*CONTAINS SPOILERS* or rather, some "explanations" that shed some light on the strangeness...
Those who can only digest simple horror films will obviously not enjoy Dante Tomaselli's latest visual feast. As with his first film DESECRATION, it's not so much about a cohesive story, but rather nightmarish images and symbolism that gives one the feeling of experiencing a dreamlike state. Even things like the cheesey floating jack-o-lanterns didn't bother me, because like in a weird dream things like that really don't seem out of place! For those of us that enjoy something more cerebral, this mindscrew of a film is a treat. It's really a major hallucenogenic trip, and if anything a comment on the dangers of drugs.
Don't fret if you can't really understand HORROR. Even Tomaselli says in his DVD commentary that not everything is expected to make sense, just savor the weirdness. If you are a fan of bizarre films like ERASERHEAD, then this will entertain you well. There are many scenes that mess around with the order of which events happen or may not have happened, and it will definitely keep you on your toes trying to keep your head together.
Basically, you have some teens that escape a rehab center, most high on mushrooms "given" to them by a faith-healing preacher. They escape to his house, where they discover that the preacher and his wife keep their daughter like a prisoner and in a sedated state. The daughter also is visited by the ghost of her grandfather (played by The Amazing Kreskin!), who may or may not have evil intentions as well. Sound simple enough? It's amazing how really it's NOT!
For those that did not bother with the DVD commentary and wonder if some of the images are just there to be just weird instead of meaning anything, these might help:
**The little girl that shows up at the front door is also the little girl in the body bag in the photo with Rev. Salo Sr. This girl might also be Grace's sister, as Salo Sr. mentioned a sister to Grace in one scene. Note that Luck (Danny Lopes) vomits on the ground at the exact point where the body of that girl was as well.
**The condition of Grace's legs near the end is related to the image of the melting doll, which symbolized Grace's existence.
**Note the number 1 for the address of the Reverand Salo's house, and the number 2 on the elevator door at the rehab center at the end...levels of Hell.
**Danny Lopes' character Luck mutters a phrase right after shooting the security guard. He also says the exact same thing after accidentally killing a nun in DESECRATION. That at the beginning of that film, and here at the end of the film. This, according to Tomaselli, was quite intentional.
These things might help the viewer a lot, or not at all...it's all how you allow yourself to absorb the images and go along for the ride. For those wanting easy thrills, buckets of violence, naked girls, etc.....this is not a film for that audience. I can understand how some would call HORROR a bit pretentious, but there's plenty of room for more artsy, cerebral horror films as well as standard fare. My only bewilderment was the consistent scenes of doors slamming, there just seemed a few too many of those...you could start a drinking game for that!
I for one was not disappointed after waiting what seemed ages to see this film. The visuals are astounding for the very low budget, the creepy atmosphere is conveyed well, and even if you never really understand the film it's worth repeated viewings. A LOT goes on in the brief running time. The layered score of mainly sounds is effective. The cast does a fine job -- I was happy to see actors from DESECRATION return for this one: Vincent Lamberti and his interesting facial hair as Rev. Salo Jr., Christie Sanford deliciously chewing up her scenes as the wife, and Danny Lopes looking a tad older. The Amazing Kreskin does his role with ease, and it is claimed that his hypnotism is real in every scene it's performed in. Lizzy Mahon is simply wonderful, and the goat is a marvel! It's good to see Felissa Rose (of Sleepaway Camp fame) here as well in her brief cameo.
Obviously HORROR is not for everyone, especially horror fans that don't want to have to think while watching. Call it arthouse horror if you will, but I sure don't mind. Dante Tomaselli knows how to assault the senses and make spectacular visions on limited budgets, and I will be eagerly awaiting his future projects. It would be nice to have a CD of the "sounds" of his films...that's a hint, Mr. Tomaselli!
Those who can only digest simple horror films will obviously not enjoy Dante Tomaselli's latest visual feast. As with his first film DESECRATION, it's not so much about a cohesive story, but rather nightmarish images and symbolism that gives one the feeling of experiencing a dreamlike state. Even things like the cheesey floating jack-o-lanterns didn't bother me, because like in a weird dream things like that really don't seem out of place! For those of us that enjoy something more cerebral, this mindscrew of a film is a treat. It's really a major hallucenogenic trip, and if anything a comment on the dangers of drugs.
Don't fret if you can't really understand HORROR. Even Tomaselli says in his DVD commentary that not everything is expected to make sense, just savor the weirdness. If you are a fan of bizarre films like ERASERHEAD, then this will entertain you well. There are many scenes that mess around with the order of which events happen or may not have happened, and it will definitely keep you on your toes trying to keep your head together.
Basically, you have some teens that escape a rehab center, most high on mushrooms "given" to them by a faith-healing preacher. They escape to his house, where they discover that the preacher and his wife keep their daughter like a prisoner and in a sedated state. The daughter also is visited by the ghost of her grandfather (played by The Amazing Kreskin!), who may or may not have evil intentions as well. Sound simple enough? It's amazing how really it's NOT!
For those that did not bother with the DVD commentary and wonder if some of the images are just there to be just weird instead of meaning anything, these might help:
**The little girl that shows up at the front door is also the little girl in the body bag in the photo with Rev. Salo Sr. This girl might also be Grace's sister, as Salo Sr. mentioned a sister to Grace in one scene. Note that Luck (Danny Lopes) vomits on the ground at the exact point where the body of that girl was as well.
**The condition of Grace's legs near the end is related to the image of the melting doll, which symbolized Grace's existence.
**Note the number 1 for the address of the Reverand Salo's house, and the number 2 on the elevator door at the rehab center at the end...levels of Hell.
**Danny Lopes' character Luck mutters a phrase right after shooting the security guard. He also says the exact same thing after accidentally killing a nun in DESECRATION. That at the beginning of that film, and here at the end of the film. This, according to Tomaselli, was quite intentional.
These things might help the viewer a lot, or not at all...it's all how you allow yourself to absorb the images and go along for the ride. For those wanting easy thrills, buckets of violence, naked girls, etc.....this is not a film for that audience. I can understand how some would call HORROR a bit pretentious, but there's plenty of room for more artsy, cerebral horror films as well as standard fare. My only bewilderment was the consistent scenes of doors slamming, there just seemed a few too many of those...you could start a drinking game for that!
I for one was not disappointed after waiting what seemed ages to see this film. The visuals are astounding for the very low budget, the creepy atmosphere is conveyed well, and even if you never really understand the film it's worth repeated viewings. A LOT goes on in the brief running time. The layered score of mainly sounds is effective. The cast does a fine job -- I was happy to see actors from DESECRATION return for this one: Vincent Lamberti and his interesting facial hair as Rev. Salo Jr., Christie Sanford deliciously chewing up her scenes as the wife, and Danny Lopes looking a tad older. The Amazing Kreskin does his role with ease, and it is claimed that his hypnotism is real in every scene it's performed in. Lizzy Mahon is simply wonderful, and the goat is a marvel! It's good to see Felissa Rose (of Sleepaway Camp fame) here as well in her brief cameo.
Obviously HORROR is not for everyone, especially horror fans that don't want to have to think while watching. Call it arthouse horror if you will, but I sure don't mind. Dante Tomaselli knows how to assault the senses and make spectacular visions on limited budgets, and I will be eagerly awaiting his future projects. It would be nice to have a CD of the "sounds" of his films...that's a hint, Mr. Tomaselli!