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Reviews
Old Friends (2010)
A Very Good Thriller
I had the opportunity of seeing the latest movie by Ansel Faraj called OLD FRIENDS. This is a police detective story that easily has enough suspense to keep your attention through the entire film. The acting is hard hitting, Mihran Konanyan as Detective Adam Sera is outstanding as the tortured detective; Linden Chiles plays Sgt. Craig Hargroves and is excellent, and Matthew Greene as the Eye Snatcher is absolutely chilling - and his performance will disturb you. Vivian Brasch and Kevin Shayer also lend excellent support. I thought the story was very believable and the rapid pacing builds the excitement to a shocking climax. The photography, music, and special effects were very good, and added a nice touch of intensity to the film. Overall, I enjoyed the picture very much, and would recommend seeing it if you get the chance.
Three Shadows (2010)
An Intelligent Poignant Horror Film
THREE SHADOWS – a trilogy consisting of three dark, captivating, spine-tingling segments will simply KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF! The story (or stories) consists of "Nosferatu Beyond Death", an original tale written by director Ansel Faraj; and adaptations of Oscar Wilde's "the Picture of Dorian Gray" and H.P. Lovecraft's "The Shuttered Room".
A brilliant film with brilliant acting in all three segments by Kevin Shayer as Nosferatu in segment #1, Dorian Gray in segment #2, and as Abner Whateley in segment #3. He is tragic as Nosferatu bringing a new level of emotion and pathos to a role normally relegated to simply scare status. As Dorian Gray, he is both conniving and tragic, and as Abner, he performs the role with a believable curiosity; overall showing that he is a more than capable actor. The cast member who gave an outstanding performance, is Linden Chiles who was superb in segments #2 as the devious Lord Henry and creepy in #3 as Zebulon Whatley. He for lack of a better phrase - owns the film, and this reviewer hopes that a long collaboration of films between him and Faraj will be in the works . Also lending strong support are Mihran Konanyan, Vivian Brasch, Evelyn Hammid, and Matthew Greene. Vivian Brasch once again delivers a strong tragic performance in the first segment.
Other categories outstanding throughout the film were great special effects, a musical score consisting of tunes written by Mozart, Beethoven, and most hauntingly Tchaikovsky; a terrific makeup job by Keri Picolla – her effects in the first segment are fantastic, rendering Kevin Shayer almost unrecognizable as Nosferatu; photography, and costumes. It is an elaborate production, but it is overall a feast for the eyes. The script and direction shows that director Ansel Faraj knows his game. The film echoes the feel of the classic Hammer Horror films, a sweeping Gothic thriller that we need more of in these times. Pure escapism.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this film and therefore feel I can wholeheartedly recommend seeing THREE SHADOWS to everyone. It's a haunting film, and you won't see anything else quite like it, I assure you.