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Overall Rating : 6.5/10
Directed By : Tony Gautier
John Doles
Jenna Dean
Dominic Ross
Supplied By : RANDOM VILLAIN ENTERTAINMENT
Film Reviewed By : Rick Blalock
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| PLOT Three girls doing a mirror in the bathroom type prank, unknowingly unleash the dead onto the world of the living. |
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| THE REVIEW HEINOUS GHOULS, is a short horror film that comes to us from an Arizona based filmmaker named Tony Gautier. This film although quite similar to a lot of things done before, is quite outstanding knowing that it comes from a 23 year old amateur. The premise of the story begins when three girls, whom in which are having a cuddly sleepover, begin to surf the world wide web. One of the girls quickly comes across an article about an urban legend, the myth of Heinous Ghouls. The myth states that anyone who chants the words "HEINOUS GHOULS" 6 times in a mirror will be then cursed with something wicked. 2 of the 3 girls, being afraid convince the 3rd more gullible of the 3 to give it a shot. So our character does just that, she chants the dreaded words 6 times into the bathroom window. After a few moments presumably nothing happens, so the girl comes out celebrating gleefully only to be minutes later be thrust back into the bathroom by an evil force! The girls' actions have now released evil upon the town and it is everyone's fight to survive. At first glace this movie does look top notch, with a few minor shakes of the camera at times. Shot in a beautiful black and white look and momentarily switching to an old sepia toned look making this not look at all amateurish, sort of reminiscent of the black and white NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. Perhaps the most worst part of the film is the opening sequence involving the sleepover girls. Their acting was quite atrocious and a bit air headed, almost as if they were nervous, or reading their lines from somewhere. Once again the delivery of dialogue from the girls was sort of delayed and awkward, it was almost like I were watching the movie CLUELESS, because that, my friends is how they acted. However beneath all this is a great little flick that makes it's mark in the second half. Alice is home alone, jamming out to a great band, named CKY's music video for "Shock and Terror" when she gets a phone call from her Boyfriend, whom she tells that she is going to take a quick shower. During the shower she hears some sort of demonic chats, and gets out to check it out. The evil has reached her house! Now on to the acting of the "real" cast, We have our main character, Alice or "Ally" which ever you prefer, played by Jenna Dean. The Neighbor named Sam, who recently hacked off his own arm after being attacked by the ghouls to save his life played by co-writer/producer Dominic Ross, and the lame Boyfriend played be John Doles. The acting by co-writer Dominic Ross, is surprisingly good here, and he kind of reminds me of comedian Dave Chappelle also gracefully sports a CKY shirt which is cool with me. Maybe is best part in the film was when he hacks off his own arm, it is quite possibly my most favorite part as well. The acting that I really hated, was by John Doles, I don't remember his character's name, but his non will to succeed in this film was quite the obvious. It was like Doles was in this film just to be "cool" or something. his line delivery was really lethargic and it was almost like he must've drank a fifth of Nyquil before shooting. I thought for a second he might pass out before my very eyes. Mr. Doles should've cared more and took time to notice that he was part of something truly great.... he obviously did not. Jenna Dean, is quite the piece to look at I will say and she does really good, looks aside. Her shining moments are shown when she transforms into a ghoul, which is great to see.....undead girls are sexy I admit. Tony Gautier is extraordinary for his age, and reminds me of one of my favorite Directors, whom is featured here on TerrorHook.com regularly, Rolfe Kanefsky, whom started in his very early 20s ; Their vision is almost similar in style, and I like that. To sum it up HEINOUS GHOULS, is from someone whom is not a poser, or someone who is in it for the trend or fad. but rather someone who actually studies the aspect of films that he sees and appreciates them for what they are....an art form. Tony at the end credits thanks Director Sam Raimi and rightfully-so... |
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| GORE
METER 6/10 The gore here is quite alright. Shooting with NO money and a Parents' barrowed house over the course of on weekend they did what they could for blood and did it well. Of course there's a secret, but i'm not telling. . |
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| MUSICAL
SCORE 5.5/10 The score is somewhat haunting and creepy, at times sounding generic though, but not all the time, but what do you expect with no budget? Also a few songs by CKY, i'm telling you, the people that don't know them, seriously need to get their head out of MTV's ass! |
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| OVERALL
IMPRESSION OF THE FILM Final Thoughts, : I have reviewed a lot of shorts here at The Hook, but this is my favorite regardless of the rating I gave it. I have also reviewed no budget films before from the Arizona area, and I had doubts about the talent coming out of AZ because of a few occurrences of unprofessionalism, but HEINOUS GHOULS redeems the state of Arizona here. and for DSK Productions, whom bitched at me, and ridiculed my site for giving them a bad rating on their film. and said "well we had no money" sit down and watch this Sirs(i'll get Tony Gautier to mail you one). In the end I liked this little film, and i'd really recommend that you all see it. You can watch this, as well as all of Tony's other shorts at www.randomvillains.com in the "Random Villain Theater". And coming soon you will be able to purchase a special TONY GAUTIER COLLECTION, which features, all of the shorts and the brand new short "ST. AWESOME AND THE SHOTGUN KNIGHTS. |
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