PopHorror Let's Get Scared
A few months ago, I reviewed filmmaker Gary Berger’s horror shorts, Sunset (2015), Servus de Infernum (2016), The Klondike Incident (2017) and The Final Photograph (2017), so when I had the opportunity to review his anthology, Axe, I jumped at the chance.
All of these films are a part of PP Urpansoph Films, which was created by Berger and filmmaker and Michael Myers fan, Josh Mowatt. As for Axe, the film was written, produced and directed by both Berger and Mowatt. The two men also had the privilege of playing the bloodthirsty Murder Bunny in separate segments. Also starring were Urpansoph veteran Katie Monroe, Aubree Mowatt, (The Final Photograph 2017), Allison Chainz, Nikki Dye, Ben, Joseph and Tyler Maenza, and John Ferguson (Army of Frankensteins 2013, The Harvesters 2016) as the legendary Count Gregore. One man band Berger also shot, edited and composed the score for the 24 minute short.
Synopsis
Axe is a four part horror anthology about an ax-wielding psychopath, who happens to wear a unique costume. Each segment was created to escalate and build upon the last, progressing in blood, violence, and betrayal.
What Works
The four tales in Axe are tied together by the fervent Count Gregore (John Ferguson), a character who is everything a horror host should be. Between his accent, his flamboyant costume and his dank, dark digs, the Count is right up there with Dr. Shock and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. The first story he introduces is the found footage tale “The Klondike Incident,” one that I had previously reviewed as a standalone short. Gary Berger plays a character named Gary, natch, who has gone missing while investigating the strange events surrounding a supposed witch’s grave at the Klondike cemetery. The short starts off tame, almost boring, but that only makes the surprise ending all the more shocking and totally awesome!
Next is “Bloodshed Lake.” The young Thorn family (Allison Chainz, Ben, Joseph and Tyler Maenza) arrives at Crystal Lake for a day of sun and fun. Little do they know what lurks in the woods surrounding the placid water. The sounds of kids splashing and squeaking flip flops work wonderfully to bring the audience into this average, believable family and their summer day. This makes it all the more terrifying when you realize that what happens to them could happen to anyone at any time. Tranquility becomes a blood drenched horror as the sound of softly lapping water is replaced by a madman’s guitar and a sharpened axe.
Count Gregore sets up the short, “B-Roll,” next. News reporter Riley Burch (Katie Monroe) tells the world about the brutal murders that have been occurring in central Oklahoma. Once she gives her report, she leaves her cameraman, Jake (Josh Mowatt), to shoot some B roll for the news segment in an abandoned school building, although it’s never really explained why he’s there since the murders they were reporting on happened at a lake and a cemetery. Noises and smells spook him. Then we see, from a security camera’s POV, someone – or something – sneaking up behind him with a crowbar. This short was my least favorite, only because I could see what was coming a mile away. It was still creepy though, watching Jake walk into those darkened rooms, not knowing what he would find.
Finally, we have “ReBirth.” This is where the previous three stories culminate. The missing are brought together, along with some new members to the party. Filmed in black and white, “ReBirth” takes the film full circle. However, with a shocking twist that I did not see coming, it ends the film on a surprisingly psychotic note.
What Doesn’t Work
The lighting for the wraparound segments is dark. There are times when Count Gregore is heard speaking to the camera, but he can’t be seen at all. There are also spots when he’s speaking, but he can barely be heard over the sound of dripping water or other noises. As a practical effects fan, I wasn’t too thrilled to see CGI blood, but there really wasn’t that much. This is a bit of a nitpick, but the reporter in “B-Roll” said the two children missing were girls and not boys. Although, in “ReBirth,” it is a teenage girl who’s trapped with the others. I’m not sure if she was supposed to be just another random kidnap or if she was one of the characters from the lake whose gender was changed mid-film.
Final Thoughts
Although Axe has some flaws, it’s a bloody well done (pun intended) low budget film, a splendidly savage and superbly sanguine short. Although they work on microbudgets the size of a pinhead, Berger and Mowatt make the very most of their time and money and continue to turn out unique, inventive material. Check the short out below, and see what you think!
To see more of Count Gregore, look no further! Here is some footage shot for The Sanctuary Haunted Attraction in Oklahoma City featuring the Count, a member of the National Horror Hosts Hall of Fame.
