HELLWEEK (2010)
A rowdy group of frat boys prepare to break their new pledges in by making them spend the night at an old abandoned warehouse. This warehouse happens to house a family of maniacs who resemble low grade cousins of the Sawyers (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and the Fireflys (House of 1000 Corpses.) After a very long introduction period, the cast of cookie cutter collegiate kooks make their way to the house of horrors. A wicked game of cat and mouse ensue, and the audience is treated to a cavalcade of carnival style carnage.
Top marks to Mr. Lengyel for the length of the film, clocking in at around ninety-nine minutes. Micro-budget indie films are usually lambasted for their brief run time. While the film has pacing issues, to be able to shoot and cut any film of this length shows strength in the director. As per most films with this budget, “Hellweek” has a few sound issues in between dialogue, some basic to poor acting from beginners, and a plot on a pogo stick. With even the most elementary understanding of film making, this can all be overlooked when recognizing the guerilla film making that went into this work. “Hellweek” is best enjoyed for what it is, a new take on an old tale with a few new horror icons to have some fun with.
Scream Score: 5/10
SCARRED (2016)
The legend of Jonah Kandie haunts a quiet lakeside town in this stalker in the woods feature. After being facial dismembered as a child most of the civilized world thought Jonah to have died, but the locals and a string of missing persons has the locals convinced that he still roams the area looking to hack up hotties, as he has ill will toward the good looking. Cue up a group of models headed to the scenic setting for a photo shoot. Failing to take the word of some of the townsfolk, the group heads out into Kandie Land inevitably leading to a slaughter instead of a fashion shoot.
“Scarred” is a major jump for director Lengyel in every aspect of his career. He presents a near perfect piece with no clear audible deficiencies coupled with perfect B-Roll and a very good rock soundtrack which will take any eighties horror lover back to the good old days. No awards would be given for the performances but all the actors did a very good job playing their parts, once again cookie cutter, but that is what we sign up for in the genre. Don Kilran does stand out as the menacing Jonah with a great physical performance. Lengyel can take a bow for some of the great kills, which are once again filmed on a small budget. A hobbling scene would make James Caan (Misery) have a bad flashback. “Scarred” will obviously be associated with “Friday the 13th” for it’s setting and great cameo from the first Jason, Mr. Ari Lehman; however, if you liked “The Hills Run Red,” you will adore this outing.
Scream Score: 6.8/10
AMERICAN POLTERGEIST: THE CURSE OF LILITH RATCHET (2018)
An evil entity takes out a couple of coeds in the opening act of this fantastic fright film. Once Alice and Lauren take a stolen box containing a cursed shrunken head to local horror host, we come to understand that the head belongs to old world scorned lover Lilith Hatchet. The horror host, Hunter, purchases the piece and plans to make it the headline for his horror night at a club. Heads and bodies start to roll as Lilith makes her return in glorious gory fashion. The cursed group races against time and myth to try and end the curse before they all become part of the legend.
If “Scarred” was a jump for Lengyel, “The Curse of Lilith Ratchet” is a quantum leap for the director. The opening scene of the film is big budget quality on par with the opening scene of the American version of “The Ring.” Lengyel’s background in music once again provides a flawless score accompanied by Timothy Smith. While previous outings had periods of lingering, Lengyel flexes his writing muscles with a perfectly paced piece. The actors bring a high level of performances apart from some emotional scenes which are over and under played. Though many of the kills are cut away shots they are well done and leave daunting imagery. Figuring that Lengyel was given a higher budget for this work, this reviewer was left in awe that the film is still listed in the $15,000 budget range. An amazing accomplishment for the entire production team.
“Hellweek,” “Scarred,” and “American Poltergeist: The Curse of Lilith Ratchet,” are all now streaming on Tubi. A high suggestion is to watch these films in the order presented in this review. If for nothing, to watch the rise of a great indie director. As always at Horror Nation, we encourage our fans to also purchase the films and help support the indie community.
Scream Score: 7.8/10