Change Your Image
zillafan666
Reviews
Red Midnight (2005)
Great horror anthology like Tales From the Dark Side
I am a fan of Joe Zaso, and I loved "And Then They Were Dead" and "Machines of Love and Hate". His latest film is a huge step up. The production values are first rate. The stories (except the second one "Grecoz") are outstanding. Ray Schwetz (who also directed "And Then They Were Dead") has the best story with "Anathema". The effects are truly shocking and Schwertz's direction is superb. The story is about a female ghost (Roxanne Mixchaels credited as Jasi Lanier) that falls in love with a widow, who begins dating girls he meets ion the internet. The ghost gets jealous and... watch out! The story takes the Ring a step further. This ghost doesn't just walk creepy - she beats the crap out of her victims! I also loved the colorful lighting. Very different from the usual Japanese horror fare. I look forward to Mr. Schwetz' next film! Hopefully it will be feature length. The second story ("Dr. Grecok"()is awful. Just two people screaming and crying for ten minutes about a sexually charged father/son relationship. Good story to fast forward through. Plus, the production values fall down in this episode. The third story is convoluted, but intriguing. And Zaso is great. He's menacing and goofy at the same time. This is obviously intentional, as it makes the film that much more enjoyable. The Rome setting is stunning. Way to go! The story set in the theater that introduces the film is not very good. Not terrible, but the costumes look like they were taken from a Woolworth's rack. Anyway, I would have given the film a 10 if it weren't for the second story. Indy fans should snap up this DVD.
And Then They Were Dead... (2004)
Low Budget Shocker!
Unlike most "camcorder" microbudget movies, this one has a fun (if familiar) plot, decent special effects, good acting, great music, and just the right amount of gore and sex (thanks to a hot, gratuitous Darian Caine shower scene!!!). It's obviously a labor of love for writer-director Ray Schwetz and the cast/crew. Seven strangers go to a run down mansion to attend a dinner party for a mysterious business opportunity. When one of them is murdered by a killer in black (shades of Argento giallo films!)and a secret to the dinner is revealed (yuch!) the guests and staff begin murdering each other! Who will survive? Where is the host? It's Agatha Christie formula, but done with a modern spin on a very low budget, and it delivers! The DVD is great! Lots of extras, and it's paired with another fun low budget anthology film called "Guilty Pleasures"! I wasn't expecting much, and the film does have some bad lighting and camera-work in spots (things that plague most of these "indie" features), but overall it's a surprisingly funny, gory good time! I look forward to the next Cinema Image movie!!!