The Cemetery (2013)

The thing I love most about writing reviews on Gory Little Pieces, is the friends I have made in the process. It’s such a personal honor to be able to write an honest review, have it read by horror fans alike, and in the process make new like-minded friends. I met director Adam Ahlbrandt at Indianapolis Horror Hound Weekend about six months ago, since that time I had the privilege of reviewing his last film Cross Bearer (review here), and becoming good friends with him in the process. On Wednesday I was delighted to see the Adam’s newest film The Cemetery was in the Gory Little Pieces P.O. Box.

Adversary Films The Cemetery centers around a small paranormal TV show crew as they enter the woods of Philadelphia in search of a small unmarked grave site, and demonic spirits that are said to haunt the area. The group’s presence there has awoken something evil, and all hell is set to break loose. At times it had a strong Evil Dead feel which was fucking dope. I was really impressed with the story and the development of the characters.

The film is very good, I love that I can see the progression of Adam’s direction from Cross Bearer to now. Adam’s shooting style is more unique and defiantly coming into its own. I was very impressed by the action scenes and the overall tension of the more gritty parts drama filled areas. The flash back scenes add the back story and were shot great as well.

Acting wise the films acting is good. Some stiffness in areas but I felt it really added to the film. Natalie Jean (Andrea) and Adam Huss (Tim) were the stand outs of the film for me. The gorgeous Natalie Jean has greatly improved her acting chops since Cross Bearer and is the most entertaining of the group, She holds her own and delivers a very convincing performance. Not to mention the development of her character is fantastic. Huss plays Tim, the resident dick of the group, but out of the guys was my personal favorite and most likeable. His performance was both entertaining and hilarious. The rest of the cast did a good job. J.D. Brown, Tim Cronin, and Tabetha Ray all held their own but their characters left something to be desired. I could not wait to see Tim (Mike) and Tabetha’s (Sandra) characters die! Both character were very annoying and very unlikable.

Fans of gore will love The Cemetery. The red stuff flows throughout the film. The audience is treated to decapitation, disembowelment, limb removal, hacks, slashes, and stabbings. In other words, it’s fucking awesome! The fans of nudity are also treated to hardcore chick topless and in her undies, a bigger girl’s breasts while eating a sandwich. Natalie running around in a bikini top covered in blood for most of the film too, which is an added bonus, and you get a stand in tit shot for her as well.

The Cemetery is a great film. The story is solid, the acting is good, and the gore is over the top. To me that’s what makes horror fun. I am excited to see what the future holds for Adversary Films. I’m sure, whatever it is, it’s going to be great. GLP give this goreriffic effort a solid 4 out of 5 stabs for story and gore. This film is currently unavailable to the public but if you follow the film on Facebook, or through Adversary Films website you can find out when you can get a chance to see it for yourself. As of now there is no release date but I’m sure details will be forthcoming. Check out the trailer below. Special thanks to Adam for giving me the opportunity to review yet another on of his awesome films!

GLP Rating:

 

Director of Crossbearer & The Cemetery Seeking Funding

Writer & Director Adam Ahlbrandt of Cross Bearer and The Cemetery is seeking funding for his next project entitled The Ritual. Using the ever popular Kickstarter, Ahlbrandt is not seeking much. His goal of $6,500 is defiantly reachable if presented to the right fans. Offering up the grit of films from the 70's & early 80's The Ritual is set to be a genre nuts wet dream. However this film can not be made with out the help of us, the fans.

Kickstarter is easy. Choose a donation amount, then ONLY if the film hits its pledge goal, your donation amount is withdrawn from your bank account. Each donation amount has incentive as well. The Ritual has offered up a nice little batch of rewards for the donators.

$1 - Have your name entered in a drawing if funding is reached.
$15 - Receive a digital copy of the film, have your name entered in the drawing.
$25 - Receive a DVD copy of finished film signed by the cast.
$30 - Receive a DVD copy of the film as well as a poster both signed by the cast.
$35 - Receive a DVD copy of the film signed by the cast as well as a DVD copy of Cross Bearer
$50 - Receive a DVD copy of the film signed by the cast and a DVD copy of The Cemetery as soon as its released
$75 -  DVD of the film, as well as Cross Bearer and The Cemetery on DVD and a poster of the film.
$1000 - all of the above as well as an Executive Producer credit, the will appear on the film as well as IMDB.

Adam has also asked me to let you all know of a VERY SPECIAL reward that doesn't appear on the Kickstarter page.

For $150,000 Adam will let the investor cut off his Middle Toe. Yeah that's right, His MIDDLE TOE.

Please go help this film be made, and spread the word to all your friends. This film can not happen with out the help of you. For more information on the kickstarter project or to make a donation CLICK HERE! View the video of Adam explaining the project below.

Cross Bearer (2012)

Usually I'm hot and cold with indie horror. I feel a lot of indie film makers use horror as a...means to an end, they are some of the easiest films to make, you don't need an extremely large budget, and almost everyone wants to "die" on camera. Needless to say when I had the pleasure of meeting Adam Ahlbrandt at Horror Hound Weekend in Indianapolis back in September, I was a bit skeptical. Don't get me wrong, Adam was a very nice guy and we had a very nice conversation about our favorite franchise (Friday the 13th) but ultimately I realize he was there to sell and promote his film. With that said I thought he was just trying to make a sale and hype up the film, I was wrong.  Adam is a totally awesome dude and after talking at the con, I hit him up on Facebook and asked to review the film. So now we are here.

Cross Bearer is a good movie, I was entertained through out its entirety. My warning to readers is that it is a genre film. My guess is that most casual horror fans will not enjoy this film...partly because of the content and the fact that they wont understand it. It's an easy story to follow, but the excess nudity and sleaze will more than likely turn away the casuals, While bringing out all of the true genre fans foaming at the mouth.

The film is about a dancer (Natalie Jean) who is trying to turn her life around, after devising a plan with her girlfriend (Kacie Marie) figure out a way to turn their life around. Only there plan takes a drastic turn when they face the judgment of god. I think the story is great. I always find some form of fascination from religious yahoos, I mean people really do kill for their religious beliefs every day, that much is evident over seas. So when I see films and stories of people killing in the name of Christianity and shit like that, it puts chills down my spine. That shit could actually happen!

I think my favorite aspects of the film are the special effects and cinematography. I am not sure what the budget of the film was but regardless the makeup effects were very good. Gore Hounds should be satisfied with the amount of red stuff and over the top head bashing's. At one point the killer gets crazy with a head & hammer and turns a skull into brain soup. The cinematography was set up well in the beginning of the film offering some unusual camera angles, then once the action starts becomes a by the book slasher thrill ride that will leave you utterly satisfied. You may also notice some tracks from the band CKY which make an appearance in the film. Which is fitting due to former member Deron Miller is an avid horror film and CKY stands for Camp Kill Yourself.

The film has its share of faults. Some editing mishaps here and there and a bit of overacting, however it do not take away from the overall aspect of the film. There is a scene of banter between the cast that takes place in the car. while it is written well, and is a believable conversation, I felt the actress's delivery was forced. Almost as if she was reading straight off the script.

This film also has its fair share of sleaze. Numerous boob shots and sex scenes, strip club montage, and some hilarious horror porn clips that will leave you laughing. Unfortunately for the ladies, there are not much in the way of guys, better luck next time. For sheer nudity alone...A++

Collectively I enjoyed Cross Bearer. Writer and Director Adam Ahlbrandt did a really good job with making this project a reality. GLP gives this indie blood bath a 3 out of 5 stabs for great practical effects, cinematography, and creative story. GLP is very excited to see Adversary Films and Backseat Conceptions next pick The Cemetery. If you are interested in seeing Cross Bearer (which you should be!), it is available on Adversary Films webstore. For more information on the film you can check out its facebook and webpage. View the trailer below!

GLP Rating: