A Dead Calling (2006)

Director: Michael Feifer

Writer: Michael Feifer

Tagline: A Long Forgotten Past…A Much Deadlier Future

Actors: Alexandra Holden, John Burke, Sid Haig, Leslie Easterbrook, Bill Moseley, Caia Coley, Timothy Oman, Micah Costanza, Mike Korich

Runtime: 1h 31m

Category: Ghost, Killer, Supernatural

Synopsis: Rachel Beckwith is a big-time reporter/journalist with everything going for her. Home late one night, she crawls into bed with her fiancé and they hold each other until they fall asleep. Rachel is woken up by her cat doing cat-stuff downstairs, only to discover that they are being robbed! During the frenzy her fiancé is killed. She completely shuts down and moves in with her parents. Months later, thinking she is alright to go back to work, she gets a job at the local paper as a reporter. Her first assignment is to do some research on the town’s architecture. Her first stop is the house of Frank Sullivan, a jailed murderer. She becomes obsessed with the house and the beings that haunt it. With the help of her boss Stephen, they try to get to the bottom of her obsession; which yields some shocking results!

Review: This movie was difficult to summarize because the story was so jam-packed. I did my best to give a detailed synopsis without any spoilers. If I failed…bite me.

The story was not all that bad; when it picked up. I have not seen a movie that was so dreadfully boring that I actually started to doze off. But once the action picked up, it never let go. I do have to say that this story was actually a pretty good one, almost like a properly-made J-movie. My only other complaint is that the ending was easier to see than Brittney Spears’ crotch (sorry Kari…ah you). I was so obvious who Rachel was and why she was so drawn to the house. I mean, c’mon…at least make me work for it…Damn!

The acting was not as good as I had hoped. I think part of it has to do with the fact that the only role I know of the very tasty Alexandra Holden is from Friends when she played a naive college chick. Along the same lines, the only roles I know of Sid Haig being in are those of the bad guy. It was so weird to see him as a nice, loving father with a heart of gold. I’m used to the clown make-up and the F-bombs. The whole thing just seemed strained and uncomfortable. Plus, I don’t like change!

The gore and effects were actually not all that bad. I would have liked to see more, obviously, but I think that for the sake of the story and the circumstance, it sufficed. It was done well and with master-like skill, but not in proper quantities. I think that if a slice ‘em and dice ‘em scene would have been added…it would have been sa-weet!

Rating: 12. I think I would see anything with Alexandra Holden in it; and Sid Haig is one of my favorite horror movie leads. Unfortunately, once the norm is compromised…the Dogs of War are set free. But the end of the story did give it that little extra to keep it in honorable mention status. In conclusion, this film was a let down in most areas, and instead of leaving me with good memories, I was left with numb ass-cheeks. (12of25).