tomgleba

Writer/Director Brandon Slagle's follow up to last year's successful "The Black Dahlia Haunting", "Dead Sea" manages to avoid the sophomore jinx by relying on: strong characters, taut action sequences, and intricate plot threads. Set in a small, lakeside town, this "creature feature" with a brain combines a lot of familiar elements of genre fare into an interesting, fast paced feature.

After a violent Gulf War setpiece involving Kier (Slagle) and Castor (Griffith), and a "Piranha" inspired boat party gone horribly wrong, we find marine biologist Victoria (Iacono) returning to her hometown to investigate a recent rash of mysterious fish kills, and we soon learn that her connection to this town isn't all pleasant childhood memories.

A large hungry seas beast is awaiting it's next meal, Victoria is making science sexy again while also dealing with daddy issues, Kier and Castor are involved in less-than-legal activities, and Auriel washes up on a beach full of dead fish looking hotter than she did when she went into the drink--these things and more are what make "Dead Sea" a great watch. Throw in a Lovecraft (and more than a few shades of Stephen King) inspired sub-plot involving the entire town and the suspense just ratchets from there.

Great performances from an excellent ensemble cast (many ported over from the aforementioned "Black Dahlia") and an engrossing story make the monster almost secondary in this study in small town America and the relationships and secrets that hide just under the surface. Iacono and Pinn are both brilliant, and Griffith's acting chops just keep getting better. Superbly shot, with some really effective underwater camera work, "Dead Sea" is technically sound as well. Slagle's previous efforts are carefully timed exercises in suspense, while containing intricate plots that just suck you in (no pun intended...), and "Dead Sea" shows a director honing his craft. Keeping the plot accessible while maintaining his "signature" style of complex characters, a cerebral narrative, and a strange disconnect between camera and viewer, this is definitely a unique film that keeps the focus more on the players as opposed to dazzling effects.

Combining the elements from at least half a dozen sub-genres into an intelligent, cohesive, and ultimately entertaining film is no small task. Slagle and company have proved to up to the challenge--"Dead Sea" is another winner!

I've said it many times, to many people: "Brandon Slagle is a talented writer/director and one of these days he's going to make an epic horror film". With "The Black Dahlia Haunting" he may have just done it.

Setting a dark and foreboding tone, you can tell from the first 5 minutes that there will be no happy endings here. Intensity, mood, and atmosphere are the order of the day for Mr. Slagle as he tells the story of a young woman (Pinn) coming to the aid of her estranged younger brother (Dahl), who is accused of murdering their parents. Melding elements of both fact and fiction, "TBDH" is an excellent example of: shots that seem both lush and sparse, scenes that are both frightening and emotionally wrenching, characters that are both benevolent and malignant, and it's this juxtaposition style of film making that makes this picture so un-nerving and disturbing. Those familiar with the legendary case know that there have been reams of material written, not to mention miles of film shot, trying to fit the puzzle of the famously unsolved case together. Slagle manages to bring a fresh, unique take on this well tread territory by weaving a sinister tale of a spirit that definitely is not "resting in peace", and that may or may not have the best intentions in mind when "helping" the people she haunts/possesses. A shower scene between Pinn and Iacono, particularly, ratchets up the creepiness to "11", proving that Slagle, rather than taking the gratuitous route, would rather further add to the slow burn of unease that leads to the grim certainty of the film's cruel climax.

Any film lives or dies (pun intended) on the merits of it's cast. With "TBDH" the cast is nearly perfect! Noah Dahl's portrayal of a blind, obviously disturbed young man is chillingly convincing, Britt Griffith as the doctor who slowly gives in to his perverse desires brings to mind Nicholson in "The Shining" (and that's not the only thing Kubrick-esque that you'll find in this film), and the gorgeous Alexis Iacono brings all of the glamour and hedonism of "old Hollywood" to vibrant, full-blooded life as the titular character. Devanny Pinn shines through the gloom as Holly, the young woman at the center of the evil goings on, and her descent into madness (or redemption) is rendered with precision and emotion, in fact, this is one of the finest performances I've had the pleasure of reviewing this year. Slagle, who does the "paranoid crazy guy" better than anyone in the business, gives a believable twist as Malcolm. Cleve Hall (t.v.'s "Monsterman"), also brings the requisite sleazy creepiness to Steven Cordell, the man behind the original murder, the outright glee he brings to a sadistic set-piece has to be witnessed to be believed! Glamming it up to excellent effect as Marilyn Monroe, Jessica Cameron makes an appearance that will only serve to add to her increasingly impressive resume. Perfect casting is another facet to this dark diamond.

"The Black Dahlia Haunting" is a triumph for all involved for the simple fact that it delivers. No "gross outs", no "torture porn", and no "jump scares", just a precise, effective ghost story, told and executed by an extremely gifted group of horror's "new guard", proving that budget, once again, will never top talent.

Frequent collaborators Brandon Slagle(15 Till Midnight) and Devanny Pinn(cathARTic) once again succeed in making a little look like a lot in "Area 51: Confidential". Avoiding the normal "found footage" pratfalls (hokey plot lines, cheap looking effects, terrible acting) this film works because of 3 things: inventive cinematography, superior performances, and an intriguing plot. Both Slagle and Pinn deliver the multi-faceted acting chops we've come to expect, and Wolfgang Meyer particularly shines as a confused refugee of the titular Area 51. Most of the real action takes place out of frame, or in the realm of the sound design of this film, thus keeping the effects budget low, and the locations really contribute to the feeling of isolation and impending doom associated with the plot line. I watched this right after viewing the similarly themed "Apollo 18" and found "Area 51: Confidential" to be the superior film, despite having what probably amounted to 1/100th the budget. Again, Hollywood, you're doing it wrong! No amount of pre-release hype, flashy effects, ADD style editing, mega-stars, and cash will ever trump a good idea and passionate film-making!

Nutball director Thomas Berdinski (of "The Italian Zombie Movie" fame) is at it again with this wild short film originally done for an indie horror anthology called "The Collective". "The Giant Rubber Monster Movie: Sascratch vs, Afrodesious" again, succeeds where others have failed, for many of the same reasons as Berdinski's "IZM"--it laughs WITH the source/inspiration material rather than laughs AT it. And that, friends, makes for a wickedly entertaining film!! TGRMM features the talents of just about every horror host East of the Rockies, some in mere photos or cameos, and some in meatier roles--witness Sigmund Zoid's super villain or smoking hot/goofy news anchors Marlena Midnite & Robyn Graves. The "heroes" of the story Miko and Ken, are wonderfully played by Brendan and Jeff Bromley, a father & son team in real life, which must explain the excellent comedy timing and chemistry they display here. The monsters are straight out of Toho, the effects are strictly cheese, the martial arts are suitably "chop-socky" the gore is ample, the laughs are plentiful, and the performances are, like Dr. Zoid's ship, out of this world! Put it on your "must watch" list!! Your face is gonna hurt from smiling so much!

Just when you thought the "Zom-Com" was dying out (what with all of the Shaun of the Dead knock offs) Along comes "Beverly Lane" to breathe new life (or is it death?) into a tired sub-genre!! I had the distinct pleasure of reviewing this fine film a few months back for NerdRemix.com and it's well made, well written, well acted and funny as all get out! Director Joshua Hull and company have loaded up on the funny and pull out all the stops here, there's a little bit of everything at this doomed retirement party: sleazy clowns, magicians, annoying mimes, cougars, fatties, office brown-nosers, violent bikers, and of course plenty of hungry zombies!! This film really succeeds where many similar films fail--LAUGHS!! I for one was giggling like a moron throughout most of the running time. A particular standout was Jim O'Rear, but the entire cast was solid. I can't really say enough about this flick other than-Watch it!! Watch it 2 or 3 times!! They don't make 'em like this too often! I, for one, can't wait to see Hull's follow up "Idiot Gore"-here's hoping lightning strikes twice!

I first reviewed "15 Till" for my website, and going in, I didn't expect much--I'm not much of a sci-fi fan, but I had seen some of Meyer's work before (as well as actor Brandon Slagle's) so I gave it a chance. "15 Till Midnight" totally exceeded my expectations!! It's a very well crafted and superbly acted film, Meyer's direction keeps a very deliberate pace and holds the viewer's interest, which is no small task given the "skewed reality" subject matter. Brandon Slagle is just flat out bad assed in this as Lukas as are the beautiful Andrea Chen as Sera and Devanny Pinn as Nara. Andrea Roth also turns in a powerful performance--but you really have to see this film for yourself to truly appreciate the passion and dedication that very obviously went into making this film. It's succeeds where movies with, dare I say, 100x the budget fail, it's one of those films that holds up to repeated viewings--and that's about the highest compliment this cine-phile can give it!

I had the distinct pleasure of reviewing the gorgeous and talented Ms. Pinn's directorial debut a few weeks ago and let me begin by saying she is a major talent both in front of, and behind, the camera! "cathARTic" is a spellbinding trip down the darker side of art in several mediums that eventually converge in climax of this well-crafted, compelling short film. Frequent cohorts, Brandon Slagle and Pinn really seem to wallow in the dark depravity that permeates the atmosphere of this grim tale and their performances, as well as that of the rest of the cast, really shine. Definitely check this out, it's art about art, without the snobbery and "tripping over the subtext" that prevails in other short films in this genre.

Michigan's own Tom Berdinski "gets it". When someone does a "spoof" or "homage" to genre films (especially ones with rabid fan bases like the "Spaghetti Splatter" movies of the 80's) there's a fine line between someone who's laughing with the fans and someone who's laughing at the fans. From the opening scene, with a brilliantly executed, Fulci inspired eye impalement, it's very obvious that Berdinski and Company are fans making films for fans. And, in this case, that's a very good thing indeed! Simply put, The Italian Zombie Movie (both parts) were a total blast to experience!! The acting was cheesy and authentic, the gore and effects were convincingly low-rent, and the story and soundtrack were pure Italian schlock! There were "inside jokes" to genre fans at every turn, from lines and set pieces to character names and behaviors. One could easily devise a drinking game around spotting the Fulci/Argento/Deodato references (and if you're a fan of said directors—watch these accompanied by a few cold ones—it enhances the experience!) Without giving too much away, the story centers around a bizarre group of people trying to get to the bottom of various conspiracies and sub-plots involving an Army landfill populated by re-animated corpses. All the Italian stereotype characters are here—the sexy Succubus, the mad doctor, the misogynistic anti-hero, the bumbling military types, they even got the Michigan Militia involved!! Going in, I was like "two 90 minute features?? No way this is going to hold my interest", but the laughs kept coming, the groans kept coming, and the splatter kept coming. This first movie was a riot, very Troma-like (in a good way), the female leads were very easy on the eyes, and everything was done with a wink and tongue planted firmly in cheek. By the end of the film, you're hooked and waiting for more! Zombie Atrocity picks up right where Abomination left off—with Bruno Deodato, our hero still super glued inside his tent while the zombie battle rages on outside, then things get really strange. All of the twisted sub-plots get nicely wrapped up with women sprouting horns, a re-animated head in a Luchadero mask, intestine eating, and robots from space! Do yourself a favor a pick this movie up!! This a fun-filled, campy, gut munching, skull stomping, zombie picnic! Fans of Italio-splatter (as well as fans of low-budget/no-budget film making) will eat this up like so many spilled guts!

I'm currently watching my screener copy of "The Good Sisters" for the second time no less-- and I can honestly say--I can't get enough of this flick!!! This is one of those few "gems" that make wading through the indie DVD scene worth it!! Instead of the "splatstick" route, Director JimmyO crafted a mature, creepy, paranoid throwback to classic 70's occult cinema (I still love Chainsaw Sally--don't get me wrong--this is just in a different, somehow darker vein--if that makes sense). April Monique Burril and Debbie Rochon really show some serious acting chops/range (besides being smoking hot and wearing fantastically sexy outfits!!), and create such a paranoid/claustrophobic vibe in the scenes in the darkened apartment that it's literally "edge of your seat" viewing in points! I can't wait to get ahold of the full blown DVD release with all of the extras, and I also can't wait to see what these two have in store for season 2 of the Chainsaw Sally Show---but I digress, run, don't walk to get a copy of The Good Sisters when it drops, it's indie cinema at it's finest