The Vast of Night

I can't remember the last time I watched a film as unique as 'The Vast of Night'. It's hard to think of a single film that I could fairly compare it to. And amazingly it worked. The film is enthralling to watch. Long close-up shots of characters simply talking on the phone should be unbearable to watch, but in 'The Vast of Night' I was captivated by them. This is partly down to some great acting, partly down to how well the dialogue is written, and partly because the mysterious story unfolding is mesmerising to watch.

This would not be an easy film to act in, because the actors aren't being given a lot to work with. Sure, they have some terrific dialogue to deliver, but they have to do so in a very confined scene throughout almost the entirety of the film, and with almost nothing else going on to divert the audience's attention. Sierra McCormick and Jake Horowitz absolutely nail their performances here. They deliver their lines at an incredibly fast pace, while still being very easy to listen to. These two have a big future ahead of them I suspect.

People are going to ask me about this film and I'm not sure exactly how I'm going to describe it to them. A description of this film could easily make it sound terrible, when in reality it is anything but. All I will say is make sure you see this film for yourself and form your own opinion. I highly recommend it.

I couldn't get past the nonstop chatter between the two lead characters. If that's the way people endlessly ran their mouths in the 50s, I'm grateful not to have lived then.

The endless blabbering in the first 18 minutes ruined it for me, and I forgot why I started watching and turned it off. Two seconds never went by without aimless dialogue.

If you like mindless chatter, this pic is for you.

Be it War of the Worlds, Twilight Zone or The Day the Earth Stood Still, this science fiction romp through a small fictional New Mexico town pays homage to them all. A fun little romp that even tips it's cap to Close Encounters. For those that crave lots of action, look elsewhere; for those of you who like a story and will allow it to develop, you won't be disappointed. This is a small cast gem.

"The Vast of Night" was recently purchased by Netflix and so it should soon appear on the website. For now, it's playing the film festival circuit...and I saw it at the Philadelphia Film Festival. I am glad I did, as the movie really managed to produce a huge bang for very few bucks. To make up for the low budget, the movie is very dark and makes the most of creepy music and a creepy atmosphere.

The story is designed like an installment of a 1950s teleplay--a movie made for television. It opens on a television screen and soon the camera pans in and the movie begins in earnest. It is set in a tiny Texas town and stars mostly two folks, a young man and his teenage lady friend. The pair hear strange sounds at night that are unexplained...and the rest of the town never notices since nearly everyone else is at the local high school basketball game. What are the sounds and who is responsible? Watch the film!

The director is the star her as well as the folks who created the look of the picture. A must-see for young filmmakers who need to see how to make a very good film for next to nothing! In fact, a lot of big-name Hollywood filmmakers also might benefit from seeing this as well!

One of the most important things in thrillers but even more so in horror movies, is that things happen at night. At least when it's dark (outside), because that is more likely to reel viewers in and make them easier to be susceptible to be afraid and scared.

Now this is more of Science Fiction touch, still works with many of the things I mentioned. Having said that, mostly this works in your head. There is not so much visually (scary), but what you hear and what you think and imagine happening. And maybe you're just imagening? Or our main characters are ... well played and acted, this is low budget and the pacing is not something everyone is willing to endure. Whoever is and likes that, will be thoroughly entertained though.