Horror Palace

Jacob

Year: 2011
Studio: Odyssee Pictures
Director: Larry Wade Carrell
Stars: Grace Powell, Dylan Horne,Krystn Caldwell (Psychic Experiment), Larry Wade Carrell, Leo D. Wheeler (Domain of the Damned), Joe Grisaffi, Parrish Randall, Jeremy James Douglas Norton
Language: English (USA)
Length: 1:32
Sub-Genre: Revenge, Supernatural, Slasher

Plot: Sheriff Andy and his Deputy, Billy have a big problem on their hands: the enormous son of a local waitress, named Jacob. Only Jacob’s sister, a small but strong girl stands between Jacob unleashing an unstoppable killing spree on their little Texas town. What happens if she can’t stop him anymore, and he listens to the evil spirits he hears?

Review: This indie film, directed by Larry Wade Carrell, brings what I would call an entertaining and even fun horror movie experience. Despite it’s faults, which I will detail, I really enjoyed this movie, and it’s throwback feel. The movie starts with the Sheriff being called because a group of local boys on their bicycles are headed toward and abandoned house that is part of a local legend. The Sheriff (played by director, Larry Wade Carrell) talks with the one boy left behind, which leads into the main body of the story. Back in the 70s, when Sheriff Billy was just a young deputy, and was called out with then Sheriff Andy, to a domestic abuse call. When they arrive, they find the abusive man of the house (who happens to be Billy’s brother, Otis) on the verge of being killed by his huge, mentally challenged stepson, Jacob. Jacob isn’t responding to their orders until his little sister gently takes his hand and leads him away. From here, the story follows Otis’ wife, Edith who is a waitress at the local diner. Edith was previously married to a man named Lawrence Kell, who had inherited a house and became obssessed with it and a strange book he found in the floorboards. This unleashed evil spirits which drove Kell to a showdown with the small community. These spirits are still around, but only Edith’s daughter and son, Sissy and Jacob, can hear them. Sissy’s gentle guidance of her brother is all that stands in the way of history repeating itself, as their home life threatens to boil over.

The acting in this film is a mixed bag, but I really enjoyed the dual roles performed by Larry Wade Carrell, who plays both Billy and his drunken, violent brother Otis. I particularly enjoyed his portrayal of Otis with his mullet style hair, and exaggerated expressions. The little girl, Sissy (Grace Powell) was charming, as well, and Dylan Horne who plays Jacob looks menacing, with his hulking stature and bald head. Also of note is a cameo by the car from John Carpenter’s Christine, and a nice performance from Michael Beihn (Aliens, The Terminator, Planet Terror) as Lawrence Kell.

Though the locations and sets are mostly good, there are a few flaws, such as squad car lights that appear unstable. The props are good, especially the evil book and occult items that are found in the house. There are also many nice old cars in the film, and I missed any anachronisms, if there were any.

When it comes to makeup and practicals, the overall execution is good. The blood and gore effects are nice, and compliment the wide variety of kills in the film. Everything from dismemberments, stabbings, and bodies cut assunder are covered. My two favorites are a body cut in half by a machete, and a nice head bash with a unique weapon called The Slugger. It is basically a baseball bat fitted with a buzzsaw blade. The detached limbs are a bit rubbery, but it is forgivable. The one glaring flaw in regards to makeup is the aging effects and the moustaches and sideburns. They are fairly destracting, but not fatal to the story by my estimation. I didn’t detect any cgi in this movie. Maybe on some of the gunshots.

The camera work is good overall, and at times the film has the appearance of a bigger budget production. This also comes into play regarding the soundtrack. Really the only part of the soundtrack I disliked was at the beginning when the local boys are riding through the town like a bunch of rascals. It just had a Disney-like quality that felt out of place in a horror film.

I am going to recommend watching this movie when it becomes available. It isn’t a particularly scary film, but it does have some gore and a nice, satisfying payoff toward the end. It is a fun, old school revenge tale, and is a bit humorous without a bunch of overbearing comedy. A nice balance which I found entertaining.

Reviewer: Boss Butcher

Date: 10/25/2012

DVD: N/A

Rating: 6.5/10

Recommendation: Strong rental

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