[#Horror #reTweet] #Snake with a #Human #Tail (2014)

Snake with a Human Tail (2014)
By Scott Shoyer

If you needed any proof that the indie horror scene is the future of the genre, you need not look any further than filmmaker Spencer Gray’s short film, SNAKE WITH A HUMAN TAIL. SNAKE may mark Gray’s directorial debut, but you can feel the passion and heart that went into this project. For almost the last two decades Gray has been refining and perfecting his craft through working on commercials and in broadcasting, working in local theater, and by doing special FX work. Judging by SNAKE, Gray has learned an awful lot!! SNAKE WITH A HUMAN TAIL is, in the end, a film about revenge, redemption, and confronting one’s past demons. I’m a little disappointed with IMDb page’s plot summary for this film. That summary gives too many details about the plot … so don’t read that summary until after you’ve seen the short (I won’t be giving anything away below).

The plot centers around Father Fulci (Marv Blauvelt). Father Fulci (no doubt Gray’s nod to the master of Italian horror films, Lucio Fulci) is a bad man. Scratch that … he’s a very bad man and one might even consider him the personification of evil itself. As a little boy Father Fulci was victimized, molested, and raped by priests, nuns, and family members. Where he was a victim as a young boy he is now a priest and a victimizer. Within the first few minutes of the short we hear Fulci’s confessions to court-appointed therapist Dr. Bloom (Billy Blair). Blauvelt does a fantastic job playing Fulci. In this scene with Dr. Bloom, Fulci at first seems disgusted and ashamed by his crimes but gradually you realize he actually seems proud and has no remorse over the horrible things he’s done. Is Fulci a victim of the cycle of abuse or is he a man who has embraced his demons and truly relishes in doing horrible things to children? Blauvelt absolutely nails this performance.

In his therapy session with Dr. Bloom we learn there was one particular young boy that stands out in Fulci’s mind. Fulci recounts to the good doctor, in a creepy nostalgic way, that one of the first boys he molested a long time ago was Henry O’Brien. Fulci’s account of how he approached, befriended, and ultimately ruined that boy’s life is chilling. Blauvelt’s performance will get under your skin and will have you thinking about it for days. Marv Blauvelt is a well known face in the indie horror scene and I’ve chatted with Marv on a few different occasions. I reviewed a few projects he’s been in (COME, PSYCHO STREET, and SLICES OF LIFE) and I can tell you that he is nothing like this role. Marv Blauvelt is a gentle, kind-hearted guy who goes out of his way for his friends and will do anything for them. So where the hell did the inspiration come from for his Father Fulci? Fulci is a sadistic, cruel man who doesn’t care who his actions hurt. And what I love so much about this character is that we get a completely fleshed out characterization of Fulci. Fulci isn’t just a monster. He’s a man who was abused and hurt as a young boy and is caught up in the cycle of abuse. But the other side is that he likes hurting others. He gets off on it. It’s a terrifically written character (Gray also wrote the script) and Blauvelt expertly brings this character to life.

Also pivotal to the story are two hookers, Karma (Sheri Davis) and Kennedy (Melina Lyon). These two ladies of the evening are struggling to support each other in their dangerous profession. We learn that Karma has a traumatic past that seems to keep breaking into her present, and how the lives of Fulci, Karma, and Kennedy intersect will leave you with you jaw wide open. SNAKE WITH A HUMAN TAIL is not your typical film and it will stay with you days after viewing it. One thing is clear: Spencer Gray is a talented filmmaker and writer who really brings a much needed edge to the horror genre. He’s not afraid to explore some really dark territory … the kinds of topics that make people uneasy. He’s a breath of fresh air in a genre that has become full of generic scares, found footage silliness, and unoriginal cookie cutter characters.

I’m being purposely vague with the plot so I don’t ruin the ending. The ending is a real gut-punch and reading the IMDb page summary completely ruins it. SNAKE WITH A HUMAN TAIL is currently on the festival circuit but I know that Gray is looking to distribute this film to a wider audience. This is a fantastic short film that perfectly embodies independent horror filmmaking. We have a talented cast bringing to life a terrifically dark and disturbing script. SNAKE WITH A HUMAN TAIL is not to be missed!!

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My Summary:
Director: Spencer Gray (& writer)
Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Gore: 5 out of 10 skulls
Zombie Mayhem: 0 out of 5 brains
Reviewed by Scott Shoyer

Filed under: Horror Short Films, Independent Horror Scene, Movie Reviews, New Horror Releases, New Posting

October 7, 2014 at 05:14PM
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