Here’s a Halloween treat just in time for Ghouls Day. Just arrived on DVD All Hallows’ Eve takes you on a journey that leads to some thrills and chills. If its clowns you detest, check out Art who looks like he can use a good dentist. Fully loaded with Audio Commentary for those who want to get to the bottom of a bloody abysmal hell, it’s the perfect way to a devilish ending.
The story opens with pre-teens Tia and Timmy arriving back home after a night of trick or treating. When Timmy opens his bag he finds a video tape in a black box. Showing the tape to his babysitter Sara, she quickly takes the tape and tells the kids that it may contain things children cannot see. Timmy continues to beg to see the film saying that Sara can start to watch it and if it is too scary they will agree to trash it. But, when Sara plays the tape she discovers that it may be a video taken by a serial killer.
The movie continues with Sara fascinated by the video becoming mesmerized by the actions of a very scary clown called Art. Director Damien Leone works his magic cutting from Sara to the video on the screen for the audience to see her reaction to the hideous acts. He uses some evil makeup for the clown creating a very eerie look as the creepy killer kidnaps, slices, mutilates, and dismembers his victims. It’s a horror fest and Leone knows how to make it chilling.
The acting is about par for this genre with Katie Maguire playing the captivated babysitter that starts to grow frightened for the lives of the people on the screen. She makes her character like putty in the hands of Director Leone as he molds her into a terrified bystander then sends her over the top when the video becomes a reality.
Being Halloween season, this film fits perfect into a late night teen pj party following a trip around the block for some trash and dash. If you do not have the video of Trick ‘r Treat then All Hallows’ Eve could be the next best thing. Now on DVD the movie should be available at most video outlets starting today.
BONUS FEATURE: “Commentary” with Writer/Director Damien Leone and actor Mike Giannelli as Art the Clown is available for those who want to dare go into the minds of the two men who made this film possible.
The video clarity on the DVD is very good with gain only on the video tape being shown for realism. Although I’m not a fan of letterbox I will say it looks good here. Maybe it’s because after the first 20 minutes your eyes are more glued to the movie and not the format.
The sound is very good with some great creepy music and easy to understand dialogue. If you are not sure you can hear the grunts from the scary Clown, Alien, Scarecrow, Satan, Hobo, Pig Man, Bird Man and the Witch, then turn on the subtitles for an even more definitive groan or grunt. And for goodness sake if you are going to scream go in the closet where Pig Man’s hiding, lol.
All Hallows’ Eve has not been rated by the MPAA but does contain violence, gore, language, nudity and a scene of suggested rape. The makeup looks very good and can be disturbing to youngsters. So you may want to watch this film after the kids go to bed or with a group of your neighbors after a round of beers. (I’m just saying)
Specifications and additional film information:
Cast: Katie Maguire, Mike Giannelli, Catherine A. Callahan
Writer/Director: Damien Leone
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Running Time: 1 hr 22 min
Video Release Date: October 29, 2013
Language: English
Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
Subtitles: English SDH
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: RLJ Entertainment
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
