Horror Theater Video strange wings independent film review

"Strange Wings" is the latest film made by independent film maker Robert Noel Gifford. Director Gifford has made several short films, and one other feature film. Here, he make his attempt at a more "commercialized" movie.

On Halloween 1993 after abducting, torturing, and killing multiple victims, a demented killer rents Room 313 at an small motel. Their he takes his own life, but his murderous spirit has haunted the room. Over the years 13 people have died in room 313, all due to the murderous spirit haunting this room.

We move to today, when we meet Mary Amanda Day. Driving her car we are told she recently had a car accident and her son, Anthony, was killed. She has been blaming herself, even though police reports stated the incident was accidental.

Mary ends up at the motel and rents Room 313. Everything is normal at first, then she starts seeing spirits, one being of herself, telling her she should commit suicide. She also finds what she thinks is her dead body in the bathtub, and later she is partially possessed by the spirit of the murderer. The spirit also attempts to take her life. But Mary is strong and determined not to go without a fight.

Watching "Strange Wings" showed me that Director Gifford has vision and with more financial backing, can become a prominent director. Here, the budget limitations do show. First Mr. Gifford, I feel, was stretching himself to far. He was Director, Producer, Writer, Special Effects, Actor, and just about every area of production. Low budget filming makes some of this necessary, but stretching yourself to far can show up in the end product, and there are several flaws I found that were due to Gifford's over-working. Several camera shots were either unnecessary or dark. If he were shooting with just one camera, which I am not aware of, too many angles of unnecessary scenes minimizes the story.

Though the pluses outweigh the negatives. Director Gifford has a terrific lead actress in Suzi Lorraine. She is on screen, mostly alone, during most of the film's running time. To say she carry's this film is an understatement. She goes thru the total range of emotions from grieving mother, scared victim, and determined fighter. There is not a scene in this film in which she is not utterly fantastic.

Though slasher films are a dime a dozen, Director Gifford puts a twist on the genre and creates a character in Mary that leaves an impression with the viewer. The writing is above average for a low budget film, and the director is smart in several scenes where he could have added some blood or gore, but by restraining himself he leaves it up to the viewer's mind as to what is happening because my belief in that in any horror film it's not what you see that scares you, it's what you don't see. Your imagination can conjure up many images better than any writer can write.

Visit Mr. Gifford's website at http://www.rgfilms.net/ for more information on this and other upcoming films.

My Rating- 1/2