Dylan Clark returns to Terror Titans with a film that seems fitting for a Sunday!
Portrait of God (2022)
Starring: Sydney Brumfield
Director: Dylan Clark
Rating: Nine of Ten Stars
A young woman (Brumfield) is preparing a presentation on a painting titled "Portrait of God". It's a mysterious work where some claim to see God in it while others only see blackness. Despite her strong religious convictions, she is in the second group. Or is she...?
"Portrait of God" is an atmospheric film that turns downright chilling in its final moments. While I may be in two minds about the ending, I can't deny that it's good. I just wanted a little more. Nonetheless, watching this is a good use of your time during this Halloween Season.
This seems like the perfect item to start this year's 31 Nights of Halloween with, what with it dealing with the beginning of life and all. It's one several films from Dylan Clark that we've featured this year, all of them GREAT! And you can look for more of his work as this year's festival unfolds. (While we're just talking, let us state that Clark does an impressive job with the creatures in this film!)
Hatched (2021) Starring: Gavin Watt Director: Dylan Clark Rating: Nine of Ten Stars
Horror stories and films have always been on the cutting edge of technology--not just when it comes to cinematic special effects, but also the technology that is commonplace in our lives. Partly, this is necessary because how can characters be isolated and stalked by a scary killer when all they need to do is use their cellphone and call for help? It is also necessary because part of what makes horror stories horrific is how they invade and corrupt our everyday safe existences.
Computers, smart phones, the internet, and all manner of instant messaging and video-chatting has been the fodder for horror films of varying lengths for quite some time now. It's natural, because over the past 15-20 years, our lives have grown increasing centered around them. This month's Terror on the Thirteenth selection is one of those, being brought to us by talents who have emerged as favorites here at Terror Titans--writer/director Dylan Clark and his frequent star Hannah Clark.
We love everything about how this is executed and we also love the fact that the main character doesn't just sit around and wait for doom to befall her, but we also wish that there was more to this film. There are so many unanswered questions by the time it ends that we want to see "Transfigure" developed into a longer piece. (More often than not, we're satisfied with having unanswered questions by the end of these short films, but not here! We want more!)
Writer/Director Dylan Clark was one of our featured creators during 2020's 31 Nights of Halloween celebration here at Terror Titans. We couldn't fit this little masterpiece in, but that's why we have the bi-monthly Terror on the Thirteenth posts! (We started these earlier this year, and we're going to continue them into 2021!)
Jamie (2018)
Starring: Ramzi McFarland
Director: Dylan Clark
Rating: Eight of Ten Stars
A teenager (McFarland) performs an occult ritual to contact a spirit from Beyond.
"Jamie" is one of those short films that relies almost entirely on the plot-twist to work. That's pretty common. What isn't common is that the twist is perfectly executed, as is everything leading up to it... and that comes after. The only reason this film isn't getting a Nine or perhaps even a Ten rating is because the creature in it is a bit underwhelming in its appearance--Clark and his ensemble of actors and technical crew have some along way in the two years since this film was made. (Although I loved the way the creature communicated.)
Watch "Jamie'" for yourself and let me know what you think!
With Halloween almost upon us, even turning on all the lights might not protect you from the lurking horrors, as Hannah and Charlotte discover when they hear something go bump in the night. (Actresses Charlotte Butcher and Hannah Clark have starred separately in films featured earlier this month, and they unite here as we Halloween is almost upon us! (It's Dylan Clark's fourth film to be featured during these 31 Nights of Halloween.)
Have you ever watched old movies and felt nostalgic... but also spotted something you don't remember or which seems off? The subject of tonight's mini-fright film can relate. Although she wishes she couldn't...
"Home Movies" is one of the best film's that you'll see during this year's 31 Nights of Halloween. It's the second appearance of writer/director Dylan Clark and his leading lady Hannah Clark... and they top the excellence they've already delivered with this one.
One thing I REALLY like about it? Clark addresses what could have been a manifestation of Stupid Character Syndrome while making the film a whole lot creepier.
If you're going to stay overnight in the summer cabin during the 31 Nights of Halloween, you better make sure all the doors and windows have locks that work... as two young ladies learn the hard way in tonight's offering
This is the first of four chillers from director Dylan Clark that you'll be able to enjoy during this years festival of mini-fright films.
Behind the Frame (2020)
Starring: Hannah Clark
Director: Dylan Clark
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
A teenager (Clark) receives a packet of photo prints, which includes ones that create reality instead of document it.
This is a fun little excursion into supernatural weirdness, with good acting by star Hannah Clark, and a level of production values that shows director Dylan Clark was cognizant of the means he had as his disposal and he worked brilliantly within them. The only quibbles I have with this otherwise fine effort is that the art of the walls in the girl's room should have been different in style from one that was brought into existence by the photos... and there's just a touch of Stupid Character Syndrome at work here to keep the story moving.
Over all though, this is great stuff and perfect viewing during these 31 Nights of Halloween.
Here's a little something that will bring a chill to the waning summer heat...
Seagrass (2019)
Starring: Charlotte Butcher
Director: Dylan Clark
Rating: Ten of Ten Stars
A teenager (Butcher) is cleaning up the beach at the end of summer when she comes upon something more than just trash.
I considered holding this great short film from Dylan Clark for the annual Terror Titans 31 Nights of Halloween short film festival, but I decided that it's best seen during these waning days of summer. It is also a preview of some of the excellence I have planned for next month--as it's a horror short film that does not need jump-scares or overblown music to build dread or conclude on a surprisingly shocking note.
More greatness from Dylan Clark will be seen in this space, next month.
