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Directed by Gris Grimly
Review by Molly Celaschi
Following an educational intro on ghouls, vampires, zombies, and witches, we are introduced to 2 redneck cannibalistic ghouls named Stash and Hub. They are walking through a graveyard at night looking for their next corpse meal. But this night is different from their past trips as the dead are fed up with being feasted upon. Enter an uncooperative corpse and a Lovecraftian monster and you find that Stash and Hub will get their just desserts.
The short film is black & white live action with a scratchy film look as a throwback to the 50’s. There are many influences here such as Silent films (including intertitles to narrate) and German Expressionism. One scene in particular reminds me of THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI. There is also stop motion animation featuring real meat.
Stash and Hub are likeable characters despite being ghouls. Stash in particular reminds me of crusty Johnny Depp and oozes cannibalistic charm. They engage in black humorous banter for about 25 minutes covering their childhood fears and scary cartoons. At one point, Hub stops and says he hates the “condiment commercial” about using condiments on different foods. He looks so remorseful as he says he watched a cartoon radish drowning in condiments and he wanted to help.
There is also a hint of a debate on cannibalism. They are that “humans are always depicting their food as people,” then give examples such as the Fruit of the Loom underwear and the California raisins. Because raisins aren’t good enough to eat unless they are singing and dancing.
The end of the film quickly picks up the pace when a corpse is not happy about getting eaten. Stash and Hub are then chased by a strange monster and the blood spills, no, showers across the screen.
This is the ambitious directorial debut of Gris Grimly, who reminds me of a young rockabilly Tim Burton. I felt like I was watching a cross between CRY BABY and NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. The production values and quality were amazing. He has more style and knowledge invested in his work than most feature directors do. He is an artist and well known for his children’s books such as Santa Claws and Wicked Nursery Rhymes. But I sincerely hope he continues his filmmaking career.
Favorite Quote: “I’m a high maintenance cannibal.”
Bottom Line: Extremely well made short with engrossing visuals along the lines of Tim Burton’s work.
Rating: 9.5/10
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