Back in 2009, I had the opportunity of reviewing Christopher Di Nuzino’s film “Livestock”. It was a film that I enjoyed a lot. Now fast forward to today, where he currently has a short film “Her Heart Still Beats” that is going to see distribution as an extra on the upcoming Independent Entertainment release “The Ripping”.

The film follows a man (Fiore Leo), who suddenly feels different when he looks at the eyes of his wife (Leighsa Burgin). The whole ordeal is starting to make him question everything in his relationship with her. He doesn’t know if he’s going paranoid or is there truth that she may have evil tendencies.

One of the reason that I enjoyed “Her Heart Still Beats” was the direction of writer/director Christpher Di Nuzino. His direction works so well because the film had a very dark and gloomy tone to it. It has the feel of an Edgar Poe Story, which the film is based on. It also helped that the film looked professionally shot. Di Nuzino along with his Cinematographer James Sullivan does a very good job making sure the look of the film fit with the film’s dark tone. It helped enhances the film’s dark aspects. This is one of the better looking short films that I’ve seen. Di Nuzino also did a very good job with the way he directs the performances. He makes sure that his cast had chemistry with each other. Both Fiore Leo and Leighsa Burgin did a very good job with the way that they approach their characters. They made them interesting, as they both worked very well with each other. The performances helped make the material work on screen.

Di Nuzino’s screenplay was also another reason that I liked this a lot. He does a very good job exploring the main character’s state of mind during the course of the film. I liked how everything wasn’t rushed. The screenplay takes its time developing the main character, as he descends into madness. By doing that it helped keep my interested, as I was interested in the character. The other thing that I liked about the story was the fact develops the main character and the story. Di Nuzino takes his time developing the main character relationship with his wife, so that it feels shocking when he goes into madness. It allows the film to have very gloomy tone, which is present throughout the story.

“Her Heart Still Beats” is a very effective thriller that keeps your interest through it story and very good direction from Christopher Di Nuzino. It should be checked out, when “The Ripping” DVD hits stores.

The film will be released as an extra on “The Ripping” DVD, which is scheduled for release on 11/19.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film’s official Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Her-Heart-Still-Beats

In 1987, Empire Pictures and Charles Band created an anthology film called "PULSE POUNDERS", comprised of three segments: a short sequel to "TRANCERS", a short sequel to "THE DUNGEONMASTER" and a loose adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's "THE EVIL CLERGYMAN".

"PULSEPOUNDERS" was shot and edited in 1988, but unfortunately caught up in the financial wranglings that followed the collapse of Empire Pictures. The 35mm negative was lost before a final cut was approved or any sound work had been done.

Recently, a "PULSEPOUNDERS" VHS workprint was discovered. Charles Band and a team of experts digitally restored the "Clergyman" segment, and Richard Band composed an 80s-style-score for it.

The result: an absolutely excellent gem of a (short) movie!

"The Evil Clergyman" is 28 minutes of shockingly brilliant 80s awesomeness. I'm not a big fan of Band's work, but omg, this is probably the best thing he has ever done. It's tense, gripping and extremely atmospheric, plus: a highly erotic sequence and a few hilarious moments.

The direction is almost flawless, Dennis Paoli's ("Re-Animator", "From Beyond") screenplay is strong and unique, Mac Ahlberg's ("House 1-3") cinematography is gorgeous and captivating, Giovanni Natalucci's ("Troll", "Dolls") set design is a treat for the eyes, and Richard Band's ("House On Sorority Row") score is as marvellous as everything else he ever composed.

The acting is also terrific: an excellent and highly emotional performance of the wonderful Barbara Crampton ("From Beyond"), a super-creepy Jeffrey Combs ("Re-Animator 1-3"), an equally creepy David Warner ("The Omen") and David Gale ("Re-Animator 1-2") as funny-looking rat-creature.

Highlight: Una Brandon-Jones as nasty landlady, delivering great lines like
"I used to be as beautiful as you are... but there's a worm in the body... in EVERY body... that eats it away."

Hands down, "The Evil Clergyman" is absolutely fantastic! Fans of good ol' 80s horror and everything Empire/Full-Moon-related will orgasm.

0, 1, 2, 3, 1, 0 - NULL, EINS, ZWEI, DREI, EINS, NULL
(11minute short)

Alternate Title:
Diligo Victum

USA, 2010
Director: Dick Jane

6/10

Bizarre and awesome-looking but not entirely satisfying experimental-short about a heartbroken and suicidal widow on the anniversary of her husband's murder at the hands of his mistress.

"0, 1, 2, 3, 1, 0" looks absolutely stunning, thanks to the beautiful cinematography, the excellent lighting and the stylish set-up. It's packed with emphatic images and symbols, the music (various clips from Trent Reznor's brilliant song cycle "Ghosts") is haunting and highly effective, and I loved the odd german narration throughout the film.

Unfortunately, the whole thing is rather a case of style over substance, as there are way too many open and unanswered questions, and the story / the characters lack development. Also, it felt a bit too dull and tedious for my liking.

Recommended to fans of Jeremiah Kipp's works.

Director Todd Cobery has send us over the official poster and stills for his latest short film "Zombie Chic 3D". The short film recently made its world premiere at this year's SXSW Film Festival, as part of the Midnight Short Competition. This is Cobery's second short film. His last short film "Good Night, Beautiful" has screened at many film festivals worldwide.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://www.zombiechic3d.com/

Plot Synopsis:

A stuffy, upscale dinner party is interrupted by the zombie apocalypse in this gory black comedy.

Upcoming Screenings:

Friday, March 16: 11:45PM
Alamo Lamar C
Austin, Texas

Quick Shop
Year: 2011
Director: Martin Binder
Stars: Chris Stevens, Rob Hercik, Tow Dwyer
Studio: Movies by Martin Productions
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 13 Mins

“Quick Shop” is a short film about Hunter and Trevor, who’ve recently became roommates in college. The two head to the countryside for a fun weekend, after Trevor has a falling out with his girlfriend. Along the way, they pull over a quick stop store that’s located in the middle of nowhere. Their road trip takes a turn for the worst, when one of them has to use the restroom. Once inside, Hunter and Trevor are locked inside the store with no way out. They soon learn that the store’s storekeeper is stalking them and looking to murder them, The two have to work together to find a way out, before the storekeeper hunts them down.

This is one of those films that doesn’t click with you until the very end. Writer/director Martin Binder’s direction was good. One of things that makes the direction work, the fact that he was able to make everything in the convenient store work well. Binder was able to make this work, by getting a location that didn’t feel cheesy with the limited resources at his disposal. The location really does a good job getting the atmosphere that is needed to his story work. Sometimes, a location can make you forget that your watching a camcorder film. The other that makes his direction and this film ultimately work for me, the way that Binder handles the performances. I thought, the performances here were very good. He does a very good job getting the performances out of the actors. This was one film that it took a while for me to be interested, but the performances aspects were handled in a way that everything worked it’s self out. Once the characters became interesting on the page, it instantly connected to the performances. It quite frankly saved this film, from becoming a mediocre film.

The screenplay written by Binder and co-writer John Leary looked like one that I was ready to rip on, until the last five minutes of the film changed my feeling about it. The ending was handled very well, as I thought it wasn’t predictable. The writers do a very good job catching you off guard. I was truly fooled into what was going to happen next, as this looked like this was going to be one of those by the books thriller. The other thing that they did well, they hid the killer’s identity. My thought was after the first scene was “oh no, I’m going to be in for a boring and unentertaining story“. Thankfully, that was not the case. Even though, the first scene felt like a throwaway scene. I can forgive it, because played more into the twist than in the actual story.

If there one criticism that I have with Binder and Leary’s screenplay, the lead characters should have been more interesting from the first time that appeared on the screen. They were interesting in the last half of the film, but the characters didn’t work for me in the introduction. For a short film of this nature to instantly grab my interest, the characters have to be interesting for the entire time. If this was a full length feature, then I would give it a little more leeway. That’s what holding it back from being a very good screenplay.

“Quick Shop” is a film that was for the most part entertaining, but there is a couple of things that holds it back from being very good.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film’s official website at: http://www.quickshopmovie.com.

Review Rating: Three Stars

Fathead Films recently send up information about their new project "Trapped". It's a kid friendly film that will begin production in early 2012. The film will be directed by Keith Romine, the producer of "What They Say" and the screenplay being handled by Kelsey Zukowski (What They Say). The filmmakers need your help. They've started a IndieGoGO campaign and they are looking to raise $2,000 dollars in 62 days.

To contribute to "Trapped", you can visit the film's official Indie GO-GO campaign:

For more information on the film, you can "Like" the film's official Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Trapped/235245833207354

Press Release:

Fathead Films is proud to announce their upcoming short film “Trapped” to begin production in Belvidere/Rockford area early 2012.

Trapped

Trapped is a scary but kid friendly short film currently in pre-production and slated to begin principal photography in the Belvidere, IL area early 2012. The film Produced/Directed by Keith Romine of Fathead Films will primarily feature local Northern Illinois talent ages 8 to 18... and of course some adults to fill the roles of meddling parents, troublesome siblings and maybe even a villain or two.

The Concept

Keith Romine began toying with the concept that has evolved into Trapped in late 2010. Keith's purpose was to bring a 'scary' but kid friendly film to his acting students and other young actors in the Northern Illinois region. Inspired by his young acting classes in the Belvidere and Rockford IL areas Keith commissioned Kelsey Zukowski (What They Say) of Chicago to write a short screenplay stating he wanted a scary movie that (unlike most of his work) his acting students could audition to be in and actually watch once finished!

The Team

Kelsey exceeded expectations and after nearly a year of planning Trapped is ready to begin production. Keith has teamed with Berdella Endress (That's My Girl) to Co-Produce and has also brought on Stuart Wahlin (Hand of Glory) as Director of Photography. Keith hopes to see many of his current and former students auditioning but notes that auditions will not be limited to Fathead Films students and to avoid bias Keith will rely heavily on the rest of his production team to assist in casting decisions. Auditions will be held early December in the Belvidere and Rockford, IL area.

How You Can Help

Please help us to spread the word about our fundraising efforts! http://www.indiegogo.com/Trapped?a=14184&i=addr Share with friends and family via facebook, twitter, myspace, email and word of mouth. All of the funds raised will directly help bring this film to life covering a wide variety of expenses from providing on-set snacks and beverages, equipment, locations, props, extensive makeup and special effects in production to editing and effects in post production and full festival run to follow. Also follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Trapped/235245833207354 for up to date casting and all things Trapped.

Lesser Men Productions send us over information regarding its world premiere and upcoming screenings for their short film "Teach'er". The short film will makes it's world premiere at this year's Long Island Film Festival in July.

Press Release:

Lesser Men Productions presents the world premiere of Teach’er, a new short film from award winning director Cody Campanale. This unsettling new drama explores the competitive nature of an artist and questions whether there can be any dignity in a successful career as one. Teach’er will screen in July at the Long Island International Film Expo and Manhattan Film Festival; then again in August at the prestigious Montreal World Film Festival.

Teach’er introduces us to Jason and Vanessa; two-theatre school students who want to be famous actors. When they learn that only one of them will be awarded a prestigious acting apprenticeship, a competition for their professor’s approval begins, which forces them to reject their own morality and come to the realization that there can be no dignity in art.

Featuring performances by some of Canada’s indie film favorites: including award-winning actor Robert Nolan (Urban Legends, Skeleton Lake), actress Katie Ulhman (Comedy Made Short, CBC’s The Listener), and a breakout performance by newcomer Cameron Rufelds in the lead role of Jason.

Writer/Director Cody Campanale, with his second short film, has garnered praise and scrutiny for his representation of morally diabolical characters caught up in a quest for power. Similar themes and ideas were explored in Cody’s earlier film Roofies & Romance, which enjoyed a successful run on the film festival circuit. It’s Cody’s ability to ask unsettling questions in his films that give this filmmaker his voice.

Campanale is quickly emerging as an exciting new voice in Canadian cinema. First, a project pitch for Teach’er earned him a spot as one of the Reel World Film Festival’s Emerging 20 at their 2010 Indie Film Lounge, and now with several upcoming festival screenings: including The Montreal World Film Festival, a festival often recognized along with TIFF, Sundance, and Cannes as ‘one of the most highly attended film festivals’.

Cody recently wrapped production on Scars his third short film, which was financed by the Ontario Arts Council, and shot mostly on 35mm. It also stars lead actors from such international recognized television programs as Degrassi, Power Rangers SPG, and Monster Warriors.

Teach’er will have its first ever screening at the Long Island International Film Expo on July 12th 2011 at 7:45pm. Visit www.lessermen.ca or www.liifilmexpo.org for more details.

Bill Page, host of Indie Film Night send us over information regarding tomorrow night's big show.

There are four short films on this week's edition. KNOCK, SOMEBODIES, THE BELITTLED, DEAD BODY MANA,

Also a big star will be dropping by the show. Charlie McDermott, from ABC's THE MIDDLE will be joining Sarah Jessica & Bill LIVE in the studio to take your questions tomorrow night.

Join them and watch four short films, this Wednesday night at 8PM EST on indiefilmnight.com

File this next piece of news as "Worst Movie Idea Ever". Actor Rob Lowe is set to make his directorial debut with the comedy/horror film "Butterfinger the 13th". Yes, I'm not kidding or playing a prank. It an actually a short film, with the candy bar featured in it.

Press Release:

BUTTERFINGER® is going where no candy bar has gone before, leaping from the concession stand sidelines to the big screen spotlight. "Butterfinger the 13th" will be the first-ever film produced not by a major studio or filmmaker, but by one of America's iconic candy brands. And signed on to make movie-making history with Butterfinger is none other than actor, producer, New York Times best-selling author, and now, first-time comedy-horror film director, Rob Lowe.

"Butterfinger's history with irreverent comedy drew me to this really unique, fun project," said director Lowe, who plays 'Chris Traeger' on hit comedy 'Parks and Recreation' and recently guest starred on three episodes of 'Californication.' "As an artist, I get to explore the world of horror movie-making with a comedic twist. It's going to be a psychological thriller that will leave you laughing."

Banking on Lowe's brilliant instincts and compatible sense of humor, the comedy-horror will bring to life Butterfinger's "Nobody's Gonna Lay A Finger" tagline while warning fans that "You Can't Scream With Your Mouth Full." "Butterfinger the 13th" will take its audience on a perilous journey with the film's hero, whose paranoia leads him to believe that someone wants to lay a finger… in more ways than one.
"Butterfinger is always looking to deliver new and exciting entertainment experiences for fans, mixed in with a heavy dose of clever fun," said Butterfinger spokesperson, Tricia Bowles, Nestle USA Confections & Snacks. "With Rob Lowe behind the camera for this humorously horrific masterpiece, 'Butterfinger the 13th' is sure to be a hit, and we can't wait for Butterfinger fans everywhere to be scared funny."

Lowe's uniquely clever sense of humor made him a top choice to direct the Butterfinger film, in addition to his knack for being on the cutting edge of entertainment trends. His starring roles in "The Outsiders" and "St. Elmo's Fire" blazed the trail for myriad teen angst-ridden films in the '80s. In the 90s, Lowe leant his comedic chops to films such as "Wayne's World" and "Tommy Boy." In the last decade, Lowe went on to co-star in the hit TV drama "The West Wing" largely credited for paving the way for political dramas to become ratings successes on televisions worldwide.

On the heels of publishing his memoirs in The New York Times best-selling Stories I Only Tell My Friends, Lowe will begin production this month on the 25-minute short film "Butterfinger the 13th," which is being kept tightly under wraps. Expected to deliver a movie-making experience "unparallel to any known to mankind," according to Lowe, the film will give fans laughs, screams, tears, fears, and even a special opportunity to participate in the production. Lowe also will be making an exclusive public appearance this summer to meet with fans and share the movie-making experience with them.

"This film will be a great opportunity for me to entertain and interact with fans in a uniquely humorous way," added Lowe. "Personally, I'm just glad Butterfinger finally will help me pay back my folks for all the times when, as a kid, I let my favorite candy get stuck in my teeth and ruin God-knows-how-many sets of braces."

The top-secret "Butterfinger the 13th" production is coming soon to an undisclosed location near you, which you may or may not be able to find on a map, but if you really know Butterfinger, you can probably figure out where, and besides Rob Lowe says he really wants to go there. More information about the film is available online at Facebook.com/Butterfinger.

"Butterfinger the 13th": Teaser Trailer

Director Nick Peterson (Dark Mind) recently send us word about a new animated project that he is working on with actor Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite} Check out the special message from the filmakers above.

Press Release:

Proving that more is merrier, actor Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite, Blades of Glory) and director Nicholas Peterson (“MuM,” Dark Mind) turn to crowdsourced funding website Kickstarter to raise funds for a new short film titled “Drained.”

“Crowdsource funding strikes Nick and I as a fresh new way to fund bold, filmmaker driven films in the future. So we’re testing it out to see where it takes us,” says Heder.

Heder will draw on his background in animation to serve as producer of this cautionary tale that combines stop-motion animation techniques and a digital background with live actors to tell the powerful story of a woman gradually crushed by the destructive forces of an abusive relationship.

“Through Kickstarter, we hope to fund a film that is bigger than each individual’s contribution,” explains Peterson. “For as little as one dollar, people who are passionate about film can help put story to screen.”

To help contribute to this project, you can visit the film's official Kickstart page at:http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/209314516/an-animated-short-film-by-jon-heder-and-nick-peter

Twisted Central and They Call Ron Productions recently send us information regarding the second episode of their short film series "The Social Media Massacre"

The next installment in The Social Media Massacre is now online from Twisted Central Productions and They Call Me Ron Productions.

Heather Dorff and Kelsey Zukowski star in "Im Streaming Death..", the story of what can happen when bullying goes too far and things get settled live on the web!.

The Social Media Massacre began with a short of the same name in late 2010 and grew into a critically acclaimed web anthology! Being praised by Dread Central, Horrormovies.ca and many other websites!

"I'm Streaming Death" can be seen at www.theycallmeron.com

Want to help donate to fund future episodes of the series, you can goto http://www.indiegogo.com/The-Social-Media-Massacre-The-Series, for more information.

You can also catch the first two episodes on our youtube page at www.youtube.com/filmarcade. It's located under "Favorites"

Bill Page of Indie Film Night send us the following information regarding this Wednesday's show.

This week on IndieFilmNight.com

You asked for it, you're getting it. 5 Short Films.

Wildest Dreams

One Big Happy Family

Alistair MacLean:Y'did Nefesh

Rent's Due

Remember Me

Join Gwen Gioia & Bill Page live this Wednesday Jan 12 8 PM EST at www.indiefilmnight.com

UPCOMING FILMS

Jan 19, 2011---HOW TO BECOME AN ACTION STAR IN TEN WEEKS

Jan 26, 2011---TBA

Feb 2, 2011---9th & BAY

We are still accepting new independent movies (features and short films of any genre). Please send email to bill@apprenticepictures.net for more details.

TLACult.com (www.tlacult.com), an online and direct mail DVD and VOD entertainment retailer specializing in unusual cult, horror and exploitation cinema, announced today the winners of the TLACult.com 2010 Short Film Contest. Short filmmakers from all over the United States submitted cult, horror and exploitation movies to TLA’s corporate office in Philadelphia where members of TLA’s web content department screened the films in order to find the best and most unusual short films out there. 12 films were ultimately selected to compete for the grand prize of $1,000. Winners were determined by online voting with the top three entries winning prizes.

Chicago-based director Steven Payne’s The Hawthorne Effect, a creepy horror film with a twist and a healthy dose of gratuitous nudity, received the most votes, earning Payne the Grand Prize of $1,000. Sci-fi short Attackazoids, by brothers Brian and Kevin Lonano of Staten Island, came in second and Insides, a gore-laden autopsy nightmare by Manhattan-based filmmaker Alex Keipper, came in third.
“Overall, this contest was a huge success. We received over 1,000 votes and got to show shockingly original short films from all over the country that might not have been seen otherwise. Our sincere hope is that all of our Finalists will continue making movies. They’ve all demonstrated a lot of filmmaking talent and creative vision. Congratulations to the winners and to all those aspiring underground short filmmakers out there: Get ready. We’re going to do this again next year,” noted Dan Reed, Managing Editor of TLACult.com.

The winning entries will remain up for viewing for a limited time at http://TLACult.com/ShortsContest. The Grand Prize winner will receive $1,000. The first runner-up will receive a $300 TLA Gift Card and the second runner up will receive a $200 TLA Gift Card

Eyes Beyond

Year: 2010

Director: Daniel Reininghaus

Studio: Spotlight Nation Studios.

Stars: Daniel Reininghaus, Kelly-Marie Murtha, Robert Nolan

MPAA Rating: Not Rated

Running Time: 28 Mins

“Eyes Beyond is a film that has been around the festival circuit, for quite a while now. The film has played at the 2010 Fright Night Film Fest, 2010 Sacramento Horror Film Festival, 2010 Oklahoma Horror Film Festival, while winning awards at the 2010 Atlanta Horror Film Festival (Best Disturbing Short), 2010 Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival (Best Actor), 2010 HorrorFind Weekend Film Festival ( Best Screenplay, Best Actress) and 2010 Killer Film Fest (Best Actor).

The film is about two brothers who invite their neighbors over for a nice dinner. The neighbors don’t realize that the brothers’ generosity is not what is seems, when they drug them. When the neighbors wake up, they find themselves caught in a game of ultimate humiliation where their forced to be at the mercy of the brothers. Now the neighbors are trapped to play this game, as the only way out is death.

Short films usually never get the respect that a full length feature would gather. But there are some short films that are so good, your sitting wondering why this art form never gets any sort of attention from mainstream moviegoers. This is what I was thinking about, after watching this film.

“Eyes Beyond” is a very shocking and entertaining short that pulls the cover over your eyes. One of the reasons that this work, Daniel Reininghaus does a great job directing this short film, considering that he also wrote the screenplay and is the main star. I liked how his direction sets up the story with the family that visiting the two brothers that recently moved into the neighborhood. It was done so effectively that it leads you in one direction, which makes the twists works. The acting here was very good, as it gets you caught up in the story of the film. Reininghaus does a good job in getting the performances fit with the story, considering that this film has many twists and turns. I liked how, he gets the actors and actresses to make their characters dark, somber and twisted. It makes everything work with everything that goes on, during the course of the film.

Another reason that I enjoyed this film, the look of the film looked very good. I liked how Reininghaus took the time to make this look professional, as it makes it feel like your watching a mainstream horror film. I like it, when directors take the time to care about how their film looks. It makes a good viewing experience, for whomever views films of this caliber.

Reininghaus’ screenplay is one of the main reasons that this film this succeeds. One of the things that makes this film very good, the story is original. I liked how, he put some thought into the film’s story. It makes the film not feel like your normal conventional horror film, where a group of characters just getting tortured for the length of the film. I wished more horror screenwriters would be more creative instead of just following a formula. Another thing that makes that I liked about this screenplay, the story has twists and turns that catch you by surprise. I like it, when horror films have this. It keeps you off guard and I wish more films of the genre do this, instead of resorting to countless gore shots to make you talk about the film.

I would like see Daniel Reininghaus try to make a feature film with his next project. I truly think, he has the talent to make very entertaining film, while being creative in the storytelling department.

“Eyes Beyond” is a very shocking short that’s filled with twists and turns in the story that keeps you entertained and very horrified.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film’s official website at: http://www.eyesbeyondmovie.com/.

Review Rating: Five Stars

TLACult.com (www.tlacult.com), an online and direct mail DVD and VODentertainment retailer specializing in unusual cult, horror and exploitation cinema, announced today the finalists in the TLACult.com 2010 Short Film Contest. Short filmmakers from all over the United States submitted cult, horror and exploitation movies to TLA’s corporate office in Philadelphia where members of TLA’s web content department screened the films in order to find the best and most unusual short films out there. 12 films were ultimately selected to compete for the grand prize of $1,000.

“We got so many incredible submissions that narrowing it down to these 12 was a grueling and, occasionally, heated process. But, ultimately, I think we settled on a fantastic mix of films. If you want cult sci-fi with surprisingly good special F/X, we’ve got that. If you want gory horror, we’ve got that. If you want borderline insane, taboo exploitation, well, we’ve got that too,” said Dan Reed, Managing Editor of TLACult.com.

The 12 finalists include Amateur Porn Star Killer: A Peeping Tom of APSK3D by Shane Ryan; Attackazoidsby Brian and Kevin Lonano; Attackazoids, Deploy by Brian Lonano and Jeff Jenkins; Birthday Time by Karie Nora; The Columbine Effect by Bonéshin; The Devil at Lost Creek by Raymond Castile; Finger by John Henderson and Charles Bunczk; The Hawthorne Effect by Steven Payne; Insides by Alex Keipper; Rat Race by Michael Edelstein; So, We Killed Our Parents by Shane Ryan; and The Tunnel by Ramzi Abed. Running times for the films range from just under 4 minutes to just over 27 minutes.

Film lovers of all stripes are encouraged to go to http://TLACult.com/ShortsContest to screen the 12 finalists (free of charge) and then select their favorite. $1,000 goes to the film with the most votes and first and second runners up get $300 and $200 TLA Gift Cards, respectively. Voting is open all through December and the winners will be announced in the first week of January.

“We really think that movie lovers, especially the more adventurous ones, are going to have a great time watching these films. They differ wildly in tone, style and, even, genre, but the one thing they all have in common is bold, creative vision done with limited resources and, for the most part, they’re nothing like the kinds of movies clogging up multiplexes and cable TV,” added Reed.

Worm
Year: 2010
Director: Richard Powell
Studio: Fatal Pictures
Stars: Robert Nolan
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 16 Mins
Official Website: http://www.myspace.com/wormthemovie




"Worm is the second film from Richard Powell, who directed the chilling short film "Consumption", which I reviewed last year.

"Worm" focuses on the mind of a troubled high school teacher. Geoffrey Oswald Dodd. It takes place during the course of a typical school day as you get an insight into the darkest depths of the human mind. Inside Dodd's mind lies something that is dark, troubling and foul rotting him the inside out. Soon, his mind and thoughts get so dark that it may put him on the brink on self-destruction and insanity.

"Worm" is a chilling film that goes into the psyche of a troubled person. Writer/ Director Richard Powell does a good job making this film have its eerie and intense tone, as it's makes you think that something bad is about to happen. The reason that I got this feeling was the way Powell directs everything. His direction helps make the film focus on the character's state of mind. He does that by making the actions of the main actions, so neurotic that you think that the character is going to snap at any moment. Another reason that I had that feeling was the way that Powell makes his main actor talk, when he goes into monologue mode. By having the demented attitude in those monologue, it really makes everything in the film chilling. Powell does that in the performance, so that you think that this character can lose his mind at any moment and do something shocking and unforgivable.

Powell's screenplay has the edginess in this screenplay that made his first short film "Consumption" successful. I thought he did a very good job making everything have a certain edginess feeling towards the action. It helps make everything entertaining to the point that your into the story. But what makes the story good was the fact that Powell tells the story from the main character's state of mind. By doing that, it makes this film feel like of a character's study, instead of a film that just goes down a road where nothing happens and you're bored to death. I also liked how Powell wrote the dialogue. Most of it comes off as mean spirited, but I think that it was needed to achieve the state of the character's mind in the that he rants in the monologues. By also doing that with the dialogue, it give the character that demented feel that is needed to make you guess if he's going to over the edge and act out on those thoughts.

"Worm" is a demented character study that gives you that chilling feel that keeps your interest thought.

Review Rating: Four Stars

Dead Creek
Year: 2009
Director: Mike Turner
Studio: Ill-Co Productions
Stars: Kerrin Jeromin, Taryn Hough
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 16 Mins

"Dead Creek” is a short film that has won Best Director at the 2009 Terror Film Festival and Best Horror Short at the 2009 Fargo Fantasic Film Festival 7.

The film follows two sisters, who are haunted with the terrible tragedy that occurred, when they were children. Year’s later they visit those same woods. During that journey, they are lost in the woods of Vermont and are have to cross a vast marsh before sunrise. As the mist beings rise and darkness sets in, the sisters become haunted by ghosts from their past. If matters aren’t even worse, something mysterious is lurking in the muddy banks of Dead Creek.

“Dead Creek” is suspense and creepy short film. Director, Mike Turner does a great job making a horror film, where the atmosphere takes over and generate the scares. That is what made this film very good. He creates the atmosphere through the way the film is shot. Turner shoots this film in a way that the atmosphere is very dark. He does that, because he wants to generate the scares though the imagery that will give you an uneasy feeling that something bad is doing to happen. Besides that, Turner does a good job directing the acting performances. The two main actresses had good chemistry with each other. Turner does a good job making that actresses develop chemistry with one another to the point that they were actually sisters. If the chemistry isn’t there, then this film doesn’t work at all, when the characters are in danger.

The screenplay also delivered, a level of tension that is needed for a short like this to succeed. Turner and screenwriter Travis Kehoe did a very good job keeping my interest through considering its one of those supernatural film, where its focused on atmosphere. The reason that it works, the screenwriters do a good job developing the main characters. I liked that because the backstory got me interested in the characters and the dilemma that their in. That makes helps make a supernatural film entertaining, not very dull to watch. Another thing that they did right was to keep the story contained in one area. Buy doing that, it makes the pace of the film move good, as you’re not kept waiting for something to happen. It makes the action suspenseful and entertaining.

"Dead Creek" provides a lot of tension and some goosebumps

Review Rating: Four Stars

Back in April, I did a column call Straight for the Kill short film program that took place at the Philadelphia Film Festival. I promised a part three. Oops. I totally forgot until the other day, when cleaning up my computer. Here is the final part to my coverage of that short program. To get get caught up with this here are the links to part one and part two

Part One - "Side Effect", "Treevenge": http://www.filmarcade.net/2009/03/2009-philidelphia-film-festival-and.html

Part Two - "Rite","The Fairy Princess": http://www.filmarcade.net/2009/04/2009-philidelphia-film-festival-and.html

The Painter of Skies
AKA: O Pintor De Ceos
Year: 2008
Director: Jorge Morais Valle
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 25 Mins
Language: Spanish with English subtitles

“The Painter of Skies” (O Pintor De Ceos) is about a painter, who hides in the darkness of the lost cliffs. He and his assistant are trying to find out the solution to the perpetual storms that causing problems his darkly lit house. Soon the two find that the waves in the water are becoming powerful to the point that is destroying their home. The only things that can save them from this potential disaster are a magic boiler and tormented ghosts, if they will be able to see the light.

“The Painter of Skies” is a very visual animated film that adults will love. One of the film’s success is that the fact that all the animation is very visual, which makes it a very good film to watch for a visual stances. Director, Jorge Morais Valle, does a great job making the animation really stand out, as its just great to look at the images that on the screen. He also does a very good job making it look, very vivid. That’s done through the various magical effects that created, in the animation process. It really makes this a very good film to look at from art form standpoint and an animation standpoint.

The screenplay written by Morais and writer Silvia Pazos really goes into the painter character, during the course of this film, which the story come alive. The writers do a very good job of exploring the painter and the struggles that made life, so dark. It examines why the painter is tormented by his past. They explore in a way that you feel sorry for the character, as his life is consumed by the darkness outside and inside of his heart, which makes you feel some sympathy for the character and want him to break through the darkness that’s upon him. The writers also go a good job, going into the painter’s backstory, as it explains how the character became who he is at the beginning of the film. Another thing that I liked about the screenplay was that they added a sidekick for the painter. That character perfectly placed there, so film would have a little dark humor to it, as it helped the film not become too dreary and dull.

“The Painter of Skies” is a very vivid animated film that fans of the Bill Plympton and Mike Judge crowd will enjoy.


White Radishes
Year: 2009
Director: Christina Won
Stars: Jack Dimich, Fairly Tull, Alison Johnson
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 13 Mins

“White Radishes” is about a man, who is obsessive compulsive. He finds that his neighbor next door is hiding a young woman in the attic. The man finds her one day, covered in dirt and roots. He finds a horrifying discovery that she is also growing vegetables out of her own skin. When he tries to rescue her, he going to learn that some things is better left alone.

“White Radishes” is a very dark and twisted story. Director Christina Won does a good job making this film seem like a grim fairy tale. I liked how she directs some of film’s shots. Some of the scenes really brought a sense of intensity of dark atmosphere that is needed for a weird film like this to succeed. Won also does a good filming some the dialoug-less scenes, especially in the beginning, at it helped introduce the film’s characters, which made up for the lack of backstory to one of the film’s key characters. Another reason that this film being dark and fairy tale like, the way that Won directs her actors. She makes all the performance feel odd. It helped bring the oddness that a film like this has to have, in order for it to succeed.

Wou’s screenplay was for the most part good. She does a good job building up the suspense and tension. The moments helped build up everything that was going on in the film, as it kept me interested in the characters and the story. It makes for one interesting and twisted story. Another thing that helped make this film good, the way the film ends. It was one of those films, which I thought something was going to happen, but instead the direct opposite happens. It’s done effectively, so that it provides the twistedness of the story that you just witnessed. If there was one problem that I had with this film, it was the fact that it moves at a pace that you don’t get to know much about the neighbor living next door or the fact that we don’t know how the young woman got be this way. It would’ve been nice to have a backstory to explain how this happened, but I still enjoyed this film, nonetheless.

“White Radishes” is very twisted but entertaining fantasy film.

Review Rating: 3.5 Stars

I Don’t Sleep, I Dream
Year: 2009
Director: J.P. Chan
Studio: Medium 10-12
Stars: Jo Mei, Debargo Sanyal
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 15 Mins

“I Don’t Sleep, I Dream” is about a woman, who is driving on a deserted road, then is stopped when she hits something with one of her tires. Soon her fears come back to haunt her, as things begin to happen mysteriously. Now in order to her

“ I Don’t Sleep, I Dream” is a very imaginative and visually sound film. The visuals helps makes this a very entertaining short. Director J.P. Chan does a great job making all the images that you see, during the course of this film feel dreamlike. It helps make the film come off as dreamlike, with its visual effects. But what makes this film entertaining, the way Chan manages to get not one but two very good performances from Jo Mei, who plays the two main characters in the film. One of the things that I liked about the performances is the fact that they come off differently from one another. It easily helps distinguish the two characters in the film. You had one character, who was the straight one, while the other is pretty much in her own dreamlike world. Another thing that made it work was the fact that they weren’t recognizable, as I thought there were two actresses in the film, not one.

Chan’s screenplay is very imaginative. He does a great job creating a story that’s relies on things that you usually wouldn’t see visually. It makes the films very vivid and darkm while bringing a different tone that makes it interesting for the viewer. The imagery also helped create some of the suspense that this film has. The reason this works, there is a lot tension with the strange things that are happening, during the course of the film. It makes you get into the story and the situation the characters are in.

I Don’t Sleep, I Dream, is very vivid on imagery, while the performances help make this not another effects film.

Review Rating: Four Stars.

Just One Night
Year: 2009
Directors: Mike West
Stars: Juliet Ladines, Steve McMahon, Steve Luckie
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Road Rage Films
Running Time: 22 Mins
Official Website: http://www.myspace.com/justonenightmovie




Every so often, I will see a film that really makes me dumbfounded to why this was a bad film. It could be for various reasons. This would fall into that category, as the material was good, but it could have been more interesting if the characters were interesting and I wasn’t left with questions by the time the film ended.

What sacrifices would you make if you had the chance to spend the night with a hot gorgeous looking woman? This film goes into that question, as two friends that are both married meet a woman at a bar. One of them decides to risk his marriage and spends the night with the woman. Soon that choice will lead to deceit, lies, and murder, as the one-night stand is more than it appears to be.

By the time Just One Night ended, it felt like one of those one-night stands that you would like to forget. This short film was one of those films that suck the emotion and attention out of the room. Matt West’s direction was very dull and unenergetic. The direction felt that way because at times, the action was very dull. It was predictable and didn’t make me interested in the story. Some of that also has to do with the acting. The acting wasn’t that good, including the lead performance. The lead performance is also critical, in whether you’re invested in the character and the film or not. I was not invested in this film at all. The lead performance felt very dull and amateurish at times. By the time this short ended, I was thankful that it was only twenty-two minutes.

Besides the acting, the other major problem this film had was the fact the screenplay and it’s story was very uninteresting. It’s sad to say that because there is some material in the film’s screenplay that was interesting enough, but it was executed poorly. The story really didn’t need to go back and forth between the present and the past, via the videotape. By doing this, it doesn’t give any background to any of the characters, thus there was no character development. It hurts because this is a short film. The screenplay never goes into the relationship between the lead character and his wife, as you never get a glimpse of what life was like with them, as you are left wondering why the main character was cheating on his wife. The reason wasn’t clear enough, which leaves you with questions because we get any insight into their relationship..

“Just One Night” is an uninteresting film that could have a lot better if it had better acting and character development.

Review Rating: One Star.

Death In Charge
Year: 2008
Director: Devi Snively
Stars: Marina Benedict, Kylie Chalia, Gillian Shure
Studio: Deviant Pictures
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 15 Mins
Official Website: http://www.deathincharge.com/

“Death is Charge” is a very entertaining short film that has played in such festivals, such as the 2008 Rhode Island International Horror Film Festival and the 2008 Palm Springs Shortfest. The film was created, in conjunction with the AFI Directing Workshop for Women.

“Death in Charge, is about a grim reaper, who is mistaken for a babysitter and has to take of a nine-year-old girl, while her mother goes out for the night. Soon, the girl teaches her things that she has never experience, like playing video games, making macaroni and cheese, and the magic of sea munkees. The girl, then reveals some dark thoughts of her own and it’s up the reaper to make sure she does carry out those thoughts before the young girl does something that she regrets.

“Death in Charge” is a very dark and charming short. Writer /Director Devi Snively did a very good job with her direction. The film was entertaining, while being humorous and twisted. One of the things that was done well was Snively’s ability to the make the dark material that she written and the ability to direct this material. Snively’s direction was dead on, especially with the development of the bond between the little girl and death. I was sold on the chemistry between the two actresses, as it made this film very charming to see the relationship develop. Those scenes, in which the two are in, helps make this a very good film.

What also made this short very entertaining was the fact the Snively’s story was original and the fact that the characters were very good. One of the reasons’s for that was that they story focuses on a lot of issues like parenting, violent video games and the need to be loved. Also, the character development was very good. I thought, the development of the relationship between the girl and the reaper was very heartwarming. It was done that way, because she doesn’t try to scare you with this film. What Snively does is to make the relationship, as charming as possible. She does that, by focuses on the reaper’s experiences babysitting the young girl. Snively makes that character experience things like someone, who is experiencing it for the first time. It helps make the character likeable, even though, the character is supposed to be dark. This film also gets very dark when it begins to focus the relationship between the young girl and her mother, near the end of the film. I liked how she handles that. It’s an examination on society today with single parenting, the violence in the media, and the fact that a child can easily access a weapon, because of the parent’s stupidity of leaving it in a place where someone could have easy access. It’s issues like that makes the story demented and shocking, as well.

Death is Charge is a short that needs to seen, as it’s very dark but also heartwarming short that you will appreciate.

Review Rating: 5 Stars

Upcoming Screenings:


Sun. Dec 21st. 7PM. I-75 Film Series Mcgeady’s Town Pub Theater, Monroe, MI