Category: Short

Haunt-Tober Day 20, 2023: Kalimba

Posted on by Kstrouse

While horror movie watching is a year-round event, this is that time of year when all of us can flourish, embracing the weird.

So, come one, come all, beasties unite! It’s Haunt-Tober time!

This was originally published on Film Inquiry.

Kalimba, the horror short written by Robbie J. Atkinson and J.E. Atkinson and directed by Robbie J. Atkinson, is an exercise in nightmare fuel.

It opens to an ominous voice and a young woman in bed. Some… thing is leering over her and we catch a quick glimpse of the creature before she wakes.

Cassidy (Raiany Silva), is quite haunted. Her nighttime disruptions are wearing on her, accumulating in various ways, from nightmares to sleep paralysis. Her relationship with her mother is shown to be estranged early on, and she doesn’t give much credence to Cassidy’s concern that something more, supernatural, may be afoot. 

It’s mentioned that her grandma may be able to help, but in this well-paced twenty minute short, we don’t yet uncover what that will entail. It spikes an intrigue that doesn’t dissipate, making the squirming discomfort last until the final shot.

KALIMBA: Effectively Alluring & Eerie
source: RPX Media Productions

The only part that doesn’t quite click is a scene between her and her friend. A welcoming bit of levity, mind you, but some of the dialogue doesn’t hit as well as the rest. 

Overall, the film is a delightfully eerie bit of filmmaking that is quite polished and formidable. It shows a keen sense of creativity and curates some lingering horror imagery. The script flows with measured intent and crafts a lot of thought-provoking elements in its small runtime. 

Terrific sound design ensures we hear every gasp, creak and groan. This adds to an already amazing atmosphere that sweeps you up. Atkinson has a unique vision, and the direction speaks to detail and unique skill. Silva is quite good as our lead, convincingly tortured and she makes for an engaging north for us to follow in the night. 

Kalimba works because it utilizes the embedded fear of the unknown mixed with the psychological thrills that keep us glued to the screen.

The short is referenced as a proof of concept for a feature and I sure hope it gets one, I’d love to see what else lurks in the dark.

Conclusion:

Kalimba is a tightly wound wonder, enigmatic and enticing. There’s a lot to love here, and I look forward to seeing what comes next from this talented group.

Today’s winners of the Haunt-Tober Giveaway:

Haunt-Tober Day 17, 2023: Vax (Barak Shpiez)

Posted on by Kstrouse

While horror movie watching is a year-round event, this is that time of year when all of us can flourish, embracing the weird.

So, come one, come all, beasties unite! It’s Haunt-Tober time!

What does the scariest concept look like? Is it something that touches on familiar fears while also pushing the scope? Or is it the unimaginable?

In Barak Shpiez’s Vax, it does the former, with a conceit that feels eerie and effectively perpetuates our already dormant (or not so much) concerns in a succinct package.

It’s 2003, and researcher Geoff (Cade Carradine) begins his shift at his lab where he has been working on a malaria vaccine. However, today, he notices that in one of his samples, the virus is missing.

He goes to his supervisor, Eric (Ricco Ross), and the two figure discover that they may have finally found the cure. But what about the lost sample?

Their discussion shifts to the decision to hide what’s happened and move forward with the win, keeping the potential disaster a secret, and cashing in on their findings.

Worst Case Scenario

When you have a position of power such as this and handle such important samples, there’s really no opportunity for a mess-up. Geoff knows the dangers, and he’s sweating. But the film poses an intriguing question of morality.

source: Barak Shpiez

Vax utilizes the tension it builds early on as the clock ticks down, uncertain of the full consequences that may have occurred.

This 12-minute short manages to create ample suspense, in some ways more effectively than other full-length features.

The idea has a lot of avenues it could take as a feature, but for now, this short leaves us on an intriguing open note. What will they do? It focuses on greed, power, and the inevitable morality of having such a grand decision in one’s hands.

It is a very impressive short and a taut example of a medical thriller done right. I wanted more!

Vax is a riveting bit of horror that proves to be effectively posing valid questions and boasts excellent direction from Barak Shpiez.

Today’s winner:

Haunt- Tober Day 13, 2023: Dylan’s New Nightmare: A Nightmare on Elm Street Fan Film

Posted on by Kstrouse

While horror movie watching is a year-round event, this is that time of year when all of us can flourish, embracing the weird.

So, come one, come all, beasties unite! It’s Haunt-Tober time!

Dylan’s New Nightmare: A Nightmare on Elm Street Fan Film a sequel to New Nightmare, is a lovingly created ode to a series that was monumental to the genre. Writer/director Cecil Laird opens the door to the past while interestingly bringing us into the future.

It’s creatively compelling, utilizing elements of the work that inspired it while showing an overall prowess. Our new Freddy (Dave McRae) and the designs, music, makeup, and costumes all feel like they were plucked from one of the films themselves. As a fan myself, that’s a beautiful thing to see.

Miko Hughes returns as Dylan Porter, a struggling actor and the fictional son of A Nightmare on Elm Street’s Heather Langenkamp.

The editing, cinematography, gore and sound effects are pretty stellar. For a movie that is just under thirty minutes it packs enough punch and draws enough blood to leave a mark.

I like the element regarding therapy, clinging to the explanation that a reasonable person would assume when hearing about such a terror.

In the scene there is a consistently clicking pen, as if slowly driving one insane, or trying some form of manipulation, and it is wickedly crafted bit of suspense.

This keeps to its inspirations in an intelligent fashion. In many ways, it speaks to the horror lover at my core and the creator’s as well. Being able to make a piece of art that is connected to one that you hold dear, is a remarkable thing. This never feels like a fan film or low-budget. Yes, you can see it at times and a few scenes don’t feel as cohesive, but it’s forgivable.

While I can’t say that I was ever scared by this character I have always appreciated his snarkiness, campiness, and the general creepy idea that is inherent when you consider the possibility of dreams being deadly. This is all maintained throughout in this small helping of horror.

Dylan’s New Nightmare: A Nightmare on Elm Street Fan Film is a talented reinvigoration of a nightmare welcomingly reborn.

You can watch the film online here! Dark Matter TV is doing a giveaway for a screening, follow them on Instagram here!

Today’s winners:

More to come!