THE DOUBLE BORN
MOVIE REVIEW

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E.C. McMullen Jr.
RUMOR

RUMOR: People are dying to know the truth

PERPETUAL
BULLET

"'Some People' ... may be the standout story in the book."
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E.C. McMullen Jr.
WILLOW BLUE

"'Willow Blue' will burrow under your skin and stay there long after you've put the book down."
- Jeffrey Reddick, Creator of
FINAL DESTINATION

IN OTHER BOOKS
E.C. McMullen Jr.'s
short story
CEDO LOOKED LIKE PEOPLE
in the anthology
FEAR THE REAPER

"This Ray Bradbury-esque is one of the most memorable and one of the more original stories I've read in a long time."
- Steve Isaak,
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HORROR 201:
The Silver Scream

Filmmaker's Guidebook
featuring
RAY BRADBURY,
JOHN CARPENTER,
WES CRAVEN,
TOM HOLLAND,
E.C. McMULLEN Jr.,
GEORGE A. ROMERO,
and many more.

And In
CINEMA
E.C. McMullen Jr.
Head Production Designer

MINE GAMES
(Starring:
JOSEPH CROSS,
BRIANA EVIGAN,
ALEX MERAZ,
ETHAN PECK)

Dept. head
Special Effects Make-Up
(SFX MUA)

A SIERRA NEVADA
GUNFIGHT
(MICHAEL MADSEN & JOHN SAVAGE).

Production Designer

UNIVERSAL DEAD
(DOUG JONES,
D.B. SWEENEY,
GARY GRAHAM)

Art Director

THE CRUSADER
(COLIN CUNNINGHAM,
GARY GRAHAM)

		Review by Terrence Kelsey
THE DOUBLE BORN - 2008 USA Release: Jan. 26, 2010 Painted Bird Films Rated: Unrated

Writing this review pains me. Why? Because THE DOUBLE BORN is one of the worst films I have seen in recent memory. What pains me even more is that it is written and directed by Tony Randel, whom once upon a time made the very cool HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER II (1988).

While viewing Randel's latest endeavor, I had to keep asking myself if this movie was made by the same guy.

This ultra-low budget affair centers around a distraught wife, "Sophie" Sophonisba (Sammi Davis: LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM), mourning the death of her kidnapped little boy (from one year or so prior). Out of desperation, she rapes her husband Ephraim, (Jon Lindstrom: POINT OF SEDUCTION: BODY CHEMISTRY III) in his sleep in an effort to become pregnant again. Unfortunately, hubby's sperm count is too low, so the wife resorts to nefarious means to get what she needs - even chasing after other men behind hubby's back.

Eventually, she befriends two young men, Harry (Jake Bern) and Tommy (Alex Weed: HORROR HIGH, THE PUMPKIN CARVER) whom unbeknownst to her have deep-seated psychological issues and violent psychotic tendencies. Shortly thereafter, a strong bond is forged between this trio, alienating Sophie's hubby and her younger sister Hallie (Jenny Dare Paulin: INFECTION, COOL AIR).

There's an obvious twist, which you'll see coming a mile away, as it is revealed nearly halfway into the flick. But I won't spoil it for anyone still adventurous enough to see it.

On the technical side, THE DOUBLE BORN is in my eyes an embarrassment - HORRIBLY EXECUTED. The lack of cinematography seems to be done with consumer DV camcorders and absolutely no lighting whatsoever.

TRIVIA

1. Actually that is a criticism long leveled at the Dogme or Dogma 95 Rules.

American Film Critic, Armand White, said of Dogme 95,
"the manifesto that brought filmmaking closer to amateur porn."

Directors Thomas Vinterberg and Lars Von Trier, who created the 10 Rules of Dogma 95, have used it as a stick to hit others, yet failed to uphold the 10 principles of their "Vow" for themselves, starting with their very first "self-proclaimed" Dogma 95 film, Vinterberg's The Celebration.

The group disbanded in 2005.

I don't know if this was an intentional exercise in Dogme 95 aesthetics of shooting on real locations with natural lighting. If that is the case, then the result is amateurish at best.

Hell, I've seen better cinematography and lighting in hardcore porn (yes, I admit I've seen my share).1

Worst of all (aside from the plot that is supposedly based on a Bram Stoker story) are the performances from the actors. Very little range and believability on display. Everyone is overacting.

I will give lead actress Davis (whom also served as co-producer) some kudos for going all out, while showcasing some graphic nudity in her sex scenes, etc.

I guess that is the only positive thing I can say about this tediously boring movie.

I still am amazed that this is from the same man whom made HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER II. I sincerely hope Tony Randel gets his mojo back, because it ain't with him here.