Dark Hearts

Dark Hearts is the sequel MovApp (is this a thing?) to Haunting Melissa. They raised the bar to great heights with this one. It is clear they took all that they learned from making the first one as well as feedback from the very involved community and took their cinematic innovation to a whole new place.

From the first time you tap on the icon you'll know you're in for something totally new and unbelievably interactive. The menu system is full of intriguing visuals and audio that you'll be just as intensely captivated by as you are the movie itself.

The story is a mysterious and chilling tale that makes you question everything you see and hear and when you watch a chapter again you may find that the answer to "Did I just see that?" is yes....this time. The Dynamic Story Element concept they created fosters a viewing experience that is simply unparalleled. The mystery is so deeply rooted in not only the story but every frame of the video.

A purely masterful work of sound design accompanies the expertly directed episodes. The aural atmosphere complements each moment with complex layers of some pretty intense audio that has you listening just as close as you are watching.

Each chapter is released on a timeline specific to the user and after the first viewing you unlock access to that chapters discussion board which is filled with dedicated and sharp- eyed fans trading theories, questions, and sharing their own frightful experiences.

All in all, this is the future of filmmaking. Haunting Melissa caters wonderfully to the social media culture and marries filmmaking with personal technology in a way that keeps the viewer engaged with one movie for much longer than the usual 2 hour film. You'll be watching and talking about it for months!

The story is good, slow at times but does keep you "hooked" My problem is with the delivery method. You have to wait for the next episode, in general 24 hours. Ummmmm, I gave you money, could you loosen up a bit. They say for the suspense, yeah, don't need that.

Second, how much money do I have to give you? I've already given you 10 bucks. One of the heads, I think his name is Neal, said if they can get the funding there will be a third installment so share it!! Well it seems you've already filmed the whole thing, how many more installments left. Is this the new micro-purchase we can expect from the film industry? Really, I don't want to shell out 30 bucks to watch a movie on my phone.

In a way I find this very deceptive.

Story is an 8/10, the micro-transactions 3/10.

When an episode of Dark Hearts drops, randomly appears as available for your watching, be prepared to drops all obligations and commitments for the rest of your day/night because you will be glued to your iPad (or iPhone) trying to rescue Melissa Strouge from Limp-Pimp, Aunty Pale Girl, The Broccoli Stalker, the Mutant Sugar Beet, the Evil Dr. Carroway (is she a real doctor?) and The Busch-Man (the nut never falls far from the Busch). Neal Edelstein and Hooked Digital Media have put new twists on an old genre that will keep you up late at night and checking, frequently, under the bed while, unexplainably, becoming highly suspect of any and all ORANGE objects in your environment.

a previous reviewer said the music and plot was good but gave the movie 5 stars.

To top it off they added nothing of substance to explain the failing 5 star review.

They even recommended the movie to everyone.

The reviewer has not seen the entire movie as the entire Film has not been seen by the public.

My review: great update to the original. When you start the app You are greeted by an awesome openings I sequence that reminds Me of a cross between tales from the crypt and the outer limits. As of this review I have seen 16 Chapters and what I've seen far surpasses the first Haunting Melissa.

Dark Hearts: The Secret of Haunting Melissa boasts over three hours of movie in 25 chapters. The first seven chapters are free and consist of short sneak peeks of a great sequel that boasts an apparent greater amount of love (and budget).

I didn't expect much from this, I'm honestly not a sequel person. The fact I can now stream it was my deal breaker and I figured I'd watch the 8 short freebie scions to make up my mind.

By the time I was done my credit card was out to pay for the season pass. I am not disappointed. It appears the budget is a bit larger as there are more extras in scenes (the mental hospital comes to mind).

Yes, the delivery method will make you wait in anticipation for each next chapter. Never fear! If you re watch earlier chapters small things have changed.and there is also a bulletin board to discuss each session.

I'm picky about my horror films, this is a keeper.