Perhaps 5 stars is a bit generous, but I just so happen to be part of the "right crowd." I'd say between 2 and 4 is where this one will most likely land for people.
Opens up like The Twilight Zone, it even has a host!
Also similar to The Twilight Zone, these tales aren't actually scary, but they do tell some entertaining stories that, unfortunately, are weighed down by poor production value and a low budget.
The production value of this one is very low. You'll notice it immediately in the camera quality: grainy, choppy, and at times almost digitized image quality. It also seems like it could just be a cheap, old camcorder propped up by someone's hand.
But the sound quality isn't too bad!
The scripting hits more than it misses - it's actually somewhat saved by the acting - but it isn't that potent. Admittedly, the acting isn't actually that great, but it does sell the script more than the script sells the acting. You may notice that from "Dead Man" to "The Maze" the overall quality of the performance goes up by a notch or two. Whereas "Dead Man" feels like a straight-to-DVD midnight TV special, "The Maze" feels like a 90's "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" episode, or maybe "The Twilight Zone."
The stories are passable, involving creative approaches to relatively mundane ideas that have most likely been done better by more mainstream horror movies and TV shows. The practical effects are quite lackluster, but still get the point across in a way that actually feels kind of wholesome and reminiscent of the good ole days. There are also sparse notes of dark humor that tell the viewer not to take this anthology too seriously.
We are offered 3 tales of terror this time around.
Below are brief Plot Summaries:
Dead Man:
A corpse regales us with a tale involving its own exogenous origins. 4/10
The Maze:
After losing his job and his wife in one fell swoop, Harry must deal with the psychological repercussions. 6/10
The Quarry:
Two men wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of city life decide to go camping in the Adirondack Mountains. Along the way, they meet a man who imparts upon them an unnerving story based around local folklore. 5/10.
