Matt Cloud; that's a name I have followed since Bloody Ballet. And his work in that film won me over. The work he did in that film made me a believer that this guy has something potentially special about him. But than I saw his next film, Beneath The Old Dark House, which I had highly anticipated, and honestly was really disappointed with. The only segments I thought worth anything were the segments with Coffintooth. Thankfully, Cloud seems to have realized that himself and created a movie completely based around that character and his family.
Coffintooths plot is basically the same plot one has seen in nearly every other slasher film from the late 70s to early 80s era. It's kind of like a mix of Halloween and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It also has some of the same pacing issues a lot of those slasher films tend to have from that era. Having said that, the film picks up drastically in its second half and even features some hilariously demented black comedy. Thankfully the movie never seems to take itself seriously.
The movie is filled with all sorts of Easter eggs and references to other horror films, such as a hilarious reference to one of my personal favorites, Redneck Zombies. Any self respecting horror fan is going to recognize every little reference, and that can be fun. Especially when even Lloyd Kaufman pops up to join in as a late night horror movie host.
This being a low budget flick, it can be easy to pick a film apart like this. But I have to say, it's well shot, surprisingly well acted. Especially from the films lead actress, Anna Clary. It's got some nice make up designs for the villains and the splatter and gore are actually pretty good. Not all of it works, but what does work works very well. Look for a scene late in the movie with a huge power drill. Quite effective!
I don't quite think this is the masterpiece I am expecting from Matt Cloude. It's really quite fun, but there is absolutely nothing that can be said that is actually original about it. It's more like a love letter to the genre. But I will say this is a huge step in the right direction. Especially after Beneath the Old Dark House. Goodness, this movie is a like breath of fresh air after watching Beneath.
Overall, for a movie with a very low budget, I think it set out and mostly achieved its goals. A fun, gory, old fashioned splatter flick worth the attention of the horror community.
