Directed By: Jay Cheel (ABDUCTION/ADDUCTION)
Jordan Downey (STORK)
Justin Martinez (LIVE AND LET DIVE)
Christian Long and Justin Long (FUR BABIES)
Virat Pol (DREAM GIRL)
Katie Siegel (STOWAWAY)
Written By: Jordan Downey and Kevin Stewart (STORK) (Based on the artwork by Oleg Vdovenko)
Mike Flanigan (STOWAWAY)
Virat Pol and Evan Dickinson (DREAM GIRL)
Justin Martinez and Benjamin A. Turner (LIVE AND LET DIVE)
Christian Long and Justin Long (FUR BABIES)
Cinematography: Taban Basu (DREAM GIRL)
Mike McLaughlin (ABDUCTION/ADDUCTION)
Kevin Stewart
Alexander Chinnici
Editor: Jay Cheel, Tanya Chhabvia, Jordan Downey, Thom Newell, Benjamin A. Turner
Cast: Mitch Horowitz, Namrata Sheth, Rohan Joshi, Bix Krieger, Rhett Wellington, Libby Letlow, Matthew Layton, Alanah Pearce, Thom Hallum
Six bloodcurdling tapes unleash horror in a sci-fi-inspired hellscape, pushing the boundaries of fear and suspense.
At this point these movies are a tradition, That some can look forward to and some might dread. While the films aren't as dynamic as when they premiered with this premise. They also seemed to have lost their way. As at first it seemed like a new way to present horror and had some excitement behind it. As well as giving emerging directors a chance to tell their stories in inventive short-form ways.
After the second film, it felt like it was losing steam and even now this film while passable. it feels a bit stale or not as dynamic. It almost feels at times like a dumping ground. These films feel like a television show that has some standout episodes but disappointing seasons. Resembling the show AMERICAN HORROR STORIES. This version's theme as there tends to be one with each new film is Aliens.
The first segment is STORK which is one of the most violent out of the tales the first three of the tales truly are the goriest out of them all. This story is about a group of renegade cops hunting who they believe are serial kidnappers. Though once they enter the house they see what they are truly up against. While visually gifted, it plays more like a first-person shooter video game. This seems like the most mainstream and the one that could easily be seen as a spinoff of its own
The next segment DREAM GIRL is set in India and follows a group of paparazzi photographers trying to get photos of a new female star whose films are constantly hits. Early in the film, there is a bit introduced which makes the story seem like it is going one way, and then by the end, it goes another way, As they find out to a degree what is behind the superstar's success. This is one of the tales that seems like it might veer away from the main theme of Aliens
LIVE AND LET DIVE seems like it is going in so many directions. By the time it literally lands the visual effects are impressive. it offers nothing really new or different. Except to provide a slasher-type tale with excessive violence. That is ok but frustrating in the many ways it could have gone.
FUR BABIES is next and noteworthy as it is written and directed by Christian Long and his brother Justin Long (Yes, the one and only) Now this short film has a premise that is ghastly and a bit original. This segment doesn't belong in this edition; its theme feels like a holdover from the last one. It also seems like it's only here because of who made it and is a case of celebrity. As he is one of the biggest names attached to this film even as director
STOWAWAY is the true final full tale about a young woman. who is trying to do a documentary on a location that is a hotbed of alien sightings and activity. She follows the trail of the sightings. She gets all she wants and more once she makes her way onto an alien craft and it takes off and we see her having to deal with the consequences. Which mixes with a home video of her as a little girl. that portrays her innocence and wonder about what is happening to her and the changes.
then there is the wraparound story ABDUCTION/ADDUCTION which is really a documentary presentation of an alien invader video and its veracity that only lasts a few minutes. That seems used to tie everything together.
Now while one will stay critical of this anthology. one can also appreciate them for what they present and giving independent directors a showcase. it's also nice to have a yearly franchise for Halloween.
Grade: C
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