“The Search For Simon” DVD (director: Martin Gooch)

Sweet and nerdy British indie

Nerdy manchild (played by producer/director/writer Gooch himself) David is convinced his brother was abducted by extraterrestrials 30 years ago. His continuous search ‘alienates’ him from his friends and complicates what could be his love life. He travels the world searching for clues into the alien abduction phenomenon and relays his findings through a network of internet vlogs. He is a man obsessed, and it takes a series of unlikely coincidences (and a confession from his mother) to uncover the truth that may ultimately set David free.

“The Search For Simon” is billed as a comedy, but it worked better for me as a sad and sweet portrayal of a man on the fringes of sanity and madness who just needs a helping hand. David is well-played by Gooch, being a likable and good guy who just believes wholeheartedly in a truth that isn’t popular nor mainstream. When even his nerdy friends reject him, David finds solace in a lovely young lady who does her best to help him find “the truth” that’s out there.

Well-shot, and with surprisingly good special effects, “The Search For Simon” is an enjoyable and kind-hearted British indie film that has heart and soul, and as so deserves some notice. 

And with endorsements from a pair of Monty Python alumni on the case, how could you go wrong?

MVD Visual

“Memory Lane” DVD (director: Shawn Holmes)

Flawed indie sci-fi

This indie sci-fi/thriller goes in some interesting directions, for sure, but ultimately doesn’t seem to capture the intensity the subject matter deserves. “Memory Lane” follows a troubled war veteran who meets a lovely lass just as she is about to commit suicide. He ends up in love with the mysterious girl (whose full name he never even knows), even going so far as to buy a ring and a house to share with her. Well, when she ends up dead in a bathtub, he convinces himself that she was murdered, and somehow receives visions or flashbacks when he himself attempts (and fails) his own suicide.

He, with the help of his friends, revisits death (via garage-bathtub-electrocution) to reconnect with these visions, hoping to solve the mystery of his love’s passing. It’s a fairly cool premise, but I failed to feel much for the protagonist and his lover, or their predicament. 

Director Holmes definitely has some skillful flourishes as a filmmaker, and some vision, but the overall execution here fails. Editing needs some work, cameras are overly jerky and lighting/dialogue are obscure and sometimes meandering. The acting here is average, but the film’s pace and cinematography made me lose interest quickly. Yes, this one was tough to sit through.

Wild Eye Releasing

"The Color Out Of Space (aka "Die Farbe")" DVD (director: Huan Vu)

Based on H.P. Lovecraft's short story of the same name, this German indie was shot in stark black & white, effectively adapting Lovecraft's tale into a wicked and weird sci-fi/horror crossover.

Opening with some bad digital/green screen effects, "The Color" quickly picks up steam, telling the tale of a young man searching for his father in beautiful rural Germany. The son eventually tracks his father down, and uncovers a mystery dating back to just after World War II, involving a meteorite, a bizarre colored substance, and mutations on the neighboring farms.

Despite a shaky opening, "The Color Out Of Space" succeeds (despite a microscopic budget) in capturing a sinister, off-kilter vibe. The acting is solid, as is the cinematography. Director Vu has crafted a must-see for serious Lovecraft fans, as this one captures the vibe well. (Brinkvision)

Forrest J. Ackerman 1916-2008

Forrest J. Ackerman, editor/publisher of the legendary "Famous Monsters Of Filmland" magazine, and celebrated horror/sci-fi (he coined the term 'sci-fi') author and overgrown fan-boy (he reputedly owned one of the most comprehensive collections of horror/monster memorabilia in the world), passed away Thursday, December 4, 2008. He was 92. I was a huge fan of his magazine (subscribed for many years in my childhood/adolescence) and 'Forry' was an inspiration to many other horror film fans. He counts names like Stephen King, Steven Spielberg, Joe Dante, John Landis, and countless others, as his fans. (above photo by Alan Light)







Famous Monsters Online magazine

A superb historical article can be read here.