Greetings, all. Ambush Bug here with another AICN HORROR: ZOMBIES & SHARKS column. A bum once told me “The end is nigh!” and if you pay attention to this latest batch of apocalyptic themed films, you might believe him. The one thing this collection of horror films reviewed today all have in common is that they all center on the end of the world. Though there’s nary a zombie to be seen in these armageddons, a lot of the same themes are prevalent. I guess you don’t need the shambling undead to bring about the end of society. But before we roll the credits on the Earth as we know it, there’s a convention of sorts going on that I seem to be at…
Tonight the winners of THE DIVIDE Contest we ran this week will be checking out yet another new end of the world film focusing on a group of survivors trapped in a bomb shelter when the nuclear bombs drop. Congrats to the winners of that contest and be sure to look for a review of THE DIVIDE soon here on AICN HORROR (I’ve gotta see it first…funny how that works).
Now get ready for the end with these end of the world flicks.
(Click title to go directly to the feature)
RATION Short Film (2011)
THE MILLENIUM BUG (2011)
PHASE 5 (2011)
BELLFLOWER (2011)
And finally…gaRAGE!
RATION Short Film (2011)
Directed by Michael RobayoWritten by Michael Robayo
Starring Seth Lefberg & Charlie Gorrilla
Find out more info on RATION on its Facebook Page.
Reviewed by Ambush Bug
Though somewhat predictable in the end, RATION kept me enthralled for the duration with Robayo’s deft camera work. This is a nicely constructed and gorgeously filmed little movie, deserving of a wider audience. Check out RATION’s Facebook Page for more info on where you can check this harrowing little flick out.
THE MILLENEUM BUG (2011)
Directed by Kenneth CranWritten by Kenneth Cran
Starring John Charles Meyer, Jessica Simons, Christine Haeberman, John Briddell, Ken McFarlane
Find out more about this film on Facebook and its website.
Reviewed by Ambush Bug>
THE MILLENIUM BUG plays out like a love song to all of the horror films we all grew up watching. There’s a dash of GODZILLA, a sprinkle of TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, and hell, even a bit of JURASSIC PARK mixed in. The folks behind this film seem to be fans of the genre and it shows in every frame. To top it all off, not an ounce of CGI is used in this film. Everything you see is hand made and happening in the frame…at least that what the makers of this film boast. Now, I’m sure that what they mean is that the monsters in this film are old school. That’s right it’s a man in a suit, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it may have you youngsters used to your green screen computer monsters rolling your eyes a bit. I guess I’m showing my age that I enjoyed the hell out of this film, mostly for the heart behind it and the dedication to making an old school horror romp.
Or maybe you don’t. You see, this film is set during December 31, 1999--the last day of the millennium, when Y2K was a fear on everyone’s minds. On top of all of the breeding and threats of the world ending at the stroke of midnight, there’s a giant monster in a hole in the middle of the woods that comes out to mate every 100 years (yes, it’s a bit of a coincidence, but hell, let’s roll with it for the sake of fun). Soon the inbreds, the vacationing family, a crypto-zoologist, and a bug the size of Mothra collide in a climax that leaves no one left standing or not splattered with blood, gore, grue, and goo.
Acting: spotty. Story: a bit lacking and owing a lot to the inbred families we’ve seen before in TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, WRONG TURN, and a million others. But to me, none of that matters. I can’t help but get behind this film for the special effects above all else. Find out more about THE MILLENIUM BUG on Facebook and its website.
PHASE 7 (2011)
Directed by Nicolas GoldbartWritten by Nicolas Goldbart
Starring Daniel Hendling, Jazmin Stuart, Federico Lupi
Reviewed by Ambush Bug
Imagine SHAUN OF THE DEAD without zombies set in Argentina or a comedic version of REC and you’ll pretty much get the tone of PHASE 7 which refers to the most extreme case of emergency for a contagion to occur on a national level. Much like SHAUN OF THE DEAD, the lead characters (played by the mutton chopped Daniel Hendling and the very pregnant Jazmin Stuart) are oblivious to the world falling apart around them until the very last minute. While folks armor up their vehicles and loot groceries for supplies, the couple go about their normal existence. PHASE 7’s strength lies in these performances by these likable actors who endear themselves to the viewer by showing real emotion toward one another despite the quirks both of them possess.
But manners begin to fray at the edges the longer the tenants are trapped in the building. With only TV and radio reports to let them know what’s going on outside of the apartment, the tenants begin turning on one another. Again, like SHAUN OF THE DEAD, while things start out almost farcical, the tone shifts to dire towards the end. Like SHAUN OF THE DEAD, PHASE 7 seems to be commenting on how much is taken for granted as well in society and how we often walk around so wrapped up in our own problems that we don’t notice the world crumbling around us. It’s a effective film focusing on a small story during a large scale problem. Though played for fun most of the time, when things get serious and bloody, it’s all the more shocking due to the abrupt change in tone. PHASE 7 is definitely yet another winner from Bloody Disgusting Selects! Check out Bloody Disgusting for dates and places this darkly comical tale can be seen.
BELLFLOWER (2011)
Directed by Evan GlodellWritten by Evan Glodell
Starring Evan Glodell, Tyler Dawson, Jessie Wiseman, Rebekah Brandes
Find out more about BELLFLOWER on Facebook and website.
Reviewed by Ambush Bug
One can’t help but become wrapped up in the psychodrama and real life horror that unfolds in BELLFLOWER. This isn’t necessarily a film about the end of the world, exactly; the main characters do worship THE ROAD WARRIOR (specifically the muscle bound villain, Humongous), and prepare for the end of the world by building a flamethrower and wrenching up a muscle car. But at its center, BELLFLOWER exemplifies that feeling that the world is ending when one suffers from a broken heart.
Then, all of a sudden, shit gets dark. Really, really fucking dark.
Find out more about BELLFLOWER on Facebook and website.
And finally…here’s a horror short called gaRAGE! Enjoy this creepy treat written and directed by John Keefer!
See ya, next week, folks!
Ambush Bug is Mark L. Miller, original @$$Hole/wordslinger/reviewer/co-editor of AICN Comics for over nine years. Support a Bug by checking out his comics (click on the covers to purchase)!
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