New Indie Horror Sci-Fi Thriller
AXS ENTERTAINMENT / ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT / MOVIES
April 4, 2015
Rating:
Most horror fans will agree ‘The Shells” is likely to be the first chapter of many in this “Reanimamator- isc in reverse”sci-fi horror franchise for the millennial crowd – and yes the rest of us as well. Writer, Director, Producer, Max Fenneran, has crafted a simmer-to-boiling, bone-chilling, roller coaster ride of a story staged primarily in a spooky abandoned building once used for oneiroology research, the study of dreams.
Alex, the heroine, (played masterfully by Bret Lower), has been troubled from a childhood memory that has kept her captive her entire life. She has been medicated and institutionalized to cope with the nightmares. She dreams of being pursued by a bagman who chases then tugs and pulls at her until she awakens. When Alex meets up with the team of independent, ghost-hunting, film-makers, she is welcomed by Manny, the film crew’s ominously zany director, (played to perfection by, Erik Heger ).
As they enter the abandoned old building to begin the shoot, we meet the building’s watchman Terry, ( creepily played by Will Wilkof), who has Dracula’s Renfield written all over him. Terry seems frightened and forewarns of the missing Dr. Maryann Marzea ( played deliciously evil by Carolyn McCormick)
“The Shells”, while fun and scary, uses familiar sinister plot twist but soon cleverly unwraps into a virtual Pandora’s “mental” box. The subject’s theme stretches across several dimensions of deeply layered metaphors as it quickly begins to broaden into a terrifying nightmare. One wonders who is having this dream or nightmare? Ah…that is the question that may linger even long after. Actress Bret Lowler who powerfully plays Alex, is a fresh new face in this genre and is clearly here to stay. She exudes the raw essence of a survivor turning in a performance reminiscent of Serqourney Weaver or Milla Jovovich.
Beginning with broken shells, Finnerman, has a great deal of fun uncovering both actual and subliminal meanings of consciousness. We have come a long way socially when understanding our non-physical identities between multiple states of consciousness is a possibility easily grasped; let alone accepted. “The Shells” is a suspenseful sci-fi horror thriller loaded with close calls you will more than enjoy.
Rated: R (LV)
Director/ Writer: Max Finneran
Producer: Max Finneran, Kim Jackson
Stars: Britt Lowers, Erik Heger, Sara Chase, Carolyn McCormick,
Nadia Gan, Lee Wilkof, Nick Fondulis, Gary Sundown, Anna Andresen,
Andy Ridings,Michael Pemberton, Christopher Randolph, and Lea Mancarella, Avery Kristen Pohl
