Faces

going to see friends at a horror convention, came to a table where friends were talking and looking at the films that were on the table, i picked up Faces and the gentleman behind the table explained the film to me ....seeing that a few friends of mine were actually in the film. i was intrigued. So i bought my copy and then it went to everyone and got signed ... went home and watched it... TOTALLY enjoyed the film...

Tom Ryan wrote, directed and starred in 2014's "Faces," an extremely low budget murder slasher film that showed promise, but I apparently saw a different film than the other reviewers who lovingly gave it 9s and 10s.

Ryan plays Frank, a down on his luck psychopath who seems to kill without reason. We don't get a whole lot of exposition or backstory, so I guess stress? Anyway, every time Frank murders someone, his victim's disembodied, ghostly faces end up on his living room wall and talk to him. He grows increasingly crazy until we reach a dull and unimaginative non-conclusion.

Does this sound like a comedy-horror to you? It did to me, and frankly, had it been done that way considering the budget, this probably would have been a more enjoyable film. With a really nice budget, it could have worked as a serious film. But for me, I gave it a 5 because I appreciated what it was going for, but just had trouble taking it seriously.

Acting-wise-with a few exceptions-it was overall pretty well acted, especially Ryan. His direction really wasn't bad. Special effects were okay except "the wall." And while I don't hold budget against a film, I do hold something as crucial as audio to be something that can't be overlooked. One reviewer wrote that they had to give up early on, and I was close to it myself, but I wanted to try and see if the 9s and 10s were at all warranted. The audio was so poor it was almost excruciating, and because the levels were too low and echoey, you had to turn up the volume to hear the conversations, but that made it even worse. There's just no excuse. I can even look past the absurdity of the faces cut into drywall which moved whenever the faces spoke. I can even forgive the poor quality of the cinematography and the difficulty of seeing anything at night or inside. But that audio...Ryan, dude.

I do think Tom Ryan has talent and promise. But "Faces" was not overwhelming to me. It's worth one watch if you can tolerate the poor audio.

Written, Directed, & Starring Tom Ryan , "FACES" Implements a Fine Cast , Some Great Innovative SFXs , & a Wonderful Wall of Faces in the Creation of this Ingenious Horror Gem ! Thomas Ryan is Spot-On with his Portrayal of the Indigent & Lonely Drug-Addicted Ex-Con 'Frank Walker', who is an Emotionless Zombie of a Man , Save for his Frequent acts of Violence ! The Annoying Dead-Beat Bar-Fly that's the first to Witness the Wrath of Mr. Walker's Mr. Hyde , 'Charlie Downey' , played by Paul Gmitter , who unconventionally brings more Life to his Character after his untimely Death . Indie Icon Edward X. Young contributes a Powerful Performance as 'Henry Benson' , the Lecherous , Blunt, & Nasty Boss of the Job that Frank was Seeking . Simply Put , Mr. Benson was an Out-Right ,sounds like BRICK , But begins with a 'P' ! Mr, Benson's Secretary & Lady Interest is the Lovely Michelle O'Reilly as 'Ms. O'Reilly' . The Other Ladies are All also Talented , Buxom, & Adorable . They are Deana Demko as 'Beth' , Caroline Pozycki as 'Connie' , & Michelle Rosado as 'Melissa' ! The Detectives , Hot on the Trail of this Serial Killer, are Joe Parascand as 'Det. Jack Donnelly' & Jason Greco as 'Det. Todd Baris' . Which Brings me to my one Complaint with Mr. Ryan's Future Cult Classic ..... It Involves another 'Cop' in the Film ..... Genoveva Rossi ..... I was Sorely Disappointed to see Her there for barely a glimpsing moment . If I had Sneezed , I would have Missed Her . She's an Extremely Talented & Beautiful Actress & should have been used in a Countless Number of Ways ..... That being Said , "FACES" should be Seen & Appreciated for what it is ... a Fledgling Slasher Paragon of Horror by First Time Film-Maker Thomas Ryan !

Frank Walker is on the edge. He hasn't had a job in a long time. He's behind on his rent, and he is starved for female attention. He spends his nights alone in his shabby apartment, or getting drunk (and failing with women) at a local bar. When Charlie, a fellow drunk, follows him home one night to share a few beers, and starts badgering Frank about his life and his behavior, anything, anything at all is bound to happen....

This is the setup for "Faces", the latest indie horror/thriller from writer/director/star Tom Ryan, and Theatre of Terror productions. As we follow the events of Frank's life over the course of a few days, we see a desperate man, spiraling out of control, but trying to keep some semblance of order, with the help of some new "friends" who come into his life. Who these people are, I will not say. You will have to see for yourself, but it all builds to a startling climax.

In 2009, New Jersey native Tom Ryan unleashed "Day 9" on the world, which was a decent, low-budget zombie short film, with a surprisingly powerful ending. With "Faces", Ryan has taken his game to a completely different level. The Horror Nerd has seen a lot of indie films, with all kinds of budgets. Some are good, many are bad, but with a budget of around only $1,000, "Faces" is one of the best.

The writing is tight and efficient, and there are very few "throwaway" lines or scenes. Sometimes, what happens in a low budget indie film is that everything suffers because of the lack of funds. I'm OK with minimal effects due to budget limitations, but you can still have a good script and good direction and thankfully, "Faces" has both.

I need to make special mention of the acting performances that Tom was able to pull out of his cast. Indie horror veterans such as Edward X Young, Deana Demko, Joe Parascand and Bradley Creanzo all play their roles to perfection. Relative newcomers Paul Gmitter, Tom Schorr and Caroline Pozycki also turn in excellent performances, and I hope to see more of them in the very near future. The rest of the cast does a great job as well.

In closing, "Faces" is one of the best indie films I have seen this year, and the crowd which attended the world premiere at the historic Landmark Lowes Theater in Jersey City, NJ shared the same opinion. When I spoke to several of the attendees, many of them filmmakers themselves, every single person had good things to say about the film.

This is one indie horror film you NEED to check out!

This is an awesome flick! I highly recommend it! Props to Tom Ryan and all who were involved! The camera work was great, the creepy music was awesome, and the performances were top of the line. I especially liked seeing Joe Parascand who I'm familiar with from his work from Ryan Scott Weber's films.