(Authors Note): Recently, I had the honor of meeting a local filmmaker. When I first walked into his office, I couldn’t help but notice the signed film posters, primarily horror, gleaming from the walls. Being the horror fan I am, these led into conversation where I learned that he had just returned from the Sundance Film Festival after a special invite only screening of his latest project–a short 26 minute film entitled The Guy Knows Everything. He proceeded to show me the trailer, which I have to admit was extremely professional and very enticing. I mentioned that I write horror and operate a blog showcasing such, and would enjoy reviewing it. He gladly handed me a screener copy and as they say…the rest is history. Oddly enough, the karma came into play when he mentioned that the tale was Twilight Zonish (imagine that, I just happen to write a Twilight Zone column for Horror News Net...and when he showed me another poster of another of his films' (Simone), a werewolf type flick...huh! my last blogging discussed werewolves...downright spooky don't ya think?
When it comes to answering trivia questions, whether it be a game show such as Jeopardy, or the wildly popular board game Trivial Pursuit, America seems to have an insatiable appetite. And it is precisely this craving that 386 Films addresses in creepy fashion with their 26 minute short entitled The Guy Knows Everything.
It’s ten p.m. and Kenny (Joe Coffey), Len (Reggie Peters), Brick (Jayvo Scott) and Jerry (Ken Luzadder) are four friends who have gathered at the local bar for an evening of one dollar a question sports trivia, with the winner of the pot being the one with the stumping question.
A stranger walks in (Paul Phillips – former guitarist for Puddle of Mud is superb in his first starring role) and it is immediately apparent that there is something odd about him. Quietly, but with shifty eyes, he takes a seat at the bar, orders and downs three shots of whiskey in rapid order before taking notice of the game being played at the corner table.
Kenny is asked, what was the halftime score of the very first Rose Bowl game? He ponders and appears stumped. A few moments later, the stranger blurts out the correct answer, confidently also following it up with the game’s final game. Visibly irked, Kenny takes offense. The other three chime in with statements like “you’re not even playing” and “you’re not taking our money.” Unfazed and with a somewhat cocky smirk and stride, the stranger approaches the table and reassures them that he is not interested in the money, but more so the game. He lays four one hundred dollar bills on the table and his offer is this; at ten dollars a question, with the game ending promptly at midnight, he will answer any question. If he is stumped, the table wins it all.
The four take him up on the offer and a flourish of questions are thrown at him, which he correctly answers. Time progresses and suspense builds, with various patrons trying their luck, to no avail, for the guy truly appears to know everything.
The game takes a turn, removing itself from indigenous, obsolete sports questions and going to questions of a more personal nature. Through these questions we learn that Patricia, a bystander with an extensive knowledge of hockey who has already tried unsuccessfully at stumping the stranger has an unseen birthmark; that Kenny was born in Massachusetts; that Len’s father died a penniless drunk with VD; and that Brick has $84 dollars in his wallet.
But, it isn’t simply answering every question correctly that amazes and bewilders the quick gathering crowd. It is the deep nuances of added information emphasized along with the answer–information that only the person asking would know, that turns everyone’s perception from astonishment to trepidation.
In a superb camera shot fully conveying eeriness, the stranger flashes three fingers toward the bartender, ordering three more shots. With a soundtrack implying haste and a quick camera glance at the wall clock reading 11:57 p.m., the stranger casually declares that the time for stumping him is growing short.
By now the audience is beyond amazement and fully into the throes of fear, all except for perturbed stuck up Kenny, who prior was obviously the weekly trivia game king. Now dethroned, he has taken offense and cracks, breaking into a frenzy of quick question asking that takes a morbid turn.
The waitress delivers the three shots and the stranger reaches up, removes a napkin from her tray, writes something on it, folds it in half and hands it back to her while whispering something in her ear.
What did the stranger write? Say?
Will Kenny eventually stump him?
Who will reign as winner? Loser?
Fast paced, with captivating, creepy overtones, The Guy Knows Everything is sure to grip both suspense and horror lovers alike; a film that would easily rest comfortably in any Twilight Zone connoisseur’s collection.
With a well written script, precise camera work and a complimentary accompanying soundtrack, it is no surprise that the film was offered a featured screening at the 2013 Sundance Showcase, nor that it is considered one of the top ten short films of the year by The Conduit Speaks. Also favorably reviewed by All Things Horror, Killer Reviews, Apocalypse Later, Lair of Filth, soon to be Horror News Net, and now Staying Scared, this film is certain to continue accolade achievements throughout the film industry.
As far as director Joops Fragale (Simone, Date Night, Parting and Breaking Val) is concerned, rest assured that it is only a matter of time before he makes a blockbuster…and that blockbuster will start on a Friday…at theaters everywhere.
View the trailer HERE
THE OUTBREAK
The Outbreak is an interactive movie where at certain points the player must decide what to do. What will you do to survive the outbreak?
(Warning: contains violence and language not suitable for some players.)
Links of the week
TerrorFeed is your one stop for all things terrifying. Updated daily with new horror trailers, shorts and clips!. Intended for mature audiences - Viewer Discretion is advised
For fans who seek beings that lurk in the realm beyond our senses, Ghost 101 offers ghost sightings and news
Celebrity Morgue is just that...offering gruesome last photos of the well known
Wanna listen to something really scary?
Try the The Anneliese Michel Exorcism audio tapes (Supposedly based on Emily Rose)
And, be sure to creep by my Twilight Zone column called Land of Shadow and Substance at Horror News Net to see which episode I've discussed this week.
So, until next time fellow ghouls, zombies, monsters & creeps,
So, until next time fellow ghouls, zombies, monsters & creeps,
Stay Scared,
Thomas
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Thanks for taking the time to comment and remember fear is a good thing.
Stay Scared,
Thomas