'Monster Movie' and 'Demon in a Bottle' highlight Friday Film Festival for Northwest Comic Fest
The Northwest Comic Fest kicked off at Cinebarre with the
first of its three day film festival. Running from noon until 3 p.m. all three
days, the playlist features a variety of mostly short films from local film producers.
While most of the films on Friday will only be screened once throughout the weekend, the good news is that Monster Movie from Mike Perron and Adam Gallardo will also be screened on Saturday at 1:40 p.m. Monster Movie was easily the best short film because it presented a complete story that included a healthy dose of comedy, zombies and girl power.
A close second was Nak films’ Demon in a Bottle. It could have been ranked higher but was not a complete film. The short film explores alcohol addiction, and filmmaker Sam Brudnok revealed that it was the first part of the story that would be released episodically. Brudnok also said that it was based on his own struggle with alcoholism.
Tom Murphy’s The Exit is a tale about love and death told in two songs. The introduction and epilogue that frame the film are questionable, but overall, the film had some interesting qualities that make it worth watching.
Joe Sherlock’s Drifter, the only feature length film on Friday, delivered what it promised: breasts, sex, blood and gore. Bob Olin does great with his portrayal of the title character, who has no lines. Sherlock is not afraid to use nudity, especially with those who have body types that Hollywood would be too vain to show. Unfortunately, Richard Johnson, who plays the real estate agent trying to sell the Blud House where all the action takes place, isn’t great in his role. This is B-movie horror reminiscent of The Evil Dead with less gore.
To See More Light is an experimental film playing with abstract like images and discordance in sound. The images are all in black and white, and the early shots of lava are fascinating. Sky shots are multi-layered and beautiful. There is no discernible storyline and not everything filmed comes from nature.
Mining Moon is clearly low budget on every level. The acting is stilted and uninspired, though there is one place where it is supposed to be. The storyline is incomplete because it doesn’t go far enough into what it is trying to say. The graphics look like something from the original Nintendo gaming system or an early PC space game. The makeup artist should be applauded, however, and the film does not suffer from high expectations going in.
Overall, the film festival was a good way to kick of the Northwest Comic Fest, especially with the venue at Cinebarre, where guests can order their signature food and drinks while sitting in comfort. The film festival is included with the entrance fee to the Northwest Comic Fest.
Read Sam Brudnok talks 'Demon in a Bottle' and Salem filmmaking
Read Joe Shoemaker drifts into Northwest Comic Fest with horror film
Read more about Northwest Comic Fest 2015
While most of the films on Friday will only be screened once throughout the weekend, the good news is that Monster Movie from Mike Perron and Adam Gallardo will also be screened on Saturday at 1:40 p.m. Monster Movie was easily the best short film because it presented a complete story that included a healthy dose of comedy, zombies and girl power.
A close second was Nak films’ Demon in a Bottle. It could have been ranked higher but was not a complete film. The short film explores alcohol addiction, and filmmaker Sam Brudnok revealed that it was the first part of the story that would be released episodically. Brudnok also said that it was based on his own struggle with alcoholism.
Tom Murphy’s The Exit is a tale about love and death told in two songs. The introduction and epilogue that frame the film are questionable, but overall, the film had some interesting qualities that make it worth watching.
Joe Sherlock’s Drifter, the only feature length film on Friday, delivered what it promised: breasts, sex, blood and gore. Bob Olin does great with his portrayal of the title character, who has no lines. Sherlock is not afraid to use nudity, especially with those who have body types that Hollywood would be too vain to show. Unfortunately, Richard Johnson, who plays the real estate agent trying to sell the Blud House where all the action takes place, isn’t great in his role. This is B-movie horror reminiscent of The Evil Dead with less gore.
To See More Light is an experimental film playing with abstract like images and discordance in sound. The images are all in black and white, and the early shots of lava are fascinating. Sky shots are multi-layered and beautiful. There is no discernible storyline and not everything filmed comes from nature.
Mining Moon is clearly low budget on every level. The acting is stilted and uninspired, though there is one place where it is supposed to be. The storyline is incomplete because it doesn’t go far enough into what it is trying to say. The graphics look like something from the original Nintendo gaming system or an early PC space game. The makeup artist should be applauded, however, and the film does not suffer from high expectations going in.
Overall, the film festival was a good way to kick of the Northwest Comic Fest, especially with the venue at Cinebarre, where guests can order their signature food and drinks while sitting in comfort. The film festival is included with the entrance fee to the Northwest Comic Fest.
Read Sam Brudnok talks 'Demon in a Bottle' and Salem filmmaking
Read Joe Shoemaker drifts into Northwest Comic Fest with horror film
Read more about Northwest Comic Fest 2015