Jack Attack

An evening. A babysitter and the boy learning carving a pumpkin. Pumpkin seeds in oven. And their taste for young Jack, with a terrible effect. Sure, Halloween , fear, short horrors. But, for a simple viewer like me, it is more, out of special effects and last inspired scene. A story of revenge . Great for use of familiar pieces and situations. And for lovely construction of thrill.

When I was offered the opportunity to review Jack Attack, I met the opportunity with the enthusiasm as I would a trip to the dentist. I had been neglecting my responsibility to screen and potentially review titles that have been sent to me with the zeal and zest of filmmakers around the world. And now my pile of disregard had stacked to behind the level of my knees as they lay upon the basement floor. So it was more of obligation than it was exhilaration that gave Jack Attack my attention.

And then, in the span of the un-encroaching few minutes it took to screen the short, I was re-invigorated with the realization that there are great filmmakers out there churning out above average entertainment that is every bit as good, or better, than mass marketed event films that crowd out multiplexes.

Jack Attack tells what you would expect to be a simple story of young Jack (Tyler Rossell) and babysitter Elizabeth (Helen Rogers) who on Halloween night set out to carve their holiday pumpkin. Elizabeth uses the occasion to teach Jack the art of the carve but when Jack seemingly chokes on the recently toasted pumpkin seeds, Jack Attack takes a path you won't see coming. A path that leads to some great horrific moments of creative gore.

Written and directed by Antonio Padovan and Bryan Norton Jack Attack will undoubtedly become one of those really great horror short films that exponentially grows in recognition through audience appreciation and word of mouth. Beautifully filmed, Jack Attack uses the October setting to perfection and everything from the lighting to the practical and special effects set the bar for which other shorts can be judged.

It's been far too long since I last gushed over a particular project that I had not followed through magazine trades or internet chatter. And Jack Attack proves that there is still quality being crafted in short film formats that are worthy of our championing.

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