Apollyon
(2005)
This
short film, is inspired by the works of Lovecraft as well as
the Book of Revelations. The story progresses quite nicely,
with a film rich in atmosphere. The dialog has been written
in the form of a poem, giving the story an almost dreamlike
quality. The story is that of an old man, and the strange thing
that he finds in his cellar, a thing that speaks of the end
of the world.
Cthulhu
2199 (2006)
Ok,
this film just stinks. It lasts just under 3 minutes and has
very little discernible plot. It is, apparently, set in the
future (one would guess from the title) and deals with several
humans fighting off some sort of monster (cthulhu?). It feels
more like a preview for a movie rather than an actual film.
H
P Lovecraft's "The Tomb" (2006)
This
film is a great deal of fun. Though it does have limitations,
having been created by a computer game, it still comes off as
a fairly faithful version of the Tomb. The biggest problem that
the film has is the narration, provided by a speech synthesizer
with a slight English accent, which can be difficult to understand
at times. Still, overall the atmosphere is fairly well done
and the film itself is entertaining.
Il
Sogno (The Dream) (2006)
This
Italian made short film takes a familiar concept and puts it
forth in a fairly drab fashion. What could've been told in perhaps
as little as two minutes, stretches on for close to five. The
short introduces us to Mr. Molloy, who is plagued by dreams
of falling. Night after night, for months on end. The obvious
ending results.
The
Inheritance (2005)
Billed
as a comedy, this isn't funny, just bad. The premise is that
a couple arrive to look over a house that they have apparently
just inherited. Going inside they are spooked by strange sounds
but persevere and go down into the basement...where one of them
mysteriously dies. No real plot, no real effort.
The
Last Dream (2005)
This
film truly overcomes its own technical limitations. The music
and atmosphere are wonderful, and really sets a bleak and slightly
creepy mood. The story is that of a dreamer, tormented in the
Dreamlands by a hideous creature that eventually stalks him
in the waking world. A very nicely done piece of work, and one
that is highly recommended.
Lionhead
Studios - Innsmouth Office (2005)
While
many of the shorts made with "the Movies", have a
feeling of being a single, short scene, this film really does
have the feel of a complete story told in six minutes. The characters,
having been notified of winning a contest (involving the game,
"the Movies") head to the Lionhead Films offices in
Innsmouth, where the sinister forces of the Temple of Dagon
await. The ending is certainly too rushed, and it shows. Still,
the movie itself is fun and entertaining, succeeding at EXACTLY
what it is supposed to do.
-
Bob Brinkman
