Synopsis:
A group of friends stranded near a desolate cornfield find shelter in an
old farmhouse, though they soon discover the dwelling is the center of a
supernatural ritual.
What exactly do we all find so scary about a cornfield? Maybe it's
growing up in the mid west but I have to tell you, I have never once
looked at a cornfield and felt a tingle of coldness run my spine.
Regardless of that fact an entire sub-genre of horror film has been
built around the terrifying farmlands and also their guardians, the
scarecrow.
HUSK is the latest entry into said sub-genre and I have to say, it’s does a fine job.
HUSK is one of the new AFTER DARK ORIGINALS which has taken the place
of the HORRORFEST. Idea being that AFTER DARK will showcase up and
coming film makers and stars giving films a some what limited theatrical
run and then a wide DVD release. So, lets talk about HUSK.
Although at its beginning the film sticks pretty closely to the whole
“traveling friends stranded in the middle of nowhere” line things take
an interesting turn at about the one third point and HUSK becomes a bit
of a slasher/ghost tale that ends up being spooky and unnerving.
Written and directed by Brett Simmons he manages to get maximum usage
out of a pretty over used storyline and an unknown cast. The film has a
nice creepy vibe from frame one and Brett manages to keep the vibe
alive till the very end. No nudity and not a lot of blood could lead
you to maybe pass this one up but I’m telling you, give it a whirl.
Director Simmons and his cast of unknowns manage to weave a pretty
creepy tale and his interesting use of camera angles and shots held my
interest all the way through.
HUSK will no doubt anger the gore/boob crowd who firmly believe it
you don’t see a blood drenched nipple in every shot, it isn’t horror but
for those of us who like a little story and passion with their film
making, HUSK should do the trick.
While HUSK is nothing new it is quality film making done by folks who
quite obviously love the genre and what they do. Give their wares a
ride, I think you’ll find it was worth the 90 minutes of your day.
Based on the acclaimed Sundance Film Festival short, terror reigns
amidst the cornfields in a supernatural game of cat and mouse. When
crows collide with the windshield of their car, a young group of friends
are left stranded next to a desolate cornfield. The friends seek out
help from the single-standing farmhouse they see, but they quickly
figure out that the only solace they have are each other when the house
they have stumbled upon is actually the center of the supernatural.
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES
Audio commentary with Director Brett Simmons and Actors Devon Graye, Wes Chatham and CJ Thomason
Behind-the-Scenes featurette
Storyboards
HUSK hits shelves on March 29th. Don’t listen to the haters, give
this one a ride. I enjoyed it and I’m thinking more than a few of you
may as well.
