This movie could only have have been made without a major studio behind it. Afterall, what studio would have allowed a film to be made that was SILENT (with inter-titles, no less), Black and White, and feature obvious miniatures, complete with a stop-motion monster (er, god).
Not one and for that we have to be thankful. This is a fun, weird, ride that in the hands of any of the big studios would have been turned into a slick, soulless, non-faithful "adaptation" featuring a bunch of currently "hot" TV stars with a Paris Hilton tossed in for good measure.
Instead, this is a project that was done with obvious love and respect, not only for it's source material, but also for trying to recreate a movie style that doesn't exist anymore.
The acting is pretty damn good and the movie succeeds in creating an atmosphere of dread thanks to the photography, editing and directing as well as a wonderful score. This is in great part to the fact that the filmmakers refused to camp it up. This is not to say that it doesn't have some shortcomings, it does. Some of the composites are weak and a fight scene doesn't have the kick it needs to really sell it and another reviewer has mentioned the need for real water, but these are truly minor when measured against the whole.
The DVD has a making of documentary which consists of mostly talking heads, but, luckily, it's funny and breezy and a tribute to the ingenuity of the filmmakers who come off as modest and fun but dedicated to their dream. I actually wish it had been longer, but beyond that, I would recommend that beginning filmmakers check it out.
I recommend this movie. Get the DVD, heed the call.
Not one and for that we have to be thankful. This is a fun, weird, ride that in the hands of any of the big studios would have been turned into a slick, soulless, non-faithful "adaptation" featuring a bunch of currently "hot" TV stars with a Paris Hilton tossed in for good measure.
Instead, this is a project that was done with obvious love and respect, not only for it's source material, but also for trying to recreate a movie style that doesn't exist anymore.
The acting is pretty damn good and the movie succeeds in creating an atmosphere of dread thanks to the photography, editing and directing as well as a wonderful score. This is in great part to the fact that the filmmakers refused to camp it up. This is not to say that it doesn't have some shortcomings, it does. Some of the composites are weak and a fight scene doesn't have the kick it needs to really sell it and another reviewer has mentioned the need for real water, but these are truly minor when measured against the whole.
The DVD has a making of documentary which consists of mostly talking heads, but, luckily, it's funny and breezy and a tribute to the ingenuity of the filmmakers who come off as modest and fun but dedicated to their dream. I actually wish it had been longer, but beyond that, I would recommend that beginning filmmakers check it out.
I recommend this movie. Get the DVD, heed the call.