“Prison of the Psychotic Damned” is an independent movie gone horribly, horribly right. From a top-notch cast willing to bare it all to smart writing, from good creature effects to a spectacular shooting location, the latest from Red Scream Films and director D.W. Kann (“Ancient Evil 2: Guardian of the Underworld”) really does have it all.
In fact, you should stop reading this review, rush over to the official website, and pester D.W. and writer/producer David R. Williams until they get a distribution deal, then rush out to your local store and buy up copies for you, your friends, your pets, and your pets' friends.
Hell, why wait? Rush over to their official webstore and buy yourself some tee-shirts, skulls, costumery, and various other cool swag. It's okay, I'll wait. When you come back after helping these good folks pay the bills, we'll talk film.
One of the problems I have as a reviewer is that it's easier to tear down than to build up, and this is a film that is really well done. It looks good, has good acting, and there's nudity from the three female leads. Even before you factor in the comic relief, creepy dolls, and teased catfights, how can I not like this?
Professor Ryan Bloom (Susie Adriansen) leads her ragtag team into the haunted Buffalo Grand Central Terminal, home of both a massive railway accident, a suicide or two, and the scene of many ghastly horrors perpetrated by the mental health industry. Along for the ride are her cameraman Jason (the very funny Jim Vaughn), creepy psychic Aurora (Demona Bast), pink and black cutie-pie Nessie (Noel Francomano), and the goth-hot but ill-named Kansas (Melantha Blackthorne, who has one of the greatest screams I've ever heard). The goal? Enriching Professor Bloom's pocketbook, win some awards, and determine once and for all if there are real, true ghosts in the world.
As JK told me, “D.W. Kann is a damn fine director,” and I can't help but agree that the man does more with Lindsay Lohan's cocaine budget than most of the hacks working today can do with $100 million dollars (See Sarah's review of “Aeon Flux”). The opening credits of this movie are spectacular, drawing you into the film instantly, and it doesn't let go until you're spent, shaking, and sweating. Kind of like Lindsay Lohan after a coke binge.
The writing is very good, as well. David Williams obviously did a little research on the characteristics of haunted buildings, and he includes them all in here, from so-called 'shadow people' to orbs, electronic voice phenomenon, cold spots, and electromagnetic activity. Williams' script is both informative to the uninitiated and quickly-paced; there's explanation enough to follow along (and learn a thing or two, Mr. Wizard), but the plot never gets in the way of the story.
So support these guys and check out the flick. They need your money, so they can put out more awesome movies like this one. I recommend you get the naked zombie Nessie tee-shirt. It's naked and it's zombies; it's everywhere you want to be.
