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Shade of Grey (Cinefreak Productions)

The plot of this film hinges on a very interesting concept. Different people linked together through their experiences in a certain hotel room. The vibe of the movie is edgy and unrefined which actually compliments the subject matter very well. The structure and progression of the scenes is well thought out and provides a consistent point of view. The camera work was surprisingly interesting, intimate and compelling. The ending of the film is satisfying and definitely strikes a chord within the human experience.

            However, this film does have its flaws. A few of them are pretty major. Some scenes have dialogue and action that is so repetitive that it severely damages the repertoire of the scene itself. The fact that there really isn’t a sense of time takes away from the viewer’s link to the plot and the characters themselves.  Most of the dialogue itself, other than a few monologues is a little cliché. It needs more substance. Also, the subject matter and ideas conveyed in the dialogue need to flow a little smoother. Overall, the film is worth watching and its director Jakob Bilinski shows a lot of potential.

-Nick Durcholz- Rating : C+

Hallows Eve: Slaughter on Second Street (Verite’ Productions)

Local aspiring filmmakers Rodney Newton and PJ Starks layer on the fake blood and the Scooby Doo references in their attempt at low-budget horror. The real horror here is the majority of the cast (with one notable exception . . . Marty Moorman who is the tri-state‘s answer to Anthony Anderson. Comfortable. Funny. And, most importantly, NATURAL!). Yes, I suppose one can argue that an amateur production is going to sport amateur talent. I got it. But this cast actually diminishes the overall effect here. Katie Green, who stars as psychic-sensitive Stephanie, made me want to slaughter myself in my office on Frederica Street. While Hallows Eve struggles to churn fear out its location (the real “Slaughter on Second Street,” with all of its wallpaper and goofy props, just isn’t scary) and is saddled with some tragic dialogue even Meryl Streep would butcher, there are some positives here. In their opening and closing credit sequences, the filmmakers pay homage to Quentin Tarantino, who, for my money, is one of the most visionary directors in the world. And major props go out to local band Far From Fallen. Their original song Hallows Eve is big-screen ready. That song rocks!

-Chad Benefield – Rating: C+