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jason-hignite
Reviews
Slapface (2021)
Kipp is a true storyteller
Such an amazing film. It isn't often that a horror title actually has substance. Admittedly, this is not a typical horror film, full of cliche tropes. This is folk horror (e.g., The Witch) with a splash of Appalachian gothic (e.g., Pumpkinhead). Like most folk horror, it is narrative-driven with a lot of exposition. If you are telling a folk story you need to explain a lot for the plot to have any real meaning.
Too many people cannot seem to appreciate a slow-burn, which is too bad. I am just grateful that filmmakers are still inclined to slow the pace and truly tell a story ... and not just the "what/when/where", but also the "why".
Writer/director Jeremiah Kipp, deals with a lot of pain and betrayal in Slap Face. Bullying is a central focus; but, no matter how much your enemies hurt you, that's nothing compared the pain of when your friends deliberately attack you. How much pain and loss can a young mind endure before it needs a champion?
Slap Face will break your heart; which, we need from time to time for no other reason to remind ourselves that we have a heart.
The performances are exceptional. August and Mike were perfect as brothers. And Lukas brought the witch to life, conveying so much emotion without saying a single word.
It is bloody without being gory.
Highly recommended.
Mr. Hush (2010)
Misunderstood
The first time I saw John Carpenter's "Dark Star", I hated it ... thought it was miserable. That was because I took the film seriously. Once I realized that Carpenter meant for "Dark Star" to be a farce, I got it. David Madison's "Mr. Hush", though not necessarily meant to be a farce, persay, it definitely is not meant to be taken seriously. The intent was not to make a film that fills your mind with terror and dread. He had fun with the 80s-style teen horror film (i.e. Fright Night, Lost Boys, etc.). The drama was overacted, the villain was campy ... that is what Madison emulated. The only difference, and I think this is probably the biggest flaw in the film, he doesn't give the audience a clue. There are other issues that I have ... there are some sound problems, and in a few places the film seems to loose its arc. However, Mr. Hush is very entertaining. It is not meant to scare you ... though, there are definitely moments of suspense. Madison assembled a great cast and put forth a good effort. For an indie film, I liked it. I watch literally dozens of indie horror films per year and write reviews for HorrorHound Magazine. A lot of what I see comes from dedicated horror fans who, unfortunately, don't really understand film. David Madison in NO WAY fits into this category. I look very forward to his next project and recommend "Mr. Hush" for those who enjoy low- budget, indie horror.