorter.  Even with the film running 12 minutes it feels a lot longer than what it actually is.  The impact of the story is felt early on but struggles to hold that same power on the viewer after the initial hit.  Finally, this is not a bloody and gory short.  This is a very story driven short that does not rely on the red stuff to sell it.  Overall, Breathe is a compelling story with an amazing performance from Alyss Winkler but the viewer will find themselves becoming uninterested in the story once the middle segment begins.  Regardless, this one isn't for me but it could be for you so check it out if it sounds like something you would dig.  

     

Dinner Guest

https://www.facebook.com/Dinner-Guest-391511844383672/
From Facebook - A young woman's night started bad, and is about to end worse. Finding safety she begins to finally relax, but when her "rescuers" begin acting strange it seems this night's not quite over. This night will leave a permanent scar on her, provided she can survive.

The Last Days of Livermore

https://www.facebook.com/The-Last-Days-of-Livermore-1846910188900501/

Harry Collins future film - https://www.facebook.com/The-Sideling-Hill-528025190693597/

A couple having relationship issues take a walk through a haunted cemetery which have gory consequences. This is a new short film from Harry Collins.

A Twisted Fate

Director - Brandon Prewitt (Last Supper, Woods Within)
Starring - T.J. Ganser (Captive, The Ugly Parts), Becca Howell (The Funeral, Private Eye), and Jack Norman (Halloween: The Babysitter Murders, Campground: The Requel)
Release Date - 2016
Genre - Horror/Thriller
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've met a lot of people over the years due to Horror Society.  Most, if not all, are directors who I try to promote as much as I can.  I'll share anything and everything for these people regardless if its crowd funding campaigns, poster reveals, cast updates, film premiers, and sales.  However, first and foremost I am a film reviewer.  I help these guys and gals out but at the end of the day I will approach their work with honesty.  If I like it I will say why.  If I dislike it I will also say why.  I have lost a few friends over this within the last few years but I don't want to lie to what few readers I do have.  If I dislike a movie I'm going to say so but I will be respectful to the director, cast and crew.  Brandon Prewitt is no stranger to Horror Society.  His involvement with Studio 605 has put his work on the chopping block several time.  In the past I have reviewed his films Friday the 13th: The Curse of Jason, The Woods Within, and Last Supper.  All of these got positive reviews from me.  He recently reached out to me to check out another short, A Twisted Fate.  I appreciate Brandon reaching out to Horror Society and myself about reviewing the short.

     The film follows two employees who receive tragic news.  Conner (Ganser) was just informed that his brother, a military vet, was struck by a car.  The other, Riley (Howell), received word that her mother has just suffered a heart attack.  They both rush to the elevator to go to the bedside of their loved ones when they encounter an unusual man (Norman) leaving the elevator.  They rush in and hit the button only to find that the elevator is stuck with them trapped inside.  Their cell phones do not work and soon find themselves panicking when they can not reach their loved ones in their time of need.  After sometime their phones do work and they receive reassuring news on their critical loved ones but are then faced with something far more sinister awaiting them in the elevator.

     Prewitt and Studio 605 have turned out some great feature length films, shorts, and fan films over the years.  Their landmark film, The Campground directed by Roman Joassart, brought them notoriety in the indie horror scene and their follow up films and shorts only added to their reputation.  Any time Roman, Jack, or Brandon reach out to me about a new project I tend to get excited.  Sadly, this was one short I not enjoy.  It had some great atmosphere and tension but just didn't hit the mark I was expecting.  The acting in this one is great and easily one of the best acted shorts I have seen for a very long time.  Becca Howell and T.J. Ganser were great together.  They worked very well with each other and their chemistry is great.  Norman has a brief appearance in the film but his character is never really touched upon.  He always has a sinister look about him and seeing him listed as Death on imdb means a great opportunity was missed.  I get what Prewitt was trying to do but I just feel like Death needed more of a hint or spoken word.  The story for this one is more than your typical horror short.  We have thriller elements that end on a horror note.  Very few films can pull this off.  Sadly, I feel like A Twisted Fate missed it.  The film starts out like a dark thriller with two people who are brought together by tragedy only to face something terrifying.  I felt like another opportunity was missed once they reveal their tragedies in the elevator.  One had a brother hit by a car and the other was a mother who suffered a heart attack.  These are both common occurrences but what would have wrapped the story up in a pretty little bow and connected the characters even more  would have been having the mother suffering a heart attack while driving and striking the brother.  Riley could have kept that to herself after someone told her over the phone only to let it slip causing animosity between the two before the short ended.  Also, I disliked how the short ended.  We followed these two characters through some up and downs only to have the scene go black.  I know what is implied but why?  Death was in the elevator before hand and then boom...the big nothing.  At least finish it up with Death leaving the building marking two names off a list or something.  That way we know who Norman is and that they did, in fact, perish.  Finally, if you are looking for blood and gore then check out something else.  If you want a stylish short with some great tension and atmosphere then this one is right up your alley.  Sometimes story and suspense is enough to hold the viewer.  Boobs and blood are not always needed just recommended.  Overall, A Twisted Fate is a short that could be so much more but a few crucial elements were missing.  The ending was too abrupt and a crucial character is never fully explained.  Adding a few more scenes to the short to explain this would help this one out tremendously.  It still deserves a watch but it raises more questions than it has answers.