Scary Tales: The Return of Mr. Longfellow

On the run from the law, the deranged story-teller working at a used-car lot finds his talents put to use telling a buyer about the various models he's interested in.

The Good Stor(ies): Dennis Frye vs. The Zombies-Working in a convenience store, a lowly worker tries to make a relationship work with his new girlfriend only to have his high-school bully continually interrupt his attempts. When he accidentally unleashes a zombie plague through the store, he tries to protect her anyway he can. This was a rather enjoyable and highly goofy entry. There's a lot of fun to be had with their slightly overlong courtship which has some silly moments, and the idea of the zombie apocalypse being carried out only through the means of a gas station is quite appropriately played for laughs more than anything. It plays the loosest connection to the concept of the anthology which makes it quite an odd placement here but overall manages to be one of the more entertaining.

The Bad Stor(ies): Charlie's Demons-Traveling to his therapists' office, a troubled man joins a group session in a run-down cabin ou in the woods before finally getting aggravated about the whole affair. As a strange series of events begins plaguing the group, they soon realize that someone or something might be hunting them down and must try to get away alive. This one had a ton of potential and really could've been a fun indie slasher effort but falls slightly short of the mark. The whole setup of the patients out in the isolated cabin and being picked off with the creepy groundskeeper and the doctor in charge of the whole session which has a lot to like with the way it starts knocking everyone off in the later half. The problem is the simplistic setup that doesn't make any sense and the lengthy wrap-up that really takes a lot of the suspense out of the story. This one really could've been a lot more fun than it is.

7:23-Stuck in the middle of the road, a lone traveler braving the elements finds himself forced into staying the night at a seemingly deserted hotel run by a creepy manager. Waking up in the morning to find his car missing and no means of transportation out, he slowly comes to realize what's really staying at the hotel with him. Frankly, this one really doesn't have much going for it. There's so little happening here with the focus either on him driving along the desert or wandering the halls of the hotel that this one feels insanely dull by comparison with an overlong running time building up a boring atmosphere. There's no real suspense about the situation and it doesn't generate any kind of action at all even with a few creepy images thrown in to pass this off as a horror entry. Beyond that, this one doesn't really work and has an even more tenuous grip on the concept of the anthology.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language, Violence, Brief Nudity and a mild sex scene.

Our film review website was sent a screener of the "Scary Tales Collection 2 pack", which is set for major release later this year.

Having read some reviews for both films, I was interested in seeing what each entry in this low budget series had to offer.

To my surprise, both films moved at a quick pace and each offered their form of "entertainment". Now, why is entertainment in quotation marks?

Well, these little low budget features were oddities. For starters, despite being irrational with their narratives, they seem to intentionally tread familiar ground only to push a cliché so far before completely turning it in your face. Of course, the entertaining factor is the oddness of the production.

SCARY TALES: THE RETURN OF MR. LONGFELLOW

A review by Justin Dyer

5-24-2005

Part 2 in the series, captioned "The Return of Mr. Longfellow" - is a welcome return to campy horror. Instead of taking itself seriously, the film wisely plays itself for clichés and camp factor. Unlike other moderately budgeted independent features, this film doesn't try to "push the envelope", so to speak, in terms of brutality or tasteless imagery. To call this exploitation would be inane. This is clearly a case of a campy film suitable for all ages of the horror spectrum.

While the blood flows nicely and the special effects are well above par for a film in this budgetary range - the unusual array of stories create an arsenal of creativity rarely seen on this production level.

In closing, while this is by no means a perfect film, it does have something for every horror fan. Like most anthology features, it features three tales within a connective tissue - or the "wrap-a-round story" - and which you like best probably depends on which genre of horror you prefer.

It's funny - from all the reviews I'd skimmed through, certain critics were eager to trash the first story while praising the third - and vice-versa. However, the fact none can decide which tale is best would probably best describe how I feel. There is no good or bad tale. All are entertaining. Which you enjoy the most or dislike is clearly dependent on your taste in horror - and, isn't that what a horror anthology is supposed to be? Different?

Camp Value - 10 out of 10 Production Value - 8 out of 10 Acting - 6 out of 10 Screenplay - 8 out of 10 Entertainment - Value 10 out of 10

Overall

10 out of 10

Highly recommended

I enjoyed the first Scary Tales, even though it had some flaws (most noticeably the pacing of the movie and the acting).

However, I was very pleasantly surprised with Scary Tales: The Return of Mr. Longfellow. The sequel is strides above the first, and it also shows Hoffman's growth as both a writer and director.

One thing of notice is the movie gets very dark at times (in tone), but is reeled back in to keep it light. I'm hoping to one day see a movie where Hoffman lets it go and puts out a darker themed movie.

Sometimes you see movies put out from lower-budgeted directors and the continuing movies show no learning curve, but that is not the case here.

Can't wait for the next movie.

a friend of mine is a critic, and received an advance screener of this. we decided to watch together.

the film centers around an over-the-top character named mistour long fellow, who, tells stories. this is a ridiculous set-up for the stories themselves, but at least it was breezy and refreshing.

the first story, albeit short, is to the point - with mediocre acting but very well-done gore effects.

the second story is about a fellow who works in a convenience store that comes across a mystical box of chocolate bars. they turn the antagonists into zombies - and, hence, there is a final confrontation that is both breezy and entertaining.

the last story has martin sheen's dopleganger brother as the manager of a hotel. his performance is both undeniably creepy and silly. there is no gore to speak of in this story, but it has great acting throughout and nice usage of locations, creating some good atmosphere.

all in all, a nice little film that seems to have fallen under the radar. definitely worth a look for anthology fans.

it also features the man who played the "maniac cop" and the lady who was the killer in "sleepaway camp".

Michael Hoffman has taken a small pile of cash and made and incredibly entertaining anthology movie. Don't be fooled by the meagre funding of this movie, and make time to see it - you will not be disappointed! The entire film is incredibly well written, and somehow Hoffman has managed to assemble a cast of credible actors which lift this movie above the typical low-budget production. If you are a fan on anthology movies like Creepshow, Tales from the Crypt, Tales from the Darkside etc, then you will really enjoy Scary Tales 2. Three stories and a wraparound tale which all have a unique twist in the tail. What are you waiting for? Get onto the website and grab a copy today!