Fire City: End of Days

The story had some issues and at times reminded me of a late night HBO flick. There were certain aspects I really wish they had cut out and perhaps elaborated a bit more on others. Even though we spend most of our time with the demons, I never really felt close to any of them with the exception of the main character. I'd have liked to have seen more WHY.

What really made the film were the costumes. Nightbreed kept popping into my head as I watched. That's something I give a lot of weight to in a film and for the most part, they were done well. Especially when it came to Vine.

Another pro of the film for me was the acting. I just kept hoping for a better, more cohesive story.

On the one hand, Tom Woodruff, Jr.'s name carries no small weight in the film-making industry, with a long list of acclaimed credits in special effects; that this is accordingly only the second feature he has chosen to direct surely says something (good). On the other hand, that Uncork'd Entertainment is attached in any way (as distributor in this case) is a bad warning sign, as they have been involved in too much dreck below the level of The Asylum. I'm not familiar with writers Michael Hayes or Brian Lubocki, but I see that 'End of days' follows from a short film sharing the 'Fire City' moniker, so I presume this picture is a bit of a passion project for them. Before the film has even properly begun these are all facets to greet our attention, and from there it could go either way. As the runtime progresses, that push and pull of conflicting vibes is kind of sustained, for this movie is an odd mixed bag. I do like it, on the balance, but I'm not sure that even it quite knew entirely what it wanted to be.

It takes most of the first thirty minutes for the picture to start to give a concrete sense of what it's about. Such plot development isn't abnormal; the extent to which the story threads are scattered and disparate, and the distinct effort to obfuscate real plot in the interval, is. Once we do get to that earnest narrative, I recognize some enticing ideas and potential. I actually very much like what Hayes and Lubocki have whipped up: demons secretly living in the human world, feeding off misery, and suddenly there comes a disruption to that parasitic relationship. What's strange is that in some measure the concept feels like one better suited for PG-13 or even PG-level dark fantasy - it could be orientated toward more mature audiences, and in this case it unquestionably is owing simply to blood, gore, violence, nudity, and the distinct intonation of bleak themes. Yet even for such inclusions, there's a cheeky, almost ham-handed levity and playfulness that would feel at home more in a feature for a younger audience than it does here. To that point, in the way that the genre elements manifest and in that incomplete balance of feelings, I'm reminded somewhat of Clive Barker's 'Nightbreed,' which bore a similar tone. Here, however, the mashup of discrete horror and dark fantasy facets with any more lighthearted notions doesn't come off quite the same way.

None of this is to say that 'Fire City' is bad; not at all! Not only do I like it, as I said, but I also think it's actually pretty good! Woodruff shows capable skill as a director, arranging shots and scenes and guiding his cast, and as one should expect of features he's involved with, the visuals are rather excellent. The special makeup and costume design for the demons' appearances are rich and flavorful (the biggest point of comparison with 'Nightbreed,' for what it's worth), and blood and gore look great. Other effects both practical and digital are just as swell, and I love the production design and art direction, the use of lighting, and Danny Grunes' mindful cinematography. Even restricted almost entirely to the setting of a single apartment building, the film is rounded out with splendid detail in others ways, including scene writing and the narrative at large. This also does a fine job of suggesting a larger lore to the universe that isn't fully explained, giving us just enough information to meaningfully propel and enrich the plot without going overboard on expository dialogue.

Still, I can very much understand how this has limited appeal broadly speaking; above all, the flavors don't quite mix in the ideal way - horror, dark fantasy, mystery, drama, thriller, all a loose and heterogeneous blend. Furthermore, in addition to the central plot, it almost seems at some points like there are scant threads that don't quite fit, or that are too much for this one feature - they could have been explored more fully, perhaps, but not without sacrificing integrity of the movie as it is. As a prime example, the overflow of plot we get in the last ten minutes or so, explaining the course of events, is so substantial as to be overbearing, and in a fraction of the runtime the title suddenly feels significantly imbalanced from out of nowhere. One unfortunate side effect of the elaborate makeup and prosthetics that actors wear is that their performances necessarily involve no small amount of chewing of scenery to speak and emote through their costumes. Among those portraying demons, there's no one this doesn't impact, and it's only a question of degrees from one to the next; I admit bias since I like her anyway (and she's the only cast member here I'm familiar with at all), but I'm inclined to think Danielle C. Ryan, portraying (demon) Cornelia, achieves the best results under these circumstances - kudos to her!

The result is a picture that I think is much stronger than not, but which plainly struggles to stir all its varied parts together. It also altogether tries to do too much in too small a span of time; maybe if this were more than just a single feature the assemblage could have been teased out to more complete and productive ends. What I see is a strong sophomore directorial effort from Woodruff, and intelligence from Hayes and Lubocki - intelligence, and maybe ambition that needed to be tempered in this instance. I see a fine cast that is restricted by the material or perhaps literally and physically by their costumes and character designs; I see contributions from all those working behind the scenes that are terrific, though in light of those ways in which the film more or less bites off more than it can chew, such work to realize it also ends up feeling like A Bit Much. When all is said and done I do think 'Fire City: End of days' earns a soft recommendation, even as I get why it won't meet everyone's preferences. My enthusiasm would be greater had only the screenplay been tightened, shedding some of the storytelling ideas to be more tightly focused.

Ah well. A good show of it; just too overflowing with ideas and flavors for its own good.

I am warning you up front that the first 15 minutes of "Fire City: End of Days" is confusing--so confusing that I was ready to turn off the movie. Fortunately, I resisted the impulse and what followed was a surprisingly good film--with a very inventive plot and awfully good prosthetics and make-up. While the film isn't for everyone, it is quite good and worth your time.

When the film begins, you see a lot of things that simply don't make sense. Don't worry and don't try to understand...just keep watching. Soon you come to realize that some of the characters living in this sleazy world are not humans after all but are demons disguised as humans...demons who literally feed off our misery. Seeing humans suffer and destroy themselves is what these creatures live for...and helping them do so is their job. However, something strange slowly begins happening to one of them. Atum Vine is a demon unlike any others because for the first time one of these horrible creatures begins to feel sorry for one of the humans...a young girl who reaches out to him for help. While he should take glee in her pain, Vine feels pangs of compassion. What's next and how this affects the humans and demon world is very interesting...but you'll have to see this for yourself.

The biggest surprises for me were that I usually hate films like this as well as learning that the director is actually a special effects guy who is now directing his first feature. While the make- up and look of the demons is incredible, I kind of expected this with the background of Tom Woodruff, Jr.. But I didn't expect a relatively low budget film like this to work so well. Now it isn't perfect--I do wish the beginning of the film had been less confusing and a little more to the point. But it is still darned good and well worth your time. My only reservation, and frankly it should come as no surprise, is that the film is NOT family-friendly. After all, it's about evil demons...and it does have some very explicit nudity and language that would make this a film for an older audience. So don't ask your mother or Father O'Malley or your kids to watch it with you!

Vine, a disillusioned demon, is forced into a choice to save his brethren or an innocent human girl when the misery his kind feeds on is diminished.

Director Tom Woodruff Jr. (special effects maestro, know for Aliens) offers a surreal neon monster demon film packed with makeup and special effects. Ryan Leach score enhances the vibe in this overlooked tight budgeted film with few locations. Although big on concept but small in scope and budget it has a comic book feel, and visuals echoing likes of Nightbreed, with touch of Hellboy.

The cast do a great job, nonchalant Tobias Jelinek is notable giving a standout performance as Jack Nicholson-like Atum Vine. Danielle C. Ryan Is memorable as Cornelia. Both Kimberly Leemans as succubus demon Amber and young Sara played by Keely Aloña deserve a mention.

Overall, it may not have the budget of the aforementioned, but with its premise and makeup effects Woodruff delivers enough horror ingredients to make it worthwhile.

I really enjoyed this little film. Little bit different from all the other horrors around. Worth a watch.