Scary Tales: The Return of Mr. Longfellow

I borrowed this from a friend who has a small role in the film. He said it is going to be released later this year.

I'm not a very big horror fan, and haven't really watched many films that are considered independent.

That in mind, I did enjoy this. Not as much as the original Scary Tales (I borrowed both movies), because this one is so fast paced. The first one took it's time going from one story to the other. This one is literally one joke after the other. Plus, it's a little bloodier than I usually like to watch (the original only had a few bloody scenes).

If you decide to get this, the third story is the best one. Joe Estevez is really good in that one.

The best thing about these movies is that they aren't as scary as the title implies. Although, if campy or over-the-top horror movies aren't your thing, I would avoid.

7.5 out of ten.

Michael Hoffman has taken a small pile of cash and made and incredibly entertaining anthology movie. Don't be fooled by the meagre funding of this movie, and make time to see it - you will not be disappointed! The entire film is incredibly well written, and somehow Hoffman has managed to assemble a cast of credible actors which lift this movie above the typical low-budget production. If you are a fan on anthology movies like Creepshow, Tales from the Crypt, Tales from the Darkside etc, then you will really enjoy Scary Tales 2. Three stories and a wraparound tale which all have a unique twist in the tail. What are you waiting for? Get onto the website and grab a copy today!

My husband and I purchased this at Screamfest in Florida, not sure of what to expect. The girl who talked us into buying was very friendly and oh, so cute (but it must have been cold in that outfit).

The movie was WAAAAY past expectations! For a low budget, this sure looked good - sound, sets, effects (even decent computer graphics). We bought this one with the original, and recommend that one as well.

Joe Estevez was outstanding. The final segment with him in it was actually pretty creepy, and the others were a riot!

Along with these movies, we purchased about 6 from the same show, and, so far, NONE of them matched the quality of production.

I think the director said they've changed distributors or companies a few times, or something.

One question - WHY isn't this in stores?

8 out of 10

Our film review website was sent a screener of the "Scary Tales Collection 2 pack", which is set for major release later this year.

Having read some reviews for both films, I was interested in seeing what each entry in this low budget series had to offer.

To my surprise, both films moved at a quick pace and each offered their form of "entertainment". Now, why is entertainment in quotation marks?

Well, these little low budget features were oddities. For starters, despite being irrational with their narratives, they seem to intentionally tread familiar ground only to push a cliché so far before completely turning it in your face. Of course, the entertaining factor is the oddness of the production.

SCARY TALES: THE RETURN OF MR. LONGFELLOW

A review by Justin Dyer

5-24-2005

Part 2 in the series, captioned "The Return of Mr. Longfellow" - is a welcome return to campy horror. Instead of taking itself seriously, the film wisely plays itself for clichés and camp factor. Unlike other moderately budgeted independent features, this film doesn't try to "push the envelope", so to speak, in terms of brutality or tasteless imagery. To call this exploitation would be inane. This is clearly a case of a campy film suitable for all ages of the horror spectrum.

While the blood flows nicely and the special effects are well above par for a film in this budgetary range - the unusual array of stories create an arsenal of creativity rarely seen on this production level.

In closing, while this is by no means a perfect film, it does have something for every horror fan. Like most anthology features, it features three tales within a connective tissue - or the "wrap-a-round story" - and which you like best probably depends on which genre of horror you prefer.

It's funny - from all the reviews I'd skimmed through, certain critics were eager to trash the first story while praising the third - and vice-versa. However, the fact none can decide which tale is best would probably best describe how I feel. There is no good or bad tale. All are entertaining. Which you enjoy the most or dislike is clearly dependent on your taste in horror - and, isn't that what a horror anthology is supposed to be? Different?

Camp Value - 10 out of 10 Production Value - 8 out of 10 Acting - 6 out of 10 Screenplay - 8 out of 10 Entertainment - Value 10 out of 10

Overall

10 out of 10

Highly recommended

I've followed Felissa Rose's career for quite some time now. "Sleepaway Camp" is about my favorite horror flick of all time. Over the years, she's done some no budget dreck. However, flicks like "Horror" and "Satan's Playground" show she's coming back.

In the middle of her slump, she starred in this low (almost no) budget feature. I assumed the worst, as it never seemed to be released. I finally found a copy at the Chiller con in New Jersey...dumped in the middle of a table with about five thousand other terrible-looking titles.

So, I popped it in - expecting the worst.

What I got was a surprise.

A movie with so many tone shifts - "scary" (which it never really is) to "funny" (yeah, I chuckled a few times) to "bizarre" back to "silly" and I guess to "scary" again.

Ummm. I'm not sure what the filmmakers were thinking - but, as a change of pace, it kind of worked on me. Unfortunately, Ms. Rose was left with a supporting role in the second segment (the film is an anthology of short stories), and doesn't have much to do. On the bright side, Joe Estevez is a hoot. The big chinned guy from Tango and Cash is also in this too, but like Felissa Rose, doesn't have much to do.

The acting ranges from bad to terrible to great. Joe Estevez is outstanding. The guy who played Longfellow hilarious. The other guy in the noisy suit really fantastic. Other performances don't fare too well...until I heard the commentary where I realized the actors thought they were in a scary film, but the directors new it was a joke. I guess this theory forces you to laugh at them - which is what the filmmakers intended (I hope). The "scariest" thing about these tales is the fact they're so clichéd - and done so on purpose, one would assume.

As for everything else... The score is decent. Effects surprisingly good. Sound excellent. Sets minimal. Wardrobe blah (did everyone in the first segment wear white, or was it my imagination?). The stories, well, so bizarre at times...they kind of work, despite their base core being overly recycled.

I guess, in conclusion, as far as low budget cinema is concerned, this is high up in terms of production values. It's fun, for sure. Never really slow. I can't say it's great - but I can say it's different, and better than most stuff collecting dust on the video store shelves. The movie really works because no one camps it up. The "Scary Tales" title is more like "Scary Movie", whereas the tales are only scary to the person in the film hearing them and a joke to the audience.

In the end, I guess I'm glad I bought this thing. I'd try to find the original, but that may take another 2 years (and there's no Felissa!).

As for Felissa, here's to Return to Sleepaway Camp!