Friday, December 17, 2010
Michael Allen
Director: Fred Vogel.
Writers: Don Moore Shelby Vogel, and Fred Vogel.
Sella Turcica is a film from ToeTag Pictures, which spotlights the horrors of war in Iraq. As the tagline says: "for Brad the war is over...for his family it's just begun." This is very true for the film, with the central character showing that zombies have a taste for drama and family members too. This title was released in July of this year and the title translates to Turkish saddle. More importantly the title allude to a surgery that Brad has had in the back of this skull, before returning from Iraq. The results of a military experiment are particularly gruesome, with this tried and true plotline reanimated once again.
The particulars involve ex-Marine Brad returning from his action oriented tour in Iraq to a quiet and calm family. Once there, Brad begins to leak an oily substance (see the dramatic irony there - you will, but the characters will not) from various orifices, the likes of which will not be mentioned here. Once Brad reunites with his family and says a few hellos, he is shortly doing what zombies do best. The genre of the film depends and changes according to the central character's mood.
The film begins as a drama, while building tension to an important climax. The signs are there for what will happen, but the pieces are slightly hidden by director and writer Fred Vogel. However, if you watch too closely, you might get splattered by the blood oozing from the screen.
This film was enjoyed by this reviewer, despite some of the drawbacks of a small budget (under $20K). The acting was particularly starchy earlier, but thankfully the actors Camille Keaton (I Spit on Your Grave), Jade Riser (Murder Set Pieces), Harvey Daniels, and Sean P McCarthy begin to loosen up as the film progresses. The use of one set is usually constraining, but not here. As well, the pacing is not really hampered by any budget problems and the film is really character driven, interesting and over-the-top, in the final few minutes.
One other drawback remains in the film's central plot. The military experiment plotline has been done to death and movie goers know by now that the military is bad, untrustworthy and constantly up to no good (in film anyways). Yet, the handling of the characters and the strong, or sometimes subtle anti-war message outshine any repetition in the story.
Sella Turcica has been available, as mentioned, since July of this year and this is a film for those who enjoy independent films, or for those looking for some well-written drama with their horror. The film was constantly interesting, rarely dull, and thoroughly entertaining. Check this one out, where you can find it.
Overall: 7.75 out of 10 (-1 for some flat parts in music, -.5 for some acting issues, -.5 for the annoyance of the character Gavyn, -.25 for minor pacing issues).
Another excellent review of this title is at The House of Horror:
Sella Turcica at The House of Horror
The film's fan page can be joined on Facebook at:
Sella Turcica at FB
A news article on this film at Toetag Pictures:
Sella Turcica at Toe Tag
Get your zombie on:
Also, this title is available at the Toe Tag Picture's website:
Sella Turcica at Toe Tag
Advertise Here - Contact me Michael Allen at 28DLA
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Posted in: anti-war,camille keaton,don moore,dvd,dvd artwork,fred vogel,movie review,purchase,sella turcica,shelby vogel,toe tag pictures,zombie movie review
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