by Eric Campos
(2004-03-24)
2003, Un-rated, 13 Minutes, Black Cab Productions
If it’s one thing I learned from the “Final Destination” movies is that you can’t mess with Death. Kinda like Texas. Fuck with him and you can find yourself in a world of hurt. This short seconds that idea as we find Death carrying out his dirty work, claiming the brutalized and lifeless body of a young woman. Not a bad catch for Death, but there’s a problem here. This young lady wasn’t meant to kick the bucket for several years to come. Not taking kindly to someone meddling in his business, Death hatches a little plan for the woman’s murderer, but first, he calls to tell him about it.
Complimenting this spooky cautionary tale is a sickly look that gives the film the appearance that it was shot on cold, dead skin. The single room set this film takes place in looks like something you would stumble across while playing “Resident Evil.” Swirling camera work and a nightmare inducing soundtrack also make this one an absolute treat for those with morbid tastes.
“My Skin” reveals why you can’t get away with murder and that’s because Death knows where you live.
https://filmthreat.com/uncategorized/my-skin-dvd/
SCREAM FOR ME (DVD) 4 Stars (Out of 5)
by Eric Campos
(2004-03-30)
2003, Un-rated, 22 Minutes, Black Cab Productions
Seems like ever since torture scenes were made fashionable in "Reservoir Dogs," filmmakers have been trying to outdo each other in making their audiences uncomfortable...to say the least. One of the latest of these efforts that I can think of is the much spit upon rape scene from "Irreversible." With that cinematic stick in the eye, I think filmmaker Gaspar Noe achieved what he was going for and he should be saluted. Now, we have before us a littler known entry, a film that is building steam as it makes the festival rounds, a film that, in its entirety, is just about as despicable as the aforementioned atrocity. And I love it.
A nice, quiet evening of murder is interrupted when a nosy and rather creepy man barges into his female neighbor's home, insistent on some dirty sex. Finding her dead on the floor with her male attacker still in the room, this creepy man still insists on sex and he's not really into necrophilia if you know what I mean. So what follows is a near twenty minute rape and torture scene that makes any sort of stories you've heard about hardcore prison love sound like whale songs. It's a film made for some good snugglin' with the one you love.
Yes, it's highly disturbing and nerve racking and that's definitely my cup of shattered glass. Some may feel that it wears out its welcome after a short while, but this film just isn't for them. This film isn't made to be welcomed. Just like the perverted nosy neighbor, it knocks down your door and holds you captive. This film is more of a challenge than entertainment. And personally, I love the idea of an audience squirming their way through this one, just as they did at the New York City Horror Film Festival where "Scream For Me" went on to win the Best Short Film Award. There's apparently a lot of sick in New York. God bless 'em.
https://filmthreat.com/uncategorized/scream-for-me/
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HUMAN NO MORE (DVD) 3 Stars (Out of 5)
by Eric Campos
(2005-02-18)
2005, Un-rated, 16 Minutes, Black Cab Productions
I enjoy and highly respect Christopher Alan Broadstone’s films if nothing more than for the fact that they have tremendous balls. These films aren’t only pushing the boundaries of what an audience will sit through, they look amazing too. This isn’t just some hack trying for the cheap gross out with buckets full of Halloween make-up. A lot of craft goes into these tests of endurance and it shows. With “Human No More” it makes three Christopher Alan Broadstone films that I’ve seen and I guess I can now consider myself a fan of his work. And as fans always do, I can now pick my favorites of the pack. “Human No More”, unfortunately, is my least favorite.
Drenched in booze dizzy visuals, “Human No More” finds a detective locked away in a basement, struggling with his work on a horrific murder case that ultimately sees him giving up on the human race. Tony Simmons plays the detective and in this actor, Broadstone has a star. Simmons has that talent that makes you want to watch him no matter what he's doing. He could be picking his nose for twenty minutes and you've got yourself some good watchin'. Simmons is one the several saving graces of this film that winds up running too long for its own good.
The detective's struggle is evident as we listen to cryptic tape recordings and witness a monologue he speaks into a camera, it just goes on a little too long. The filthy, violence decorated atmosphere is gorgeous and the hellish soundtrack inspired by the detective’s frame of mind sets the perfect mood for a creepfest, but patience begins the run out after the ten minute mark. Then again, there’s Broadstone testing the audience’s endurance once again. Are you down for it? There's only one way to find out. The worst thing that happens is that you see something that sure ain't like the rest and, fuck, that's not too bad, is it?