Doom House

It's not often that one is treated to something as thought provoking and entertaining as Doom House, but that's what we've come to expect from Kyanka Bowen Productions.

The story begins with a scene of Reginald P. Linux arriving at his new house. Ever since his wife passed away, he had been looking for the perfect home to start fresh and leave behind his heartbreak and depression.

As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that the house he had picked may not have been the wisest choice. Doom and terror follow, as Reginald P. Linux struggles to survive as things become stranger and stranger in his newfound home. I jumped out of my seat countless times while watching! With several plot-twists, suspenseful surprises, and special effects on par with some of the greatest films of the year; This movie is a no brainer must-have flick that belongs on the DVD shelf of anyone with a pulse. And don't let the budget fool you, this is one quality movie that is definitely worth your time and money.

Reginald P. Linux is coping with the death of his beloved wife, so he decides to move to surburbia and start a new life in his new home. However, a dark and sinister force is stalking Reginald, and only he and a wacky but lovable cop can stop the evil that threatens not only Regiald's life, but the entire world.

Doom House represents the best of low-budget horror. With its use of hand-held video, it is able to achieve the feeling that you are standing along side Reginald. The SFX, though cheap, convey the dark and brooding atmosphere unlike any film I have seen before or since. And the twist ending is one of the best out there.

Though weighing in at a lite 15 minutes (the 240-minute Director's Cut is planned for release in 2007), Doom House packs enough punch to make it one of the best horror films of the last 25 years, if not one of the best ever.

It astonishes me how well this short film (much-anticipated in the Appleton film circuit) was able to deliver the fresh goods. "Doom House" is able to simultaneously shock the viewer with breathtaking cinematography, while at the same time forcing them into the world of Reginald (Kyanka). It is usually the case that a film's director will be caught up in creative eccentricities, and so, overplay one aspect of production, and fail to take care with another: the 'style vs. substance' effect, if you will. But this film certainly doesn't fall prey to that, as every single shot sings out the same, poignant message: and neither does its well-roundedness make it mediocre.

The only drawback is that Mr. Kyanka anticipates the sequel by putting on a performance that is reminiscent of Guy Pearce.

Sure, it's low-budget. There are some minor glitches, but this film exudes something every Hollwood big-wig could stand to learn again: A sincere passion for film making.

Look at Kyanka as the tortured widower Linux. His role is nothing short of multidimensional; his devotion to the craft should be admired by even the best classical actors. Listen to the beautifully-crafted soundtrack as it explores every powerful emotion this film presents to its viewers. Feel the blood, the sweat, the tears that obviously went into this, something that truly describes the term "magnum opus." The worst thing about this movie is that it is low budget, and for that very reason, there may not be another Doom House for me to watch over and over again. If any of you bigshots are reading this, please, hear me out: Rich Kyanka and company are all geniuses and worthy of your millions. Let these men reopen for you the path to the golden days of film-making.

This film is truly a low-budget masterpiece that should have the major studios "shaking in their boots." The compelling story of a young widower and his agonizing descent into madness -- prompted by the tenacious haunting of a nefarious figurine -- is propelled along by the chilling soundtrack, breathtaking special effects, and insightfully clever dialog. Richard Kyanka shows a unique ability to multitask as writer, director, and lead actor.

A true highlight of this film, however, is the brilliant work of Kevin Bowen, portraying a police officer who befriends the protagonist, but whose motives soon come into question. Undeterred by any mere plot twist or catflap, Bowen hits every mark and delivers every line with unparalleled pathos. Moviegoers should expect future brilliance from this young and versatile actor, who also put in some work as the film's co-director.

This is not a film to be missed, and we can only hope it will represent the beginning of a new era in the world of low-budget, independent film-making.