Haunting Melissa

Enjoyed watching the entire Haunting Melissa series on my iPhone for a very intimate viewing experience. It felt like I was right there with the characters and enabled me to remain fully engaged in the story throughout.

The undisclosed release schedule really builds anticipation, in that you never know when you'll receive the next chapter. Definitely enable the push notifications on your device, so you're immediately notified when the next chapter is available for viewing!!

Often times, I don't have a span of two hours to sit down and watch an entire movie or even 45 minutes to watch a taped program, which makes this style of story-telling and delivery from Hooked Digital Media so appealing to me. The story comes to you in compelling, yet shorter lengths of time which better suits my media viewing lifestyle.

Can't wait to see what's coming next...

OK so I initially downloaded this, and thought I would give it a go since I am a fan of everything horror. After watching the first episode I was bummed that I couldn't go on to the second, but hey that's part of the experience right? After a week of not unlocking the new episode I contacted support, and they were seriously on top of the problem. Needless to say the issue was resolved enough for me to continue on with the movie. I finished chapter 2, and was instantly hooked! I think this has to be the most unique way for a person to experience a movie, and I seriously can't wait to finish this one and get started on the sequel.

Experience.

That's what a movie is supposed to be. Especially in the horror type of genre. The audience has to be engaged on a very visceral level. It almost has to become a part of their life wherein they can't completely rely on the idea that "it's just a movie".

Haunting Melissa moves into your basement and occasionally taps you on the shoulder when you least expect it.

I'm not going to write a giant review instead I'll just mention two things that should have you running on your thumbs to the nearest App Box Office:

1. A movie, broken into chilling cliffhanger chapters. But you don't know when you'll get the next one. You're left thinking about what you've seen so far, wondering about the characters, trying to solve the mysteries, desperately waiting for the blood curdling push notification that lets you know...its time to go back into that world and discover more.

2. Dynamic Story Elements...I repeat, Dynamic Story Elements: I love sifting through a cryptic TV show and/or movie looking for what I think might be hidden imagery or tricky easter eggs. Haunting Melissa takes that 1000 steps further into the future. You just finished watching a chapter you've been waiting for and now you can't wait for the next one...but wait...watch that one again and suddenly...

Woah!...pause...run that back...did I really see that? But that wasn't there before...OMG

The concept of releasing chapters through iTunes is innovative and totally pulls you into the story. It reminds me of the early Blair Witch Project build up on the internet. The movie itself is well done with excellent special effects and fantastic scary "gotcha" moments. (I dropped my iPad once - I don't suggest the headphones, dark room instructions.)

The acting is quality as well! The mom character is stupid scary. I can't say enough about great it is to be able to enjoy a quality horror flick! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Keep 'em coming! I am ready for a sequel.

I have seen good, bad and OK horror movies of every type - zombie, supernatural, science- fiction....but, this is a must see!!! You will not be disappointed as you wait for the notification that lets you know that the next chapter is ready for viewing!!

I was fortunate to come across Haunting Melissa close to the time that the app was launched in the AppStore. As someone who loves intelligently written horror and compelling storytelling, I was blown away from day one!

HM was created by one of the best in the genre (Neal Edelstein), and he put together an incredible cast to help him play out this frightening tale to the audience. Add to this the interactive elements (think visuals/characters that appear upon second or third viewing of a chapter), and HM truly raises the bar for how we are entertained by taking advantage of a team of tech-savvy designers at Hooked Digital Media.

I truly look forward to Haunting Melissa 2, and have no doubt they will yet again thrill viewers by exploring new and exciting ways for them to connect to the story and it's characters.