The Tour

"The Tour" (2014, Alex Mathieson, Damon Rickard, Raedar Productions) is a short horror film that is 15 minutes long.

This compact little film crams a practically whole film plot into its small runtime. But it does this without feeling rushed.

Two young American girls, Cassie (Heather Dorff) and Morgan (Jessica Cameron), are doing a European tour. They have landed in England and have joined a haunted house tour in a small, quiet town. Darkmoor House is the key highlight of the tour; it's steeped in mysterious deaths and disappearances, however, unfortunately the tour does not go inside.

Tom the tour guide (Tom Gordon) takes a shine to Cassie and invites the two flirty girls for a private tour of the house. Once inside, however, things become a lot more sinister than just spooky stories by torchlight...

Managing to create a whole film within 15 minutes without coming a rushed mess is impressive. The scenes are remarkably well shot and the full product is well put together. Whilst the plot came across as quite average, there were actually a couple of well placed twists that made the short stand out against other haunted house stories, and the acting was very competent and believable with every character defining their own personality.

The scenes within the house were effective, if low budget, and there was even a nice jump or two that had the room of viewers twitch.

Scream queens Heather and Jessica, who acted together on other projects, create a good team and a lot of screams. The film benefitted from having a classic feel to it without being too predictable, and came together very effectively.

[Image: Raedar Productions]

 

Hani

Done In

"Done In" (2014, Adam Stephen Kelly, Dark Art Films, DGL Creative) is a miniature masterpiece in story telling.

Standing at just about 8 minutes long, this film manages to build up character, emotion, a story and also deliver a swift kick to the gut within a split second.

Set in an English manor house, we see a man (Guy Henry) lovingly writing a suicide note to his dearly departed wife. He writes of their lives, his fond memories, his sad memories, his regrets with his son, how much he misses her and will join her. Through the wording of the letter, the glances of photographs and ornaments in the room and the beautiful house we begin to feel that we know this man, and we get a fantastic insight into his character in a remarkably small time... or do we?

An absolutely masterful short that is bound to surprise you and make you expel a shocked laugh. This piece is one of the best shorts I've seen in a while!

[Image: Dark Art Films]

 

Hani 

Call Girl

"Call Girl" (2014, Jill Sixx Gevargizian, Sixx Tape Productions) is a short horror film starring Tristan Risk and Laurence R. Harvey.

The film is shot from the perspective of a webcam and we are introduced to Laurence R. Harvey's character who is planning to exploit his 'date night' with Tristan Risk's character. When the girl turns up, she is left momentarily while he fetches 'protection' only for something shocking to happen. Laurence definitely gets more than he bargained for though!

A really fun short made effective by good acting, an interesting camera perspective, the glitchy camera effects of the 'live feed' and some good ol' gore. A simple but effective plot shows some very competent film making and storytelling at play.

Great stuff! Catch it online!

[Image: Sixx Tape Productions]

 

Hani 

INSPIRACION

"INSPIRACION" (2014, Antonio Clemente, Barry's Kidnapping Films) is a Spanish short suspense film about a writer who is struggling for inspiration for his next book.

His... hooker(?) recommends a person to contact who can guarantee that he will find inspiration. But he might not like what he is asked to do to inspire his imagination.

A very quiet, film noir-esque piece which makes good use of light and fills the 16minute time slot well without trying to be too clever with the budget.

The entire piece is filmed in black and white, but it lends itself well to the kind of suspensful story being told. If you don't mind subtitles, and, like me, you're not scared of independent lower budget pieces, it's a fun international short that I hope will make its way to the UK for some film festivals.

[Image: Antonio Clemente]

Hani

 

Split

"Split" (2014, Andy Stewart, Shining Example Films) is a short horror film from the talented Scottish director and writer, Andy Stewart.

Last year I blogged about another of Andy's body horror short films, the wonderfully raw and sickening "Dysmorphia" you can find that here: http://horrorev.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/dysmorphia.html

An unnamed man (Austin Hayden) awakes alone in bed. It soon becomes apparant that he and his girlfriend (Shian Denovan) have split up. As the plot unfolds we become more aware that he is to blame for the breakup and that he is slowly being cosumed by his guilt.

He begins to become ill as his guilt manifests itself physcially. From pustules to losing body bits, the effects are vomit-inducingly detailed and realistic, steering clear of gore-fest cheapness.

As his condition worsens we're treated to flashbacks to his relationship. The use of lighting in the different time zones is really effective. And the scoring is excellently timed and very haunting.

With a larger budget this time less is left to our imagination, and we enjoy some gruesome physical effects teamed with the same powerful use of sound that Andy's technique demonstrated in "Dsymorphia".

More artistic and eerie than the more shocking storytelling style used in "Dysmorphia", "Split" creates a different, sadder atmosphere and again, keeps the audience enthralled for the full 18 minute run-time despite the some truly queezy moments!

Fantastic! You have to check out this film!

 

 

[Image: Shining Example Films]

Hani

Dysmorphia

"Dysmorphia" (2012, Andy Stewart, Stay Curious Productions, Koozlick Media) is an award winning horror short from the talented Scottish horror journalist and director, Andy Stewart, which both satisfies the viewer with a horror thrill and theatrically explores some mental health themes.

Our main character (Gordon Holliday) narrates his thoughts as he sits at a table with a bag. We slowly come to realise his horrific intentions (if you haven't guessed from the name of the film) as he reveals his thoughts and also the contents of the bag. Tools, towels, something to bite on...

Dark and artistic, but not in that annoying art student way, this film is clever. While we enjoy some  gore and some very smart cut away scenes which let your imagination go wild and we hear a lot of deliciously sickening sounds, we're never given reason to begin thinking on what the props and effects are. This is the sign of a good film for me. If I start to imagine how they put it together while I'm watching it, it usually means I'm bored of the scene. It all seemed very real and very methodical.

The tension is high and the viewer is with the character through the whole ordeal. While feeling  nauseous, the film keeps your attention rapt. I could barely look away from the screen while also wishing he would just do it quickly.

The acting is intense and very effective, conveying a lot of depth in such a short run time.

The effects are fantastic and have been recognised as such.

The film has a very dark kick of an ending too!

Excellently executed and a fantastic and simple plot. You might want to leave your lunch until later before watching it, though!

If you haven't had a chance to see it yet, you can watch it here:You Tube Video

I'm now looking forward to Andy's newest film, "Split".

[Image: Stay Curious Productions]

 

Hani

Bloody Cuts : Stitches

"Stitches" (Ben Kent, Ben Franklin, Jonny Franklin, Joel Morgan) is another short from Bloody Cuts' horror anthology.

This one is not for the Coulrophobics out there! A babysitter finds more than she bargains for when sitting for the child of a couple who collect figures and toys.

Nicely set up and only 5 minutes or so long, this one is really a one trick pony of a film, but providing you go in open minded I'm sure you'll be pleased.

[Image: www.bloodycuts.co.uk]

Hani

Bloody Cuts : Prey

"Prey" (Jonny Franklin, Ben Franklin, Ben Kent, Joel Morgan, www.bloodycuts.co.uk) is the third episode of the Anthology online series, Bloody Cuts.

A sexual predator (the rather dashing Fergal Philips pictured below) receives his comeuppance when he rufies the wrong girl's drink in a bar.

It's really a classic monster (short-)movie with a boogie under the bed deal, but with a set up that could be seen as more scary than the monster itself. Nicely put together with some good effects and some very good creepiness in the bedroom before the gore sets in to steal the show.

[Image: www.bloodycuts.co.uk]

Hani

Bloody Cuts : Mother Died

"Mother Died" (Neill Gorton, Ben Franklin, www.bloodycuts.co.uk) is another of the British horror anthology, Bloody Cuts.

A dark and personal kind of film, we meet a daughter (Sarah Winter) who's mother has just died. I advise you do not know any more than that going in, as it makes what the daughter does much more sinister!

Quiet and short, with some nice effects and interesting camera angles, "Mother Died" adds a little something of interest to its genre, which is fast becoming boring with too many film makers going down the same path. Quite inspired.

[Image: www.bloodycuts.co.uk]

Hani

Bloody Cuts : Dead Man's Lake

"Dead Man's Lake" (2013, Ben Franklin, Jonny Franklin, Joel Morgan, www.bloodycuts.co.uk) is a short from the Bloody Cuts free online horror anthology.

Wow, this one blew me away! Set up like an 80s slasher, the opening credits are awesome! The title theme is spot on, the clothing is suitably 80s and yet it's all still very British.

Three friends go camping in the woods near Dodman's Lake. As the couple try to get all snuggly wuggly in their romantic setting, their explosive-obsessed friend is busy running around throwing fireworks.

But, unknown to them, someone else is there with them... Is it all it appears?

A tale with some jumps, some gore and a moral that's actually really heart wrenching, I recommend any slasher fans definitely give this one a look!

[Image: www.bloodycuts.co.uk]

Hani

Bloody Cuts : Don't Move

"Bloody Cuts" is a series of short horror films from some talented British folks. I only just discovered episode 8 today: "Don't Move" (Anthony Melton, David Scullion, 2013).

I love a good anthology and will make it my goal (post-Masters assignment) to watch and review them all asap!

A clever and tense little film, we find a group of friends in a darkened flat, unable to move as they are hunted by a demon who can sense movement. Slowly and intensively the demon takes down the remaining friends in some gruesome and bloody ways, as the others have to stand stock-still and listen.


Clever, brilliantly put together, with some eerie-as-hell sound effects and gory to boot, I thoroughly enjoyed "Don't Move" and would highly recommend you all get over there and watch it! Now! Shoo!

All of the shorts are available to watch online: http://www.bloodycuts.co.uk/ Enjoy!

[Image: www.bloodycuts.co.uk]

Hani

The Monster Club

"The Monster Club" (1980, Roy Ward Baker, Amicus Productions) is a British horror anthology based on short stories written by R. Chetwynd-Hayes.

The author, Chetwynd-Hayes (John Carradine) bumps into a strange fellow, Eramus the starving vampire (Vincent Price) who asks him if he could feed off of him in return for some monster stories.

Eramus takes Chetwynd-Hayes to a local club known as 'The Monster Club' which is pretty much a cabaret bar for the supernatural.

The film jumps from the vampire and the author enjoying the evening in the club, the acts going on in the club and also the stories acted out as Eramus tells them. The stories focus on three different supernatural creatures.

The Shadmock

This story is a story with a lesson. Very similar in style to some of Stephen King's 'Creepshow' shorts.

A young woman, Angela (Barbara Kellerman), decides to take a job with a rich, reclusive man (who's not a man, but infact a Shadmock - a supernatural hybrid creature with a terrible whistle which can kill!) called Raven (James Laurenson). She is to work with him in his secluded mansion, categorising his antiques.

Raven is odd, awkward and odd-looking. Angela is at first repulsed by him, but eventually becomes friends with him. She finds, however, that some of his stuff is really very valuable, and she and her boyfriend decide to take advantage of Raven's kind personality and rob him.

Unfortunately, Raven takes Angela's 'kindnesses' the wrong way and proposes to her. Shocked, she declines and rushes her attempt to rob him. Catching her in the act, Raven uses his terrible superpower on her! Seeing the results of the creature's whistle, Angela's boyfriend runs for it, but loses his mind.

And the moral of the story? Don't be a dick.

The Vampires

Eramus decides to tell Chetwynd-Hayes of his own kind, but not his own story. This isn't an Anne Rice novel, after all!

A young bullied boy (Warren Saire) and his parents live quiet lives. The boy's father (Richard Johnson) works nights and his mother (Britt Ekland) constantly reassures her son that he is destined for greatness and that he is to be aware of men in suits carrying cases.

The boy discovers that his father is in fact a vampire! Unfortunately, a bunch of vampire hunters also become aware of this...

A nice little tale with a good ending.

The Ghouls / The Humegoo

A movie director looking for a spot to film his next works discovers an uncharted little town. Unfortunately, the town is home to only Luna (a seemingly innocent girl who is in fact a Humegoo, or human-ghoul hybrid) and a bunch of man-eating ghouls.

Can he fend off the hordes of man-eaters and save Luna? Well, he can try.

Eramus then goes on to detail how many different ways humans have concocted to kill one another, formally announcing the horror writer to be an honourary member of the 'Monster Club'.

Some very late 70s and early 80s music acts, some terrible monster masks and an entertaining strip tease (right down to her bare bones!) make this movie a small cult hit. But it's mainly notable for the presence of both Price and Carradine; horror legends!

Cheesey, British, horror anthology fun.

Carradine and Price discuss monster geneology and breeding

[Picture: Amicus Productions]