Alright, I’ll be the first person to admit that I almost turned this film down for review because of the poster art. I also checked out the website, and the funky colors made me think it was just another home made film, by a filmmaker who had no clue about horror films. Then I watched the trailer to “The Midnight Special” and to my surprise the trailer seemed very promising. Well folks, I got the screener a few days ago, and I just finished watching the film, and all I have to say is that “The Midnight Special” is not only the best independent horror film I’ve seen so far this year, but it’s probably the best comedy film I’ve seen this year.
The film combines monsters such as vampires, Werewolf’s (Lycans) and Zombies and puts them up against a special secret government agency know as The Shadow Company. However the Shadow Company is more like the gang from the Police Academy films. When the government threatens to shut down the shadow company, the team steps up to the plate and goes on a rampage of monster killing proportions to stop a terrorist group of monsters from blowing up Dallas.
The movie is shot documentary style, kind of combining both feature film type shots with that of a reality television show such as “Cops” or “Dog the Bounty Hunter”. We follow the group though a series of segments on and off the street letting us know about their job, the people they work with, and how it’s tough taking on the creatures of the night. Patrick A. Prejusa does a great job not only directing and acting in this film, but writing it as well. The plot is a bit crazy and is just like watching a reality television show, but it works, and the character development is great. Each character has many interesting facts and details about them, which really helped me get into this film.
The Acting in this film was seriously some of the best I’ve ever seen in a indie film before, and for Patrick A. Prejusa as a first time director that says a lot. He is obviously a guy who has a lot of talent. What first time director can you name that not only wrote and acted in his first film, but did everything editing to producing it and still have made such a great product. I can’t think of any. The talent in the film was outstanding, and I don’t know if they were just friends of Patrick’s or actors he got to be in the film, but they did a wonderful job. It takes a lot to make me laugh, and these guys had me laughing so much I had to skip back on the DVD a few times to see what I missed, I was laughing so much.
In terms of production value and effects, the film does not have much in the way of anything outstanding. After it is a low budget film, however the production team was able to acquire the right locations to shoot the film at, making the production value of the film better than most indie films. There really was not much in terms of make-up effects, just some basic monster effects and some blood, but nothing over the top. There is some CGI in the film, mainly for the effect of gun fire, which is obvious that they didn’t shoot off real guns making the film, but nonetheless it didn’t look that bad.
Overall, “The Midnight Special” is one of the best horror comedies ever. Some might argue and say “Scary Movie” or “Evil Dead” is the better, but go and get yourself a copy of this film. I bet you’ll change your mind quickly. Fans of zombie and vampire films will really get a kick out of this flick. I loved it, and I honestly believe that we’ll see this flick sitting in major video chains in the month to come.
– Horror Bob
Note From Horror Bob:
As you can tell I really enjoyed watching “The Midnight Special”, and I praised Patrick A. Prejusa for his efforts. But besides his ability to make a good feature film, he is also a good person with a heart of gold. Now I personally have never met the man, but I can tell when someone wants to do good for the world by promising to do something that will help benefit the human race. And I myself can’t just sit here and write a review without mentioning what Patrick plans to do with a portion of the profits that he makes from “The Midnight Special”.
Patrick’s Mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and his mother in law was diagnosed with liver cancer shortly after. Patrick has made it his mission to help stop cancer, and on the website for “The Midnight Special” he has set up a page where you can go and donate money to all the charities that are fighting this crusade against cancer. There is also a short letter from Patrick about what his plans are to help fight cancer though his work. So check out the page by clicking on the link below, and if you can donate a dollar or more, that just might make a difference in helping the fight against the true horror that is cancer.
Thanks and God Bless,
– Bob
“CLICK HERE TO HELP FIGHT THE HORROR’S OF CANCER”
- 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
