SHRIEKFEST SHORTS

Reviews By: Kim Jindra

THE PERFECT VICTIM

Directed By: Eric Badger

This short is an interesting spin on the serial killer genre.  A young red head is so terrified she will be the next target of a serial killer that she can't eat, loses her job, and can't even open her own front door.  The real story begins when a stranger offers to help.  It turns out the young woman wants to "talk shop".  The film is engaging despite some unnatural and repetitive dialogue.  I remember thinking it was unusual to hear the word frazzled come out of the mouth of two different characters.  Also do people still say "by the by"?   I enjoyed the humor and the twists.

HE DIES AT THE END

Directed By: Damien McCarthy

This is a quirky little story about a man, convincingly played by Fintan Collins, who is alone at work late at night.  A noise startles him but even more startling are the questions his computer begins to ask.   It is visual, creative and suspenseful.  This is a good lesson in film making on a shoestring budget.

CONSUMING DARKNESS

Directed By: Shane Cole

I was not all that consumed by CONSUMING DARKNESS.  The premise that an unknown force is taking over the human population a la INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS is fine but the execution is stiff and unnatural.  It is all in the eyes!  The end was not unexpected but still brought a grin.

THE SHADOW OF THE NIGHT

Directed By: Justin Daering

This short had just the right tone and atmosphere for a vampire movie.  The music, though bombastic at times, helped advance the plot.

Not a new story but well executed.

THE PROCEDURE

Directed By: Sergio Pinheiro

THE PROCEDURE begins with a young man who is late for a job interview.   His new employer sees fear as a profitable business and needs help measuring it.  The short is more creepy than scary but the end is telegraphed from the opening sequence.  No surprises here.

SIDE EFFECT

Directed By: Liz Adams

Once again the babysitter is left with the kids in SIDE EFFECT.  But this babysitter is super efficient.  She is able to prepare a Thanksgiving meal, bath a toddler, and burp a baby all at the same time and still manage to study for exams. Her secret weapon is found in a bottle of pills.  But when she wakes to a house full of smoke and returning parents the jig is up.  I admit that I got suckered by this one. 

EEL GIRL

Directed By: Paul Campion

Eel Girl is campy SciFi at its best.  A scientist gets swallowed up in his research on a very sexy half human and half eel girl.  The set up is slow.  The ickiness of the set decoration adds to the tension.  But ultimately the scientist behaves like a man attracted to a beautiful woman.  It is worth a watch.