Deadtime Stories 2 and Shocking Appeal: A Movie Review

Director: Jeff Monahan and Matt Walsh.

Writers: Jeff Monahan.

Narrator: George A. Romero.

George A. Romero again narrates the Deadtime Stories film series in Deadtime Stories 2. Here you have three macabre tales of cannibalism, guilt and, hurrah, zombies. Having not seen the first series, this reviewer will not be able to compare the two anthologies. However, as a stand alone series of tales, Deadtime Stories 2 is a mostly fun ride that is somewhat hampered by a slow start. Overall "The Gorge," "On Sabbath Hill," and "Dust" provide that "Outer Limits" (1995) feel where stories emphasize audience impact rather than characterizations and deep plots.

"The Gorge," takes viewers to a cave exploration trip, which goes terribly wrong. Three climbers are trapped in a pocket of air for an unbelievable twenty-seven days, plus. About the only passage of time that you will see is the reduction of candles to little wicks. There is action here as well and boy is it bloody. One of the trapped cavers has an injured leg that shows signs of sepsis (infection). Yet, when you are hungry that black, gangerous leg looks mighty tasty. Enter scenes of cannibalism. Next, viewers will likely be entertained by "On Sabbath Hill," a tale of a guilt stricken philandering teacher. This teacher chooses a beautiful student as his mistress and when she becomes pregnant she also becomes irrational, leading to a suicide in the classroom. Then the hauntings begin. This is the only story that attempts a message involving conscience and possibly even the projection of guilt, but that is up for debate. Finally "Dust," the shortest of the films, involves Martian dust and a cure for cancer. In horror, however, cures often have a zombifying effect. That is the case here when Audrey's cure turns her into both a nymphomaniac and a blood thirsty zombie. Then all three shorts are over in just under two hours.

The first series of films, Deadtime Stories, recieved a lambasting by reviewers, but this follow-up is entertaining. There are issues of production here, as the film stock seems a little on the cheap side and likely not digital. Also some of the minor characters are a little predictable in their acting. One nurse looked like she could not wait to get her scream out. The main characters show some solid performances and this critic enjoyed "On Sabbath Hill" and "Dust" the most. The ending of "The Gorge," was not fully explained, with one woman showing some facial distortions out of the blue. The pacing moves the film along at an even keel, with only the first story showing too much repetition. As well, gorehounds will find the blood effects at a medium level here. The make-up effects were mostly believable, but not entirely realistic. The tossing of a torso in a cave brings back an unnatural clanking or mechanical sound, rather than a fleshy one. Finally Matthew Tait's score, which is full of synthesizers, really gives this film a retro' feeling, especially in the first short.

Bob Etier at the Blogging website Technorati mentions Romero's painful dialogue in his review: "even Romero’s introductions are better, or at least much less painful." Romero plays a cheeky narrator with all kinds of one-liners between episodes. His appearances seem to break up the film and not always in a good way. An introduction of the next film would have been enough, but Romero goes for the comedic quips which made this reviewer wonder if he had seen the episodes at all. Other lines seem generic and not suitable for the material "now I lay me down to rest, but there is a ghoul on my chest." How does this line relate to three trapped cavers? Overall, Romero is playful and he seems to be enjoying his time, which is a similar feeling felt by this reviewer throughout much of the film.

Deadtime Stories 2 just released on DVD Tuesday, September 20th and horror fans of short films will probably find a story or two here of value. Fans of Romero will not find his presence forefront, but much more of an aside, instead. As well, you may have to wade through the confusing first film before finding the anthology's true heart in the following two pieces. This is independent material and hopefully, fans of the indies find some time to watch this horror series which is chock full of gore and even a thrill or two.

Writing/story/plot: 7 out of 10 (not brilliant, not bad, one attempt at a message, there could have been more).
Characters/believability: 6.5 out of 10 (most of the acting is good).

Overall: 6.75 out of 10 (worth seeing, recommended, a small budget hampers the film's true potential).

Another review of this title at Technorati (Bob Etier):

Deadtime Stories 2 Reviewed at Technorati

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