AnythingHorror Central

In 2006 my world was shaken up to the extent that I still haven’t recovered.  There were no deaths in my family and I didn’t live through some horrible natural disaster (those I’d have gotten over quickly).  What I’m referring to is that in 2006 the world, and my life, was introduced to what would become an annual horror film festival that features eight independent horror movies.  The name of this festival:  The After Dark Horrorfest.

Now in theory I should be extremely excited about such a festival.  The committee chooses what they consider eight of the best indie horror flicks out there.  By now you know that I’m a huge supporter of indie horror films.  I love the originality and passion that ToeTag Pictures and NFTS Productions (to name but two) offers.  But the movies in the After Dark Horrorfest are … how should I put this … Well for the most part they stink worse that a cockroaches’ cunt.  Sorry for the saucy language folks but that’s the only way to describe most of the flicks in the festival.  Out of the last three festivals (the fourth installment is coming out the end of March 2010) I’ve seen 12 of the films.  So I’m not going to say that every After Dark film is horrible; all I’m gonna say is that out of the 12 I saw I only liked one of them.  Yes, one of them.

What I can say with certainty is that from the 12 Horrorfest flicks I’ve seen 11 of them are marked by really bad

You want him on your side in a "Clutch" (sorry).

acting, have very poorly executed f/x, the ones that have creatures look absolutely retarded, and the plots and story lines are insulting.  In short they are the epitome of what gives indie film making a bad name (and again, keep in mind that I love indie horror flicks).  I’m just not sure why the producers/organizers of the festival choose the movies they choose.  Please, if someone attached to the After Dark Horrorfest is reading this contact me at anythinghorrorscott@gmail.com I’d love to understand your selection process.

Kim Blair puts in a great performance

So imagine my surprise when I received 2006’s Mulberry Street from Netflix.  I admit that I had no idea it was part of Horrorfest 2 (in 2007).  But as soon as I popped it onto the old DVD player I knew immediately:  I was seeing previews of all the previous crap-fests from the first festival.  Luckily I had nothing else to watch so I decided to grab a stiff drink (Irish whiskey by choice) and try and make the best of Mulberry Street.

Pinch me, I must be dreaming. Mulberry Street was the first movie from the After Dark Horrorfest that didn’t completely suck balls. In fact, I really liked it.  A lot.  Yes its low budget but the filmmakers did a lot with their limited resources. The actors all put in strong performances and the camerawork was more stylish that any other Horrorfest entry I’ve seen. There seemed to be more talent behind the camera than usual; talent that was more technically skilled.  For example I really liked how they made good use out of odd sources of light (like the glow from a huge screen TV). We also got more in-depth character development than any other Horrorfest flick.

At the end of the day this is a zombie-ish flick.  It takes place in New York City which has been overrun with … well; I

Not your typical "rat virus"

don’t wanna get ahead of myself.  Our main characters live in a rundown building in NYC on, you guessed it, Mulberry Street.  Director Jim Mickle really takes his time developing the relationships among the main characters so when the shit hits the fan we really care about the fate of them. I also really like that there are no “horror movie rules” here. Any, and I mean any, character is a potential victim here to the increasing violence occurring in the city.  With most genre flicks after the main characters are introduced you can pretty much bet the house which ones are gonna live and die.  Not here.  No character is safe and I for one think that’s really refreshing.

Everyone gets bloody in this one!!

Our main characters are Clutch, played by Nick Damici (who co-wrote this with director Mickle), his neighbor Kay, Bo Corre, and Clutch’s daughter Casey, played by Kim Blair, who is on her way home from the Iraqi War and is carrying deep physical and mental scars.  Clutch and Kay flirt a lot and it’s actually a very cute relationship they are building (yeah I said “cute” … fuck you; I’m allowed to have a heart too once in a while!!!).  The dialogue between Clutch and Kay is sincere and realistic.  But it’s not until the city erupts into chaos that we see just how much they really care for each other. Clutch’s daughter, the war vet, is probably the most interesting character here.  She was injured in the line of duty and has a very noticeable scar on her face that marks her cheek and runs from her upper lip down to her chin. Actress Kim Blair does a great job with the role expressing a lot of back story with very little dialogue.  She’s a girl who’s in a lot of psychological pain from the war and is reminded of that pain every time she looks in the mirror.

The plot has the citizens of New York and our heroes under attack by rats.  Yes rats.  The rats are carrying some kind

Besides zombie-ism, a rat's bite has other side effects

of virus that is turning people into blood crazy, maniacal, zombie-ish rat-people.  I know; it sounds fucking stupid and for all intents and purposes this movie should have sucked.  But through strong acting, an original script that puts a neat spin on the zombie story (let’s face it this is just a zombie movie with rats), and stylish camerawork this project is elevated above its counterparts (I found this way better and more entertaining than 28 Days Later). The film makers really did a great job depicting the growing crisis of the rat attacks. The attacks start off in the subways and spill out into the streets of Manhattan.  We learn about the attacks the same way our main characters do; through news and radio reports.  Mickle does a great job of building tension and suspense and has a great soundtrack that really helps set the mood.  There is some decent gore here as well and a “rat creature” that is very well done.

Not such beady little eyes, are they?

I’m as surprised as you folks.  Remember, this is the twelfth Horrorfest flick I saw and the 11 before it sucked hard.  It’s also because of Mulberry Street that I will continue to watch the Horrorfest movies for years to come.  It’s worth wading through the shitty ones with the chance of finding a gem like Mulberry Street.  Jim Mickle is definitely one to keep your eyes on.  Wow; I’m actually recommending an After Dark Horrorfest movie!!  God help us all.

My Summary:

Director:  Jim Mickle (and co-writer)

Plot:  4 out of 5 stars

Gore:  6.5 out of 10 skulls

Zombie Mayhem:  4 out of 5 brains (maybe not traditional zombies, but close enough in my book)

Reviewed by Scott Shoyer