Asylum
(2014/After Dark Originals/Lionsgate DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: D Film: D
After
Dark Originals are hit and miss horror films usually good for
one late night watch when you're half awake. This new entry, Todor
Chapkanov's Asylum (2014) is no different. Complete with cool
artwork on the cover and an interesting synopsis the film: a
veteran hostage negotiator's next call leads him to an very
highly overrun insane asylum. Doesn't sound too bad does it? It
gets worse.
Inside
a prison, a riot and hostage situation has arisen and a need to calm
things down is needed. They call in a riot squad, led by Sharp
(Bruce Payne) who is suited up and ready to race in. They've also
brought along master hostage negotiator McGahey (the magnificent
Stephen Rhea) to help in the negotiations. Once they enter, things
get a little 'hell-ish.' After fending off the crazed inmates, team
members go missing, and they must split up into several groups to try
and find them. Where's Batman when you need him for backup?
Of
course things go south and their communications are cut off and the
doors have been locked and there is no escape. Soon, they realize
the inmates are possessed by some evil force and their leader has
gained great powers and is trying to open a portal to Hell. Their
only hope of survival is McGahey who realizes that his brother is the
one who is leading them. Can he talk sense in
him? Or will he get a first class trip to Satan's playground?
While
that premise isn't bad, the film IS bad in terms of style and
direction. Subplots and un-funny jokes hold down what could have
been a brutal massacre or a cult classic. After Dark needs to seek
out more talented filmmakers that can pull off these productions with
more style and substance... hopefully the next one will be better.
Presented
in standard definition with an anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of
1.78:1 and a lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 track, the film looks fine on
DVD with an UltraViolet copy included.
-
James Harland Lockhart V
www.facebook.com/jhl5films
