The Passing (2011)

   

Produced & Directed by: John Harwood

Written by: Paul Clinco &
John Harwood

Starring:

Crystal Day .... Elizabeth Naibert
Elizabeth Ann Bennett .... Holly
Jason Hamer .... Josh
Sam Upton .... Ray Naibert
Tara Carroll .... Cyndy
Brian Gleason .... Jack Naibert
Colleen Shannon .... Mandy
Paul Gleason .... Det. Sanders
John Harwood .... Det. Eddie Doyle
Lilyan Chauvin .... Rebecca Naibert


Release Date:
Screamfest LA: October, 2011

 

Rating:

 

An ancient inheritance binds the Naibert sisters to their grandmother's estate until they start disappearing one by one, leaving clues in the manor's mirrors.

 

The beginning of the story was somewhat a prologue in which we see two teenagers running away from what looks like a force of some kind in which the camera shots of this thing has a reddish screen colouring.
These situations seemed rather cheesy to watch but mysterious as to what we will see unravel in the story later on.

Then it's present day with a discussion on the inheritence at the bargaining table with family members. It seemed unnatural within their discussions by agreeing for the siblings to spend some nights at the late grandmothers mansion with their lovers. It's not a terrible scene but needed a bit more inspiration.

While everyone is moving into the mansion Elizabeth looks at the side of the window of the mansion and someone scares her which is a near jumping moment but misses a bit.
While some pointless situations with their teenage sweethearts getting lovey dovey, what grabbed my attention is that the main one and only survivor left from the mansion Elizabeth Naibert is in hearings with two detectives questioning her as to what had happened there. These situations pop up in some of the others scene's as well while she's being questioned. This was well focused and strongly done.
So the story does roll a little better while we watch as to what goes on with the terrors that we are about to see.

The siblings and their lovers are having a pool party or making out with one another a sudden attack happens with the cocky one Josh by being pulled into the water. Yet this doesn't look anything horrifying or intense as it was suppoed to have been.

Suddenly these couples are fornicating wirth the camera focus on them getting it on which was a total time waster.
During this time one of these people experience what seems like a near attacking scene which looked confusing to watch. Yet the energy and suspense looked not too shabby.

A beautiful blonde Cyndi tells her boyfriend that she is going to take a bath in which this of course is a big no no in a horror flick in which we all know that something is going to happen to her if she dares does this.
She hops in the tub with a nice camera shot looking at her and boy something does happen to her which was done in a fair fashion.

The hauntings and the intensity as well as the fear piles up greatly in which these people call up their parents in the middle of the night wanting out. The father is greedy and pigheaded about it all. This makes things look truly dysfunctional and wondering if he is an evil man behind as to what happens here. A great and strongly mysterious moment here which looked well done.

Great special effects happen again for the deadly moments with some of them in which it looked effective and entertaining especially when one of them tries to escape in their vehicle or another is in an area of the mansion and something twisted happens to her which looked rather strange. This worked in greatly into the story of evil hauntings.

Finally Elizabeth faces the ghost of her Grandmother as the effects and settings looked terrific while watching as to what goes on here along with the forces that surrounds her too.
She makes a choice on what to do with a weapon as this made me draw in wondering as to what happens next. Will she make the right choice??? Alot of powerful moments within all of this. I'd have to say that this was my favourite out of all the scene's that I've seen in this flick.

After all of this the detectives are skeptical about what Elizabeth tells them of the evil forces killing her family and the others. This looked powerful on a good cop bad cop being verbally forceful towards her. A real powerful and intense situation here especially when they tell her she's insane and a liar.
They tell her what her sentence is going to be in which it looks like she will be with therpists at the mansion again. The terrors seem to happen again. Or are they really??? A mind boggling moment here which was a true brain teaser.

Bottom line is that this was one of those so bad it's good. At first it seems like a dull plotted flick mainly focusing on teens getting it on with their lovers which doesn't offer alot of skin. Yet the story rolls along fairly well with the ghostly kills. The special effects were decent for a no budgeter. The scenery and mysterious moments weren't too badly done either. The storyline lacks a bit
so it was more entertaining watching the ghostly kills and the forces that appear here and there. So if you're looking for a solid story this isn't for you.

The acting is at times a bit rough but some good performances by the odd cast member.

Crystal Day
(Elizabeth Naibert) showed off some good mysterious characteristics. Does well acting soft spoken and timid while being questioned and looking expressionless which really added to what she did here. Also shows off a good versatality when getting into discussions as she shows a convincing mature and serious atttiude. Plus shows off great intense energy when the hauntings strike her.

Elizabeth Ann Bennett (Holly) was another fine one offering a nice quiet and mellow behavior as well as doing a nice job being spooked on what happens during each scene of the story. Plus really gets into the adrenaline when she is crying in fear which looked energised and convincing.

Jason Hamer (Josh) seemed to have a good slick and cocky personality in which he tried his best to get into his part as much as possible. He seems to pull it off in a decent fashion. Does a nice job with his smart alecky discussions and so fourth as well as doing a nice job when behaving sarcastically or trying to be flirtatious too.

Sam Upton (Ray Naibert) had a nice presence to his role when appearing on the camera. He seemed to do okay with his seriousness but when he tried to act charming he was a bit stiff. His characteristics were so so but not terrible. He needed a bit of a push. Does okay with his energy though.

Brian Gleason (Jack Naibert) was one of the best out of the cast in which he had the right looks and appeal for this role. He also showed off a good no nonsense attitude as well as getting to the point within whatever happens when the terror strikes. He shows off as a convincingly intelligent person. A true character actor indeed.

Colleen Shannon (Mandy) had the pretty lustful looks and she is stunning while watching her perform. Can she act? Well a bit as she has a nice smooth talking and calming type of voice. She tried her best in her role as you could tell. Not award winning by any means but does the job in an okay fashion.

Paul Gleason (Det. Sanders) was terrific in his role as he does well with questioning someone on a case and really getting into it and offers a good reasonable and a serious type of person. He fit the part right with this as well as his looks. A right choice I must say.

John Harwood (Det. Eddie Doyle) played the aggressive one and does it in great style as he was perfectly sharp within his actions and speaking. Definitely does his job getting into your face as well as having peppering actions. This was all brought together in a realistic fashion.

Lilyan Chauvin (Rebecca Naibert) mainly did voice overs for most of the story but did enough to be credited as one of the main supporting cast members. She does appear briefly as a ghost and then as a person. She does well with her faint and ghostly voice which was great. This was her last role before she passed on.

Many butt and brief breast shots on couples making out.
Breast shot is shortly revealed while taking a bath.

Face is bloodily clawed.
Throat is ripped out.
A couples people's faces have blood leaking out of their eyes and face.
Violent bloodsheds here and there.

Jason Brandt does a nice job with his music by having a cheesy but entertaining low budget type of action sounds like thumping and pipe bashing. Especially for the beginning of the flick. Effective mysterious windy, screechy and hissing sounds which was another great touch to a horror flick like this as well as some light distant violin music. Odd icy sounds for the near creepy moments sounded not too shabby either.