Sunday, March 21, 2010
Michael Allen
Writer: Kevin Carraway and Lawrence Sara.
Echo Bridge Entertainment is one of the biggest distributors of independent films in North America. The Fear Chamber was released by Echo April 27th on DVD. Now, the film makes its way to a local mailbox to be dissected here. Unfortunately, this gift might be best sent back to the sender. The central character in the film Nick Ferguson played by Rhett Giles is uncompelling and the acting of Ferguson in this feature is very poor. The lack of exterior sets, poor acting, and almost total absence of the killer from the early parts of picture makes the film unrecommendable.
The character Ferguson stumbles through scenes devoid of dialogue to the viewer's misfortune. If the character is going to be wandering around in an isolated locale at least give the guy some lines to work with. Everybody talks to themselves a little bit, right? Some dialogue with other characters or even with himself could have put viewers into Ferguson's mindset a little better. As well, actor Giles just cannot pull off a range of moods. The only emotions shown are depression, upset, seriousness, or dejectedness. A little more vulnerability is required by Giles in future productions.
A film without exterior shots is either trying to save the budget, or distance the viewer. Real life involves the outside not just safe studio shooting. Production company Night Light Films needs to take some risks. Future films need to show outside shots. Show some complexity and mastery of all formats of picture shooting. One final point on filming, use better light sources. The picture is overly dark and sombre.
The killer, who goes about his business of extracting human organs, is well played by Richard Tyson, yet, his absence from the film is an oversight. Tyson has played roles in close to a hundred productions. When he is in the frame he basically steals the show. Giles just cannot compete with Tyson's experience. Disappointingly Tyson is kept primarily for the end.
Every review requires a synopsis and here is The Fear Chamber's plot in as few words as possible. The killer Teddy is going around Las Vegas seducing and murdering local women, or "whores" as the killer likes to put it (The Fear Chamber). His antithesis is the already mentioned Ferguson. Ferguson has had heart replacement surgery and now he sees dead people. His visions lead him to the killer's front door where the story come to an anti-climax.
This horror film is not gripping and only slightly entertaining. Horror films are one of the only genres that allow us to see our dark sides and find insight. The Fear Chamber only allows viewers a few squeamish moments, some regret and that is all. Pass on this title, or leave your comments if you disagree.
Not recommendable, but there are other great horror titles on Amazon:
Directing/coaching/staging: 4 (need to see some complexity here).
Photography/composition/lighting: 4.5 (more set direction, lights).
Acting/believability/characterizations: 6.5 (Steven Williams, John Duerler are good - Giles is not).
Overall: 5 groans out of 10.
More information on Echo Bridge Entertainment and their current film plans here:
Echo Bridge Entertainment
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Posted in: 2010,acting,cast,crew,crime drama,directing,drama,horror,lighting,movie review,thriller
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