Director – Andreas Marshall (German Angst)
Starring – Susen Ermich (Ultimate Justice), Magdalena Ritter (Tears of Kali), and Julita Witt (The Miracle of Berlin)
Release Date – 2011
Rating – 4/5
Tagline – “Fame is pain”
There is several distribution companies that I love. Companies like Wild Eye, Blue Underground, Cult Epics, Arrow Video, and a few more are guaranteed to find a place on my shelves. New companies pop up almost daily that offer up an impressive release here and there but quickly dwindle into obscurity.
That brings me to a relatively new company, Reel Gore Releasing. The company recently released Violent Shit: The Movie which was a bit of a let down but quickly made up for it with their new release and the announcement of two new releases. Their second release, Masks, was one hell of a film that really impressed me. I want to thank Nico over at Reel Gore for sending the review copy my way.
**Spoiler Alert**The film follows Stella (Ermich) is a struggling actress who can’t find the right footing with her performance. After failing yet another audition she is instructed to try an obscure arts school that has an usual way of teaching drama. She agrees and visits the school where she quickly learns that something strange is going on. When she starts investigating some of the strange occurrences she learns what the real secret of the school is and why it is so strange.**Spoiler Alert**
Movies are weird to say the least. I was so excited to watch Violent Shit: The Movie only to be very let down but when I received Masks for review I had no idea what to expect. I had heard nothing about the film and did not have an idea what the film was about. With that being said, it was fucking phenomenal. Why was an amazing movie that was made in 2011 just now finding a release?
The acting in this one is fantastic. Normally, it’s hard to judge a foreign release but this film is well acted and it shows regardless of the language. The casting director for this film truly deserves a raise. The story for this one is follows the giallo formula perfectly and pulls the viewer into the world of Argento.
The story is a stylish murder mystery with a great ending and a lot of suspense throughout. I typically dislike giallos but this one knew exactly how to hold the viewer’s attention. Finally, those of you looking for death will find it here. The film has several death scenes that take it’s time when it comes to the carnage. The kills are not rushed but stylishly drawn out to give the viewer their money’s worth. No camera tricks and quick cuts where the viewer misses out here. Instead, the kills are are done in front of us for us to enjoy. The effects are great as well and work perfectly to make the gags work.
Overall, Masks is an outstanding horror film. The film is stylish, well written, and perfectly executed. Check this one out as soon as possible.
