Gorehounds Unite!

THE BET OVERVIEW:

At the end of a hallway in a derelict building,two men have a long standing game of placing a wager on the fate of those unfortunate enough to cross their paths. The latest pawn is a young woman with a mysterious past. Who is she? Why is she here? The answer could reveal who these two men really are!

 The first thing I want to point out is that I am amazed at the quality of short films I have been recieving! I have been looking forward to reviewing this title since the first day I contacted the people behind this film as I have heard mixed reviews about it. I want to add that if your just into horror movies for the gore than this isnt the film for you. However if your into well paced and intelligent horror films than this is the movie you have to view! The movie starts out with a bound woman in a dingy and creepy hallway with doors on either side of her. One of the doors opens and she is dragged inside....From this point out I started to expect the staple of todays horror which is the torture film to start at any moment! To my suprise and delight it never did but instead I got to watch a film that felt very much like a really good  David Lynch film. I watched this film 4 times in a row and I can say its one of those films where you never really know whats going on but by the end you think you have all the answers. Only upon repeated viewings do you start to realize that maybe you really didnt figure it out as with each repeated viewing you see more stuff that you missed the first time around......and thats hard to do in a short film much less a low budget!

 The film takes place on basically three sets with a total of four actors which lends itself really well to be a short film subject. The films pace and length are perfect for the subject as it isnt too long or too short. From what Ive been told the films plot is based on a reoccuring dream the directors wife had been having...and it really shows with the films muted colors and strange camera angles. This leads me to the only problems I had with the film though.....There are a few scenes of a newscast and the newscasters are all puppets. I know this was to show that were not in our reality here but I just found it to be more funny than anything.....It felt as though they added this in to specifically say this is a dreamlike realm or a different reality when really with hte excellent set design and camera work this is already apparent to the viewer.

 Every part of this production screams professional......from the costume and set design to the acting and camera work. Everything in this film has such a gritty grimy feel and look its unsettling. This is one of those shorts though that I feel is perfect as it is and wouldnt be better with a bigger budget or longer running time.

 Rarely have I seen a first time director come out with something so hard to do as an intelligent, original and well woven story like this and just nail it perfectly. I have so much respect for the filmmakers here that Ill goon the record as saying youll be hearing from these guys again and the next time you do I wouldnt doubt itll be something that will take hollywood and audiences by storm!  Youll also hear director Michael Dunn mentioned in the same breath as Cronenberg and Lynch. He's that talented and this movie really is that good!

 I got this screener copy from the filmmakers for review but as soon as they have an actual copy for sale Ill be in line to buy one for my extensive DVD Collection and THE BET will be proudly displayed for everyone to see!

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RATING:

4 1/2 out of 5 Severed Heads