The Great Canadian Horror Film Festival: The Blood Block
Written by Andreas Babiolakis
This is a review of a film from The Great Canadian Horror Film Festival that just concluded. Click here to find information surrounding the upcoming The Great Canadian Sci-Fi Film Festival.
For our last two days of coverage of The Great Canadian Horror Film Festival, I’m going to give quick insights on all of the shorts that are placed within the two different screenings: The Blood Block, and The Boo Block. Today we’re looking at The Blood Block. Here are all of the shorts from that showcase.
Born Again: A funny poke at the super seriousness of Satanism, and how even the most rehearsed ceremonies could go wrong (or right, depending on who you ask). Born Again plays its doofus cards pretty blatantly, but it tricks you well enough to result in a nice payoff that you may not see coming.
He’s Here: Well intentioned albeit too brief, He’s Here wishes to take a tragedy and turn it into a slice of horror with some slight results.
Feast on the Young: A connection is made between two siblings within a horrifically hostile environment. Because its setting and the relationship between both kids is established enough, Feast on the Young goes from a demo reel of strong makeup to something a little more effective.
That Night: A moralistic fable that doesn’t ned much time to get its point across. That Night takes a noble stance in what could very well be a horror story come to life (although a different kind of fright night takes place as comeuppance).
Noodle Party: A quirky concept turns into a bloodbath, which further transforms into the punchline of the entire short. A little forced, but it’s such a strange film that I’m sure far too many roommates can somehow identify with (a perfect for millennials to see).
Mum’s Sweater: A gorgeously animated horror film about loss and the pains of grief (here in a very literal sense). One of the major highlights of this entire festival is this powerful short. It leaps into its premise a little too quickly, but it’s a short, so that can happen. What matters is that it sticks its agonizing landing, with a very chilling aftermath to boot. When’s the feature coming out?
My Roommate’s the Zodiac Killer: Another roommate film, folks. This time, we have a bit of a play-on-words which is noticeable as soon as star signs get mentioned (that kind of zodiac killer). It’s a bit sloppy but it’s intentionally silly, so all is fun and good here.
The Rage: A fairly by-the-numbers look at a domestic affair. You won’t really be yanked around by the twists, but you will stay for the over-the-top thrills that fit into a horror festival lineup just right.
TOAST!: A fun, silly film with no dialogue, enough visual cues to get its premise rolling (a guy who is just trying to make some toast when his bread keeps disappearing from inside of his toaster), and a goofy reminder to always read the fine print (or, you know, the biggest labels on a product).
Bakemono: A family affair that rests on the shoulders of lore. It plays the creepy child angle a lot, so that can be right up your alley (it does this premise nicely, if it’s your preference). Some strong effects and attentions to detail, plus it has a fairly nerve wracking finale (wrapped up with some slight comedy).
The Backwards Game: A well shot short with a unique premise involving “the other” (in the form of reflections, of sorts). What I see here is some promise that a bigger budget, professional actors (although the cast here do a fine enough job), and a longer duration could fulfill for sure. Sometimes, that’s what these preliminary shorts in a filmmaker’s career need to be: appetizers of what can come next.
Making Friends: For sure more comedic than scary, although that is intended. Making Friends is the karma that many bullied youths may feel, especially given the fact that the short is more light hearted and goofy than mean spirited and legitimately vengeful. Plus, there is taxidermy with googly eyes!
BEDTIME: A series of images and fears more than anything, although a bit of a foray from childhood into the worst conjurings of humanity (or even the unknown).
Waffle: A funny flick that turns into a test of tension, and furthermore into a full on thriller climax (with comedic punchlines, of course). There are enough twists, turns, and genre bending moments here that will keep you intrigued.
The Remnant: Another interesting film of this horror lineup, and a bit of a bang to end off on. The best shot short of this batch and a very interesting subject to boot (con persons that pretend to perform exorcisms to fulfil heists). The Remnant also takes its time building up to a satisfying indie horror meltdown.
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.