Jack Thomas Smith Writer/Director Of Infliction

We had a chance to sit down with writer and director Jack Smith to talk about his up coming feature Infliction and whats next from Fox Trail Productions

Epic Horror-With eight years between films, what have yourself and Fox Trail Productions been doing ?

Jack Thomas Smith - That's a great question. I've been in development HELL!!! I had a verbal commitment for the financing for my action/horror feature "In The Dark", but then it fell through when the market tanked in 2008. From there, I scrambled to find

investors and dealt with two different studios to put together the project. But after endless rewrites and delays, I shifted my focus and efforts to "Infliction."

EH - What lessons have you taken away from music videos for your films and vica versa.

JTS - I always try to keep it true to the movie... And true to the artist's vision. For example, we shot a music video for my last film "Disorder." The artist's name is Purple Pam. She's a rocker from NYC. The song "Take Me Away" is a beautiful ballad and was a change of direction for her. The song dealt with suicide, so I incorporated Pam's vision and meaning behind the song with 
  the same locations that we shot the film. It really came out great and tied both the song and the movie together.

EH - With Fox Trail adding more movies to it's stable, what genre are you most comfortable with?

JTS - I love thrillers. I'm a big Brian DePalma guy. I love 
  films that have a tight story and keep you guessing... And then right when you think you have it figured out... There's a twist ending. I love complex characters and actually CARING about characters... That way it makes it so much more impactful when you lose them. With that being said, those are the types of films I like to make... Films that will keep you on the edge of your seat and will have you talking afterwards.

EH - With films like Disorder, Infliction,and your upcoming In The Dark, What do you look for in a horror movie?

JTS -  I love horror films that have a strong story and suspense. If the movie calls for gore... Awesome.  But if it's not necessary, then it's not necessary. Personally, gore doesn't scare me. Suspense is what scares me. I love when you're on the edge of your seat... You 

  have no idea what's coming next... It's the anticipation of what's to come that I find to be scarier than splatter in your face without that suspenseful buildup.

EH - Most overused horror cliches

JTS -  I hate when tension is building during a scene... And then a cat jumps out of nowhere. Can't stand that. Lol.

EH - Was there a particular event or time that you recognized that filmmaking was not just a hobby, but that it would be your life and your living?

JTS - It's something that's always been in me. Writing and filmmaking is part of my DNA. It's all I know. When I was 8, I saw "Star Wars" and that absolutely blew me away. And shortly after that, I read "The Shining" by Stephen King and that knocked me off my feet as well. At a very young age, I wanted to write and make films. And as an adult, it's the only career I've ever pursued.

EH - How did growing up shape you as a filmmaker?

JTS - As a teenager, I obsessively 
  watched films by George Romero, John Carpenter, Martin Scorsese, Brian 
  DePalma, and Stanley Kubrick. I'd practically study their films... 
  Why did a particular scene work? How did they build the tension or develop the characters? Their styles of filmmaking were brilliant and helped set the moods of their films... But their styles never got in the way of the stories. It was during that time that my father bought me a super 8 movie camera and I started shooting horror shorts and comedy shorts with my brother and friends in my neighborhood. It was a lot of fun, but I also started to learn 
  the process even on such a small scale of working with actors, shooting coverage, locations, props, wardrobe, etc. We have those

old films on DVD and every once in a while we throw them on for a good laugh.

EH - Is it harder to get started or to keep going? What was the particular thing that you had to conquer to do either?

JTS - It's really hard to break into the 
  entertainment business. When I was in my early 20s, I had completed my first screenplay and shopped it around to everyone and anyone -- studios, agents, etc. I was rejected by everyone. At that time, I had been introduced to Ted Bohus, who is an indie feature film director and producer, and we talked about doing our own film for a small budget. So we did just that... I co-wrote the screenplay with Ted and he directed "The Regenerated Man",  which was a sci-fi/horror campy type of film. We made the film for a small amount of money that we were able to pull together ourselves and secured a nationwide video deal for double our investment when it was complete. But then from there, it took another three years to put together the money for the next 

film that I produced for John Russo, who co-wrote and produced the original "Night of the Living Dead." The name of that film was "Santa Claws" and it was about a guy in a Santa Claus costume running around killing people. John directed it and I produced it and we ultimately secured distribution. From there it took six years to pull together the financing for my next film "Disorder", which I wrote, produced, and directed. "Disorder" is a psychological thriller told from the perspective of a paranoid schizophrenic... So you don't know what's real and what isn't... And right when you think you have it figured out... There's a twist ending. "Disorder" was distributed on DVD by Universal/Vivendi and on PPV and VOD by Warner Brothers. After "Disorder", I was in development hell for

years with "In The Dark" as I described earlier before I started "Infliction" in 2011. It's a long-winded answer... The bottom line is that it's hard to break into the movie business and it's equally as hard to stay in the movie business. You just have to keep moving forward and pushing your projects.

EH - What was the most important lesson you had to learn that has had a positive effect on your films? How did that lesson happen?

JTS - You learn something new with every film. I'm a firm believer in a lot of rehearsals with the actors... I storyboard every single shot and I walk through all of the setups with the DP in advance. The most important part of making a film is Pre-Production. You have

to plan and rehearse and prepare obsessively so that when you're on set you don't miss a beat. Things always happen when you shoot that you can't plan for, but if you have a solid plan in place, you can push through it. There's an old saying... "Fix it in post." And that's true to a certain extent... But you don't want to rely on post completely to make your film work. If you put in the work before you start shooting, it will make the entire process so much better and smoother

EH - What films have been the most inspiring or influential to you and why?

JTS - There's a lot. When I was a kid, it was definitely "Star Wars" and "Dawn of the Dead." For obvious reasons, "Star Wars" changed everything. George Lucas created something so original and unique... I loved the characters... The story... And the effects were amazing. It was a perfect movie. "Dawn of the Dead" is my 
  all-time favorite horror film. It was scary and the effects were off the charts... And you really wanted the characters to survive. As I got older, I realized the shot "Dawn of the Dead" took at American consumerism... We're all mindless zombies going to the malls to buy our name brands. Other films that I love and have influenced me are "Apocalypse Now", "The Crow", "Platoon", "Scarface," and "Goodfellas."

EH - “It all starts with the script.” Maybe not, but when do you know a script is ready to shoot, and what is your process of getting it there?

JTS - I guess the best way to answer this question is that I just know. When I write a screenplay, I'm conscious of the fact that there are certain plot points that need to be hit in the appropriate places and the story must flow. You're constantly tweaking 
  the script... Even when you rehearse right up to when you're on set... You can tweak and adjust the dialogue as it seems fit... And usually when I complete the script I storyboard my shots so that visually I have the film in front of me and I put together detailed shot lists so that i know the exact order how to shoot everything

EH - What do audiences want? And is it the filmmaker’s role to worry about that?

JTS -  I'm as guilty as any other filmmaker in that I want to make movies that I'd like to see and I want to tell stories that mean something to me. However, I also understand that audiences want to be entertained and that they want to see something original and thought provoking. Hopefully, the films that I make satisfy my needs as an artist, but more importantly entertain the audience and leave them discussing it and thinking about what they just watched.

EH - It is said that your upcoming film "In The Dark" was based on where you lived in Michigan, Any plans to shoot there.

JTS -  I'd LOVE to shoot there. In particular, I'd love to shoot on Grosse Ile, which is where I lived when I was a kid before moving to NJ. It all depends on the financing and Michigan's state tax credits if it makes sense to shoot there.

EH - If I walked up to an audience leaving one of your films, what would you want them to tell me

JTS - I'd like for them to tell you that they have very passionate 
  feelings about what they just saw. I want the audience to talk about my films after seeing them. We've had screenings of "Infliction" in different parts of the country followed by Q&A sessions and the discussions have been very lively. "Infliction" seems to be striking a nerve with people... especially with women... because of its disturbing subject matter

EH - One last question what can we look forward to from yourself and Fox Trail? 

JTS - I'm hoping to shoot "In The Dark" next year. That project has been a labor of love for years and I'm determined to make it happen. I'm also planning to start writing the drama "Illegals", which will be honest and unbiased in regards to the illegal immigration issue that effects us today. 

Wer (2013)

Wer (2013)


Disclaimer: I am a big fan of found footage films and it's so refreshing to find one that is as good as Wer
The 2013 film Wer not only redefines the werewolf movie but also saves it. I try to watch a couple horror movies a day and by doing so you see movies with a good cast or a good story or great direction, you seldom see all three in one film. Wer has it not only a very good veteran cast but excellent story that turns the

legend on it's head and a clear vision by the director that this ain't your Twilight wolf pack.  I don't go into any movie with high hopes and with the werewolf movies that have came out the last couple of years I was a little gun shy on Wer, but this one put my faith back in monster movies.

Written and directed by William Brent Bell known for The Devil Inside and Stay Alive. With Wer he not only reinvents the monster but adds just enough of the old werewolf legend to make us familiar with his new take. With nods to the legend

made famous in the Lon Chaney Jr. films. He lets us think we know what's going on up until he changes what we believe about werewolves. An excellent vision on the monster and well directed cast this just might turn out to be his breakout film. Wer also uses just the right amount of special effect that is so rare in today's CGI world and that alone is worth checking this film out.

The cast is full of recognizable faces from the TV and the big screen, and one unknown that steals the movie making it both scary and believable. Brian Scott O'Connor plays Talan Gwynek who lives a quiet life with his mother in a small hamlet in France and happens to live near where a

vacationing American family is attacked with the father and son being killed. After his arrest we find that he has a rare disease that makes him to weak to commit the crime and cause unusual hyper hair growth. But the only way to tell if he truly has the disease is a special test. The test causes him to turn and we get to see him release his inner beast. The story at this point takes a little bit of a preachy government wants to steal the land turn, but works more like a red herring to what is really going on. I'm not going to say anymore on the plot of the movie except to say "Don't Miss The Chance To See It" The rest of the cast are very good staying within their roles making the characters believable and likable. Starring A.J. Cook best known as Jennifer Jareau on the Tv show Criminal Minds along with longtime actor Sebastian Roché with great support from Vik Sahay and Simon Quarterman whose transformation in the film is astonishing. 

In conclusion if you're looking for a genre defining movie this one is it. I highly recommend searching our the film to see what can happen to an old story when it's seen through fresh eyes.

Delivery: The Beast Within (2013)

Delivery: The Beast Within (2013)

 Not every child is a blessing........

And Demon Makes Four Or Not Your Average Possession Movie

Or

How to put story above gory

Alright first thing I would like to get out of the way is that some other critics have been blasting this movie for giving away the

ending in the first few minutes. JUST STOP YOU DON'T GET IT, Also found Footage is my favorite sub genre.Thank you now on to the review


The new film Delivery: The Beast Within a found footage  piece with a twist may very well turn out to be this decade's Blair Witch with it's small cast giving big performances and a nice new twist to the way found footage is shown. 

Written and directed by Brian Netto with additional writing credit going to Adam Schindler Starring Laurel Vail, Danny Barclay,

Laurel Vail and Danny Barclay

and Rob Cobuzio. 

The story revolves around Vail and Barclay as Rachel and Kyle Massy a young married couple having trouble conceiving and carrying a baby. When they do get pregnant they agree to be part of a typical TLC reality program about expectant parents produces by Cobuzio's character Rick(who is the least sleazy TV person ever). In the first few acts we are treated to the happy young family doing things like every other couple that is expecting do, telling family and friends, shopping for baby things, and moving into a bigger house all through the lens of Rick crew. Just after the second month we start to see things may not be right, but is it something supernatural or just the everyday first baby jitters. As

Rob Cobuzio

the film goes on we are left hints on both sides is it a demon or is it a young mother to be that stopped her meds or maybe the TV producer looking for the next big show. And then we hear the demon has a name Alastor now that might not mean anything unless you have studied mythology but Alastor is :

Alastor in Greek mythology is known as the avenging spirit who was born the son of Neleus, King of Phylos. When Hercules approached Neleus and asked him to free him of his debt, Neleus refused and in anger Hercules killed Neleus and all his sons with the exception of Nestor. The dead Alastor became the avenging spirit. In Christian demonology Alastor is given the title chief executioner. He is sometimes linked to Zoroastrianism where he is known as the “executioner” and a manifestation of Azazel. It’s

Alastor

however difficult to reconcile his Greek origins with Persian Zoroastrianism and Judaic Azazel. Alastor is a disciple of Nemesis the god of vengeance and retribution. He is described as a handsome male entity that nurtures feuds and fuels discords. In Greek and Roman mythology he is commonly known as the evil genius who promotes divisions between families and who has at his disposal charm, guile, wit and ruthlessness.

And now that you know that we can look at the movie with a whole new light. It all starts to make sense as the demon does just enough to make us think well maybe shes just going crazy and everything can be explained away. There are so many subtle things they do to draw you in without going over the top. Like the neighborhood dogs going crazy the night of the birth or Rachel's manikin moving around the house, the house being vandalized and such. I kept waiting for jump scares and when they didn't come where I was expecting them to the filmmakers drew me into their world deeper until I was totally immersed with the characters waiting to see if this was a possession or a crazy lady. I don't see the comparisons with Rosemary's Baby as this movie isn't about a spirit or devil possession or impregnating Rachel. Alastor doesn't want the baby he wants to torment the parents and that is truly the key in my opinion, did her father death have any reason why she was choosing or just luck of the pregnancy draw  we may never know. But what I do know is "Delivery: The Beast Within" is going on my "Best of" list for this year and my "all Time Best Found Footage" list. Do yourself a favor head over and check this movie out. It's a fine work by young hungry filmmakers that going against the grain let your mind scare you and not the sight of severed limb dripping blood scare you.

The Sacrament (2013) Review

The Sacrament: Ti West's coming of age as a director.

8 out of 10 stars

The latest from Ti West is not your father's horror movie or maybe it is. Instead of his trademark slow burn leading up to a shock and awe moment we are treated to a movie that slow burns to a rolling boil and stays there much like Hitchcock use to do. If you're under 35 you may not realize this is based on the Jonestown massacre in 1978 where 900 people committed "revolutionary suicide" at their compound in Guyana. I truly believe that this will be considered his "coming of age movie", as he lets the story unwind in front of you without the usual horror movie hooks. There has been a lot of things said about Ti being the next great horror maker with this movie he cements his place with the likes of Carpenter, Craven, and the lot. What he gets so right in this film is he keeps leaving just enough creepy hints along the way to make you pay attention waiting for the one hint that would lead to the monster. Until you realize the monster here isn't a demon or devil just a man with the gift of gab playing on people's emotional weaknesses and men's willingness to believe. The acting, story, and soundtrack all mesh to perfection making this a definitely must watch and adds to Ti's credential as a top filmmaker

****May Contain Spoilers****

The film is framed as a VICE documentary of the religious group living at "Eden Parish" The Vice crew(AJ Bowen,Kentucker Audley) accompanied by their friend(Joe Swanberg) looking for his sister(played by Amy Seimetz) lead by "The Father" played to perfection by Gene Jones. Almost immediately after arriving they start sensing that something isn't quite right but everything is easily explained away when they question the residents. The residents tell their stories on how they were lost until they found The Father and had sold everything for a chance at eutopia. While things appear perfect on the surface though the interviews we are supplied with hints that things may not be what it seems. Including child abuse, drug use, and adultery. During an interview at a party thrown in their honor The Father does what every subject of controversy does he ducks and changes the question to suit his needs. It is after the interview that we see how charismatic the leader is as the VICE interviewer Sam says he can't believe he let him get away with hijacking the interview. Feeling like something is terribly wrong they lie awake most of the night waiting to leave we are also privy to that not all is well and a group of people want to leave. The film makers split up with one going to find how many they can take on the helicopter and two staying behind trying to keep things calm. They are quickly taken hostage, when the cameraman makes it to the chopper shots ring out and the pilot is hit he escapes to the jungle being pursued by guards of the parish. After a short chase he loses his pursuers and makes his way back to Eden. For the next 15 minutes of so we are treated to the drink the kool-aid scene. We find one of them in the home of The Father handcuffed to a chair as The Father tries to justify the things he has done while sniffing cocaine he then removes gun and in a nice twist commits suicide instead of ending the movie. We also find out that Jake's sister had led him to the compound in hopes of getting him to stay with the group and get a much needed influx of money, they find him after his sister has killed him and is pouring gas on herself before going up in flames. As the two are trying to get back to the helicopter they are spotted by a guard that is walking around finish people off and just as he see's them and we think they are going to be shot a shot rings out from another guard killing him, he then yells at them to leave and make sure their story is told and he's going to "burn it all down". With a final scene of us flying over Eden is very reminiscent of the footage of Jonestown. 



The Good
The acting especially Gene Jones who nails the cult leader by channeling Jim Jones

As much as some want to say it, this is not a found footage film it's a mockumentary,they set out to make a documentary and thats what they did.

Using the premise that it's a VICE production so the shaky cam can be held to a minimum.

The soundtrack gives all the right build ups and clues without going over the top.

Explaining the fine line between news reporter and news maker

The Bad

The back story on some of the main characters were sketchy or non existent. (the mother and daughter to name a couple)

 I think Sam played by AJ Bowen lost a lot of credibility by not leaving with Audley's Patrick when he had a chance as one of the secondary stories was his child's birth within a month. So instead of leaving and sending back help he wants to save the world which I found unrealistic for the character.

Conclusion:
Ti West creates a very good suspenseful movie that doesn't involve supernatural beings and special effect hooks