Another great collage of the past. I always enjoy these pictures as they serve as puzzle pieces to the current ‘Now Today Society.’ I was happy to see your old A.V. Teacher appear, and the finale certainly drove home the early ideal ‘Art-horror’ you continue to strive for.
The First Tasting
Part 1 of what I consider the “Zoom Dialogue Trilogy’ of the night. I’m curious as to where the Count exists in the timeline and what his presence might mean for the future of the society, since we the audience know where several of the characters’ stories end. (Or do they!?) Happy to see Steven Ghostly and Rhy’s Terrible back to their old tricks. Since the trilogy is predominantly stationary, I find the characters’ physical movements to take on more importance, and to me Gordon Stacks immobilized on his back was perhaps the most apt metaphor for 2020. MUTED.
Sea Peoples Despite the covid restrictions I was happy with the way the film turned out. No longer living by the ocean has given me a bit of nostalgia for Winthrop and Sea Peoples draws upon that. Big thanks to all those involved. I hope that this film can join the ranks of previous Extensions Saturday ‘sea-centric’ classics such as Herr O’s ‘Sea Virus: Pilot’ and Mr. Y’s “The Black Curse of the Seagull’s Seashell.”
2020 & Girl with the Most CakeGreat experimental work by Cherry Marashino. I was really lucky to have her deliver a pitch perfect voice cameo for Sea Peoples and I look forward to more of her films in the future!
The Will
The 2nd of the Zoom Dialogue Trilogy, The Will wields silence to its great benefit, creating tension throughout. Was happy to see the Professor, Herr O, Blim and Vlindenhauer duel it out through the dialectic dance Reek Crudely choreographed. As a sort of meta-commentary on the Gourmand Society, I assume that this is a seperate faction of the society – they share the same slogan, but their gruesome ritual is less cannibalistic and more determined by chance…or is it?
Sleep Demon & On the Transmigration of Marjorie NolanTwo quaint pieces from Reek Crudely serve as a perfect sinew between the heavier works on the night. Always amazed by the animation Reek puts together and having been privy to his bodily sound effects for years I find them to be perfectly suited for the Transmigration.
The Tasting
The 3rd film of the Zoom Dialogue Trilogy. I enjoyed participating in this work and was happy to revisit Navin Tickwillis. The presence of Count Vrahalyse again infers some kind of intergalactic coordination by he and Stephen Ghostly. What does the moon cheese mean for the Gourmand Society, and more importantly, how does this affect the later events of the Haverhast winner two years ago? With that type of twist ending, baited by the Count, and Navin’s potential murderous intentions, new things have come to light!
When The Alarm Goes Off
F2 once again delivers for this year’s Extensions Saturday. Somehow able to execute both comedy and horror in single sentences, I’m once again blown away by the special effects Frank is able to so deftly intertwine with his self-reflexive narrative. His own personal war on drugs continues, but this time I feel a sense of completion. The projector sequence not only wows the senses, but examines the past of F2 and potentially signals towards and future. And the future looks…limitless!
Realization
Another great finale that explores the absolutions Vlindenhauer and friends have experienced over the course of this tough year and the Political Frank skit at the end was a cherry on top of a grim but hopeful sundea.
Final Reflection:Cheers to all the participants! I’m curious about the recurring and unintentional theme of guns that were scattered throughout the line up. Maybe the media has something to do with it.
This year’s redux of Extensions II I found to be mostly engaging. There are some great meta moments. The Nightmare sequence was very well done– the scratchiness of the film really helped make it feel more like a nightmare, and the cartoon colored bedroom felt appropriate. The finale featuring the assassination of three friends in the snow was a great moment in cinema history. All in all, I found this to be inspiring from a story-telling perspective. May the new Extensions films perpetuate the spirit of the earlier Extensions films! oh and also, boobies.
The First Tasting
I was surprised and pleased by the high energy that this film manages– this is a difficult feat, especially when composed via zoom. Each of the performers settled into their roles nicely. Taken as a stand-alone film, it works. Taken as part 1 of a two (or three) part series, it also works, albeit, moreso as a display of Count Vraqwhhfsdhkwawse’s character change. More on that in the later review. A delightfully silly piece. The world needs more Gordon Stacks laughs.
The Sea Peoples
There are some incredibly well-done moments in Willhelm’s quarantine feature. There’s good characterization, and moments where the tension is palpable (the final sequence leading to the reveal of the face wound inside the belly of the shark was really effective). The opening sequence is a clever riff on modern dating. The scenes in the belly of the shark were really well done, especially the foggy bits with the skeletons and the gun. I found a few moments in this film to be funnier than maybe the rest of the live audience thought, especially the scene at the Seals exhibit outside of the Aquarium, and the line “Lakes from here on out” which gave me a hearty chuckle I think this is because of my understanding of what was going on– I thought the character was slowly turning into a were-shark, and was thirsting for the flesh of a seal. By the end, my read on the story became more unclear– was he duplicated? a were-shark? Something else? I dont know. With that said, the final sequence featuring the character in the bathroom, with his ‘doppleganger’ (?) in the bathtub, was particularly unsettling. I would have preferred the film ends there, leaving the audience with the question– What just happened?– with a side dish of dread and uncomfortableness. The final Coda that was included, featuring yours truly being attacked by a shark while the female scientist friend finds the gun, was fun to film, but maybe not necessary for the feature. That said, all the performances were great. The music, especially the Sea Shanty jig, was really cool. All in all, a technically well done film!
Girl with the Most Cake
Props to Maraschino for submitting some films. “The girl with the most Cake” is effective in that it made me sort of uncomfortable. I felt the raw energy of the cake being cut. A 2020 release of anguish. A lot of the color choices were pretty cool, too, and made the piece more interesting than it would have been otherwise.
2020
It’s lovely to see Pepper. I’m reminded of my times with my animals. The telephone pole with the stickers was strangely compelling, as was the door with the dent beneath the peephole. Pepper’s ascension was the high point of this film.
The Sleep Demon
This was the film I originally wanted to make for this year’s Extensions, dating back to a Sleep Paralysis event that occurred to me on the first of April of this year. I’ve had sleep paralysis episodes occur three times in my life, and all three times it has happened in the same bed, in the room, in my grandparent’s attic. Of all the places I’ve lived in my life, my time in this room has been the shortest (one year from 09-10, and now since March). But during these combined 15 or so months, this random unsettling act has happened thrice, and only in this location. Akin to a nightmare, but I’m awake, and I can’t move. Each time I’ve sensed some unwelcome feminine presence attempting to get into bed with me. Usually, after a minute or so, I’m able to snap out of it, and once I snap out of it, I’m filled with dread–it doesn’t feel scary or like a nightmare when it’s happening, only until after I’ve “woken” up from it does the fear become palpable.. What’s particularly unsettling about the last occurence is that immediately upon waking (this occurred for me around 615 AM), I texted two friends, Nick D’Agostino (who helped me shoot the “Cribs” episode from Extensions XXXV), and Billy Deeb (who’s created music for many of the Extensions Features), and BOTH had had the same experience that night. I found that to be exquisitely odd that I knew Nick and Billy had had similar experiences that very same night. I also put a notice out on Facebook, and two other people who I was friends with in college also had it happen that night. Cosmic strangeness! A coincidence? Or something else going on? (Likely stress related due to the new conditions of the pandemic, but a boy can dream (or nightmare), can’t he!). Anyway, this was fun to shoot. I got to do planks in a dress for like 20 minutes to get the shot of the sleep demon levitating above the bed. It’s good to know I can still fit into my sister’s prom dress… not that I ever wore it back in the day, but I thought that I woulda fit in it then, and I confirmed that I can fit in it now (at least my waist does, I couldn’t zip it up). Anyway, BOO!
The Will
This turned out much better than I had anticipated, mostly due to the miraculously engaging performances by VH, The Professor, Visitor Blim, and Herr O. I had written the script to feel like a play, but using Zoom to flip the ‘will reading’ cliche we’ve seen so many times into something a little bit more ‘in the moment.’ Vlindinhauer Haverhast’s turn as the loquacious Gregory Silver, aka “The Minister” is laden with the right amount of gravitas and bombast. Herr O & VIsitor Blim’s performances as “The Doctor” and “The Czar” are equally tender and resigned, as much as one would expect people to be who have resigned themselves to play Russian Roulette. The Professor’s turn as “The Precepter” was a highlight for me, and digging through some of the off-dialogue moments of his character’s reactions were a joy. There are several things I would like to have changed, or at least tidied up, if I had given myself more time. The common complaint was that people thought the two survivors had somehow duped the two who had killed themselves, when it was a once-a-year group event where everyone plays Russian Roulette. I could have made this more apparent during the conversations by actually mentioning “Russian Roulette,” or in the final moments before leaving the frame, each character could have been shown loading a single bullet, and spinning the revolver, but the props didn’t really allow for that. I also could have cleaned up some of the edits and the audio a little bit more; there is a single Toast where I miss the bells, and which irks me upon rewatch. Otherwise I found this to be somehow harrowing and engaging, despite the fact that the actors did no rehearsals, and only read through the script twice, live. More than anything, the actors should receive special acknowledgements for their performances here. Bravo!
The Transmigration of Marjorie Nolan
VH and I riffed on this idea during the summer months, when we were creating the Labyrinth. We were talking about the esoteric idea encountered in the work about “food for the moon,” and, coming off the heels of VH’s writing of the Tasting (where Mooncheese plays a pivotal role), someone– I think it was VH– said the line “Who’s Cheese Now?!” And so that inspired the tale of a much-beloved woman, who, upon her death, believes her soul worthy of ascension. Unfortunately for her, she was worthy only to be… food for the moon.
The Tasting
Partaking in the creation of this Zoom-film was a highlight of my midsummer quarantine months. I hadn’t laughed as hard as I did during the zoom filming of this than I had in months prior. VH’s reprisal of Count Vraehdhalysner was full of crazed, controlled energy (this was the fist time he’d portray the role in actuality). I was a little less-than-pleased with my overall performance as “Fitzy,” but there are some choice silly moments throughout. Maraschino makes an appearance here as the lovely Soledad, and William returns as Navin Tickwillis– I don’t know of a more fitting faux-name. The editing, while choppy at times, kept the pace moving. I did feel sort of duped by the false ending though. I honestly didn’t know what Count Vraehalyse’s motivation or goal is. We know he was given the cheese by Rhys Terrible in “The First Tasting,” and somehow, between then and “The Tasting,” the Count has taken on a bit of a larger presence, and seems to be pulling some sort of strings. Bu to what end?! Was his gorey death (which I found to be incredible in the moment, and utterly hilarious upon watching) some sort of manipulative subterfuge, or was it actually brought on by having eaten the mooncheese in the past? And where did he get the Mooncheese from this time? I guess we’ll have to wait for the next installment to find out what the fuck is going on!
When the Alarm Goes Off
There’s some sick genius shit going on over at the Mulone household. And I like it. A lot. This is fucked. Probably the most fucked up film F2 has ever created. NoI take it back. This IS the most fuckedup film F2 has ever created. ANd also the most beautiful. And weird. And uncomfortable. Is it perfect, no, not really, but how perfect can you get with no budget, no crew, and like a week to make it? Pretty close to perfect, I think. Even where things didn’t go as planned– the scene in the living room where Frank is half cut off– still works thematically. It’s almost better we can’t see Frank’s head, it shows that he’s so detached. PLus it makes the audience focus on Holly, who, up until this point in the film, we don’t get a lot of. Both Holly and Frank’s performances are top notch, feel real, and are actually affecting. The Suicide shot is immaculate, and a primo- gif-worthy sequence. WHile the performances actually elevate this film to another level, the actual philosophical foundation is equally engaging. What is death, but entrance to another realm, closer to perfection? I had just read “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” where the notion of the next world after this one is one closer up to perfection, and there was some thematic resonance that this film has with what I’d been thinking about recently, too. Plus, this film seemed somehow to wrap everything that every other film of the evening was trying to say into one under-30-minute feature. There’s thematic resonance, then there’s meta resonance, When the Alarm goes Off manages to transcend. My vote for the Haverhast.
The Realization
A perfect way to end the event. The finale sequence, where Frank is revealed to be a secret 45 supporter, was riffed on by myself and VH on another day down by the labyrinth, and it was great to see that brought to actuality. Captain Cat’s toy segment was cool to see just how dang smart animals can be. I like all the labyrinth stuff— look for my naked ass at the 4:08mark (you might have to zoom waaaaaaaaayy in. the water was cold!). Harlan Haverhast’s song and dance in the graveyard was great and silly and weird. Overall a fun time! And the final shot of Frank rolling around was also oddly meta; as our real life live Zoom hangout can attest, Frank wasn’t far off.
Too bad about the people we lost along the way huh ? Bravo to DJM for his courageous re edit, which was was long overdue. As we look back, we can only forgive so much nonsense for so many minutes and E2 is the perfect length. Great to see Bob Berry, the OG Master and “mechanic to the director”. There were some great things happening in videoland back in the winter of 86 / 87 and Extensions 2 (2020) sits high on the mantle.
The First Tasting A for effort. Great to see the reassembly of some of the cast. We have to work with Zoom, but when we do – we miss the dinner table scenes, the joviality and madness – which made the prequel so damn good.
Sea Peoples Willhelm Benkerstein takes it to the hoop with this beautiful and strange work – his and now our beautiful masterpiece and the OBVIOUS WINNER OF THE HAVERHAST
The Sleep Demon Brilliance in fast film making. The demon reminds me of the hallway scene in Rycortian’s “Picture them Damned” which won several awards for special effects that year.
The Will This was a joy to make and OD’s maturity in writing – is on display here. Shout out to DJM for the very emotional twists and turns in his fine performance as Gregory Silver. Bob’s saturnine turn as The Preceptor is subtle brilliance.
On the Transmigration of Marjorie Nolan
The Transmigration in the form of Marjorie Nolan. Interesting concept, very cool animation.
The Tasting
Great costumes.Dark. Strange.
When The Alarm Goes Off I always enjoy the work of F2 even without shit jokes. Bravo again for great film making and tripping ballz.
colin’s first wave of reviews ( more to come, hopefully ) 1 ) “The sleep demon” — Short & VERY scary ! I’m afraid to ever sleep again ! 2 ) “the will” — A good ( “modern” ) version, of an old cliche’ concept. 3 ) “the tasting” — I really liked the foreshadowing, leading up to the big death scene (it kept me watching, waiting to see the death ) ! I also liked, the 4 different personalities, brought together, for A shared event ! 4 ) “the realization” — was enjoyable to watch, but not so sure about “realization” 5 ) “the sea peoples” — I have no idea why, but I really enjoyed watching this !
colin’s 2nd wave of reviews ——- 6 ) “When the alarm goes off”– when I was first watching this, I stopped watching, when the couch commentary started ( I hate when people narrate tv ). I’m glad I resumed watching, & it didn’t take long, to get the satire aspect. & the film, just kept getting better, as it went on. GREAT. 7) “the first tasting”– not as good, as “the tasting”, but still good. The comic ending, made it almost very good. 8 ) “the girl with the most cake”— almost didn’t watch, because it’s named after A line, from A song Kurt wrote for the murderous bitch, before she had him killed. when I did watch it it wasn’t A total waste of time. 9 )”2020″— I didn’t get it ( at all )
It would be an understatement to say 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone. However, the creativity and ingenuity shown by all the filmmakers this year was quite inspiring. Once again we were treated to a broad range of stellar film submissions. Understandably many of the films were a bit more “serious” and “darker” this year. Picking just one is once again all the more challenging. For what it’s worth, here are my own opinions…
Extensions II: Victory (2020 Version) Great reworking of the original. The 2020 version was both quite enjoyable as well as a more palatable experience to watch (clocking in just under 20 minutes). In a way both a “director’s cut” with some never before seen added footage as well thoughtful edits and omissions from the original. Well done.
The First Tasting It was a great pleasure and honor to be able to be a part of this project. Good to see the return of Steven Ghostly. However I think we are all wondering what happened to Gordon Stacks. Will we ever see him again? Looking forward to a potential sequel. Sea Peoples I quite enjoyed this one. Really well done. Good story and great camera work. And how could we forget that outstanding original soundtrack. Probably Mr. Benkerstein’s best film to date.
The Sleep Demon A nice, succinct horror short. A bit of a palate cleanser. Felt like a movie trailer leaving me wanting to see more. Enjoyable. The Will Again, in keeping with a bit of a theme for the evening this one was a serious and rather dark work. It was again a great pleasure to be able to act in this film. I thought the script was very well done. Great soundtrack too. Not sure I completely understand the ending. Probably need to watch it a few more times. Well done.
On the Transmigration of Marjorie Nolan Nice little animated short. Again another “palate cleanser”. As with “the sleep demon” could these ideas be flushed out into a feature length film?
The Tasting In a way the two “tasting” films start out quite the same but then diverge in dramatically different directions. While the first film veers more toward a rather comedic, light-hearted conclusion, this second film turns into more of a classic horror tale.I wonder if maybe in prior years without all the restrictions we now face the two films could have possibly been part of a larger story. The door is certainly open for a sequel. Either way it was both well done and enjoyable to watch.
When The Alarm Goes Off I for one am always looking forward to seeing a new release from the F2 team, and once again they did not disappoint. While there were some comedic elements at play in this film, there was also a tinge of sadness to the story. I found this to ultimately be a rather melancholy and cautionary tale. Shout out to the grainy, black and white, silent ‘film within the film’. I almost thought that character was going to jump off the screen and enter the story. It’s somewhat ironic that this is the favorite television show of the ‘struggling artist’. I suppose it brings some solace to him during his dark days. When Saturday evening came to a conclusion I walked away thinking this was my favorite film. As I review all the films again a few days later my opinion has not changed. Well done F2.
The Realization
It’s become a bit of a tradition that the final film of the evening is a compilation of random footage from the host. A compendium of the good times from throughout the year. As always there are some great nuggets. Always good for a few laughs and a nice way to see out the program.
The Haverhast: When the Alarm Goes Off Runner up: Sea Peoples
Extensions Saturday official reviews: Extensions II: Victory (2020 Version): Though I’ve loved the stories of past extension films, this one could be the most entertaining thus far. The disjointedness keeps you on a roller coaster of break neck speeds leaving you in a sort of visual whiplash, though there was audio issues it’s also one of the things that makes me love vhs. The crackly film to the cracky sound are all something I enjoy and this encapsulates it beautifully. Also the end scene was truly horrifying. 7-10 The First Tasting: Always love seeing the return of the gourmand society and always love playing the ever so entertaining Gordon stacks! Definitely more comedy than horror, but in today’s world maybe having a good hearty Gordon laugh is more important than being horrified. Brilliant acting performances all around, and great use of technology to show what the world we are living in. 8-10 Sea People’s My first original pick for Haverhast and I think we all know why. The moment it started my mouth was agape at the visual beauty. William’s acting was brilliant and his eye for detail is something I’ve always been envious of. The clarity of each shot and the intelligent design of filming can’t get enough praise from me. My only flaws are I wish this movie’s plot were as clear and determined as the visual technique he uses. Knowing a bit more of the story from acting in it and being briefed I could start to piece it together. This might be a clear example of needing to make sure to assume the audience will not understand it til you spell it out for them. 9-10 girl with the most cake Sadly this didn’t get played on extensions Saturday but it’s a quick delight nonetheless! I like the bizarre visuals and uncomfortable asmr! Also I’m all about mouth close ups so nothing like cake mouth!! 6-10 2020: I am excited to see pepper is now acting in films! I hope their will be more footage of her in the future. Great use of sound effects making this 2020 walk very enjoyable as well as unsettling.. 5-10
Sleep Demon: A short film that is truly horrific and I’m impressed the director would take this on in the 11th hour! Spooky visuals are to be had maybe this can inspire a new movie who was the witch? why the nightmare?! And what happened to the main character!?! 6-10
The Will: One of my favorite scripts of the night, I like the departure into more of a dialogue based drama. The use of technology made me believe I was actually there on the zoom meeting hanging out, I couldn’t help but cheers for all the toast! I loved the grimness of the story and thought the acting was also amazing, all the characters seemed to perform their roles spot on. I just wish that this movie could’ve had the actors in person acting rather than the zoom meeting, I believe more cinematic, dramatic cuts could keep the story compelling and more engaging! I hope one day this can get reworked post covid because I really want to see this drama come to life and see more well written scripts like this. 9-10
On the Transmigration of Marjorie Nolan: Just give me more fucked up cartoons! These are always great short sweet and look awesome! I almost want to give this a perfect score to inspire more of these to come in the future, but against the whole nights exemplary films I can’t be as careless to hinder my voting credibility. 7-10 The Tasting: Another acting masterpiece, I loved dynamics of each character! The story is not so much comedy but true horror and fits an extensions Saturday perfectly maybe even truest to form! Again use of zoom but the characters being so different and with great soundtrack you can easily watch and enjoy. I like the idea of the having this paired with the first tasting as a way to see how maniacal Count Vræhalyse could actually be! 9-10 When the Alarm Goes Off: Well this was a film I think a lot can relate to. The struggles to remain focused and creative in these times, and how easy it is to fall into bad habits. I’m very thankful Holly stepped it up and was able to be my true co-star in her first leading role without her this movie wouldn’t have been able to happen. After rewatch I’m happy with how it turned out but wish my creature could have been more engaging. only having a few hands on deck made it harder to pull off the creature effects! Dereks monologue was performed perfectly and was the profoundness I needed to push the film into something deeper than just a depressed man killing himself. And Frank’s contribution to the film was actually what inspired me to come through just as my character suffered in the movie from the noise of the day I to was feeling down and out. When frank provided (the now titled Mr. Pea) it was totally the jolt I needed! This was one of my favorite soundtracks to make seeing I was using a midi keyboard through GarageBand and I could actually play the music rather than type it in. Here’s the link to the full Mr. Pea brilliant comedy Tomothys favorite television show https://youtu.be/xKD6fP9RI-Y Let all strive for perfection and to remain forever AWAKE!! 8.5-10 The Realization: As always the great palette cleanse of the evening! The collection of shorts with a great soundtrack is always a delight. The visuals to the labyrinth were beautiful as well as the ablutions, it’s a shame I missed them in person this summer, but with covid we know these sort of things are limited. I especially loved my radical leftist self duping you all and voting for our ACTUAL PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP!!! #stopthesteal. 7-10
Excellent reimagining of the classic film. The new and inspired video and audio editing helped the pacing and made the film even more palatable for today’s times. Chapter headings helped guide the viewer through the madness. Particularly enjoyed the effects added to the musical performance, and the added soundtrack to the film’s climactic scene.
The First Tasting
Pleased to have been a part of this timely cautionary tale. A fine script and dedicated performers. Will this be the last of Gordon Stacks? One would hope not.
Sea Peoples
Really enjoyed this cinematic offering. Mr. Benkerstein’s talent seems to grow only greater with each film, and this one seems to be his finest to date in my opinion. It had a very professional look with excellent use of practical effects and some inspired lighting. Enjoyed the soundtrack as well.
The Sleep Demon
A fine horror short, enjoyed the lighting and the economical terror.
The Will
A pleasantly surprising serious and confident dramatic work. Impressive acting throughout and the script was very engaging, although the climax was a bit unclear as I was under the impression two of the characters had “set up” the others to benefit themselves until it was explained in the post-screening Q & A. Great soundtrack and a fine work all around.
On the Transmigration of Marjorie Nolan
Always enjoy Mr. Crudely’s animation offerings and this was no exception. I’ve always been curious about the afterlife, now I know.
The Tasting
A sort of re-telling of the night’s earlier work, with a dramatically different outcome. While the previous film went for comedy, this one went from eeriness to uncomfortable (unwatchable?) horror. The end reveal was very effective.
When The Alarm Goes Off
F2 at it again, this time to tell the harrowing tale of a writer’s block under quarantine. But the film is not without comedy, as the main character’s favorite tv show provided the most laughs of the night for me. But those laughs would turn to tears as the main character’s downward spiral lead to a most unsettling end. Enjoyed the projection effects, especially during the “trip” sequence, and F2 can always be counted on for high quality practical effects. Loved seeing the artist at work and the end result was impressive. Well done all around once again.
The Realization
Quality random compilation with some fine cinematography particularly during the sunset (sunrise?) ablution. Soundtrack was inspired as well.
My nomination for The Haverhast: Sea Peoples
I must say that I’m continually impressed with the upward spiral of creativity in the works of Extensions Saturday. Although I haven’t submitted an original work in some time now, I am ever inspired by the artists to someday return to the director’s chair and attempt to somehow rise to the level of quality presented each year.
“Extensions II: Victory (2020 Version)” Although this was radically cut and re-imagined this 2020 version of the film still holds true to the original concept of being an abstract, disjointed and disturbing film. That finalé will always hail as one of the grimest ever filmed, thanks to my 1973 Ford Econoline (which provided me a little over three months of daily nightmares in 1986/7). With all that was going on in the film, including the very creative reworkings, the film became, oddly enough, more lucid. I only wish the audio could’ve been preserved a little bit better… ah VHS …
Why it should win The Haverhast:
The concept of it’s re-imaging combined with the “Conversation at the Aloha”.
“The First Tasting”
The third installment in the “Next Nightmare“ series, moreover a “Gourmand Society Story“, offers us a taste into being creative with the technology at hand during this strange time we share. Some audio glitches and some clear mess ups from the director made it a very exciting piece to cobble together. Mercifully the brilliant performances from Mr Y, Beachmont Frank, and Visitor Blim catapulted this zoom Theater into the oft sought domain of horror art.
Why it should win The Haverhast:
As ever, the script of VH is always unparalleled.
“Sea People’s”
The return of Willhelm Benkerstein! One the most beautiful films of the evening. Exquisite film making. And, like his other works, we are left with more questions than answers. Intensely vague to the point of …?
Why it should win The Haverhast:
Benkerstein’s acting was a tour de force!
“2020” and “girl with the most cake” by Cherry Marashino Sadly, the filmmaker had to leave early at the world premiere so we did not get to this part of the program live. But, both these short visual delights are well worth the watch.
Why it should win The Haverhast:
Seeing that cake get destroyed!
“Sleep Demon” and “On the Transmigration of Marjorie Nolan”
These two shorts from Reek Crudely were both stunning in their look and harrowing in their message.
Why it should win The Haverhast:
Their brevity!
“The Will”
by Reek Crudely. Again Reek wreaks havoc, but on a deep, dark, sophisticated and, I dare say, spiritual level. By far the most serious and somber film of the evening. The cast delivered, although firewater was clearly on hand, extremely sober characters of a most mature gravity. Extremely subtle soundtrack juxtaposed with silence added further tension to this film. Seeing the Professor take a turn at some acting only increased the stature of the solid work.
Why it should win The Haverhast:
The scale of profundity being reached for, advanced by the gravitas of the acting, makes this a winner.
“The Tasting”
Yet another installment of the “Next Nightmare” series and another Gourmand Society story. This one was actually created first as part of a one time trilogy aspiration. I think the two offerings worked quite well as they were and sufficiently. This one did feature a bit of a twist that left us all scared as hell. This one was filmed right around the time of the summer solstice and we were Still deep in the first part of the pandemic and lockdown was a reality. This and “The First Tasting” featured the music by The Professor – stunning.
Why it should win The Haverhast:
The make up on Count Vræhalyse.
“When the Alarm Goes Off” by Frank Mulone
This film gives Wilhelm Benkerstein a run for the money in terms of how good it looked. Beachmont Frank did a tremendous job with this one, I think it’s my favorite film of his to date. More over, that sequence from Frank LeClaire was as entertaining as Tomothy’s experience of it.
Why it should win The Haverhast:
The puppet was cool, but Tomothy’s painting was … a masterpiece!
May 14th 