e-mail: rich@pochepictures.com
In many of my reviews of lower budget, independent films I
have pointed out emphatically the importance of getting back
to the basics of filmmaking when you don’t have the expensive
glitz and glam to fall back on: scriptwriting, directing and acting.
Just because one lacks an ample budget does not mean that
one has to make tremendous sacrifices in these areas,
especially in the case of casting. Time and time again I see
actors in movies that I would honestly not cast for an
elementary school musical and yet, they somehow land a
leading role in an independent film. The choice of actors, no
matter how awful or how clever the script may be, can make or
break a movie. In the case of the new vampire film Crimson, it
appears that director Richard Poche has taken this to heart
and it shows in his excellent selection of upcoming actresses.
For the first time in weeks, when I popped this DVD in and hit
“play” I did not cringe at the performances delivered by the
cast. In fact, I found myself thinking that this was a group of
young actresses, which we will, no doubt, be seeing quite a bit
of in the future. Though still a bit raw, these girls obviously take
their craft seriously and, as a result, fit perfectly into the B-
movie vampire theme of Crimson with ease making this one
thoroughly enjoyable flick.
In this 67 minute film, Sammi (Stuart Brazell) and Rosa (Jade
Tailor) are on the run from a vampire cult lead by fearsome
Rachel (Erika Smith). Rachel is bound and determined to
bring Sammi and Rosa into the fold. In a sorority house
nearby, nursing students Jodie (Elizabeth Di Prinzio), Carla
(Jaimi Paige), Katie (Sarah MacKay) and Amy (Leesel
Boulware) are gearing up for a night of partying. On their way
back, they stumble upon Sammi, who has been injured in a
fight with the vampires. Insistent on being good Samaritans,
the girls take Sammi back to their place to tend to her wounds.
They realize all too quickly that they are now caught in the
middle of Sammi and Rachel’s bloody war…
Every horror fanatic has a genre that they are particularly
obsessed with. My personal obsession is with vampires. I will
watch or read anything with the word “vampire” in the title.
However, this also has caused me to become extremely
critical of the genre and I have very strong opinions about what
makes for a memorable vampire selection. For me to say that
an underground film has the potential to become a cult hit is
saying quite a bit and I can safely suggest that Crimson
definitely has this potential. The writers have kept the storyline
simple and campy with humorous dialogue riddled with classic
B-movie one-liners. The pace of the movie is quick and
consistent, with the plot building rapidly and diving directly into
the action without hesitation.
Again, the actresses deliver excellent performances, playing
easily off one another and fitting perfectly into their roles,
whether as sorority nurses or vampires. Erika Smith’s portrayal
of the lead vampire is superb, an excellent mix of gothic
sexiness and b-movie camp. The special effects are a bit
crude, but this actually adds to the quirky feel of the film
instead of detracting.
Overall, Crimson is most definitely a vampire movie worth
seeing. I look forward to viewing other productions from
Richard Poche and his production house, Poche Pictures, in
the years to come, especially his vampire films.
have pointed out emphatically the importance of getting back
to the basics of filmmaking when you don’t have the expensive
glitz and glam to fall back on: scriptwriting, directing and acting.
Just because one lacks an ample budget does not mean that
one has to make tremendous sacrifices in these areas,
especially in the case of casting. Time and time again I see
actors in movies that I would honestly not cast for an
elementary school musical and yet, they somehow land a
leading role in an independent film. The choice of actors, no
matter how awful or how clever the script may be, can make or
break a movie. In the case of the new vampire film Crimson, it
appears that director Richard Poche has taken this to heart
and it shows in his excellent selection of upcoming actresses.
For the first time in weeks, when I popped this DVD in and hit
“play” I did not cringe at the performances delivered by the
cast. In fact, I found myself thinking that this was a group of
young actresses, which we will, no doubt, be seeing quite a bit
of in the future. Though still a bit raw, these girls obviously take
their craft seriously and, as a result, fit perfectly into the B-
movie vampire theme of Crimson with ease making this one
thoroughly enjoyable flick.
In this 67 minute film, Sammi (Stuart Brazell) and Rosa (Jade
Tailor) are on the run from a vampire cult lead by fearsome
Rachel (Erika Smith). Rachel is bound and determined to
bring Sammi and Rosa into the fold. In a sorority house
nearby, nursing students Jodie (Elizabeth Di Prinzio), Carla
(Jaimi Paige), Katie (Sarah MacKay) and Amy (Leesel
Boulware) are gearing up for a night of partying. On their way
back, they stumble upon Sammi, who has been injured in a
fight with the vampires. Insistent on being good Samaritans,
the girls take Sammi back to their place to tend to her wounds.
They realize all too quickly that they are now caught in the
middle of Sammi and Rachel’s bloody war…
Every horror fanatic has a genre that they are particularly
obsessed with. My personal obsession is with vampires. I will
watch or read anything with the word “vampire” in the title.
However, this also has caused me to become extremely
critical of the genre and I have very strong opinions about what
makes for a memorable vampire selection. For me to say that
an underground film has the potential to become a cult hit is
saying quite a bit and I can safely suggest that Crimson
definitely has this potential. The writers have kept the storyline
simple and campy with humorous dialogue riddled with classic
B-movie one-liners. The pace of the movie is quick and
consistent, with the plot building rapidly and diving directly into
the action without hesitation.
Again, the actresses deliver excellent performances, playing
easily off one another and fitting perfectly into their roles,
whether as sorority nurses or vampires. Erika Smith’s portrayal
of the lead vampire is superb, an excellent mix of gothic
sexiness and b-movie camp. The special effects are a bit
crude, but this actually adds to the quirky feel of the film
instead of detracting.
Overall, Crimson is most definitely a vampire movie worth
seeing. I look forward to viewing other productions from
Richard Poche and his production house, Poche Pictures, in
the years to come, especially his vampire films.
The link below is excerpted from the good folks over at
Fatally Yours.com
The original link can be found at:
http://www.fatally-yours.com/horror-reviews/crimson/
Fatally Yours.com
The original link can be found at:
http://www.fatally-yours.com/horror-reviews/crimson/
Crimson-a film by Richard Poche
Crimson was a well needed surprise of a vampire flick that I actually enjoyed. These nursing students
like to party. Whether it be downing booze or having a pill popping addiction from hell…it’s on! Their
sorority house is fully stocked with liquor to fuel the heated screaming matches they always have with
their old decrepit neighbor who listens to every noise they make except for when they really need him to
help them out during a crazy bloody situation.
Sammie and Rosa are on the run from a lecherous bunch of cult members that all suffer from a
disease that renders them with nice sharp fangs and an appetite of a vampire. Sammie is wanted by the
police for the murders of a few cult members with the old stake thru the heart bit but do you think the
cops are going to believe her story? Or believe in vampires at that? So now Poor Sammie is labeled a
serial killer in their eyes.
Rachael is the lead hunter and is on the hunt for them determined to change them before they escape
and are never heard from again. As Rosa and Sammie sit in the woods huddled by the fire they talk of
how their lives must change now that they are on the run. Out of nowhere Rachael appears and attacks
Rosa while Sammie barely gets away and passes out alone in the dark. Carla, Jody, and the others are
drunkenly walking home when they hear someone crying in pain so they follow the sound.
When the girls find her lying in her own blood after the vicious attack from someone or something, their
maternal nurse instincts kick in and they refuse to just leave her there. They have no inkling to what is
about to befall them for taking in this stray. Jody is a trip, while she withdrawals from her pills she
spends most time running to the bathroom spilling up her guts. Crimson is a 100% worth the watch!
Crimson was a well needed surprise of a vampire flick that I actually enjoyed. These nursing students
like to party. Whether it be downing booze or having a pill popping addiction from hell…it’s on! Their
sorority house is fully stocked with liquor to fuel the heated screaming matches they always have with
their old decrepit neighbor who listens to every noise they make except for when they really need him to
help them out during a crazy bloody situation.
Sammie and Rosa are on the run from a lecherous bunch of cult members that all suffer from a
disease that renders them with nice sharp fangs and an appetite of a vampire. Sammie is wanted by the
police for the murders of a few cult members with the old stake thru the heart bit but do you think the
cops are going to believe her story? Or believe in vampires at that? So now Poor Sammie is labeled a
serial killer in their eyes.
Rachael is the lead hunter and is on the hunt for them determined to change them before they escape
and are never heard from again. As Rosa and Sammie sit in the woods huddled by the fire they talk of
how their lives must change now that they are on the run. Out of nowhere Rachael appears and attacks
Rosa while Sammie barely gets away and passes out alone in the dark. Carla, Jody, and the others are
drunkenly walking home when they hear someone crying in pain so they follow the sound.
When the girls find her lying in her own blood after the vicious attack from someone or something, their
maternal nurse instincts kick in and they refuse to just leave her there. They have no inkling to what is
about to befall them for taking in this stray. Jody is a trip, while she withdrawals from her pills she
spends most time running to the bathroom spilling up her guts. Crimson is a 100% worth the watch!
The link below is excerpted from the Angry Princess's
article over at thisissomescene.com
The original link can be found at:
http://thisissomescene.com/?p=190
article over at thisissomescene.com
The original link can be found at:
http://thisissomescene.com/?p=190
THIS PORTION OF THE SITE IS
DEDICATED TO WHAT SOME OF
THE FILM CRITICS AND
REVIEWERS ARE SAYING ABOUT
THE MOVIE.
DEDICATED TO WHAT SOME OF
THE FILM CRITICS AND
REVIEWERS ARE SAYING ABOUT
THE MOVIE.
The link below is excerpted from
deadharvey.blogspot.com
The original link can be found at:
http://deadharvey.blogspot.com/2008/01/richard-poches
-crimson-true-indie.html
deadharvey.blogspot.com
The original link can be found at:
http://deadharvey.blogspot.com/2008/01/richard-poches
-crimson-true-indie.html
I had the chance to watch Richard Poche's "Crimson" a few days ago, which is definitely worth checking
out. It's about a group of nursing students that stumble upon a bloodied up girl named Sammi, whom they
drag back to their sorority house, only to find that Sammi's on the run from a vampire cult... which they,
subsequently, get caught up in. It's a great story, it's really well acted and it's cut together very nicely. I
thought it could use some nudity and a bit more over-the-top gore, but... that could just reflect my own
personal preferences. In the end, it's a true indie horror and you should check it out. Here's a link to
Poche's site where you can buy yourself a copy. Also, there's a 10-minute special feature of outtakes,
which you'll get a good laugh at, if you've ever been on the set of a low-budget film.
This does, however, give me an opportunity to bring up something that consistently bugs me. Filmmakers,
such as Richard Poche, are out making films like "Crimson" on a shoestring budget, they're marketing it
themselves and, in a lot of cases, distributing it themselves. As far as I'm concerned, this is what
independent film is about. When I see the news, reviews and reports out of festivals like Sundance, which
happens to be going on right now, where they talk about indie-this and indie-that, Paul Giamatti, Sam
Rockwell, blah, blah... Are you really talking about independent films? In the actual context of term, sure -
you're making a film independently of the studio system, but these "independent films" have big-time
funding and most of them have some sort name talent attached. Compared to most indie horror films,
these are big-budget movies with serious names behind them.
Anyhow, that's why I love seeing a well made, true indie film like "Crimson" and will always promote films
like it. So, support indie film and pick up a copy of "Crimson", once again, here's the link and if you've
made an indie film that you need to promote, let me know about it... I'm more than happy to discuss it on
the site
out. It's about a group of nursing students that stumble upon a bloodied up girl named Sammi, whom they
drag back to their sorority house, only to find that Sammi's on the run from a vampire cult... which they,
subsequently, get caught up in. It's a great story, it's really well acted and it's cut together very nicely. I
thought it could use some nudity and a bit more over-the-top gore, but... that could just reflect my own
personal preferences. In the end, it's a true indie horror and you should check it out. Here's a link to
Poche's site where you can buy yourself a copy. Also, there's a 10-minute special feature of outtakes,
which you'll get a good laugh at, if you've ever been on the set of a low-budget film.
This does, however, give me an opportunity to bring up something that consistently bugs me. Filmmakers,
such as Richard Poche, are out making films like "Crimson" on a shoestring budget, they're marketing it
themselves and, in a lot of cases, distributing it themselves. As far as I'm concerned, this is what
independent film is about. When I see the news, reviews and reports out of festivals like Sundance, which
happens to be going on right now, where they talk about indie-this and indie-that, Paul Giamatti, Sam
Rockwell, blah, blah... Are you really talking about independent films? In the actual context of term, sure -
you're making a film independently of the studio system, but these "independent films" have big-time
funding and most of them have some sort name talent attached. Compared to most indie horror films,
these are big-budget movies with serious names behind them.
Anyhow, that's why I love seeing a well made, true indie film like "Crimson" and will always promote films
like it. So, support indie film and pick up a copy of "Crimson", once again, here's the link and if you've
made an indie film that you need to promote, let me know about it... I'm more than happy to discuss it on
the site
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