IT’S SOMETHING GRIMSTONE: REVIEW OF ANNUAL WINNER “IT’S SOMETHING ELSE”
It is hard to ignore the 80’s and 90’s cult horror homages in Gabriel Warr’s “It’s Something Else.” From the very beginning, the film lures you into its tones of isolation, cosmic mystery, and existential dread. “It’s Something Else” took home the coveted annual Grimstone Award and Best Actor, and it’s easy to see why. A little bit “Salem’s Lot,” a little bit “The Invaders, and a little bit “Gremlins,” this gem is one that you won’t want to miss. You can now watch it streaming here!
Film Poster
“Its Something Else” is a fun, weird, horror short film from the mind of Gabriel Warr. A junk hunter with religious undertones pulls something mysterious from the river and becomes almost instantly connected to this strange object. He gradually transforms through this infatuation, and the cycle continues anew with another interested party. The object itself is amazingly crafted - it is interesting, dynamic, porous, and even goopy at times. It is an elevated version of something you might see on an old sci-fi television show but done in a shorter time with limited dialog.
The Mysterious Object
The technical aspects of the film are done quite well. The slow zooms and handheld camera build suspense in partnership with the slow pace of the editing and marvelously eerie soundtrack. The interplay between the Main character, Martin (played by Nathan Casper), his cold obsession with looking at the object, and a TV preacher (played convincingly by Jared Palmer) make for a disturbing triangle of attention that works in the film’s favor.
Martin’s Lot
The slow editing in the film is wonderful in situating us in the small confines of Martin’s trailer with the object, and the use of ever-closer camera work feeds into the psychology of the piece. As with many short films, there is a superfluous montage that could be done away with and a couple shifts in tone as the filmmakers experiment. But overall, a fun film well worth enjoying.
Nathan Casper as “Martin Creed”
Film Review: Josh Samson & Alicia Farmer