The Horror Network Vol. 1 is a very interesting collection of shorts which all examine aspects of the human condition. The first story presents a woman wanting to get away from her stress and problems to a quiet isolated cabin in the country. However we learn that wherever you go, well there you are. Has she snapped or is she in an actual funhoue of horror? The 2nd story appears to be a possession story as a disturbed patient who fears he is committing horrable act when he sleeps as a analytical smug psychiatrist assures him that he suffers from a mental condition. In the end I found a couple viable answers to where we end up at the conclusion. 1. He should have considered the possibility of supernatural forces at work or 2. Stare into the abyss long enough and run the risk of becoming the abyss. The third story was really well done concerning a young girl nearly deaf except for the a hearing aid on one ear that allows her to hear somewhat. Her mom sends a friend of her fathers to pick her up instead. He looks for a girl with a hearing aid and does not find her due to her removing it because of cruel bullying she suffers at the hands of other kids on her bus. When he figures out who she is she is he creepily pulls up to her in a van of all things to finally give her a ride of course causing the girl run away into the woods. After a cat and mouse game it ends sadly for the young girl. This is shot and acted very well and their is a doll that appears to be a representation of the girl mixed in throughout the story. The unseen figure is telling the doll she will love her as long as she can while cutting away the dolls pretty red hair which the girl also has. This feels to me like a warning to being overprotective and not having the tools or courage to stand up for ones self. The mother casually tells police as they search for her that she sometimes takes her hearing aid off for quiet. When asked if she had a boyfriend the overbearing momsay of course not. If this girl would have appreciated her hearing aid as a blessing that she is not totally deaf and that life is not always fair. She may have stood up for herself. She may have found her courage, sense of humor, personality or wits to put an end to it. Even if it did not work on the horrible kids bullying her someone or several someones may have been inspired. They may have admired her courage and she would have made alliances and friends. She probably doesn't rush off leaving her phone. In the end she was a victim who was held back in a way that would destroy her. In the end the doll being told again she will love her as long as she can is pictured stripped bare of its dress, its beautiful hair and is left ruined of all its charms and qualities. Or of course the pursuer may have been el creepo. All these tales give you uncomfortable ends that are for the most part a deeper lesson through imagery and suggestion or actual supernatural horror. The fourth story is visually gutting. A woman and her daughter suffer in a brutally abusive violent home. The husband and father is an unspeakable bastard who should be killed on site by anyone who is close enough to do it. We see through imagery the complete desolation and destruction of people who suffer from such abuse. We also see her brother trying to get her to stop being a powerless victim and leave, change rise above instead of drinking to kill the pain. Of course she has an excuse for that as well. The woman and daughter are transformed into visually horrific creatures of pain an d suffering to break free. The effects here are fantastic and where the cover art comes from. Top shelf creepy stuff. Obviously we are encouraged or disturbed to figure out one should not be a vioctim. No matter hor terrible the antagonists are in the end we accept our lot in life and give away our incredible nearly limitless power to rise up and to break free and create a more fitting destiny for ourselves and our children. The final story has a man who is disgusted by his neighbors lifestyle. This tale deals with religious zealots and hypocracy. A common theme in cinema these days as we head away from judeo christian philosophies and take the bullet train to Hail Satan parkway. I just call's em likes I sees em. A pious man has found some very extreme ways to deal with those who publicly live in ways he finds sinful. Of course a corpse is not subject to any moral obligations and of course God rewards those who eliminate sin from the world of the living. If you are confused wath it and all will become clear grasshopper. Because men of god like this guy will be rewarded in the.........end. Anyways this is not always fun to watch but it is thought provoking, well done and worth your time. Grab some popcorn and be ready to be challenged a bit.
