Mother's House (2011) User Reviews

i loved mothers house

[amy-78 · 10/10 · 14 June 2011]

i really loved this movie. didn't expect it to be so great. visually, emotionally, creatively. from the set design to the CAMERA/DP to the script & the actors, the director. a fabulous film with heart & soul & much surprise. a small film with great potential. it should be a full on feature.

There were moments in the film that were so lovely, so effecting, so real and genuine. So subtle. The two leads were great, sexy and fit each other. Good chemistry. The fear factor was right up there - had a bit of a SIXTH SENSE feel to it.

From start to finish. I applaud. bravo Davis. bravo. great script. great directing.

Haunting

[ben-1935 · 9/10 · 20 June 2011]

I recently watched this short at Hoboken Intl Film Festival.

The film starts off as a drama. I felt like it was going to be a portrayal of a man coping with loss, then of course there is this element of the supernatural. Terrifying? No. Eerie and unsettling? Yes. Absolutely.

I have to say that the performances were top class. It was a real pleasure to watch two seasoned actors sending chills down my spine.

The film is carefully and sensitively constructed. It's all very subtle. Don't expect demonic children to jump out from behind the door. It's the lingering moments of tension that get you.

I'm not sure if the film will be hitting other festivals but if you do see in on the schedule of a festival near you - watch it!

Gorgeous, haunting and packed with chills

[Jillpix · 10/10 · 16 June 2011]

A beautiful and haunting film that instantly drew me in and had me on the edge of my seat until the final frame. Visually stunning and psychologically arresting. Kathryn Erbe takes a fine departure from her role on "Law & Order, Criminal Intent," and Tim Guinee brings just the right amount of savvy and innocence to the role of Thomas. From the very beginning, the viewer gets a strong sense of history between these two, and yet, as the story continues, one comes to realize that they really don't know that much about each other after all. I love when a film surprises me, goes somewhere I never would have expected. And this film did just that.

Just like when I was a kid watching scary TV...

[dude-2 · 10/10 · 15 June 2011]

I was privileged to read the script before shooting started and I immediately flashed on:

One Step Beyond. Boris Karloff's Thriller. The Twilight Zone. The Outer Limits.

And a passel of other scare-the-pants-off-of-you-just-before-you-have-to-go-to-bed shows i grew up with...

It could have been an episode of any of them.

Reality slowly starts to unwind for the 2 protagonists and picks up speed dramatically near the end. And you kind of start to get the idea a ways into it but by then it's too late for either of them, or you, to turn back.

Reality reassembles itself and it's not pretty...

See it if you can and if you can't, find a way.

the road less traveled - review by Ruby

[calico2-1 · 9/10 · 27 November 2011]

"Mother's House" is a moody, mysterious journey brought to life by Davis Hall (director, writer, and producer) and Ingrid Price (writer and producer). This short film stars Kathryn Erbe and Tim Guinee. They are perfectly cast, as is the true star, the house in upstate New York belonging to the late mother of Guinee's character, Thomas.

If you have ever cleaned out the home of a relative who has died, then you know the emotional roller coaster ride that will give you. Discovering things about your loved ones, discovering things about yourself, remembering things about your past long forgotten…all these things flooding your mind and soul are part of the grieving process. But for Thomas and his wife Catherine, this is a trek that will change their lives forever.

The film is barely 30 minutes long, yet it will likely blur your perspective of many basic things—love, relationships, death, perception, and loss. But be forewarned, as is true with all really good films, you will want to view this one more than once. It will make you think, and it may make you long for the carefree days of childhood…and wonder if they were truly as carefree as we remember them.

This artful short is brilliantly filmed and edited, and the acting is perfect for its shrouded mood. "Mother's House" is a marvelous little film, and I highly recommend it for anyone who likes their film choices to challenge as well as entertain.

Great Work

[butler-tiffanyjoy · 10/10 · 25 July 2011]

I enjoyed watching this film for a second time tonight. I noticed the subtle changes in tone and action in the character's persona that I didn't quite notice the first time. Kathryn Erbe and Tim Guinee are talented actors. The set was beautifully designed. The production design of Jesika Farkas added to the overall eerie feel to the film. I appreciate Davis Hall's direction to provoke these actors' emotions. With the aid of an amazing script, written by Hall and Ingrid Price, the story plays out with interesting twists and turns. It takes ordinary activities into an extraordinary experience. The tale is a refreshing asset to the genre of thrillers. I recommend this intriguing, suspenseful drama to any avid movie goer.

great short!

[sundancingm · 10/10 · 3 November 2011]

I had the privilege of working on this wonderful film with Davis and Ingrid and it is simply phenomenal. Full of suspense and beautiful cinematography. Tim Guinne and Katie Erbe make the perfect team in this thriller. All shot in beautiful Stone Ridge, NY the scenery is breath taking. After working on this film for a couple of months, seeing it on a big screen was so exciting! The story is so unique and very captivating. When I read the script for the first time, I couldn't take my eyes off the page. Then once the film was complete I couldn't take my eyes off of the screen. Although I knew the outcome of the film, I was still fixated on the story and on the simple beauty of the film. I highly recommend this short film!

A spectral gem not to be missed

[sewbuttons007 · 1 August 2011]

Dive into this lovely work by Davis Hall and Ingrid Price without any preconceived notions of where the ride will take you, and you will be in for a treat.

Dive into this with preconceived notions and they will happily be unraveled and you'll still be in for a treat!

A wonderful, eerie, twisty, beautifully acted, tactfully directed tale that unfurls at it's own pace and subtly latches onto you. It begs to be made into a full length feature, and if the gods are smiling I'd love to see that happen.

Find a way to catch a screening you won't be disappointed!!!