FEAR HOUSE (2008)
Starring: ALEECE JONES, MATTHEW STILLER, MEREDITH BARNETT AND OLIVIA PRICE
Directed by: MICHAEL MORRIS
"Fear House" is an Independent Film that is slated for an April 1, 2008 release.
The film's official synopsis; Relatives and colleagues of reclusive writer Samantha Ballard track her to an isolated home in the California desert where they discover her some nine months later severely traumatized. She greets them with a grim announcement that they will die if they attempt to leave the house.
After Samantha's ex-husband
and his girlfriend suffer horrible deaths while trying to escape, the others
realize that she was serious. They begin to scheme a safe way out even as
the malevolent force that rules the house stirs the worst fears of each of
them, causing them to wonder: Can they escape the evil house before their
fears kill them all?
When I viewed "Fear House", I got the same feeling as when I viewed the film "Phantasm" in 1979, that the horror genre may have a new talented director. Of course Don Cosscarelli went on to have a good cult following of his films (Phantasm 5 is in production) and I feel director Michael Morris may have a better future ahead of him.
"Fear House" doesn't rely on over-the-top gore and blood special effects, but the psychological fear of what really scares us deep inside. While trapped in the house, each person meets their deepest fears head on and it's up to them on how to handle it as to whether they will survive or not. This film is part Phantasm, part Evil Dead and part Black Christmas (the original). It's not what you see that terrorizes you, but your own sub-conscience is your enemy.
The screener I was supplied was missing the opening three minutes and the closing credits. Plus all the special effects were not completed. I did find the film a bit dark and the soundtrack was at times louder than the actors, but I'm sure these minor details will be taken care of before it's release.
Horror Theater Video will be starting pre-recorded pod casts by spring, and we are interviewing Director Morris for our first edition. A copy of the interview will be posted here before the pod cast. Also, we will be supplying the link as to where this great film can be purchased as soon as it is supplied to us. Be sure to look for it.
My Rating:
REVIEWED BY TONY BERNARDINI
