Relic Film Review

Relic is a daring horror drama about the dangers of Dementia. It encompasses the heart of both horror and compassion in one of the best IFC Midnight films I have seen to date.

Kay (Emily Mortimer; Mary Poppins Returns, Shutter Island) and her daughter Sam (Bella Heathcote; Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Dark Shadows) travel to visit Kay’s mother, Edna (Robyn Nevin; The Matrix Reloaded, Gods of Egypt) after she mysteriously vanishes from her home. While in the process of taking care of her grandmother, Sam starts to notice strange happenings in the house that seem rather harmless at first glance. Over time the duo discovers that something seems a little off about Edna and she seems to have returned a shell of her former self.

Relic is one of the most unique genre films I have seen in a long time. It encompasses both family and horror in the same realm without trying too hard to win over its audience. It flows beautifully and tells the tale of a daughter struggling to come to terms with her mothers dementia. The choice to use the house as a metaphor for the disease was a brilliant choice and adds to the dark atmosphere of the film. The lack of jump scares and cheap thrills is a welcomed change in modern cinema, especially ones of this caliber. I thought the darkness tone of the film matched beautifully with the haunting music and the artistic videography. They all worked so well together to create a cohesive film that is both memorable and enjoyable.

I first discovered Emily Mortimer when she played Chloe in the 2005 Woody Allen film Match Point opposite Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Scarlett Johansson. After watching the trailer for Relic I could already see her character coming to life. She has this gift you rarely see in films these days. She pulls genuine emotion from her audience and makes them feel like the character she’s playing is a real person. Even though I didn’t know Kay very well as a character I identified with her as a woman and as a daughter.

Bella Heathcote is known for her portrayal of Victoria Winters in Tim Burton’s interpretation of Dark Shadows. It was great to see Bella in a more controlled environment. Her skills as an actress really shined here. Sam is a young woman who is struggling to figure out what it is she wants to do with her life and incorporating that into this story makes her someone people of all ages can relate to.

Robyn Nevin did a superb job playing Edna. I believed that she was someone’s loved one who is going through a big change in the later years of her life. I really cared about what happened to her. The way Robyn portrayed Edna’s disconnect from reality was both convincing and heartbreaking. I would definitely recommend watching her other films.

I would suggest Relic to fans who enjoy a little drama and realism in their horror films. If you’re looking for some thing that is both Erie and relatable I think this is the film for you. The entire cast is phenomenal. They bring this story to life and I really enjoyed it. I give Relic a 9/10. I wish we had gotten to know Edna before her disappearance in order to really get a good glimpse at how shocking her transformation really was. Aside from that I thought it was brilliant. Relic was praised during its 2019 opening at Sundance Film Festival in 2019. The film opens on July 10 In Theaters and also available On Demand / Digital Rental.

Camp Cold Brook Film Review Starring Danielle Harris and Chad Michael Murray

In order to go out with a bang, a team of veteran paranormal investigators travels to Oklahoma to investigate an abandoned camp where a brutal massacre occurred years earlier.

Chad Michael Murray (Gilmore Girls, House Of Wax) and Danielle Harris (Halloween 4, Rob Zombie’s Halloween 1 & 2) star in this old school style horror tale that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seats. It’s witty, It’s dark, and it’s a lot of fun. Chad and Danielle have such great on screen chemistry. They act like professional paranormal investigators and I believed them.

When audiences hear about a horror film that takes place at a camp there’s always that fear that the film will be lazy and ride off the coat tails of previous horror franchises. Camp Cold Brook doesn’t need to do that and is able to stand on its own. I felt like this film was a mix between 80’s horror and Ghost Adventures. The good Ghost Adventures. You know, before they started making everything up for ratings.

It’s very easy to make a paranormal film boring. It’s also very easy to rely on jump scares to carry the film. The filming techniques that were used in this movie allow the audience to have a completely different experience. I love that the creators were very mindful about how they included the technological equipment. It was very similar to what you’d see during a real paranormal investigation. You can tell everyone involved in the film did their homework on the subject and I have a lot of respect for that.

Through out the movie the team begins filming via found footage angles in order to record the events for the teams television series. This was a bold choice but I think it works really well for this specific film. I have never been a fan of the found footage genre but I think it works really well when used this way. It adds that extra “We’re not alone” feeling that helps breathe life into the film.

Camp Cold Brook is the winner of not one but two awards. Horrorhound Film Festival for Best Feature and Shriekfest for Best Horror Feature. I agree with their decisions. I think this film definitely deserves the recognition it’s receiving.

If you’re a fan of well thought out paranormal films definitely check out Camp Cold Brook. It reminds me a lot of horror films from the late 90’s and early 2000’s while remaining current and I think this will resonate with a lot of viewers. Writer Alex Carl and Director Andy Palmer are both fun and artistic filmmakers. I’ll be keeping my eye out for future projects.

IFC Midnight - The Wind Film Review

The Wind is available from Amazon. To purchase your copy go here

Lizzy (Caitlin Gerard) and Isaac Macklin (Ashley Zuckerman) are a couple living in the Western frontier of the late 1800’s. Up until recently the pair had gotten used to being the only inhabitants of the land. That is until the arrival of Emma (Julia Goldani Telles) and Gideon Harper (Dylan McTee). It soon becomes clear that life here isn’t as peaceful as one would think. 

I really enjoyed The Wind. The film allows for a lot of tension to be built before the first reveal. It impresses me when filmmakers are able to tell their story in a more simplistic way. We often find ourselves trying to relate to characters who are put in situations that aren’t physically possible in the real world. For that reason I appreciate even the smallest decisions because it showcases their attention to detail. 

The films plot may not be an original concept but the execution is what sets it apart from those who’ve walked this path before. As you watch Lizzy start to lose herself and succumb to the madness you realize that even you don’t know who to trust. You start questioning yourself on her behalf. 

I give The Wind a score of 10/10. It was brilliantly executed especially for the time period in which the story takes place. The plot develops slowly but this just adds to the atmosphere. The events in the film would never work in a fast paced environment so I think choosing to slow everything down was a smart choice. The smaller the cast the harder it is to make your story believable. The actors did a great job and it showcases their abilities. If you enjoy films such as The Witch I think you’ll really enjoy The Wind. Although the plots are different the atmosphere and overall tone of the film is similar. 

Film Information:

Studio: Soap Box Films   

Writer: Teresa Sutherland 

Director: Emma Tammi   

Country: USA

Language: English  

Run Time: 86 minutes  

Release Date: April 5, 2019 

IFC Midnight - I Trapped The Devil Film Review

I Trapped The Devil is available through Shout Factory. To purchase your copy go here

The smell of a freshly cut Christmas tree fills the air on a cold December evening. The incandescent lights lead your way through the dark path. An eerie feeling comes over you and suddenly you get the feeling that this isn’t your typical family friendly Christmas story. 

Matt (AJ Bowen) and his wife Karen (Susan Burke) decide to pay Matt’s estranged brother Steve (Scott Poythress) a visit during the holiday season. Expecting to be welcomed with open arms the two are shocked when Steve announces that they are not welcome in the family home. It becomes clear rather quickly that Steve is harboring a sinister secret. 

TV static, phone calls, and haunting music take an otherwise ethereal setting and turn it into a dark, unnerving environment. The tension and uneasiness in the air creates the perfect atmosphere for this story. Everything from the dim lighting to the discovery “down below” are mixed perfectly with a chilling feeling of dread and despair.  

I really enjoyed I Trapped The Devil. This film feeds on your fear without relying on old tricks and jump scares. It takes you back to that classic cinematic experience where you had to rely on your senses and imagination. The characters are believable and the cast does a brilliant job at making their story come to life. 

Josh Lobo did an exceptional job here and his passion for film and creativity are very evident throughout the entirety of the film. The final reveal was done so well I did not see it coming. It is rare that I have the pleasure of making such a large claim but in this case it’s warranted. I give I Trapped The Devil a 10/10. Very nicely done! 

Film Information:

Studio: IFC Midnight  

Writer: Josh Lobo 

Director: Josh Lobo  

Country: USA

Language: English  

Run Time: 82 minutes  

Release Date: April 26, 2019 

Two Evil Eyes gets a 4K Blu-Ray release

To pre-order your copy of Two Evil Eyes go here

The George A. Romero(Dawn Of The Dead) and Dario Argento(Suspiria) Film Two Evil Eyes gets a makeover from Blue Underground with a 4K DVD release this October in celebration of its 30th anniversary. Along with the restoration of the film, bonus features such as commentary and interviews with the cast and crew are included. The movie features two stories inspired by the works of legendary poet Edgar Allan Poe. 

Romero’s The Facts In The Case Of Mr. Valdemar tells the story of Jessica Valdemar (Adrienne Barbeau), a housewife who plans to commit murder in an unexpected and unconventional manner. 

Roderick Usher (Harvey Keitel), a crime scene photographer is driven to commit heinous acts of murder after being influenced by a ferocious feline in Agento’s The Black Cat. 

Martin Balsam(Psycho), E.G. Marshall(Creepshow), John Amos(The Beastmaster), and Tom Atkins (Night Of The Creeps) also star in this two story, action packed thriller. Two Evil Eyes will be a three disk set that is available on Blu-ray starting October 29, 2019. 

Two Evil Eyes Movie Trailer