PopHorror Let's Get Scared
So far, 2017 has proven to have been the year of the clown. With the much-anticipated remake of Stephen King’s IT and of course, one of the biggest horror shows on TV American Horror Story: Cult, it’s hard not to get sucked into this crazy clown business. However, I’m not here to talk about them. I’m here to tell you about a movie that I recently had the opportunity to screen, and I can’t express my love for this movie enough! The film that is about to be released for all of your viewing pleasure and which I urge “Come one! Come All! Come right down and view Circus Kane!” Well, when it comes out that is! Until then you can read my spoiler free review and I promise I’m not clowning around (no pun intended. Okay, maybe a little) but this is a film for horror fans!
Circus Kane is directed by Christopher Ray (A House is Not a Home,2015). It is written by James Cullen Bresseck (Bethany), Zack Ward (Bethany), and Sean Sellars (Cindy’s New Boyfriend). Let me just say this trio knows how to write a script! The film is under production by one of the biggest companies to release awesome indie films, UnCork’d Entertainment. Circus Kane will be released on September 8, 2017.
Official Synopsis:
A reclusive circus master invites a group of social media stars to his house of haunts. Anyone who can make it out before being scared into submission will earn $250,000 – but the stars soon learn they are not only competing for money, but also fighting for their lives.
What Works:
The trailer, in my opinion, does not do this film justice. Circus Kane is an unexpected gem; those to me are what make the best films. The attention to detail in the “torture” rooms goes such a long way. For example, making the eyes bleed out of the wallpaper teddy bears adds such essence and vibe that draws you into the atmosphere of the film. The scenery is awesome in every capacity. One of my favorite scenes is reminiscent to one of Bowser’s Castles in the original Super Mario video game.
Director Christopher Ray does an amazing job at making you hold your breath in anticipation of who’s going to be the next one to bite the dust. The dialogue is brilliant and has just the right amount of comedy with wit to boot. One line even gives a nod to one of the stars of the film, Jonathan Lipnicki, from his film Jerry Maguire, and it will have your head rolling.
The kill scenes are inventive and bloody as hell! The riddles are fun and will have you playing along. Circus Kane is by far the scariest clown I have seen in a long time. At first, I was like oh that’s a creepy clown and then it opens it’s mouth and I still can’t get that image out of my head… COMPLETELY TERRIFYING! Thanks for disturbing my sleep Bill Voorhees!
Speaking of Bill, the casting is spot on and they all shine in their own time. Ted Monte (The Silence of the Lambs) as Big Ed had me laughing my ass off. Erin Micklow (The Ugly Truth) as the rocker chick Roxy will make your heartbreak. Victoria Konefal as Tracy, without a doubt, shows she has what it takes to be the next big scream queen. Jonathan Lipnicki may have ditched the glasses but he has not lost his charm or his smart mouth that we all love. Mark Christopher Lawrence, Cameron Jebo, Sinjin Rosa, and Nicole Arianna Fox make the film feel fresh and fun.
There is also a hilarious cameo from writer James Cullen Bresseck. The standout performance for me, however, has to go to the immensely talented Tim Abell as Balthazar Kane, the circus master. Holy hell can that man act and his performance is brilliant! Every frame he is in it’s like you are trapped in his hell circus. He is that believable. If I didn’t know any better I would have thought he was a real crazed circus master.
What Doesn’t Work:
Honestly, this movie is a fuck-ton of fun and I don’t even want to nit pick at it.
Final Verdict:
Circus Kane is a bloody blast from start to finish; I loved every minute of it. Between Ray’s direction, Bresseck, Ward, and Sellars’ script, and a stellar cast it’s so worth buying a ticket and taking the ride. Don’t let this one fly under your radar because it really is a pleasant surprise, one that I think has a little something for all horror fans. Blood? Check. Slasher? Check. Humor? Check? Eye candy? Epic kills? Check, Check. Twist ending? Check. So what are you waiting for? Step right up and watch Circus Kane!
