"Doll Boy" (Short Film) - 2010, Dir. by Billy (Bloody Bill) Pon
Well, it looks like we have a talented director on our hands!
This film came highly recommended to me by a fellow horror fan. I exchanged pleasantries with the director, Billy Pon, on Facebook and he was kind enough to send me a copy of the film, along with an AWESOME "Doll Boy" coloring book, complete with crayons!
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. I must admit that part of me was thinking, "Here we go, another generic slasher film." In fact, it would be easy to dismiss it as such, but not so fast!! After a quick summary, we'll get to the goodies.
The movie begins with a bunch of people bound and gagged in the back of a van. They are clearly terrified and have no idea what lies in store for them. They are driven to an abandoned building, tossed inside, and the mayhem ensues. There's a horrifying added element to this opening sequence, which I will not divulge here, but it did give me chills.
Our victims scurry around this nightmarish place, all the time stalked by Doll Boy, a killer in a doll mask, who loves to dole out death and destruction by sledgehammer. Panic and fear rule as Doll Boy stains the floor with red, and grey (in the form of grey matter.) How does it all end? Well, The Horror Nerd will never tell!
This film came highly recommended to me by a fellow horror fan. I exchanged pleasantries with the director, Billy Pon, on Facebook and he was kind enough to send me a copy of the film, along with an AWESOME "Doll Boy" coloring book, complete with crayons!
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. I must admit that part of me was thinking, "Here we go, another generic slasher film." In fact, it would be easy to dismiss it as such, but not so fast!! After a quick summary, we'll get to the goodies.
The movie begins with a bunch of people bound and gagged in the back of a van. They are clearly terrified and have no idea what lies in store for them. They are driven to an abandoned building, tossed inside, and the mayhem ensues. There's a horrifying added element to this opening sequence, which I will not divulge here, but it did give me chills.
Our victims scurry around this nightmarish place, all the time stalked by Doll Boy, a killer in a doll mask, who loves to dole out death and destruction by sledgehammer. Panic and fear rule as Doll Boy stains the floor with red, and grey (in the form of grey matter.) How does it all end? Well, The Horror Nerd will never tell!
I must say that I was very pleasantly surprised by this film. In it's brief, 27 minute running time, it really conveys a sense of doom and dread. I absolutely love the character of Doll Boy. I was expecting just another slasher, and he definitely is not! Imagine a huge brute looming over you with a sledgehammer, but he's dressed up like a doll. OK, I'm done with that image! The setting and atmosphere are very unsettling and creepy. The gore effects are very well done, and all practical effects. Yay!
The film itself is very well made and well executed. The camera work and soundtrack are both excellent. Billy Pon, our director, told me (and I am paraphrasing), "I did this film to see if I could make a horror short." Well, it certainly does not seem like a first attempt! It's easy to see that a lot of care and work went into this production. The Horror Nerd has seen many, many horror shorts that look exactly like they were filmed with someone's friends in their backyard, so when a film as well made as "Doll Boy" comes along, it's very refreshing.
If I had to point out something that I didn't like about it, I would have to say that some of the acting and dialogue made it seem to me that the characters didn't really seem to grasp the gravity of their situation. I know that in tense situations people tend to babble nonsense, but when being stalked by a depraved madman with a sledgehammer and a doll mask, I would probably spend my time running and screaming, no engaging in pointless banter. This is a very minor point, but I would be remiss if I didn't point it out.
Overall, this is an impressive debut, and I am very much looking forward to all of Billy Pon's future endeavors. Be sure to check out the trailer below, and be sure to visit the Doll Boy Facebook page by clicking HERE.
Oh, on a site note, there are two awesome phony trailers in front of Doll Boy that will definitely please all horror fans.
Horror Nerd's Rating: 4 of 5 Broken Eyeglasses!
The film itself is very well made and well executed. The camera work and soundtrack are both excellent. Billy Pon, our director, told me (and I am paraphrasing), "I did this film to see if I could make a horror short." Well, it certainly does not seem like a first attempt! It's easy to see that a lot of care and work went into this production. The Horror Nerd has seen many, many horror shorts that look exactly like they were filmed with someone's friends in their backyard, so when a film as well made as "Doll Boy" comes along, it's very refreshing.
If I had to point out something that I didn't like about it, I would have to say that some of the acting and dialogue made it seem to me that the characters didn't really seem to grasp the gravity of their situation. I know that in tense situations people tend to babble nonsense, but when being stalked by a depraved madman with a sledgehammer and a doll mask, I would probably spend my time running and screaming, no engaging in pointless banter. This is a very minor point, but I would be remiss if I didn't point it out.
Overall, this is an impressive debut, and I am very much looking forward to all of Billy Pon's future endeavors. Be sure to check out the trailer below, and be sure to visit the Doll Boy Facebook page by clicking HERE.
Oh, on a site note, there are two awesome phony trailers in front of Doll Boy that will definitely please all horror fans.
Horror Nerd's Rating: 4 of 5 Broken Eyeglasses!