DARK WAS THE NIGHT

Netflix is on a roll with it's suggestions. DARK WAS THE NIGHT is a fantastic little monster movie. This slow burn really builds up the characters and tension as the film rolls along at it's slow burn pace. Those who want to see the action clear and crisp won't like this film - the majority of the cryptozoological fun happens in the shadows, but the creepy factor - tromping around in the dark looking for the bump in the night - makes it all worthwhile and really enjoyable.

Jack Heller's direction in DARK has made me even more excited to see BONE TOMAHAWK and I'm moving that up in my list. Kevin Durand and Lukas Haas brood through their performances and relay the darkness and sadness that dwells within humanity perfectly. This isn't an uplifting film, but it's a fun little monster movie for sure.

Sadly, the film's creatures do tend to look a little "computer-esque" in their somewhat flat appearance, but the whole of the film does more than enough to support the difficult creature work the 3D folks tried to get across. I almost think a large puppet or animatronic creature might have done this more justice for the third act.

That aside, DARK WAS THE NIGHT is a must see for creature feature fans! 

Last Shift

 LAST SHIFT was one of those NETFLIX suggestions I back burnered for some moment when I really wasn't going to be watching a lot of what was on - model making, file organization,  or something where some background noise was needed, but where I wasn't going to be doing a lot of looking at the screen. I tossed it on, but didn't have high hopes. Man, was I pleasantly surprised!

The film is like a lifeboat or bottle episode of something - one location with a very limited cast. The lion's share of the actor heavy lifting is done by the rather talented Juliana Harkavy who plays an officer assigned to hang out...alone...in the old precinct waiting for a hazmat crew to come in and take the last of the hazardous crime scene materials away before the place is shut down. All the other officers are at the new place blocks away, so she's there...alone...and waiting.




Then shit gets strange.

I'm not going to say much about this film - again, keeping things short and sweet. But....wow...this film has a lot of good stuff in it! It's a new fave for sure.

Anthony DiBlasi's (Dread) direction is super tight and there's nothing in here that's forced or yawn worthy. Once the ride starts, you're strapped in and you just need to hold on. DiBlasi does some fantastic tricks in here and there are many, "Wait....WHAT the HELL was THAT?!" moments to keep you're eyes open for.

The rest of the cast take their roles and really make them stick. They may not have a lot of screen time, but when they are on, Joshua Mikel, J. LaRose, Natalie Victoria, Sarah Sculco, Kathryn Kilger, Matt Doman and Mary Lankford really take things and run with them in a great way. 

If you dig creepy....ghosly....and hallucinogenic horror, give LAST SHIFT a go for sure!