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NYCHFF Coverage Day Two
By John Marrone
Oct 21, 2005, 21:34

Upon entering Manhattan Thursday night for the second night of the NYC Horror Film festival the Empire State building was crowned in deep red lights towering over the city, the color of blood. 

This season's prestigious event shifted over to the decorative Tribecca Cinemas on Varick Street, where it was time to start rolling out the films entered into this year's lineup.  I must say, after seeing the first two days of films in competition (and non-competition alike), it’s refreshing to watch movies that aren't just classified as horror.  These hand-chosen babies actually give you chills and have your skin crawling.  Being a seasoned veteran of post 1960 side of the genre, and seeing how Hollywood can sometimes be guilty of spreading a good premise so thin it doesn’t work anymore, it gives a fan faith knowing that what attracted you to the  fright, nausea, and disgust, is not dead - its Undead, back with a vengeance, and delivering.

The shorts that were shown throughout the evening were as follows.  Mainstream, directed by Adam Barnick.  Apartment 206, by Gregory Zymet, and my pick for best short of the night: 

Stephen King's The Road Virus Heads North, directed by Dave Brock (21 minutes) - Fans of Stephen King, take note.  This virtually strict adaptation of the short story was directed like a gem.  For those not familiar, "The Road Virus Heads North” is a painting.  Retired horror novelist Richard Kinnell, played engrossingly by Dennis Dalen, purchases this painting at a rode side sale while traveling.  Suddenly, strange things start to happen.  People he talks to mention his death is passing conversation - figments of his deteriorating mind - as this cursed artwork unravels his world.  It’s not the story so much as the way Dave Brock films it.  This movie is CREEPY, gives you chills, and was done as good as it could have been.  Looking at the man's face in the painting, and the scenes that change in the background each time Kinnell takes a peek, was cold and chilling.  It doesn't sound like it on paper.  Seek this film out.

Two feature films were screened on Thursday night.  The first was Neighborhood Watch, by Graeme Whifler.  You can get some insight into this very dark piece of work right now, at www.neighborhoodwatchthefilm.com .  On Wormwood Drive in one sick self mutilating SOB named Adrien Trumbull. Seemingly friendly, yet disturbingly intense, the hulking Trumbull welcomes his young new neighbors with a greeting of a box chocolates and kind words. Touched by his neighborly gestures, Bob and Wendi gratefully accept Trumbull’s thoughtful gifts and friendship. However, Trumbull is not at all what he seems to be. Behind his welcoming grin lurks a dark obsession with poison and pain and within the walls of his rancid home, hides pure madness. For Bob and Wendi Petersen, the neighborhood of their dreams is about to become a living nightmare.  What chills about this flick is that we ALL live in neighborhoods like the one portrayed.  The fact that the film is based on two true stories also lends to its power to have you believe

The more anticipated film of the night was the world premiere of Tobe Hooper's Mortuary.  For those who remember 1983's Mortuary, which was fair - Tobe Hooper's film of the same name is not affiliated it is entirely original and had the crowd jumping out of their seats. 

We had hoped that Tobe would be in attendance, but after Toolbox Murders, and winning the 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award at last years NYCHFF he has been swamped with job offers, and was currently on-location for another upcoming film.  Good to hear Tobe is in high demand. 

In Mortuary, a small family (mom, teenage son, and young daughter) are moving across country to a new job opportunity.  A run down, abandoned funeral home is the locale - flashing memories of scenery from Texas Chainsaw Massacre.  This place is disgusting - and the septic tanks ooze sludge into the yard, into the house, nothing works, cracks, mildew everywhere…  The kids are discouraged, but soon they find themselves trying to make the best of it all.  The locals fear the place where in the sewer and soil lives an evil fungus  which is hungry for every drop of blood available in the mortuary. 

Bobby has survived by feeding the black ooze - and soon all hell breaks loose.  Tobe is known in my book for showing no mercy to his victims  who usually die horrible violent deaths and his filmmaking doesn't waste time with people lumbering around halls looking for "what's there" for very long. 

There are moments that shot everyone out of their seat, and surprised me timing-wise.  Soon the dead are being reanimated; people are vomiting black scum all over the place.  It was good. 

The ending was merciless, and a good scare was had by everybody.  I'll be recommending this one to friends.  And for fans of the "living dead",  Tobe really put a good, original slant on it, and made it his own.  Kudos to the special effects department as well.  I worked in embalming rooms growing up - and those cadavers looked real.

Friday night, Don Coscarelli and Angus Scrimm will be in attendance to present the kick off