Movie Review: Pontypool (2009)

I got my hands on a great deal this weekend, 5 DVD’s for five Great British Pounds! Among them was this little gem of a zombie film. Pontypool, as well as being a town in Wales it’s also a town in Ontario, Canada and it is this town where the film takes place. Let me ask you a question, have you ever wondered what other people are doing during an outbreak of a deadly virus? I mean the people we don’t see in the films? What about radio DJ’s? Ask yourself, what would a radio DJ do if word reached him that an outbreak of some description had infected the small town he inhabits? Well, imagine a genuine War of the Worlds broadcast meets Dawn of the Dead and that is somewhere close to what Pontypool brings to the table.

Grant Mazzy, a radio DJ arrives at the studio in time for his early morning show. En route he had a very bizarre encounter with a strange woman who approached his car. When he got out to ask if she was ok, she had vanished. After very little time is spent dwelling on this rather peculiar incident, he continues on his commute. Mazzy is joined at work by Station manager Sydney and techie Laurel-Ann. It must be said that Mr Mazzy has impeccable taste as upon arrival he receives a bottle of Glenfiddich, my favourite whisky. Presumably as a means of staying awake, he will systematically swig on the fine single malt throughout his morning announcements.

The morning begins very much as usual. Not a lot seems to happen but after a few strange calls from the weather and traffic reporter Ken. Grant almost prays for something to happen. A performance from a pre organised theatre group does deal out a few laughs but more importantly it provides us with our first odd scene as one of the young performers utters some very curious things with an extremely vacant expression across her face. Grant is clearly intrigued but no one else seemed to notice.

A further call from Ken and things definitely take a turn for the worse. He describes what he is seeing and the more he talks, the worse it gets. He describes a riot like scene in which people are dying all around. The carnage he see’s is cut short again as the call ends abruptly.

Although the action in this film is fairly limited, the idea is driven into our consciousness from the outset and it all adds to the feel and suspense surrounding the small church they use as a radio station! As gory as it has to be without being mindless and a great script give the viewer a great treat. Grant Mazzy as the DJ played by Stephen McHattie is brilliant. He is joined ably by Lisa Houle, who plays Sydney and Georgina Reilly as Laurel-Ann. All three basically carry the film from the start and we get a great feel for the characters in such a small enclosed place. The whole feel of the film is very intimate and claustrophobic, with 99% of the visual film from inside the same few rooms.

Although the film is not necessarily a zombie film, it does share the same characteristics as most. It follows an epidemic/virus which has infected the mass populous of the town in question. Quarantine arrangements are attempted and the infection continues to spread. The difference here is the infection seems to be spread via the spoken word. A very original concept but one which takes a little to grasp. Almost like natures revenge in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening, because it is so original, it almost seems implausible. I know, I know strange choice of phrases for a zombie film, after all, any zombie film could appear implausible but because we have grown up with and seen so many, we accept them within the realms of possibility much like alien or paranormal films. Somehow though with the idea of a linguistic virus, it takes a little bit more to accept but with time to fully understand and comprehend the logistics, it somehow makes sense.

Originality alone are enough to warrant a second viewing but with the production, acting, story and dialogue all playing major roles in creating a great film, it deserves high praise indeed. I cannot recommend this film enough. Any fan of the genre would enjoy and hopefully appreciate Pontypool for what it is. I am more than happy to list Pontypool as one of those rare gems found in the depths of despair otherwise known as the bargain bin! This just proves that they do exist!

Enjoy!

Released: 2009

My rating: 7.5

NEW Short: The Prospector's Curse

“There’s Blood in them there hills!”

I got wind of a new Horror short coming soon called The Prospectors Curse. The film has now wrapped and is in post production. We are awaiting news of release and availability but what stands this out from many, many other horror shorts at the moment? Well, one thing was the involvement of Familiars’ very own Robert Nolan. If this offering is half as good as the atmospheric masterpiece that was Familiar then we can expect very good things.

Written and Directed by Josh Heisie and produced by Bruno Marino, The Prospectors Curse seems to be a very apt and descriptive title. Set during the Klondike Gold rush of the 1890’s, Theodore “Tubby” Ellsworth and Jack smith are two criminals on the run, lost in the untamed wilderness. When they stumble across a mutilated Prospector, dying on Indian ground, they promise to give him a Christian burial. The fugitives break their oath and steal the old man’s gold…but that night, the Prospector’s corpse returns to make them pay!

Horror Shorts are certainly a great way for directors to get their visions out there and in recent years they have grown in both credibility and quality. The Prospectors Curse sounds like it could contains all the hallmarks to make it a very enjoyable Random Horror film. More news to follow and as soon as I get my hands on a copy of the film, I will post a review. See below for more Production information.

Check out the Facebook page here:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Prospectors-Curse/141337662650150

For up to date information and some great behind the scenes shots!


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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Prospector’s Curse

A western-themed horror film entitled “The Prospector’s Curse” has wrapped production near the remote town of Ponty Pool, Ontario.  Set during the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890’s, the darkly comedic short is Written and Directed by Josh Heisie (‘Mail Order Bride’), Produced by Bruno Marino (‘Anything Goes’) and is currently in Post Production in Toronto, Canada.

The talent lineup for “The Prospector’s Curse” includes David Roberts (‘Curious and Unusual Deaths’), Johnny Quinn (‘Mind’s Eye: The Series’), Amanda Ives (‘I Hate Toronto: A Love Story’) and Robert Nolan (‘Worm’).

Rounding out the creative team are Director of Photography Michael Jari Davidson (‘SICK’), and Special Effects Makeup Artist Carlos Henriques (‘Red: Werewolf Hunter’) of The Butcher Shop.

Tagline

There’s blood in them there hills!

Logline

The vengeful corpse of an old prospector haunts two gold thieves as they struggle for salvation.

Synopsis

Theodore “Tubby” Ellsworth and Jack smith are two criminals on the run, lost in the untamed wilderness.  When they stumble across a mutilated Prospector, dying on Indian ground, they promise to give him a Christian burial.  The fugitives break their oath and steal the old man’s gold…but that night, the Prospector’s corpse returns to make them pay!

Related Web Pages

Facebook Fan Page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Prospectors-Curse/141337662650150

Josh Heisie                            http://www.joshheisie.com/

Bruno Marino                        http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3012041/

Michael Jari Davidson            http://www.michaeljaridavidson.com/

Carlos Henriques                   http://www.thebutchershop.ca/

Dave Roberts                        http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3734080/

Johnny Quinn                        http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4144359/

Robert Nolan                         http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0634349/

Amanda Ives                         http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4424849/

Movie Review: Zombie Women of Satan (2009)

Where do I start? All logic and thoughts of previous films that I have seen and enjoyed must go out of the proverbial window at this point. When talking about a film like this, nothing can be taken seriously. Zombie Women of Satan.... Even the name takes the piss out of itself! One thing that is immediately apparent is, you will either love or despise this film. There is no room for middle ground or “maybe if I watch it again”. Let me tell you, if you don’t like it on first viewing, you will probably like it even less after a second!

Having said all that, I loved it! Maybe it’s the fact that every word is said with a tongue constantly lodged within the cheek of those speaking or maybe it is just the good old familiar Geordie accents on display. For anyone scratching their heads at this point! Geordies are from Newcastle Upon-Tyne in the North East of England and if there is one thing to be said of Geordies, they sure know how to have a good time!

A group of extreme comedy performers led by Pervo the Clown must battle for survival after a scientists’ bizarre experiments are unleashed upon his estate! I know, what a name, Pervo the clown! Pervo is played brilliantly by Co-Director & Writer Warren Speed. He is perhaps one of the funniest protagonists to ever grace a Horror/Comedy flick, and I have seen a lot! He is perfectly complimented by his right hand man, Johnny Dee Hellfire played by Seymour Leon Mace and the rest of this rag tag group of extreme performers. Zeus, Harmony Starr and Damage, played by Peter Bonner, Kate Soulsby and Joe Nicholson respectively.

The group arrive for an interview along with singer Skye Brannigan at an internet TV studio. Unbeknownst to them, the studio is on the Zander estate! A large colony/cult presided over by Tycho Zander. His father, Henry, sisters Blue and Red and his mother all share the estate with Tycho’s girls. An almost brain washed group of girls with no names. Henry, played by Bill fellows is performing some kind of experiments with the girls. After something goes slightly wrong, the girls of the colony are all infected with a virus and begin to terrorize the survivors!

Ok, so all seems fairly innocent so far. Looks like a normal Zombie movie... Or does it? Did I mention that most of the girls are topless? No, oh well they are. This leads to some rather amusing chase scenes and some great comedy timing from Pervo the clown! Although the film does have a storyline to follow, it was all secondary really to the comedy of the protagonists. A few uneasy moments, including Zeus the dwarf having an extremely untimely shit in the woods while watching his back for zombies and a rather uncomfortable scene involving Tycho and a) his mother and b) a zombie strapped to a table! Neither of which detract from the film but still, worth mentioning!

Despite the make-up for the zombies not being quite up there with Dawn of the Dead or 28 Days Later, the actual situation was extremely well acted. What would a comedy performance act do when confronted with topless zombies, ta da!

Before I took the plunge and watched it for myself, as always, I got a general feel for the film by looking at some user reviews. Let me please point out at this stage that I never let myself be influenced by any review, I merely use it as a gage for what is to come. What I saw was a lot of negativity, disliking the whole film and criticising its comedy timing! Personally, I think they were a bit harsh. Ok, it’s totally stupid, makes no sense and has very little in the way of structured storyline but don’t take it too seriously, it doesn’t take itself seriously so why do you?

I thought the comedy timing was perfect, the action was very good and the acting was pretty good too. Not to mention the production value, which was excellent! It also has its share of gore which does lend itself very nicely to the overall film. As I said in the beginning, everything you thought you knew about films goes out the window when watching one of this calibre including rating. On that note, I would highly recommend Zombie Women of Satan to anyone who doesn’t take their films seriously (Like some of the user reviewers on IMDB!) and to anyone who likes a laugh! Maybe its because I can smell the stink of Newcastle from my house or the fact that I just like Random Films a bit too much. Whatever the case, ZWOS was a film that I thoroughly enjoyed and would watch again. Please don’t take my rating too seriously!!!

Released: 2009

My Rating: 7

Movie Review: Short - Familiar (2012)

A few months back, I briefly wrote about an upcoming Horror Short from Fatal Pictures called Familiar, starring Robert Nolan. Directed by Richard Powell and Produced by Zach Green. I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to watch it for myself and subsequently write a review on it. So here it is...

John Dodd is a pushing middle aged man who can finally see light at the end of his tunnel. With his daughter getting ready to go off to college, he can dream of a free future. A future that is well within reach until his wife drops a bombshell, she is pregnant!

Although John comes across as a very average person, what we hear from his monologue portrays a totally different kind of man. A man who seems locked in with his true feelings and thoughts of almost pure evil, thoughts which plague him to breaking point. The latest news of pregnancy only serves to exacerbate his feelings of hatred and resentment towards his wife. After his actions have taken us beyond slack jawed gawping to downright disgust, a growth appears on his body and something begins to change. Maybe John isn’t as evil as initially thought. When he confronts his demon he is presented with something far beyond his comprehension!

Familiar tables some very interesting concepts, with all that we see on the exterior, what is really going on inside? A question most people would not generally ask themselves but interesting nonetheless. Robert Nolan plays John, whose inner most thoughts are manifested ever so subtly in his facial expressions. Astrida Auza plays Charlotte, John’s wife and Cathryn Hostick rounds off the cast as Jordan, their daughter.

The overall feel of the film is hauntingly disturbing and wholly poignant. As I mentioned earlier, some aspects of this film will have you sat in disbelief at what John brings himself to do. The culmination of which will have you squirming in your seat!

An eclectic mix of emotions conjures up thoughts of Basket Case and Alien, A bizarre mix but that is what will help Familiar stand out on its own. Familiar is excellently directed, a direction which proves that with the right light and angle you can achieve the desired result and you don’t need to throw CGI at the viewer to get an awe-factor!

As overall creepiness goes, Familiar is in a league of its own, at points it’s almost uncomfortable to watch. With a lot of the film resting solely on Robert Nolan and close up shots as his thoughts permeate his consciousness. As far as horror short’s go, you will not see a better one this year! An overwhelming feeling of “More Please” was all I was left with at the conclusion of this 24 minute masterpiece, with Nolan’s performance shining bright throughout. I was overly impressed and honoured to be given the opportunity to watch this film. Very well done to all involved and I hope to see more from the Fatal Pictures team in the future!

Released: 2012

My Rating: 8