VR REVIEW

A new virtual reality headset promises to offer Tom an escape from his painfully dull life, but how will he cope when a Japanese urban legend comes to haunt him?

Starring: Betty Waterhouse, Connor Knight, and Matt Beaumont

Directed and written by: Rob Ulitski

  “VR” introduces audiences to what happens when virtual reality meets horror. Tom just got a new virtual reality headset, and wastes little time trying it out. It seems to be working well, as he ventures to different realities. Then things start to get a little weird, and an alarm goes off saying there’s a virus in the network. He’s forced to take off the headset and take a break.

  During this break, the audience finds out that he’s apparently having issues with an ex-lover. Upset about this problem, he goes back to the headset. This time it doesn’t take long before he’s confronted by a strange asian woman again. Virtual reality and reality start to converge with his life very much in the balance. 

  Virtual reality is incorporated well in this short film, as it gives the audience good feel for what Tom is experiencing. It almost feels like found footage, but clearly it’s not. It’s nice that they add a reason why he’s trying to escape reality as opposed to just having some guy in his apartment messing with the headset. The woman haunting him has a great horrific face. Even with not knowing about this Japanese urban legend, it still fulfilled my horror needs at the end, so I give “VR” 2 pools of blood. 

  HorrO

*For more about "VR" please visit http://robulitski.com

KAL - THE CLOWN REVIEW

A young woman is terrorized by a mysterious puppet.

Starring: Noelle Hanson

Directed by: Carlos Omar de Leon

Written by: Carlos Omar de Leon and Vorasine Vince Phrommany

  "KAL- The Clown" starts with a young woman (Noelle Hanson) sitting on her couch trying to watch tv when the door bell rings. She goes to the door, and finds that she's received a package. She brings it inside, and opens it up to find a scary looking clown puppet. There's also a note saying that his name is KAL. She leaves it in the box, and resumes watching tv.

  Sometime later she realizes the clown is now on the floor so she picks it up and throws it in the garbage. She tries a couple of more times to get rid of the clown, but isn't very successful. After hearing the basement door open, she goes to investigate, and ends up falling down the stairs. Unfortunately for her she's now easy pickings for the puppet.

  This is another well done short horror film by Carlos Omar de Leon. It's shot extremely well, including a few good angles from the puppet's point of view. He creates an atmosphere around the young woman that's creepy enough just as the clown arrives. Noelle does a nice job of acting scared. The down side for the film is that besides the design of the puppet, the film is much like other puppet, or doll films. There's nothing new, and the audience will might grow frustrated with the woman’s inability to get rid of the puppet. I give “KAL- The Clown” 2 pools of blood.

  HorrO

* “KAL- The Clown” can be seen on Vimeo

KILLER DATE REVIEW

A popular online blogger thinks he's going on a routine blind date thanks to the new dating app he's been using. But his next date could be his last...

Starring: Jonnie Stapleton and Desire Jansen

Directed by: Carlos Omar De León

Written by: Vorasine Vince Phrommany and Carlos Omar De León

  “Killer Date” opens with Mike (Jonnie Stapleton) in a coffee shop waiting for his blind date. While waiting he’s posting his latest blog about how using a dating app has made it easy to meet women. On cue, his date, Abby (Desire Jansen), arrives and sits down with him. The two have that awkward exchange that sometimes happens when meeting someone for the first time. Too bad for Mike, it will get even more uncomfortable soon!

  The two end up at Abby’s house, and Mike starts making his move on her. However, she quickly puts him in his place before offering him a drink. The drink knocks him out, and he ends up strapped to table. With Mike struggling and trying to yell, Abby comes in to remind him that dating isn’t that easy after all.

  Overall, this isn’t a bad short film. However, it really could have been a scene in a larger film. The beginning is set up well in the coffee shop, and even getting back to the house. Too bad when the true horror is about to begin the film ends. It would’ve been nice to see at least a few more minutes. Also the room at the end is too similar to Dexter’s set up. Something a little more unique might have looked better. In the end, I give “Killer Date” 2 pools of blood.

  HorrO

*You can see “Killer Date” on Vimeo

FIRESIDE TALES REVIEW

A low-budget anthology film focuses on a young group of friends, gathered for a night of fun and drinks around a campfire. Every year they try to outdo themselves telling scary stories. Will they survive another round? One story showcasing 5 unique macabre tales to frighten audiences everywhere.

Starring: Donna Brown, Justin Celani, Tim Christie, and Zach Etter

Directed by: Ian Messenger

Written by: Justin Celani, and Ian Messenger

  From the title, "Fireside Tales," audiences might guess that this film involves some tales by a fire. A group of young adults are continuing their yearly tradition of telling some scary tales by a campfire. A couple of them try to top each other’s tales, as they continuously argue in between stories. Ultimately, it's up to the audience to decide which tale is the best.

  The first story is called “Undertow," which takes place in the desert. A couple and their friend are hanging out before they're attacked by a hulked up Freddy Krueger looking guy. As one of them mentions, this story has a "The Hills Have Eyes" feel to it. The killer makes a pretty cool entrance springing out of the water before beginning his reign of terror on them. 

  The second story is about "The Bad Man." It starts with a girl on a jog that runs into this bad man. She manages to do a little too much screaming, and not enough running to escape the ax welding bad man. Missing for some time, the girl's now distraught father goes out looking for her. At the same time, a couple heads out to take some pictures close to where the girl disappeared. The exciting part of this story comes when the bad man absolutely butchers one of them before coming face to face with the father.

  Story three, "The Tormentor," takes place as a few friends try to sit down and watch a horror movie.  The power goes out in a storm, and the killing begins. The tormentor makes short work of everyone in sight, and leaves a nice bloody mess behind. The fourth and probably best tale is the story about skinwalkers. A couple are hiking in a cave when they are confronted by a creature leaving only one of them to escape. The survivor goes for reinforcements, and they go back looking for the creature. While the other tales were about the slaughtering, this one comes with a good little twist.

  What works for this anthology is that even if the audience wants to complain about the tales, the friends around the fire already do it for them. They are quick to make fun of the stories, and point out potential flaws in it. One thing the audience might complain about is the acting. It’s up and down, but give some credit to the actors who play several different roles. Overall, this is a good anthology for those looking for some tales with not many survivors! I give "Fireside Tales" 2 pools of blood!

  HorrO

*Note- there’s a surprise tale that begins shortly after the credits roll 

*You can find "Fireside Tales" on Amazon