Director and Writer Harry Sparks, of no particular fame, brings us 3 modest tales of terror featuring mania, paranoia, and vampirism that nest themselves somewhere in the high end of amateur. Each tale features a surprise ending. While the twists may be predictable in some cases, the endings are actually quite fitting/satisfying.
The production value of this anthology, though inconsistent, is actually pretty good as far as amateur film production is concerned. I would even venture to say that there is a sort of late-night-made-for-TV charm to this anthology. It won't be turning any heads, but it's not so bad that you'd be unable to finish it. Some high points would be the first story's premise, the second story's characterization and practical effects, and the third story's smooth acting and cinematography. Some low points are the wraparound story, the flat lead actor of the first story, and the patchwork quality of some of the stories.
We are treated to 3 tales - I titled them myself since I couldn't find the actual titles - each supported by a wraparound story. Below are brief synopses:
The Wraparound 2/10
A group of friends gather for their All Hallow's Eve tradition of telling scary stories to one another.
This is actually a simple enough idea that ends up falling flat due to poor acting. That is to say that the experience is very droll and lifeless since none of the actors appear to be even remotely interested in being there.
The Sniper 4/10
More excited about his new rifle than his one year anniversary, a young man sets out into the woods whilst news reports come in about a recent prison escape.
This, in my opinion, is the weakest tale. The premise is great, and the twist is satisfying, but the main actor is too flat, and the cinematography leaves something to be desired.
Something about Molly 7/10
An insecure young woman takes matters into her own hands when her jealousy and insecurity around her new relationship get the better of her.
This one is a major step up from the prior tale. The acting is on point, the cinematography really sells the story, the actors have subtle character arcs, and the twist is quite fulfilling.
Bloody Mary 6/10
An aspiring young writer teams up with his wife to contend with a sexy vampire who has her sights set on him.
When they juxtaposed Bloody Mary with vampirism, I was pretty skeptical, but they pulled it together pretty well. The story is a bit patchwork, but the acting is strong enough to sell the story.
