mikehaberfelner

Based on a very original concept that nevertheless is probably familiar to most if not all of us, this is powerful short, one that successfully mixes psychological mystery and supernatural horror, thanks to its non-linear narrative structure as well as its genre savvy directorial effort, and its great blend of impressive imagery - that true to the film's theme often hints more at things than actually showing them - and a very unnerving soundscapes. And of course, a top level cast led by a superb Diane Franklin also helps making this a pretty memorable piece of horror that definitely deserves a watch.

Now hostage situations have long been a staple of the crime and thriller genres, which makes it somewhat hard to infuse new life into a pretty much standard situation - but 86 Melrose Avenue does pretty well at that, as it focuses not just on the central conflict on hand but pulls back to paint a bigger picture, one that involves the fates of several of the hostages in relation to the perpetrator, and even the art exhibited at the gallery mirrors the goings-on in a way, making this more than just your standard thriller but also some sort of social commentary - which is only augmented in the post-finale interviews that really give the thing substance. And thanks to a relatable cast and a subtle directorial effort, this has become a very compelling and pretty unusual movie.

If ever you've laughed about a conspiracy theory and/or find alien abduction stories a bit ridiculous ... you'll probably find at least something to laugh about in Abduction, and likewise if you like your science fiction with a grain of salt, or are just into slightly odd comedy. Basically, this is a movie that pokes good fun at the whole alien abduction myth (and it's science fiction roots and branches), with some jokes being a bit on the crude and puerile side, others quite sophisticated, with quite a bit of slapstick and sight gags thrown in just for good measure - and the outcome is a quite weird mish-mash that works quite beautifully thanks to a stringent story that's still full of surprises and a competent ensemble that doesn't overdo it while obviously being in on the joke.

Basically, just sit back and enjoy!