Post by Mr.HoRrOr on Dec 31, 2011 0:26:16 GMT -5
Plot:A demon possesses a cellphone in a small North Carolina town and begins to wreak revengeful havoc.
Cast:
April Billingsley
Nathan Moore
Phillip Ward
Scott N. Stevens
Larry Parks
Caroline Avery Granger
Mack McClain
Matthew B. Moore
Slade Blackburn
Dan A.R. Kelly
My Thoughts:Strange schlock horror!
Review:"Hellphone" is the freshman genre effort from filmmaker Jason Marc Pierce. In which a cellphone, possessed by the evil spirit of a psychotic, deceased cult leader...begins a reign of supernaturally-charged terror in a small North Carolina town. "Hellphone" is a movie that is not to be taken seriously even in the slightest prior to watching. Normally, even the most absurd of horror films of the indie variety. Can be taken atleast 10% seriously.
This one though goes hard for laughs. And the horror elements follow along just for the ride. But this movie could easily have ended up being a skit on SNL or something. For example, when the dead psycho cult-leader's evil spirit jumps into the phone...the townspeople either end up being zombified by him via the phone. Or being killed with a high-frequency pitch sound emitted from the phone. The good guys only hope soon becomes a singular female police officer, played by one April Billingsley. Who has her own issues to sort out.
An ex boyfriend, and a current one. Both of which are still in her life. And both of which she considers herself close to. I guess when you come from a small town, you're too polite to tell the ex to get lost and never come back. Hence, having both in her life just creates further drama. And it also doesn't help that psycho-dead-cult-leader guy is zipping through peoples cells and killing them. Watching this film, you can really see the influences that the director brought to the table.
"Hellphone" is very reminiscent of some of the stuff Full Moon put out back in the 80's and 90's. And also throws some "Scanners"'esque hijinx into the mix for good measure. As a horror film, it has most of the base and needed elements. Deceased person back for revenge. An evil spirit running amok. People dying and perishing in weird, odd, and bizarre ways. With one scene giving us a pretty sweet up close and personal head-explosion. And some zombie scenes akin to "The Mummy" (1999). But the picture also blends all of these things with some cheesy comedic bits.
Such as a few obligatory characters like the cop who screws up on the job early and often. And the small town newswoman who in spite of her environment, behaves like a big city tabloid reporter. The deaths are also a source of much humor. Most of them are quite funny in their absurdity. And others happen at the strangest, and most bizarre times. Which either purposely, or ironically...lead to even more confusion and humor later on in the picture.
But "Hellphone" saves its most ridiculous plot device for last. As undead-cult-leader guy gets tired of missing the mark on his intended target of revenge. So he comes up with a new plan to take his pound of flesh. And that's when the movie shows off some really cheesy, yet effective special effects. I won't spoil it in the review, but it's a pretty surreal series of events once this movie reaches its conclusion. And while most people would find what takes place in act 3 absolutely ridiculous.
You have to remember where this movie is coming from. It's not intent on being a serious horror picture. But more of a horror/comedy mix. Reminiscent of the crazy stuff that came out of the 80's time period. With "Piranha" (original), "Neon Maniacs", and movies like that. While "Hellphone" doesn't exactly bring the scares as much as those movies did...it certainly has the off-the-wall and zany comedy pieces and influences of those films nailed down pretty well.
Overall, it's a movie where you turn your brain off the moment you pop it into the DVD player. And while it may not be the particular cup of tea for everyone...one thing is for sure. You'll probably never see another movie quite like "Hellphone" anytime soon. It's definitely a "unique" piece.
Positives:This films takes a creative approach to its storyline. Very refreshing. It also uses 80's horror-comedy and schlock humor to its advantage in garnering laughs. The third act is so bad it's good. In terms of the events that unfold. And the head-pop scene was money!
Negatives:The low budget can affect the effectiveness of a few scenes here and there. But being an indie, you know what you're in for mostly beforehand.
Overall:Three stars out of four.