I am proud to report that for the 5th time in the history of this blog, which started almost 8 years ago, I have been asked to review an Independently produced movie “The Haunting of the Murder House”.

For all aspiring movie directors, actors, and screenwriters, the dream for all of us is to win an Oscar. To one day be one of the very lucky few who are standing on the Oscar stage after years of impossible and unlikely struggles to finally realize a dream that for all of us, seems so far away. As a screenwriter, how can someone even get an agent, because, without an agent, you cannot even submit a screenplay to any producer? As an actor, how many rejections and auditions will it take to get that lucky break, that first part that just maybe be the one that starts your acting career. As for writers and actors, your career is in the ever-changing and very often inaccurate opinions of other people, who somehow found themselves in a career in show business ahead of you. For a director, sometimes the only way to break into this impossible field is to start your own production company, spend your own money and produce your own movies. This is the essential idea behind Independent “Indy” film productions.

I have always had great admiration for all of the 5 producers who have asked me to review and promote their films. This respect and admiration come from the work it takes to write and direct any new movie and the financial risk it takes to produce a movie on your own. Independent filmmaking represents great risk against little chance of reward in almost all cases. Behind all of this is someone who is willing to pay the dues it takes to break into what many of us believe is just about the best industry to work in.

Unfortunately, this film (see Vimeo link below) represents the harsh reality of trying to write, produce and direct any movie with little budget. The actors in this horror film all look like they have never acted before with on-the-nose dialogue throughout this entire production. The constant dialogue of WTF and Holy S – are used far too often at a level I have never seen before. It seems the idea behind this film was to achieve some kind of a “Blair Witch Project” concept that unfortunately fails because of too many flaws in the acting, dialogue, and overall story.

I do recommend this film for all those are appreciate those to are in the movie trenches, trying to achieve their dreams in the only way possible – by taking risks and forever trying by continuing to create, act and write.

The Haunting of the Murder House