Gretchen_X

That's not to say that some laughs can't be had because clearly it's a spoof. In each episode there's one proper actor and some friends of the writer/director/cameraman who turned up willing to learn some lines. Some of these people are liked by the camera.

I'm not sure what the limit of the makers' ambition was but getting on the featured page of Prime may've surpassed it. Unsuspecting browsers will likely be surprised and incredulous.

Scary Tales is marketed as new but has a vintage (dated) 'Tales of the Unexpected' treatment; therefore the terrible sound, retro photography, no special effects to speak of somehow make the plot and acting more bearable.

Would recommend watching with a bunch of friends under the influence.

The final third reveals how the previous two had to be the way they were, i.e. Unfeasibly cringeworthy: almost all the characters are superficial and unlikeable and play like embarrassing tropes. The plot is peppered with cliches. HOWEVER there are layers to this story which i think are worth sticking around to realise.

The actors do a great job of growing into their roles as their lives and characters are shaped by the story. The Gothic cinematography is great.

There's kind of a teen flick going on until there isn't - the earlier scenes are awkward but gain depth. Despite the pornographic descriptions and sexual language the story is a lot more about writing than sex.

An unforeseen 7/10.

Captivating opening scene(s). Pretty scary and suspenseful. The actress was perfect. Huge props for delivering the story in disjointed paranoid soliloquy. The eternal staircase was fun. Enjoyed details like a photograph changing from portrait to landscape orientation.

English Countryside in full summer splendour beautifully shot. There were times when the stillness was very surreal. It was more of an emotional ride than philosophical. I didn't worry about it making sense. Could go that way next time.

Recommended for thinkers.

I didn't know how/when it was made until the closing credits. Aha, that accounts for its eeriness and the impossibly empty London footage. (Brings to mind how much Danny Boyle musta paid to get London Bridge closed for 15 minutes in 28 Days Later).

So then I realised that the film totally captured the isolation of that semi-dystopian pandemic summer we all went through together.