"Dead still" is another movie i got tricked into by the obviously fake reviews on IMDb. Let me assure you... to call this movie "high quality" is insane. Its clearly a low budget movie with very DV like cinematography and average acting. The plot has some nice ideas but the photographer who is obsessed with dead girls (Peeping Tom anyone?) is not that new and the psychological background story is pretty week. So you can mainly give credit for the idea of getting rid of the body and the closing scene. Most of the film is damn slow and obviously "Dead still "tries to be a psychological thriller with some ghost elements thrown in. But the story barely seems consistent and what seems to be threads cleverly interweaved is a mess on second view. What makes he movie especially suffer is that its shot mainly in the studio of the photographer which is an old abandoned factory and its a pretty ridiculous setting which tries to give some ghost scares but is really boring for this slow movie. So don't fall for it... this movie is barely creepy except for one sequence you can already see on the DVD Cover ... for an indie thriller you can give it a shot if you don't mind cheap production but really... High quality?? You must be high or from this movies staff to write that.
22 Reviews
What are you people smoking?
MAXIMUMMOVIE13 March 2005
In my living room I don't give independent films any extra love because they are the struggling underdogs who have to work twice as hard for half as much. In short this movie just simply wasn't good. Bad Acting. No special effects to mention. The entire movie was shot in three locations I believe and none of those where very interesting.
I have no idea what others saw to give this movie anything above four stars. I sat down expecting to find a that sleeper gem we all hope to find but instead just got another low budget-put me to sleeper. Where was the scary stuff? A few animated corpses that did? or didn't? exist really don't qualify as scary to me. The story had some potential but was stifled bad acting, boring and limited use of shooting locations, and when it was all done it really was just a "by the book" rubber stamped horror-which I have no problem with what-so-ever if all the other variables are right. In "Ghost of the Needle" those variable weren't right though and it oozed low budget which generally makes for a poor horror.
Unless you're an independent film nut or just have an adventurous taste in films, avoid this one. Even if you feel like gambling some time on it don't waste a weekend night for it. Watch it while folding laundry on Tuesday night or listen to it while doing dishes Thursday night, etc I watched "Ghost of the Needle" on DVD. The quality was fine and although you can pick one of many reasons not to watch this movie one reason can't be because of how it will look on your screen
I have no idea what others saw to give this movie anything above four stars. I sat down expecting to find a that sleeper gem we all hope to find but instead just got another low budget-put me to sleeper. Where was the scary stuff? A few animated corpses that did? or didn't? exist really don't qualify as scary to me. The story had some potential but was stifled bad acting, boring and limited use of shooting locations, and when it was all done it really was just a "by the book" rubber stamped horror-which I have no problem with what-so-ever if all the other variables are right. In "Ghost of the Needle" those variable weren't right though and it oozed low budget which generally makes for a poor horror.
Unless you're an independent film nut or just have an adventurous taste in films, avoid this one. Even if you feel like gambling some time on it don't waste a weekend night for it. Watch it while folding laundry on Tuesday night or listen to it while doing dishes Thursday night, etc I watched "Ghost of the Needle" on DVD. The quality was fine and although you can pick one of many reasons not to watch this movie one reason can't be because of how it will look on your screen
Auteur Good, Auteur not so good
HEFILM19 March 2005
Filmmaker Brian Avenet Bradley certainly deserved to get to make another film after the unevenly produced but well directed Freez'er. But this film has a more routine "shabby warehouse" location and fairly typical current movie type "study" of a serial killer story, but remains, overall a well directed approach to maybe so so material. The weak elements though remain the same as in his first film. He I guess likes, or has been forced, to use lots of post re-dubbing of the actors voices, an almost crippling problem with Freez'er, and lesser but still problematic one here. It's not that the lips don't match up it's that it keeps reminding you it's been added later, rather flat sounding and it hurts the uneven acting. Bradley himself this time gives himself the lead role, unlike the supporting one he had in Freez'er, and though he's not a bad actor, he can't really carry the film. He's just not an interesting Psycho and the offbeat elements of the movie are held back, rather than carried over the top by his performance. His choices are too routine. The film is almost overly grim in its treatment of women, but it's off beat enough and well executed enough to not dip into the realm of pointless abuse. If he keeps making movies he needs to spend more time with his soundtracks and less time in front of the camera and more time behind it. He remains a director worth following.
Don't trust the votes and comments of Brian Avenet-Bradley movies!
LaserLounge13 March 2007
If you have ever seen a movie by Brian Avenet-Bradley and compares it to the feedbacks it gets on IMDb, you know that most of the comments and votes are faked. TRUST ME: you will be bored! People of the production team write their feedback themselves (sometimes they even admit it). But that's not enough: They also click constantly "no" whenever there is a negative comment on the movie. That's why negative critics are always placed behind the hyped ones.
The movie itself is bad, bad, bad: bad acting, bad lighting, bad script, bad ending. Believe me now! If not, you will believe me later!
Brian Avenet-Bradley might be quite a good business man. Otherwise it cannot be explained that he finds people who still finance his movies. (Okay, they are cheap, but nevertheless.) But as a creative person, he is a complete failure.
The movie itself is bad, bad, bad: bad acting, bad lighting, bad script, bad ending. Believe me now! If not, you will believe me later!
Brian Avenet-Bradley might be quite a good business man. Otherwise it cannot be explained that he finds people who still finance his movies. (Okay, they are cheap, but nevertheless.) But as a creative person, he is a complete failure.
A real treat for suspense/thriller fans...
LoudLon5 February 2004
The Avenet-Bradleys are two for two as they follow up their excellent first film, Freez'er, with an equally impressive sophomore effort. A photo-artist kills women and photographs their death faces to adorn his private studio, yet when his agent gives him a commissioned job (which he accepts hesitantly), he finds himself mixed up in the scheme of a husband looking to catch his wife cheating on him. Director/star/writer/producer Brian Avenet-Bradley does a bang up job in the lead role and wrings an incredible amount of suspense in this, his and co-producer/wife Laurence Avenet-Bradley's second feature film. For fans of quality independent genre fare, you can't do much better than this taut, well-acted suspense/thriller whose ending will genuinely give you the chills.
Not mind-blowing but reasonably well-crafted
TheLittleSongbird9 March 2014
For a low-budget Indie movie, Ghost of the Needle was not bad at all, far from perfect but one of the better ones. The dialogue is rather choppy with a few frothy unnecessary parts. The characters could have been developed more, Jacob gets interesting in the latter parts of the movie but the rest came across as stock clichés. There are moments where the movie does get sluggish and like it's not going anywhere. And there is the odd plot-line that disjoints things and bogs the movie down, they also don't add a whole lot. However, it does look quite good, any effects are used minimally while the settings are appropriately grim while not overly so and the camera work is fluid and atmosphere-enhancing. The music is creepy, while the story has a great deal of suspense and quiet menace, not all of it works but most of it does and very well. What happens isn't scary as such but there is almost always something unsettling, the closing scene is tense and the idea of what Jacob does with the bodies is done harrowingly, an equally harrowing idea to start with. Brian Avenent-Bradley directs reasonably stylishly and with a sense that he knows what he's doing. He's also in the lead role, his performance is not a consistent one, he's somewhat too sullen and uncertain to begin with but when Jacob has more to him later on he does make for a subtly menacing serial killer. The acting isn't award-worthy but it's not too bad, Greg Thompson puts a lot into his performance and it shows, he's very enjoyable to watch. All in all, wasn't expecting much but Ghost of the Needle was an enjoyable and reasonably crafted movie but won't be for all tastes. 6/10 Bethany Cox
This is what INDIE HORROR films should be! A must SEE!
digitalevolutionproject13 January 2005
I am a horror addict... I rent every horror film that comes out despite the fact that 99% of them are bad... often filled with poor acting, bad FX, and zero story development... Fortunate for all of us, GHOST OF THE NEEDLE is in the good 1%. This is what indie horror films should be like! Great story... great characters... and tons of scares! And man does it look GREAT! The thing that I love about films like Ghost of the Needle, is it's ability to take a fresh approach to both story and character development, while still having a lot of the traditional horror film elements that we all love. This film is definitely worth checking out and I am looking forward to future films from this team.
Compelling Suspence Yarn
noel108411 February 2004
"Ghost of the Needle" is the compelling and taunt story of Jacob (Brian Avenet-Bradley), a talented photographer who enjoys injecting young women with drugs and then photographing their dead bodies. His agent, Richard (Greg Thompson), is frustrated that Jacob won't sell any of his work, even after a nice commission to photograph a bridge at a particular time of day.
Jacob manages to find a new girl, Aimee (Cheri Christian), while photographing the bridge. But after this murder, funny things start to occur in Jacob's studio.
I'd say more, but that would just ruin the experience of viewing this incredible piece of cinema.
The film is directed and edited with confidence by Avenet-Bradley, and shot with skill by his wife, Laurence Avenet-Bradley. No shot is superfluous or poorly staged. The script, done by Avenet-Bradley is a refreshing one, choosing to center on the killer as the primary character.
It's interesting that Jacob almost becomes the sympathetic "hero" of the film as Avenet-Bradley surrounds Jacob with unlikable people, including his slimy agent, a nasty detective/bounty hunter (Kevin Bartolomucci), and Steve, the wealthy man (Jack Harkleroad) who is commissioning Jacob to photograph the bridge. The only truly likable person Jacob meets is Laura (Leigh Hill), Steve's wife.
None of these people have done anything wrong or even given you a reason not to like them, and yet I found myself viewing Jacob the most likable fellow, despite the fact that he's serial killer. It's a refreshing shift from having the strong hero battling the interesting psycho to focusing only on how the killer is viewing this world around him.
Avenet-Bradley's Jacob is a sullen and nearly emotionless man. It works. "It's technical," Jacob says early on. And it is. The film makes a point of showing the audience just how methodical Jacob is in his photography, with a wonderfully done sequence of photo development by hand (Reminded me of "One Hour Photo"'s explanation of how of one-hour places do your snapshots). The victims are picked purely by chance. Jacob then goes through the process of propping them up, photographing them, and the developing and framing the pictures. The method has meaning for him, not so much the result.
Thompson's Richard is a very Hollywoodish agent, all smiles with customers, slave driver with Jacob. His line delivery is dead-on and wonderful, injecting deadpan humor into a very serious, unfunny film.
The real gem is Leigh Hill as Laura. I was a bit iffy concerning the performance when Laura first appears, but by the end, I was sold on Hill. She plays Laura with serious inner-strength and a quiet, loving power that nicely balances Jacob's technical methodicalness.
I'm not a person that gets scared at films that have tons of blood, lots of gore, etc. I'm more about atmosphere and creating an air of suspense and danger. "Ghost of the Needle" does a fine job of doing these things. Laurence Avenet-Bradley's camera work goes a long way to achieving this by weaving in and out of the truly spooky warehouse with wonderful dolly shots throughout the film. Additionally, Mark Lee Fletcher's score is eerie and haunting, only increasing the strength of the film's thriller capabilities.
"Ghost of the Needle" is a fine, compelling suspense story with fine acting and technical work. This is a little film that deserves a big theatrical break.
Jacob manages to find a new girl, Aimee (Cheri Christian), while photographing the bridge. But after this murder, funny things start to occur in Jacob's studio.
I'd say more, but that would just ruin the experience of viewing this incredible piece of cinema.
The film is directed and edited with confidence by Avenet-Bradley, and shot with skill by his wife, Laurence Avenet-Bradley. No shot is superfluous or poorly staged. The script, done by Avenet-Bradley is a refreshing one, choosing to center on the killer as the primary character.
It's interesting that Jacob almost becomes the sympathetic "hero" of the film as Avenet-Bradley surrounds Jacob with unlikable people, including his slimy agent, a nasty detective/bounty hunter (Kevin Bartolomucci), and Steve, the wealthy man (Jack Harkleroad) who is commissioning Jacob to photograph the bridge. The only truly likable person Jacob meets is Laura (Leigh Hill), Steve's wife.
None of these people have done anything wrong or even given you a reason not to like them, and yet I found myself viewing Jacob the most likable fellow, despite the fact that he's serial killer. It's a refreshing shift from having the strong hero battling the interesting psycho to focusing only on how the killer is viewing this world around him.
Avenet-Bradley's Jacob is a sullen and nearly emotionless man. It works. "It's technical," Jacob says early on. And it is. The film makes a point of showing the audience just how methodical Jacob is in his photography, with a wonderfully done sequence of photo development by hand (Reminded me of "One Hour Photo"'s explanation of how of one-hour places do your snapshots). The victims are picked purely by chance. Jacob then goes through the process of propping them up, photographing them, and the developing and framing the pictures. The method has meaning for him, not so much the result.
Thompson's Richard is a very Hollywoodish agent, all smiles with customers, slave driver with Jacob. His line delivery is dead-on and wonderful, injecting deadpan humor into a very serious, unfunny film.
The real gem is Leigh Hill as Laura. I was a bit iffy concerning the performance when Laura first appears, but by the end, I was sold on Hill. She plays Laura with serious inner-strength and a quiet, loving power that nicely balances Jacob's technical methodicalness.
I'm not a person that gets scared at films that have tons of blood, lots of gore, etc. I'm more about atmosphere and creating an air of suspense and danger. "Ghost of the Needle" does a fine job of doing these things. Laurence Avenet-Bradley's camera work goes a long way to achieving this by weaving in and out of the truly spooky warehouse with wonderful dolly shots throughout the film. Additionally, Mark Lee Fletcher's score is eerie and haunting, only increasing the strength of the film's thriller capabilities.
"Ghost of the Needle" is a fine, compelling suspense story with fine acting and technical work. This is a little film that deserves a big theatrical break.
Surprising treat indeed
radspazman10 February 2004
This film surprised me in the sense that...IT WAS SCARY. Yes indeed, I was not expecting to jump or be tempted to shield my eyes; however, it remained a treat non-the-less. Creepy sounds and music compile with the high-quality acting produce a truly suspenseful product. Furthermore, the great cinematography is a notable addition to this thriller. I highly recommend this movie if your thirsting for a blood pumping experience.
High quality horror film.
wranger11 February 2004
Excellent Thriller
dedhed6623 August 2003
This movie kept me on the edge of my seat - It is a small independent, but if this was picked up it could easily be the next Blair Witch type sensation. The primary characters are very believable, and the story is gripping. This is the kind of movie that will have you checking over your shoulder a week after you see it.
It scared me right out of my seat!!
billymorrin5 February 2004
I happened to be in Durham, North Carolina a few weeks back on business and stopped by the Nevermore Film Festival and was treated to this great indie flick! It scared me right out of my seat. And the killers idea of what to do with the bodies, man, I don't want to spoil anything, but WOW, what a great idea. Very original. Very well shot. If it's playing in your town go see it, it's really good!
Bad acting school!!
petergunns2 March 2004
Just saw this the other day after a few recommendations from the net. I'm always looking out for new good horror stuff.
It's a strange film really. The acting is straight from the amateur dramatics society, it really is that bad. The scrip is very ropey with poor dialogue that doesn't really go anywhere. But somehow the film keeps you watching right up until the unfortunately lame ending. The film is genuinely creepy in places.
If you like this sort of thing done properly, check out Brad Anderson's fantastic, "session 9" (2001), the movie Ghost of the needle is desperately trying to be.
It's a strange film really. The acting is straight from the amateur dramatics society, it really is that bad. The scrip is very ropey with poor dialogue that doesn't really go anywhere. But somehow the film keeps you watching right up until the unfortunately lame ending. The film is genuinely creepy in places.
If you like this sort of thing done properly, check out Brad Anderson's fantastic, "session 9" (2001), the movie Ghost of the needle is desperately trying to be.
suspense/horror/thriller/ well done
Videoguy885 July 2004
I saw this film at the Atlanta Film Festival and thought the acting, story, and cinematography were great.
The mere fact that this film is playing festivals around the world and winning audience awards, means people like it. I thought it was well done and would love to have it on DVD.
Definitely, as noted in previous reviews, the serial killer's method of killing his victims is unique. I can imagine people having nightmares after seeing this film because there are some truly disturbing moments.
Greg Thompson gives a powerful performance as a "Hollywood" type agent for the killer.
I would like to say more about the story that hasn't been said, but I don't want to give anything away.
I highly recommend seeing this film if you have the chance.
Matt
The mere fact that this film is playing festivals around the world and winning audience awards, means people like it. I thought it was well done and would love to have it on DVD.
Definitely, as noted in previous reviews, the serial killer's method of killing his victims is unique. I can imagine people having nightmares after seeing this film because there are some truly disturbing moments.
Greg Thompson gives a powerful performance as a "Hollywood" type agent for the killer.
I would like to say more about the story that hasn't been said, but I don't want to give anything away.
I highly recommend seeing this film if you have the chance.
Matt
A good looking Indie Horror
madmonkofflorence3 March 2005
I very much enjoyed "The Ghost of the Needle", I personally prefer independent films over the latest blockbuster, but I generally do not like indie horror. Not dogging indie horror films, but there really is just so much you can do with an independent budget. The storyline in this movie is actually very good, there are a few things in the plot line that aren't needed, but the plot twists and turns are really not expected, and I someone who can generally pick out the ending pretty easily honestly had no idea. I guess when I say the part in the plot that wasn't needed, was more of a couple characters that could have been explained more, or just not used. I personally know the actor Greg Thompson who I believed did a great job.
best indie film I've ever seen
happypinksnowflake10 February 2004
This is by far the best indie film I've ever seen. On top of that, it's one the scariest movies in general. It's more of a thriller than a horror film, and the suspense will have you gritting your teeth and clutching anyone close to you the whole time. The plot, cinematography, acting, and music are all top notch...Greg Thompson's performance was especially outstanding. Anyone who likes suspenseful movies needs to check this one out...I give it an A+.
Very creepy!
hrivnak20 November 2003
Warning: Spoilers
I was fortunate enough to see this film at the Fright Fest horror film festival in Gainesville, GA.
It's an excellent, indie horror film. Very well shot. The cinematography and lighting are great and the abandoned warehouse location is just perfect, really adding to the mood of the piece. The acting is subtle and well done, not over the top.
The story is pretty unique, and the killer's fetish is a great visual. And just wait to you see the end... I don't want to reveal any spoilers, but there's a great visual moment on top of some great acting.
If there's any justice in the world, this film will get theatrical distribution. If not, I recommend you seek it out at any of the film festivals it is playing at.
It's an excellent, indie horror film. Very well shot. The cinematography and lighting are great and the abandoned warehouse location is just perfect, really adding to the mood of the piece. The acting is subtle and well done, not over the top.
The story is pretty unique, and the killer's fetish is a great visual. And just wait to you see the end... I don't want to reveal any spoilers, but there's a great visual moment on top of some great acting.
If there's any justice in the world, this film will get theatrical distribution. If not, I recommend you seek it out at any of the film festivals it is playing at.
Above average thriller - worth seeking out
monstersatplay5 February 2004
There is no doubt that Ghost of the Needle goes above and beyond your average indie thriller. Shot on film and featuring more "adult" oriented thematic elements than your average indie flick adds to Ghost's broader appeal. It's certainly not SCREAM and it doesn't have any annoying horror "quips" to bog it down.
Instead, Ghost is a thoughtful well written and acted thriller that satisfies on a larger level than your standard exploitation film.
Instead, Ghost is a thoughtful well written and acted thriller that satisfies on a larger level than your standard exploitation film.
Freaking Awesome
c_popham9 February 2004
This is a modern masterpiece of independent films. This movie easily taps into the psyche and fears and haunts you. It is expertly shot and brilliantly performed. Unlike many scary movies today, the acting is believable and the situations are actually conceivable. Avanet-Bradley knows how to scare you, and does so with skill. This is not one of those corny movies but easily one of the best indie films I have ever seen. I personally recommend that everyone see this movie, but beware, even I, couldn't sleep without a light on for a week. Now thats a scary movie!!
Finally. A decent DTV horror flick.
bioniczombiebaboon11 April 2005
I generally don't like low-budget direct to video horror. So often I've gone into these with an open mind, willing to give them a little slack for not having all the Hollywood gloss only to be kicked in the knackers, robbed of my money and time (ie-steaming turds like "13 Seconds" and anything from "Brain Damage Films"). Imagine my utter shock when this little gem actually turned out to be good. In fact, it's damn good! A nutty photographer with a penchant for drugging, killing and snapping shots of his victims then wrapping them in plastic and storing them in his basement violates the wrong chick and ends up in a whole lotta trouble. To say more would ruin this fine flick. The director here makes great use of his low budget. Instead of loading the screen with shoddy gore effects ala "Hells' Highway" we get creepy atmosphere, a chilling score and sound effects and a tight script with a twist or two. The acting, while not stellar, is above the norm for mini-budget horror and manages to keep the viewer engaged instead of repelled. An impressive, chilling ride. This almost restores my faith in the DTV horror genre.
Kevin Bartolomucci BEST Thing in Movie
DevorahP7 May 2005
Kevin Bartolomucci continues to blow me away. This actor is not your typical boy-next door type. He is not made of six-pack abs, blonde hair & blue eyes. But this a a GREAT thing. His resume shows years of community theatre and improv experience in the southern states of Tennessee and Georgia. It is apparent that his improv work his served him well as he is rapidly becoming a factor in the film world. He is natural and at ease in this role. I am tired of those bland WASPY types who grace the covers of VANITY FAIR yet lack depth. His presence, both physically & emotionally, is an asset to any role he takes on. Now if only he would make the move to L.A. or New York so we could see him in more.
Very, clever, very scary, very good.
razorwire28 June 2006
It was a very very very cool film...and scary too! This filmmaker really had it going on and I believe the director is also the main character in the film. Lots of good scares, some funny stuff from the guy playing the high strung agent, and some very clever plot twists. I do believe these filmmakers are destined for great things. I really want to see their new film Dead Remains, I have heard lots of very good reviews. Good luck, and Good work! I will be watching the festivals in hopes of catching a glimpse of your new film. Hopefully you guys will continue making films of this quality for a long long time to come. A+++++++++++ all the way.
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