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\A movie succeeds based upon how well it accomplishes its own goals and this tiny little indie does manage to do that. It’s not a linear A-B-C narrative, but a dreamlike and altogether unsettling movie that should capably jam some shivers into the spines of even the most hardened gorehound - like me.

If what you’re looking for is an assembly-line slasher or a giant monster on the loose, stick with the more traditional (i.e. familiar) fare on the video store shelf. Horror more than anything feels like a nightmare somehow recorded onto video.

As the movie opens, we’re privy to a few as-yet-unrelated plot threads (a collection of young punks escape from a rehab clinic; a creepy reverend tortures his imprisoned daughter) and before too long we’re neck deep in arcane and decidedly spooky goings-on.

It’s not exactly important that you “follow” what’s going on at first. Pay attention through a somewhat arid opening and you’ll be treated to an abstract and periodically disturbing collection of sequences - and things DO begin to click into place before too long.

There’s some solid gore to keep the fans interested, though they should certainly be prepared to enjoy a film free from the trappings of expense. This is a movie made on the cheap - but do not mistake expense for quality. (Though I bet Tomaselli could whip up something pretty damn impressive with some studio backing…)

Horror movies have always been my #1 passion, and I consider myself someone who can spot good stuff when he sees it. If all you’re used to is mainstream horror product, you’ll most likely chastise Horror simply for being so obviously low-budget. But those with some patience and a taste for something small and different will certainly earn some solid creeps from this one.

It’s weird and untraditional, but its also effective and scary and clearly the work of someone who knows their way around a spooky visual nightmare.

link directly to this review at http://www.efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=9534&reviewer=128
originally posted: 05/01/04 22:28:29
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