Let me start by saying, "oh my God." As a fan of all of the films in the series, I must say, I can't think of a better way this could have ended. Head Cases was a standout. It was done in the style of a 48 Hours Mystery type of documentary. It gathered all the pieces of every story and brought it all together in a seamless and incredible package. I honestly think I enjoyed this the most, even more than the original. The acting was fantastic, as usual. Very well cast. The cinematography was also quite stunning. Very minimalist, yet I couldn't pry myself away from the screen. The footage in this felt so authentic. I believe some of it was, but I can't tell what is and what isn't, truth be told. It's clear how much care was put into the fine details. It definitely paid off. The direction the movie headed was fantastic. In the opening scene, we are presented with a quote from Wayne Montgomery that reads, "I'm passing on my knowledge, so it won't die when I do." Without revealing any detail, this just gives you an idea of where the film is headed. Many twists and turns develop in the last of the series. Things I definitely did not see coming. It was impressive how many plots were tied together and in the conclusion were still presented with new and surprising material. Definitely the most impressive film of the bunch. All of my questions were answered and my mind was blown yet again. I am thankful to have been introduced to the series, it's been an awesome ride.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Post-Mortem
(2010)
New Beginnings
19 November 2013
In this third installment to the Head Case series, we follow a new pair. John and Seth. John is Wayne's stepson, and somehow seems even more devious than Wayne himself. Seth has fallen under John's spell and finds himself starting a new life. The story and the characters all sent a chill down my spine. It was quite an experience to behold. I found this to be even better than The Ritual. The character development was excellent. I liked the new take on things. Seth's "emo" appeal and the social media in which these suicidal teenagers communicated through gave the film a more modern feel. This put a new spin on things and kept Post-Mortem fresh (no pun intended?). I truly enjoyed this movie. Spadaccini expanded well on paths I wanted to be explored. Awesome work!
The Ritual
(I) (2009)
Incredible Sequel to an Original
19 November 2013
This follow-up to Head Case is quite impressive. Spadaccini took a completely different direction in The Ritual and I like it. The Ritual takes the disturbing horror elements from its predecessor and adds some depth to the story. This film introduces some new characters. Jared, played by Joey Garrison, is one of my favorite characters. His performance was stellar. We also got to see more from Brinke Stevens, whose performance was also outstanding. She had such an intense presence in the film, even with little screen time. The characters all meshed together so well. The cinematography and editing improved dramatically in comparison to Head Case. Head Case was gritty and raw, while Ritual has a more elegant feel, yet maintains its realism.
Head Case
(2007)
One Step Further
19 November 2013
Movies like this are a rare find. Truly mesmerizing to watch and insanely haunting. "Captivated" doesn't even begin to describe what I felt throughout the entire film. The performances of every actor were dead on. I asked myself more than once through the first sitting, "wait, this is fiction, right?" Something that almost no movie ever makes me question. Wayne Montgomery is one of the most disturbing characters I've ever seen. It all just seems so real. That's what sold it for me. Nothing seemed pretend. This hit me on a gut level because it felt like this could really happen. You don't know who you're living next door to. The thought of living in the same universe as Wayne makes me want to crawl out of my skin. This takes found-footage horror to the next level. Head Case drowns the audience in Wayne's unsettling depravity and breaks the tension with dark humor and sarcasm. Part ultimate cult horror film, part black comedy. Quite an achievement and, in my book, a must-see.
Tell Your Friends