Thursday, January 07, 2010

The Dark Colours from Body of Work: A Movie Review



Director: Alex Bram.

Writer: Shayla Beesley, and Alex Bram.

Body of Work is a Panic Attack Film that looks at artistry, blood-letting and the desires of the very twisted Jack Vogler. Directed by Alex Bram from actress Shayla Beesley's script (Perkins 14), Body of Work is the best horror short these eyes have seen. Clocking in at twenty-three minutes, the fact that this film does not have distribution is more shocking than the final horrifying scene.

The film begins with model Haley (Leah Ann Cevoli) practically begging to go topless for artist, black magician, and murderer Jack Vogler (Justin Dray). The intrigue begins here and continues ten years later when new homeowners, Mark (Joe Russell) and Carly (Yasmine Zapp) discover Vogler's paintings hidden in an shadowy shack. The paintings hold some of Voglers female subjects within the lines and colours of his artistry, forever trapped in dark magic. But when Carly comes too close to Vogler's works dire consequences result.

The characterization of Mark is poorly drawn and similar to a cardboard cutout, but all the other actors and actresses, from Dray to Tonya Cornelisse are drawn with a much better,artistic hand. Carly's home is the canvas in the picture with Haley, Jessica, and Nicole acting as dark borders that frame this sinister picture. Vogler, the protagonist and villain is, of course, the paintbrush. However, the paint comes from an unusual source from which Haley, Jessica and Nicole pay the ultimate price to supply.

Yet, Body of Work is more than an exceptional piece of creative artistry in film. Body of Work is developed similar to a well devised joke, which climaxes creepily to deliver one of the most jaw dropping punchlines in the genre of horror short history. This punchline will not deliver laughs and guffaws, but sheer shock! Every scene and minute is utilized fully in a concise fashion to deliver an entertaining experience that will not soon - nor ever be forgotten!

Currently on the film festival circuit, Body of Work is seeking distribution and producers, horror fans, and studio execs' need to take note of Shayla Beesley, Alex Bram, and their body of work, which includes this excellent film. Watch this Pezzotta/Bram production wherever the film shows. You will not be disappointed (unless this review has set your expectations too high)!

Plot/story/subject material: 8.75.
Lighting/setting/realism: 8.
Photography/cinematography/composition: 8.25.

Overall: 8.3 out of 10.

A trailer for Body of Work here:



Sources:

Review of BOW at Shockya

Review of BOW at KillingBoxx

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