Faces

This is an awesome flick! I highly recommend it! Props to Tom Ryan and all who were involved! The camera work was great, the creepy music was awesome, and the performances were top of the line. I especially liked seeing Joe Parascand who I'm familiar with from his work from Ryan Scott Weber's films.

Tom Ryan wrote, directed and starred in 2014's "Faces," an extremely low budget murder slasher film that showed promise, but I apparently saw a different film than the other reviewers who lovingly gave it 9s and 10s.

Ryan plays Frank, a down on his luck psychopath who seems to kill without reason. We don't get a whole lot of exposition or backstory, so I guess stress? Anyway, every time Frank murders someone, his victim's disembodied, ghostly faces end up on his living room wall and talk to him. He grows increasingly crazy until we reach a dull and unimaginative non-conclusion.

Does this sound like a comedy-horror to you? It did to me, and frankly, had it been done that way considering the budget, this probably would have been a more enjoyable film. With a really nice budget, it could have worked as a serious film. But for me, I gave it a 5 because I appreciated what it was going for, but just had trouble taking it seriously.

Acting-wise-with a few exceptions-it was overall pretty well acted, especially Ryan. His direction really wasn't bad. Special effects were okay except "the wall." And while I don't hold budget against a film, I do hold something as crucial as audio to be something that can't be overlooked. One reviewer wrote that they had to give up early on, and I was close to it myself, but I wanted to try and see if the 9s and 10s were at all warranted. The audio was so poor it was almost excruciating, and because the levels were too low and echoey, you had to turn up the volume to hear the conversations, but that made it even worse. There's just no excuse. I can even look past the absurdity of the faces cut into drywall which moved whenever the faces spoke. I can even forgive the poor quality of the cinematography and the difficulty of seeing anything at night or inside. But that audio...Ryan, dude.

I do think Tom Ryan has talent and promise. But "Faces" was not overwhelming to me. It's worth one watch if you can tolerate the poor audio.

"Faces" takes a dark, emotional journey into the personal life of a serial killer with intense, dramatic story telling. Ryan frames a his horror story with a heartfelt approach that creates a personal connection to his protagonist/antagonist Frank Walker. The acting is above par for low budget indie cinema which allows for the story to captivate the audience. The characters are believable, well developed and intensely animated. The lead character/serial killer is both relatable and terrifying.

The special effects used in "Faces" is more classic, practical effects which make the scenes believable. The angles, camera shifts create a suggestive horror that I found more invoking than straight on gore-effect splatter. Although there are definite moments of splatter fest present in "Faces". The blood and gore is crafted to be convincing, and they work. The creature effect/make-up used in the more dark humor elements of the film are a nice balance against the more intense, serious horror that "Faces" gives us.

The soundtrack and music score help to create a chilling atmosphere reminiscent of classic spaghetti thrillers of the late 70's and early 80's. The sounds combine with the character driven story to create a deeply emotive nightmare both entertaining, and thrilling. Overall "Faces" is a nice, well written and directed indie horror film worthy of watching. It is an impressive attempt by Tom Ryan to bring a more personable vision of the dark companion of humanity, the psychopath/serial killer, to the screen.

Written, Directed, & Starring Tom Ryan , "FACES" Implements a Fine Cast , Some Great Innovative SFXs , & a Wonderful Wall of Faces in the Creation of this Ingenious Horror Gem ! Thomas Ryan is Spot-On with his Portrayal of the Indigent & Lonely Drug-Addicted Ex-Con 'Frank Walker', who is an Emotionless Zombie of a Man , Save for his Frequent acts of Violence ! The Annoying Dead-Beat Bar-Fly that's the first to Witness the Wrath of Mr. Walker's Mr. Hyde , 'Charlie Downey' , played by Paul Gmitter , who unconventionally brings more Life to his Character after his untimely Death . Indie Icon Edward X. Young contributes a Powerful Performance as 'Henry Benson' , the Lecherous , Blunt, & Nasty Boss of the Job that Frank was Seeking . Simply Put , Mr. Benson was an Out-Right ,sounds like BRICK , But begins with a 'P' ! Mr, Benson's Secretary & Lady Interest is the Lovely Michelle O'Reilly as 'Ms. O'Reilly' . The Other Ladies are All also Talented , Buxom, & Adorable . They are Deana Demko as 'Beth' , Caroline Pozycki as 'Connie' , & Michelle Rosado as 'Melissa' ! The Detectives , Hot on the Trail of this Serial Killer, are Joe Parascand as 'Det. Jack Donnelly' & Jason Greco as 'Det. Todd Baris' . Which Brings me to my one Complaint with Mr. Ryan's Future Cult Classic ..... It Involves another 'Cop' in the Film ..... Genoveva Rossi ..... I was Sorely Disappointed to see Her there for barely a glimpsing moment . If I had Sneezed , I would have Missed Her . She's an Extremely Talented & Beautiful Actress & should have been used in a Countless Number of Ways ..... That being Said , "FACES" should be Seen & Appreciated for what it is ... a Fledgling Slasher Paragon of Horror by First Time Film-Maker Thomas Ryan !

going to see friends at a horror convention, came to a table where friends were talking and looking at the films that were on the table, i picked up Faces and the gentleman behind the table explained the film to me ....seeing that a few friends of mine were actually in the film. i was intrigued. So i bought my copy and then it went to everyone and got signed ... went home and watched it... TOTALLY enjoyed the film...