There Is a Monster

So, guys... "There is a Monster." What can I say about this movie? I came across it on Amazon and didn't know what to expect. Paid the fee and watched. And... liked it a lot. It ain't a perfect movie by any means. But at least the filmmakers (Mike Taylor who wrote and directed; the DP; and the producers) tried to do a subtle horror film where the main villain is this dark force/presence. So no, you will not see axe murders or chainsaws here. But that's been done. I liked the performances by both lead actors. Writer/director Taylor does a good job building paranoia and fanning the flames of his concept. "There is a Monster" is psych horror on a budget, done indie style, a main character locked in a battle with something no one else sees, with a nice surprise ending I didn't expect.

I was completely blown away after witnessing a single man take on the role of not only writer but director of a masterpiece of flim.... that movie was Monkey Man. This movie generated within me a feeling that is the complete antithesis of the former.

BLACK SPANDEX REALLY?

I cannot even recommend this movie as fodder for lampooning, it takes itself far too seriously for comedic purposes.

I am very glad that the directors friends and family are so generous with their ratings. It's great to have a support system... But I will not be clamoring for future installments in Mike Taylor's directorial career.

I'll be honest. I want as many people to see this movie as possible, but I can't help but feel I would be cheating in telling people this was a very well made movie. It is not.

The thriller / horror genre is considered the entry point for many directors (and actors) who want to show their chops but have very little budget, leapfrogging the system and getting the attention of producers and wider audiences, etc. I wish I could say this was such an example.

It took patience to get to the end. There were so many editing mistakes and missed opportunities, however...

With that said, for me, the journey was worth it. There is some solid character development and storytelling here and I hope that people will watch this. If movies are to reach out to people and get them to think, this is a great example.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film, a creation of director Michael Taylor. Subtle and well done. The storyline surprises. Part mystery and a suspense thriller. The ending caught me off guard. Michael Taylor demonstrates that one can create a quality film without spending a fortune. I think this work will especially inspire new filmmakers. I later learned that unfortunate personal experience informed Michael Taylor's script which ends up being a tribute to a family member. Fans of films set in the Washington, DC area and Arlington, Virginia will take note of this rich, independent, low budget production. Highly recommended.

This was an Amazon recommendation after I watched 'For Sale.' The movies aren't remotely similar, but it turned out to be a good recommendation, nonetheless. Some of the reviews have criticized the acting, but I have no idea what those reviewers expect. I found the acting here to be quite good from all involved, particularly the main character and his wife. I also thought the presentation of the photography profession was well done.

This is definitely not a horror film in the truest sense, though it does portray a very real horror that happens to many. That isn't revealed until the very end, so you'll simply have to watch it to understand.

My only annoyance with the film is that the main character wears the same thing throughout, so I'm not sure if it was filmed in a day or what the deal was. Perhaps it's supposed to represent something that I'm too stupid to figure out. Regardless, I would recommend this for the performances if nothing else.