So what if an urban legend told to keep kids out of the woods at night was actually true and people within the town all knew about it. Covering up what is one big giant conspiracy to hide a secret government experiment that was taken from the Nazi regime as a paranormal weapon against us. What if our government stole those secrets and used them for their own benefit of warfare. That’s pretty much what this film is about.
The Unholy star horror legend Adrienne Barbeau (The Fog, Swamp Thing, Creepshow.) as Martha, and Nicholas Brendon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series.) as her son Lucas. Both are investigating the suicide of their sister/daughter. What they at first believe is just one big problem after another that lead their loved one to take her; actually turns out to be one with paranormal purposes, involving the occult and a necromancer. Though their journey and investigation they find themselves dwelling deeper and deeper into this giant conspiracy that involves out governments involvement with a Nazi paranormal power that can dictate time travel, invisibility and mind control. Martha now finds herself fighting for her own life as she tries to unravel the mystery behind her daughters untimely death.
The screenplay for this film is kind of boring. The characters are very one dimensional and the flow of the plot and the story are so slow that we never really are able to figure out what’s really going on. To me it seemed as if this script was rushed and the writers fumbled around with their research about the unknown and were never really sure about where they wanted this story to go and how to conclude it. There are a lot of bizarre plot holes throughout the film and scenes that don’t really make sense. Yes, we get a twisty ending, but the conclusion leading up to it makes you wonder what the hell is really going on with this flick. In a nutshell the script is hard to comprehend and the film moves along very slowly. No matter how shocking and revealing the end is.
On the flipside, the acting is not half bad, I don’t think it’s great because the scripts dialogue was nothing great. But the actors tried their best with it and for the most part were able to pretty much pull it off. Although she the lead Adrienne Barbeau is also the one that shines the most in this film. Her role was a tough one, although it might not seem that way from the start of the film. But towards the end of the movie is when her character is developed to the fullest extent that the script allows it to be, and Barbeau knew how to bring Martha to life in this picture. Nicholas Brendon was also not half bad, his character was pretty simple as he was more of a sidekick to Martha thought-out half the film more than he was her son in the flick. The rest of the cast was not half bad, however their were a few small minor characters that were killed off pretty quick in the film, (Thank God). where the actors playing them were very poor. It seems as if the filmmakers caught on to this and cut their scenes as tight as possible.
The overall production value was not that great. The film was surprisingly shot on High Definition. However I didn’t care for the flat look of the film. I’m not really sure if this was due to the quality of tape used, DVD transfer or is the result of very poor lighting. The movie was very dark and there was never a point in which the film gave you a break from it’s dark feel. I’m willing to bet that the producers used more natural light, than using professional lighting to give this film it’s look. I was surprised that the movie had some pretty decent visual effects in it. There really was not much in terms of make-up effects in this film though, as the producers opted to give it more of a less is more feel as they tried to play their hands at letting the audience be scared by it’s suspensefulness than gore. It didn’t work for me, but it might for some. I’m not going to say that the film didn’t have it’s suspenseful moments, but it was nothing to go crazy over. One thing I will point out about this film is that it did have great art direction despite all that the movie lacked. I’ll give the movie that much, because their were some great key moments in which the art direction stood out among the rest of the film.
Overall, I was not really a big fan of this film, it lacked in a lot of areas and the plot was not only boring but provided us with a story that never really got it’s point across. Director Daryl Goldberg does prove that he has talent in his direction and this being his freshman effort I applaud him for trying. But the script and lack of preparation for this production showed. The film has it’s flaws, but it’s not bad in the fact that it had a lot. Compared to a lot of first time filmmakers movies that cross my desk, at least I was able to get though this film. So that in itself should say something. This film I would say would best be fitted for people that are into government conspiracies, but I can’t guarantee you’ll enjoy it.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
