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Overall Rating : 7/10
Directed By : Olaf Ittenbach
Natacza S. Boon
James Matthews-Pyecha (House of Blood)
Daryl Jackson (House of Blood)
Bela B. Felsenheimer
Supplied By : MTI Home Video
Film Reviewed By : Rick L. Blalock
Date Reviewed : March. 12, 2008
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| PLOT On an idyllic Christmas evening, all members of the Verlaine Commune are brutally massacred by a mysterious killer. The only survivor of the tragedy is Verlaine's young daughter Rebecca, who is seriously wounded and falls into a long coma. Two years later, she awakes but her mind has blocked all past memories. Adopted by her aunt and uncle and thinking them to be her parents, the horrible truth is kept from her. Ten years later, just when Rebecca thinks her life is wonderful and she seemingly has the perfect relationship, strange visions begin to haunt her as the dead are seeking revenge. |
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| THE REVIEW In THE HAUNTING OF REBECCA VERLAINE, years ago on a dark Christmas evening, a killer wearing a clown mask enters the Verlaine home killing a total of 11 people in a bloody massacre, which would include Gabriel Verlaine, a well know musician. Surprisingly among this brutal massacre was left one survivor, Gabriel's young Daughter Rebecca, whom was so traumatized by the event that she would lie in acoma for two years. Upon awaking the Doctors tell her relatives(whom would be adopting her), that even though she has awakened from her long sleep, she would have no recollection of the horrific averts, nor would she remember her previous self. We join Rebecca years later, whom now is a young woman, who has lived normal life. But her normal life would be haulted when the memories of her childhood begin to resurface and she begins seeing visions of the horrific night that changed her life forever, as well as apparitions of her deceased family, headed by a vengeful Gabriel, who urges Rebecca to bring them the person or persons responsible for their deaths. Nearly two years ago when I reviewed Director Olaf Ittenbach's CHAIN REACTION(which I reviewed under the title HOUSE OF BLOOD), I hope mentioned that Ittenbach, who in normally a great special effects artist, gailed to impress me while in the Director's chair, but his gore effects were on point and up to expectation. Here MTI HOME VIDEO, releases another Ittenbach film shot in 2003, titled THE HAUNTING OF REBECCA VERLAINE(known elsewhere by it's original title, GARDEN OF LOVE), and this time, where HOUSE OF BLOOD didn't seem to work, THE HAUNTING OF REBECCA VERLAINE does succeed. With this film, the Director tells an old fashioned ghost story, that is mixed with the gritty and violent elements of a slasher film. The film moves at a quick pace that isn't overly complicated because of having many twists, it is a film that is very easy to follow and grasp, allowing the audience just to have fun with it. But this isn't saying that THE HAUNTING OF REBECCA VERLAINE doesn't have a great story, as it does. The sightings that Rebecca has of her father are all creative, creepy and effective, and almost reminded me of films such as BAD DREAMS and even, John Carpenter's THEY LIVE , to some extent. Even though Olaf Ittenbach is mostly known to Horror fans as being a genius of gore, he opts to also offer enough story to support the buckets of gore he planned to deliver here, as it is the story itself, that keeps your interest fresh, in my opinion. On the gore side of things, Ittenbach, shows us what he does best, offering up some of the most gory scenes I have seen in an indie film in a long time. I'd have to say that Olaf Ittenbach, may be one of the best, and most underrated artists in the craft. THE HAUNTING OF REBECCA VERLAINE is a film that presents a psychological story of a woman's memories from her past coming back to haunt her and what it takes for her not to lose her mind altogether, while trying to piece what doesn't make sense together again. This film is definitely not your typically run of the mill haunting stories we are usually forced to witness in our never ending search as a movie viewing audience to find something new and exciting, it actually IS exciting. Not one time during this film did I ever lose any interest in it, not even during some of the more lengthy dialogue scenes as everything in the end, contributed to making the film what it was, a fun and gory ghost story, that this time, actually does have a plot at the forefront. |
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| GORE
METER 8.5/10 Honestly, there was so much gore on display here during the scenes that required it, that I can't even same it all. There are brutal stabbings and slashings, head ripping, skull crushing, gun blasts....you name it! |
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| MUSICAL
SCORE 4.5/10 The score is made up low key organ/piano tracks that occasionally added to the scenes, but often I was too busy concentrating on what was going on to notice. |
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| OVERALL
IMPRESSION OF THE FILM I have reviewed a lot of films for MTI HOME VIDEO and every so often one of their films will come along that surprises you, and THE HAUNTING OF REBECCA VERLAINE is one of those. Coming off of not liking the previous Ittenbach film I reviewed very much, I had very little hopes when it came to enjoying this one, but to tell you the truth, I really liked it. This is another example of a filmmaker not needing a huge budget to make a highly effective and entertaining film. I found to be excellent....it is one of the best films to come from MTI in a while! This DVD will be released on March 25, 2008 |
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