Ach ... another one gone too soon.

I realize that to a great many readers -- especially newer and/or younger ones -- that a name like Tom Noonan's might not be all that recognizable.  Certainly, the actor hasn't exactly been blazing a trail on screens big and small so far as work goes; but to those who might not know his name I'd encourage you to check out his full IMDB.com profile today.  The guy was a bit of a legend in Science Fiction, Fantasy, and (especially) Horror with some hugely impressive work turned in almost every time he was called into service.  And while you're there, make sure to check out his many award wins at festivals and the like as well.  His work was special, to say the least, and here's hoping that the guy gets his due amongst fandom with news of his passing reaching the Information Superhighway today.

​As for me?  Well, the guy's always been on my radar, all the way back since the days when I remember kinda/sorta discovering what he could do with such a small role aboard an otherwise passable episode of the rarely-celebrated Tales From The Darkside (1983-1988) anthology show.  He went on to have a good number of gigs in such celebrated projects as The Monster Squad (1987), RoboCop 2 (1990), and The Last Action Hero (1993), but -- for whatever cruel reason -- he never truly found any major breakout success amongst audiences.  Alas, some actors are just that way -- they show up, do big things, and yet notoriety kinda/sorta slips away -- but the guy continued hitting a stride when the cameras were rolling.

As I recall, he did turn in some equally impressive work aboard Syfy's 12 Monkeys during its run on the network; and -- as even IMDB.com asserts -- that was probably his last truly big thing.  I know I hadn't seen him in anything since, but his bio on the site suggests that perhaps he turned away from the camera and instead invested his time in stage plays.  There's an indication that he also toiled away at fiction, something I'd never known about or come across before.  Perhaps he wanted to spend what time he felt he had left leaving behind some indications about what he thought about the world at large, as some talented folks have been known to do once they realize that there are fewer days ahead than there are behind.

Our warmest prayers are extended to the family, friends, and fans of Tom Noonan.

May he rest in peace.

​-- EZ

(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and/or characters.  If you’re the kind of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I’d encourage you to skip down to the last few paragraphs for the final assessment.  If, however, you’re accepting of a few modest hints at ‘things to come,’ then read on …)
 
From the film’s IMDB.com page citation:
“A series of mysterious and savage murders plague an area of remote wilderness known for its insidious past.”
 
With that plot description, therein lies the problem.
 
2024’s The Stickman’s Hollow joins that unfortunately growing list of feature films that clearly had more going for it behind-the-scenes – perhaps even directly on the drawing board – than writer/director Jack Cox was able to squeeze into his otherwise efficient 85-minute running time.  While that isn’t a complaint directly, it’s still the confession of a frustration I have with flicks that subtly hint at more backstory – to characters, to places, to situations, etc. – than producers are able to fit up on the silver screen.  There’s no way anyone watching can miss the reality that Stickman’s Hollow – this only modestly scenic backwoods locale that attracts fisherman, campers, and hikers alike – is supposed to be suffused with some dark, dangerous, and maybe even strangely transcendental local legend … but we’re never quite told what it is.
 
Now, some could argue that this is entirely by design.
 
After all, why give the audience everything they need to know in order to appreciate the atmosphere of heightening malevolence when what really matters are the characters we take us on the twisting journey into what might be one of our greater nightmares, that of getting lost in the woods and being hunted?  If I remember correctly, the writers behind ABC TV’s popular conspiracy serial Lost (2004-2010) tried to erect the same defense when so many in their audience announced displeasure over the way all of the show’s mysteries were left unsolved in its final season.  According to them (and I’m paraphrasing), “the mysteries never mattered as the people who confronted them.”  While I can understand and appreciate those sentiments, I’ve always been of the mindset that puzzle boxes must have a solution – good, bad, or ugly – because otherwise they serve no purpose.  Similarly, Hollow needed a bit more substance if Cox and company wanted it to be taken as something greater than just a scary picture.  (Yes, it is scary, so kudos for getting that right!)
 
Additionally, I’ll give the film kudos for clearly trying to be more than the sum of its parts.
 
Hollow unfolds cleverly over the course of four distinct chapters told in a chronology that adds depth to what appeared to be little more than your garden variety ‘lost in the woods’ yarn.  Initially, viewers follow the typical American family on a weekender in the forest – mom and dad are teaching their son Oliver (Alexander Brophy) how to live off the land – only to be constantly plagued with suggestions that these deep groves are … well … troubled.  It doesn’t take too long for the narrative to shift – a priest is on a mission to perform an unexplainable exorcism, something that mysteriously links to his own distant past – and we realize that there’s far more here than just what meets the eye.  Like any good Folk Horror, Hollow sets up just enough pieces to put everything into motion; but as the supporting chapters slowly suggest this little grim potboiler might be nothing more than a bout of demonic possession gone about as wrong as was humanly possible.  That plot element alone kinda/sorta spoils (or, at least, softens) some of what Cox’s story established earlier – what with some the enigmatic sounds, the ominous warning from a grizzled townie, the veritable maze of fallen trees and twisting branches, etc. – leaving hungry viewers perhaps a bit confused over what truly went down in this neck of the country and why.  And how.
 
Still, I’d be remiss if I failed to point out that – as a ‘found footage film’ (which I know a great portion of society loathes) – Hollow is about as efficiently and expertly assembled as any low-budget chiller could be.  At times, Cox manages to squeeze each and every location into the proper shape: his woodlands open rather plainly – so much so that I wondered myself what all the fuss could possibly be about – only then to evolve into this nightmare labyrinth in the last chapter wherein Alice (Ely Jackson) and Curtis (Thomas Cadrot) find themselves separated and ultimately trapped by some spectral entity that has lured them to their potential downfall.  Everything builds vividly across the whole story – especially the stakes – even though it all comes to a bald head (snicker snicker) with an awful lot of questions unanswered.
 
The Stickman’s Hollow (2024) was produced by Illusion Lake Entertainment.  DVD distribution (for this particular release) has been coordinated by the fine folks at Black Mandala and Leomark Studios.  As for the technical specifications?  While I’m no trained video expert, I can still assure readers that the film boasts some high-quality sights and sounds, though I’ll also point out that the post-production audio trickery enhancing the possession victim’s voice could’ve used some fine-tuning.  Lastly, if you’re looking for special features?  Alas, this is a bare bones release (snicker snicker), and there isn’t a one on here.  A big miss as I would’ve loved knowing a bit more about the production.
 
Recommended, but …
 
I know, I know, I know: I’m one of the last internet hold-outs as a critic who enjoys the occasional ‘found footage flick,’ and – on that level – I’ll admit to having a good deal of fun with The Stickman’s Hollow.  Thankfully, writer/director Cox avoided a great deal of the usual herky-jerky camera work – there’s some but it’s very minor – and instead allows these interconnected separate chapters to spin a modestly elaborate web.  Now, it isn’t without it’s frustrations – the script alludes to more background than we ever get with the Hollow, stripping it to some degree of its true Folk Horror potential in favor of creepiness and jump scares – but, nonetheless, it’s far more well made than so many other ‘found footage,’ so I find it easy to give it a solid thumbs up.
 
In the interests of fairness, I’m pleased to disclose that the fine folks at Black Mandala (via Allied Vaughn) provided me with a complimentary Blu-ray of The Stickman’s Hollow (2024) by request for the expressed purpose of completing this review.  Their contribution to me in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion of it.

-- EZ
​

So many movies ... so little time ...

On this day in 1990 (in the U.S.), Nightbreed delivered its singular vision of Terror to unsuspecting audiences.  Written and directed by Clive Barker, the film starred Craig Sheffer, David Cronenberg, Anne Bobby, and others. 

​According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:

"A troubled young man is drawn to a mythical place called Midian where a variety of friendly monsters are hiding from humanity. Meanwhile, a sadistic serial killer is looking for a patsy."

For the record:

• At the 1991 Saturn Awards, Nightbreed received nominations in the categories of 'Best Make-Up,' 'Best Director,' and 'Best Horror Film.'
• At the 2015 Saturn Awards, an all-new home video release of Nightbreed -- this time dubbed as the Director's Cut -- took home top honors in the category of 'Best DVD / Blu-ray Special Edition Release.'

-- EZ

So many movies ... so little time ...

On this day in 2024 (in Germany), audiences in attendance of the Berlin International Film Festival were treated to the theatrical launch of Exhuma.  Written and directed by Jang Jae-hyun, the film starred Choi Min-sik, Kim Go-eun, Yoo Hae-jin, and others. 

According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:

"The process of excavating an ominous grave unleashes dreadful consequences buried underneath."

For the record:
To the film's credit, Exhuma earned a good amount of praise from screenings on the film festival circuit.

ExtraExtra Alert:
In late 2024, I received a complimentary Blu-ray of Exhuma (2024) from a distributor in exchange for review coverage on SciFiHistory.Net.  Interested readers can find my review right here.

-- EZ
​

So many movies ... so little time ...

On this day in 2024 (in Germany), audiences in attendance of the Berlin International Film Festival were treated to the theatrical premiere of Meanwhile On Earth.  Written and directed by Jérémy Clapin, the film starred Megan Northam, Dimitri Doré, Sébastien Pouderoux, and others. 

According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:

"A 23-year-old girl is contacted by an unknown life form claiming to be able to bring her older brother, who disappeared during a space mission, safely back to Earth."

For the record:
To the film's credit, Meanwhile On Earth earned a wee bit of praise from screenings on the film festival circuit.

ExtraExtra Alert:
In late 2024, I received complimentary streaming access to Meanwhile On Earth (2024) from a distributor in exchange for review coverage on SciFiHistory.Net.  Interested readers can find my review right here.

-- EZ
​

So many movies ... so much to celebrate!!!

On this day in 1964 (in Italy), audiences were treated to the first theatrical engagement ever of War Of The Zombies (aka Roma contro Roma).  Directed by Giuseppe Vari from a story by Ferruccio De Martino, Massimo De Rita, Piero Pierotti, and Marcello Sartarelli, , the Fantasy/Thriller starred John Drew Barrymore, Susy Andersen, Ettore Manni;, and others. 

​According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:

"A fantastic yarn about a plot to conquer the world with an army of zombies!"

-- EZ

So many movies ... so much to celebrate!!!

On this day in 1964 (in the U.S.), the big city of Houston, Texas played host for an exclusive theatrical premiere event for the screen Fantasy named The Brass Bottle.  Directed by Harry Keller from a story by Oscar Brodney and Thomas Anstey Guthrie, the film starred Tony Randall, Burl Ives, Barbara Eden, and others. 

​According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:

"An architect buys an antique brass bottle that contains an ancient genie who's determined to fulfill his new master's every wish."

-- EZ
​