Mortal Remains

I have been a fan of found footage since watching The Blair Witch in the cinema, yes we could actually go out and watch a film back then. I have seen so many films in the years since then, all types. I still look for the non famous films, usually these are cheaply made and much better than the 100 million + that Hollywood thinks it needs to make a hit, which usually they are duds, check out the new Wonder Woman film, what a waste of money. So came across this little number yesterday. It wasn't nothing new that hasn't been done before, then again what has? The movie is a part documentary and part film, so okay I thought it was okay, then the first part in the cemetery, in which I found the film itself seemed to pick up it's pace. As it went along, the film went really good but I thought it came unstuck at the end. Now it completed the film, if you follow the film it makes sense, I won't give it away. I thought it would have been better with a different ending.

I would call myself an avid film watcher... especially of horror films. But I also watch the latest Marvel releases and my wife forces me to watch any rom/com on Netflix the minute one comes out. Story lines people! It seems that every Marvel film, every horror film and especially every rom/com I see reuses the same old plot. Which is why I found this film refreshing. At first I thought it was interesting because I thought it was real. Then I realized it was one of those mockumentary movies. Then I started second guessing myself again. A movie that made me THINK? What a novel idea.

Do you remember Karl Atticus?

What happens when two filmmakers ask a simple question about a local director who died under mysterious circumstances decades ago? Mortal Remains follows the journey of two filmmakers trying to uncover the mystery of Karl Atticus, a Maryland filmmaker responsible for one of the biggest film urban legends in Maryland history. It all starts off lighthearted enough as Chris and Mark innocently enough begin to unravel the mystery of Karl Atticus' lost film MORTAL REMAINS. The film was only screened once to a local crowd and was never seen again. All traces of the film and Karl are erased from local records and the mere mention of his name brings dread to those who know of him and his films. The more they ask, the more they find themselves drawn deeper into not just the world of a local legend but something even more sinister. Strange occurrences begin to plague those who know the legend and to those around them. The search for the truth, and the film (long believed to be destroyed) provides the viewer with a terrifying experience that can only be attributed to Karl Atticus.

With found footage films becoming more common place it's easy to discard this as another run of the mill FF film. This film has none of the tropes and clichés found in today's found footage films. From almost the start the atmosphere of this film is intense and does not let up until the end. No film since The Blair Witch Project has terrified me like MORTAL REMAINS. This film is very well done and never once are you subjected to overly done clichés. The best thing to do is to see this film, you won't regret it. But be careful when you ask someone 'Do you remember Karl Atticus."

I thought it's pretty great watching this movie with good acting throughout. Sort of a documentary (fake) about a mysterious cult horror director from late 60's, early 70's that went missing after a while and the story about his last movie called Mortal Remains. Now it's a pretty believable story because of good writing of the acts and decent acting. Keeps you hooked till the end...supposed to have been shot right before The Blair Witch Project, mentioned couple times but has nothing to do with it. Gives you that serious tone of the story that's going on because of it. Enjoyable movie.

When done poorly these types of films suck when done well as this one with a well constructed story and other then one cast member who never stopped grating on me all players did solid if not excellent jobs. These films need the edge players to be convincing and it this movie the crew of the fake movie needed to be convincing or this falls apart. The fake crew of culture shock and the African American ex cop were outstanding what they said and how they said it were completely believable. But the absolute worst person that nearly made me turn it off was the weaslly little cameraman. He from the moment he got beat up never in any situation was so inconsistent. He was to scared to continue then comes back and stamps around and threatens, yelled screams none of it seemed at all natural. He was horrible and if you like this style of film he will be the only obstacle to enjoyment.