My Review Of Horror Short "Glass Cabin"

"Glass Cabin" is a horror short film directed by Can Türedi. The film is psychological exploration of paranoia and isolation in extreme environmental circumstances. It stars  Revell Carpenter (Cypress Cake, Queen Mab Was Here) as Scarlett and newcomer David Mar Stefansson as David the caretaker.

Scarlett, a tennis player staying at an isolated cabin in the woods, struggles with paranoia after becoming convinced that the caretaker of the rented place has malicious intentions for her. The film seeks to provoke the exploration of relatable themes of paranoia and isolation in adverse weather circumstances. Who is the home invader? Does he exist or is it merely in the character’s mind?

The story is a strong, poignant experience meant to provoke, cause one to question the truth of one's own reality, and ultimately, state of mind. Contrasted against the very topical, and equally scary understanding of real threat. " Glass Cabin" is foreboding, never answering the eminent threat actuality, or pushing you towards a conclusion preconceived. A smart, artistic choice.

The acting is a strong, impressive  show of talent. Quality indie work with both Carpenter and Stefansson understanding what the story requires and just how to give life to two complex characters without giving anything away. Which says a lot given that dialog is minimal and most of the drama and development is physical. I really didn't find any flaws in the story or the acting. 

"Glass Cabin" is set against  some truly beautiful backdrops. Beautiful but unnerving. The isolation, and snowy rural location is its own character, and resonates as both real, and perceivable omens. It helps give life to the mental and emotional conflict the main character deals with, while teasing the peace and tranquility the situation should offer. 

That continuous play against juxtaposed concepts, real or imaginary, emotional insecurity and perseverance, peace and chaos, it is the true horror that plays out in this film. There is a thriller heavy tone, home invasion aspect and bloodletting, but it is just a small piece of a story that is so much more. I guess my only complaint is that I wanted more, more story, more suspense, more exploration. But I think that is what makes a good short film, it makes you want more. (5/5)

My Review Of "The 11th Patient"

"The 11th Patient" is a surreal horror thriller. The film is directed by Derek Cole and stars Shelly Cole, Steve Cole, Andy Gates, Liesel Kopp. Much like"The Cell" and "Dreamscape" the film explores the nightmares and manifestations of fear locked within the mind. 

After a long traumatic experience, a boy is found in a coma. The only way he can get out, is to face his fears back to the surface or his nightmare will become his reality.

Cole's story is a fascinating one. The theoretical exploration of "state of mind" during various periods of one's life with the same ease as VR exploration is something science has been trying to achieve for decades. It is also a concept dying to be exploited in science fiction. 

"The 11th Patient" is the latest film to tackle the notion of reaching into the mind of others, this time it is done through a psuedo-scientific method much like "The Cell". It is highly conceptualized visually, while the story stays pretty simple. Most of the real attention seems focused on creating atmospheric nightmare tableauxs.

Cole takes a big risk choosing to let almost all of the story be told absent dialog. For over two-thirds of "The 11th Patient" not one word is uttered, requiring the audience to fully invest and allow the main character's journey and interactions with his nightmares tell the story. It is creative and there is a lot visually to hold your attention. Still a few scenes of exposition dialog as "invitation to the experience" would have been nice. 

Viscerally, the film is like horror candy. Each scene and every element is pure creepy, atmospheric fantasy. It does become a bit dull and often looses cohesion when trying to move the story forward. It all plays out like a super long music art film with actual character drama and connect becoming muddled. It really hangs tightly on the belief that the audience is really into the story's basic concept. 

Dialog does eventually enter during the last act. It tends to fit with the suggested logic already playing out in the movie, and only seeks to reaffirm the simple understanding that the story is about a boy in a coma and "psuedo science" to the rescue. The horror is front and center but never crosses the line beyond high production horror attraction fodder.  There is some obvious signs of talent here and overall "The 11th Patient" is no worse than "The Cell". (2.5/5)

New Trailer Released For Crime Thriller "Crown Vic"

A new trailer has been released for upcoming crime thriller "Crown Vic". The film is directed by Joel Souza and stars David Krumholtz, Bridget Moynahan, and Thomas Jane. It has a limited theatrical run planned for November 8th - 15th. 

The film takes us on one memorable night in the life of veteran patrol officer Ray Mandel and his trainee, ambitious rookie cop Nick Holland in LAPD's Olympic Division. The hunt is on for a cop killer.

Trailer Released For Hulu's "Into The Dark: Pilgrim"

Hulu has released the trailer for upcoming "Into The Dark: Pilgrim". The film is directed by Marcus Dunstan and will premiere on the streaming service November 1st. It stars Reign Edwards, Peter Giles, Courtney Henggeler, Kerr Smith, Taj Speights, and Antonio Raul Corbo.

Inspired by true events: In an attempt to remind her family of their privilege and help them bond, Ms. Anna Barker invites Pilgrim reenactors to stay with them over Thanksgiving. When the "actors" refuse to break character, the Barker family learns that there is such a thing as too much gratitude.

Official Trailer Released For Upcoming Thriller "I See You"

The official trailer has been released for upcoming thriller starring Helen Hunt, "I See You". The film is directed by Adam Randall and costars Jon Tenney, Judah Lewis, and Owen Teague. It will be released in theaters and digitally December 6th. 

In a perfect town filled with perfect families, twelve-year-old Justin Whitter has gone missing. Greg Harper, lead investigator on the case, struggles to balance the pressures of the investigation which has brought to attention a similar case thought to be buried in the past, while finding a way to forgive his well-heeled wife, Jackie, for a recent infidelity. Great strain is put on the family as Jackie's guilt slowly gnaws away at her grip on reality, and when a malicious presence manifests itself and puts their young son Connor in mortal danger, the cold, hard truth about evil in the Harper household is finally uncovered.

Official Trailer Released For "Bloodshot"

The official trailer has been released for upcoming action fantasy "Bloodshot", based on graphic novel series by Kevin VanHook, Don Perlin, and Bob Layton. The film is David S. F. Wilson (in his feature directorial debut), written by Jeff Wadlow and Eric Heisserer, and stars Vin Diesel, Eiza González, Sam Heughan, Toby Kebbell, and Guy Pearce.

After he and his wife are murdered, marine Ray Garrison is resurrected by a team of scientists. Enhanced with nanotechnology, he becomes a superhuman, biotech killing machine - Bloodshot. As Ray first trains with fellow super-soldiers, he cannot recall anything from his former life. But when his memories flood back and he remembers the man that killed both him and his wife, he breaks out of the facility to get revenge, only to discover that there's more to the conspiracy than he thought.

My Review Of "Replace"

"Replace" is a body horror directed by Norbert Keil. It stars Rebecca Forsythe (The Bronx Bull), Lucie Aron (Berlin Syndrome), Sean Knopp and genre icon Barbara Crampton. The film is a blend of surreal melodrama and psychological sci-fi. 

Afflicted with a dermatological disease, young and beautiful Kira discovers that she can replace her skin with that of other girls. Helped by her lover, she plots a murder and the victim becomes her donor, but when the disease returns, she is forced to find more victims.

The story is an emotional confrontation of body image, self identity conflict and cultural expectations wrapped in a slow-burn psychological thriller. It is completely realized and development meticulously. The emotion almost feels aching and takes center stage- almost too much. It seems to overwhelm any suspense or thriller edge, that at first glance seems to be a potent element of "Replace". 

The characters are compelling and the cast show some real talent. Throughout the film the level of quality as far as character development and story structure, maintains a true indie quality that shows the director and writers maturity. My only complaint is the pace moves too slowly and the melancholy overpowers the excitement of events. 

That being said, "Replace" has some pretty cool body horror moments. A few that show a small influence of graphic visceral gore reminiscent of Italian horror. The special effects are mild but quality moments. Moments that should have been helped along by more outward, sensationalized suspense. Beyond what the great music score and soundtrack is telling us to feel in those scenes.

Overall "Replace is a strong indie scifi drama with some thriller edge. It offers a strong dreamlike level of surrealism that accentuates the subject matter and emotional conflict of the main characters. I found the pro-lgbtq aspect mindful and positive as far as the relationship is concerned. I just think the horror elements could have been more present considering the acts committed in"Replace". Plus Barbara Crampton should have been utilized better. (3/5)