It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve been able to sit down and write a review. Sometimes life gets a little busy. But I can’t think of a better time than now to make a comeback. Winter is finally thawing and spring is right around the corner. My last few reviews boils and ghouls have come from the fine friends at DREAD and Epic Pictures. This review is no different. This movie production team is cranking out releases right and left and has no end in sight either. But we are heading down a dark and strange path this time around with this one, so let’s get to it!
BLACK SITE (2018)
PAIN… Such a fleetingly mortal experience…
Synopsis
Before man, the earth was ruled by the Elder Gods. But once man finally slithered out from the primordial ooze of evolution, they learned how they could fight back. Through magic they could send these beasts to another dimension. Fast forward to today. Most of the Elder Gods are gone, what few remain are captured and deported from a top secret black site location, that is completely warded with magic. That is until now, when they attempt to deport one of the oldest and most powerful of the gods.
Black Site was the brainchild of its writer and director Tom Paton (Redwood, 2017). Meshing science fiction, horror and action seamlessly for a multi-layered affair. One that felt very familiar and yet completely fresh at the same time. Paton’s elder god had a Cthulhu-like look and that was one of the true highlights from me.
This movie had everything. Awesome action, stunt and fight choreography created by Mark Johnston (Redcon-1, King Arthur, Prince of Persia). A brooding, off-putting atmosphere, coupled with a subtle yet technical synthwave score from Max Sweiry (Pandorica, Dark Beacon). It was a 1980’s John Carpenter-esque flick ala Assault on Precinct 13 and The Thing. With Lovecraftian themes brought into modern times. Proving age old ideas can still be truly relevant and even more frightening.
There are to be negative things about this kind of movie for sure. There were lulls in the pacing of the flick that felt way too long. Too much dialogue at times stretched the run time to 85 minutes or so. There were also a couple of aimless conversations that could’ve been left on the cutting room floor. I was also hoping to get to see the Elder Gods more. But since the gods take human form to blend in, that’s what we got and the shots that showed the badass looking god were few and far between.
Overall though, Black Site was an enjoyable experience. The idea behind it was solid. Ultimately it left a sour taste in my mouth because I was left wanting more. The lesson I learned is that sometimes, us, humanity can be worse than any hell our mind can create. I would be interested to see this story continue with a sequel.
IMDb: 6.5/10
ZombiSurvivor: 6.8/10
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Thanks for reading! STAY SCARED!
-ZS
