Sculpture (2009)

Sculpture (2009) Dir. by Pete Jacelone

Sculpture is a psychological horror gore-fest that tells the story of Ashley Steele, an aspiring artist who returns home after the death of her father only to find the haunting memories of her repressed childhood await her. She is commissioned to create a life-size sculpture of the perfect man, and uses body builders from her brother's gym as models, but soon finds herself spiraling down a path of unspeakable psychopathic terror and murder as she frantically tries to complete her masterpiece. Written by Pete Jacelone on www.IMDB.com

I was recently given a screener of this film, and after multiple attempts to watch it, I was finally able to finish it today. It is a wickedly cool movie with an interesting and fairly original story by an onslaught of writers including Marv Blauvelt, Pete Jacelone, Paul Quintero, and Trevor Wright. I felt like the story was definitely a strong point to this film and the story really drives the film.

Raine Brown serves up a above par performance as the questionably insane Ashley Steele, and it is always nice to see a girl as a psycho in film. Raine does have some acting mistakes but overall she did a really great job. There were some great supporting roles from Alan Rowe Kelly(talked about him alot lately), Susan Adriensen, and a great Asshole performance from Marv Blauvelt!

The concept of this film is really what makes some of the film's mistakes forgivable. While Raine had a strong performance, there were moments of severe overacting, and that made me cringe a bit a few times, but her stronger scenes are all when she is really calm. The first half of the film seemed a little off as far as pacing the film goes. The second half of the film picks up a lot and you forget about the bumpy start. The film is very sexual, VERY SEXUAL, and at times it adds to the story, but at other times seems to take away from it. I get it, there are lots of big muscular men around, and you will have that working with some of the guys from Muscle Wolf Productions, but at the same time it often felt distracting in the film. That was the least distracting part of the film. The special effects are what distracted me the most. Watching the film, I couldn't help but feel like it would have been a stronger film if they had used less Gore and more story/acting, and I am a HUGE fan of Gore. The special effects struck polar opposites at different points of the film. The cutting and stabbing with knives and other things looked really really good, but the molds and some of the other effects looked like poorly made Halloween costumes. Also, I don't think how hard it is to remove a persons limb was taken into affect either. I think it could have been more suspenseful having used less blood and guts and in result it could have added more questions as to the final result of her sculpture. At one point of the film I couldn't help but ask myself, "Where the hell did she get a Katana?!" but I let that slide for simple fact that I like swords, even if they are randomly added to a movie. Unfortunately, my love for swords was quickly replaces with shocking disappointment when I witnessed the beheading that followed. It was hands down the worst beheading I have ever seen on film. It almost ruined the movie for me, but it didn't.

I did like the film as a whole, and I think it is worth at least one viewing for everyone, but for some it should be owned on DVD just to show to your friends at a party, haha. I look forward to seeing more films by these guys, and especially more films by the writing crew.

Entertainment Value: 6/10 Katanas
Cinematic Value: 4/10 Katanas

Something Just

Something Just - Directed by Scott W. Perry

I just got to see a short film called Something Just, and it was simply amazing.

Here is the link to watch it, and I recommend everyone go see it.

http://vimeo.com/15300069


In order to stop a child killer, the guardian of one of his victims seeks the aid of a shady figure from his past. Starring Alan Rowe Kelly, Jerry Murdock, Evan Robert Smith, Joslyn Jensen, and Joseph Zaso. Written, Produced, and Directed by Scott W. Perry. Cinematographer and Editor Dominick Sivilli. Co-Producer Jeremiah Kipp. Original Score and Sound Mix Tom Burns. Shot in 1080p High Definition. Courtesy of Slick Devil Entertainment.

Alan Rowe Kelly is one of the most versitle actors out there and he one again shines in this role. The always amazing Jerry Murdock keeps the film on a ground level and acts as the glue that pieces this story together. Great low budget special effects, great acting, and a story that everyone can relate to make this a great must see short film.

Entertainment Value: 9/10 Bare Feet
Cinematic Value: 7/10 Bare Feet

Hypochondriac (2009) Screener

Hypochondriac (2009) Dir. by Peter Jacelone

In a story by Marv Blauvelt of Muscle Wolf Productions, and a script by Trevor Wright, we are given alien abduction,do-it-yourself surgeons,slutty nurses, and a large number of odd situations at a small clinic.



I personally know a few people involved in this project, and I knew what to expect going into it. These filmmakers love to go over the top, and have fun while filming a movie. They typically like to stay more serious in their movies, but Hypochondriac is pretty much all comedy, sprinkled with the a little bit of over-the-top gore. Over the top is the best way to explain it, and I don't mean it in a negative manner. If you go into Hypochondriac expecting Oscar winning performances, top notch special effects, and a dramatic story, then you will be let down. Not once during the film did I take it too seriously.

All the characters were very unique, and Alan Rowe Kelly steals the show as always. Not to take anything away from anyone else, but Alan always has the ability to play original and interesting characters, and this doesn't fall short of the standard he has set. He plays Charity Betencourt, an older woman who is obsessed with medically fixing herself at home, and then bringing herself in to check the results with a local clinic. She is always doing the most drastic thing possible, and the new Dr. Combs reaction to it is hilarious. Dr. Oliver Combs, played by Marv Blauvelt, is a doctor who has just transferred from the big city to the middle of nowhere to take over for a Doctor who is leaving. His character is a germ freak, and his reactions to all the disgusting things that happen are hilarious. Zoe Daelman Chlanda is beautifully amazing as always in her uptight Priscilla Grace character.



All in all the film was very entertaining, and I look forward to seeing the rest of the Psycho Street anthology it is being released in. If I had to pick one thing that I didn't like about the movie, I would have to say I didn't feel any sort of depth or creativity with the slutty Nurse Amber Love Joy. It was nothing against the way Raine Brown portrayed the character but she was a slutty nurse, and that was the extent of it. It felt like she was there for filler. It didn't take anything away from the film fortunately. I will return to this film many times, as it was very entertaining, and I look forward to getting more from these amazing filmmakers.

Entertainment Value: 7/10 Alien Babies
Cinematic Value: 5/10 Alien Babies