Best Horror Movies
Emerging Past (2011) Review
Emerging Past has all of the necessary components of great horror, including a good soundtrack, slick production quality and recognized performers. Unfortunately those elements can’t keep the film from being a train wreck.
Release Date: May 17, 2011
Directed By: Thomas J. Churchill
Written By: Thomas J. Churchill
Starring:
Krista Grotte as Pam
Brooke McCarter as Dylan
Stephen Geoffreys as Cameron Nucci
Steve Dash as Det. Vorhees
Tony Moran as Blind Man
Edward X. Young as Father Cole
Pam (Krista Grotte) is a news photographerliving with terrible pain. Some time earlier her husband to be, a priest who turned his back on his faith to be with her, is killed right before her eyes by a stray bullet intended for a fleeing robber. The experience has left her tough and driven, seeking solace in her work.
While on assignment Pam witnesses, and photographs, a ritual killing in a graveyard. When the perpetrators discover her watching a chase ensues that grows into a city-wide conspiracy to take from Pam the telltale film of the gruesome murder.
Emerging Past has some great things going for it out of the gate. The cinematography and visual quality, for example, are outstanding; especially if the rumored budget of $275,000 is accurate. Although the camera work during scenes with people in them are poorly planned and edited, the overall tone and brightness of the film implies a much larger budget than reported and certainly some cinematographic skill. The soundtrack is also very good, original music that is well produced and performed. The music was used completely inappropriately for the scenes they accompanied… but the music itself is top notch. Several of the performers in Emerging Past are known for something dear to the hearts of Horror Freaks, including Steve Dash (Jason, Friday the 13th Part 2), Tony Moran (Michael Myers, Halloween) and Stephen Geoffreys (Fright Night). Good strategy to ensure some good film publicity and interest, but not so good when Moran’s portrayal of a blind man resembles a cross between the rain man and Stevie Wonder. Noticing a pattern here?
Although Emerging Past has several positive components, the use of them just doesn’t work. Then there are the “less than positive” components, namely the script, sets and acting performances. The script is awkward; the characters use phrases that people just wouldn’t say in a given situation, and there are just too many words and explanations. No subtle looks of suspicion as Pam notices a man being chased and decides to follow, but rather an out-loud musing to her self in the realm of “what the? That’s strange. I’m going to follow them!” as if she’s explaining her actions to the visually impaired. The monologue that Pam launches into to proclaim that she is not materialistic and just wants love is another notable, sounding more like a Harlequin romance novel than a person making an earnest statement.
The sets in Emerging Past are extremely out of place in some scenes. Not the outside scenes, mind you – the city and park shots are all great, even though the graveyard has so many cuts of Pam running through it that it must be the size of four football fields. It is interesting how Pam seamlessly moves from graveyard with a cityscape way in the background to an open field with dozens of people chasing her to a basketball court in the middle of Harlem without breaking a sweat, but that’s more a directing thing than a set thing. Anyway, outside was good, but inside was at times absurd. Pam’s house was filled with ornate Grandma Furniture with a Mickey Mouse toy and circa 1980 television with rabbit ears thrown in for good measure. The police station was some kind of warehouse or something I think, don’t know. I recognize this is low budget horror, but Grandma’s house just isn’t suitable for a rough looking fried-haired photographer who is more reminiscent of a biker chick than the love interest of a priest.
The acting was shaky across the board in Emerging Past, with the exception of the non-speaking creepy characters who were all great. There weren’t any speaking characters that I was buying though. Some of it was the script, but these folks didn’t seem to remember their lines very well and ad-libbing is not their forte. I was longing to hear someone say something in a way that a human being might actually say something. But alas, I was denied.
The result of all of this is a film that has so much promise, and likely markets very well, yet fails when it gets to the brass tacks of telling a story in an entertaining, scary and compelling way. Very good in theory, but not in practice, that’s Emerging Past.
Thomas J. Churchhill
While on assignment Pam witnesses, and photographs, a ritual killing in a graveyard. When the perpetrators discover her watching a chase ensues that grows into a city-wide conspiracy to take from Pam the telltale film of the gruesome murder.
Emerging Past has some great things going for it out of the gate. The cinematography and visual quality, for example, are outstanding; especially if the rumored budget of $275,000 is accurate. Although the camera work during scenes with people in them are poorly planned and edited, the overall tone and brightness of the film implies a much larger budget than reported and certainly some cinematographic skill. The soundtrack is also very good, original music that is well produced and performed. The music was used completely inappropriately for the scenes they accompanied… but the music itself is top notch. Several of the performers in Emerging Past are known for something dear to the hearts of Horror Freaks, including Steve Dash (Jason, Friday the 13th Part 2), Tony Moran (Michael Myers, Halloween) and Stephen Geoffreys (Fright Night). Good strategy to ensure some good film publicity and interest, but not so good when Moran’s portrayal of a blind man resembles a cross between the rain man and Stevie Wonder. Noticing a pattern here?
Although Emerging Past has several positive components, the use of them just doesn’t work. Then there are the “less than positive” components, namely the script, sets and acting performances. The script is awkward; the characters use phrases that people just wouldn’t say in a given situation, and there are just too many words and explanations. No subtle looks of suspicion as Pam notices a man being chased and decides to follow, but rather an out-loud musing to her self in the realm of “what the? That’s strange. I’m going to follow them!” as if she’s explaining her actions to the visually impaired. The monologue that Pam launches into to proclaim that she is not materialistic and just wants love is another notable, sounding more like a Harlequin romance novel than a person making an earnest statement.
The sets in Emerging Past are extremely out of place in some scenes. Not the outside scenes, mind you – the city and park shots are all great, even though the graveyard has so many cuts of Pam running through it that it must be the size of four football fields. It is interesting how Pam seamlessly moves from graveyard with a cityscape way in the background to an open field with dozens of people chasing her to a basketball court in the middle of Harlem without breaking a sweat, but that’s more a directing thing than a set thing. Anyway, outside was good, but inside was at times absurd. Pam’s house was filled with ornate Grandma Furniture with a Mickey Mouse toy and circa 1980 television with rabbit ears thrown in for good measure. The police station was some kind of warehouse or something I think, don’t know. I recognize this is low budget horror, but Grandma’s house just isn’t suitable for a rough looking fried-haired photographer who is more reminiscent of a biker chick than the love interest of a priest.
The acting was shaky across the board in Emerging Past, with the exception of the non-speaking creepy characters who were all great. There weren’t any speaking characters that I was buying though. Some of it was the script, but these folks didn’t seem to remember their lines very well and ad-libbing is not their forte. I was longing to hear someone say something in a way that a human being might actually say something. But alas, I was denied.
The result of all of this is a film that has so much promise, and likely markets very well, yet fails when it gets to the brass tacks of telling a story in an entertaining, scary and compelling way. Very good in theory, but not in practice, that’s Emerging Past.
Thomas J. Churchhill
homas J. Churchill Presents…Emerging Past
Not to long ago I had the pleasure of introducing to you, My Freaky Darlings, Thomas Churchill! At the time we more just talked about who he was and what things he had going. You might remember of his projects we talked about one of his films Emerging Past. Since that interview this film has been on the circuit causing all kinds of attention. It is now getting a release to DVD June 7th and will also be streamed on Netflix. It is because of this that Thomas Churchill and Marquee Media and Marketing have decided to give me the pleasure….NO….the Honor of interviewing him again for the release! I’m not going to waste another second…let’s dig right in darlings…
Thomas J. Churchill Presents…Emerging Past
Malice Psychotik: Well so glad I was given the honor to do another interview with you boyo!! So let’s do this!!!
Thomas J. Churchill: Thanks me too
Malice: It wasn’t too long ago that I was introducing my readers to the great Thomas Churchill….
T.J.C: Thomas J. Churchill…lol just kidding.
Malice: Ha Ha! Sorry…Well now your back again to promote your new DVD release. How have things been in between Thom?
T.J.C: Pretty busy…Getting “Emerging Past” together for distribution and pre-production with Hallow Pointe has kept me pretty busy. BUT…a good busy.
Malice: Why don’t you refresh my freaky darlings on Emerging Past?
T.J.C: This film is a mind trip! Pure rollercoaster ride of excitement…as it has been labeled! Every twist, every turn reveals something different. It is a thinking person’s horror thriller. It has also been said that somewhere between The Exorcist and The Omen…Emerging Past will sit.”
Call it what you want but, it is a film you need to pay attention to. EP has won 5 awards to date. I had an amazing time working with an awesome cast and crew. We have been meeting great people along the promotional tour for it. And the fans…OMG! The fans have been amazing. They get it. They seem to love it! The film is a trip. When I set out to make something that was different from your average horror film, I wanted something that no one can guess my storyline or ending ten minutes into it. That is what I feel I delivered to the world. Something fresh and new and most of all a horror film that isn’t a recycle of every other film that comes out.
Malice: How did you come up with the concept for Emerging Past?
T.J.C: I came up with the concept on a weekend get away trip to Washington , DC with my cousin.
Malice: What in D.C. inspired you to write the story?
T.J.C: Heading to Washington, DC I was excited to location hop where one of the greatest horror films of all time was shot, The Exorcist. I wanted to see the stairs, the house, the college, the streets of Georgetown . It was exciting to me. So I was playing around with my camera and shot things I could later incorporate into a film back in New York . The title came to me while in Washington , DC .
The footage I shot with my cousin Joe was inspiring me to write something different. I shot a version ofEP a long time ago, during this trip. The concept was pretty much the same but a lot different. I always wanted to redo it on a bigger scale and now I have. Maybe one day down the road I will release that test-version of EP on some anniversary edition of the current film. Wow! What great memories I have of making that film.
Malice: When you made the characters, did you already have an actor in mind? Or more what inspired you to write the story?
T.J.C: When I rewrote the script, I wanted Pamela Anderson to play the lead. LOL. That’s why the character’s name is Pamela in the film. One of the first that was approached was Tiffany Shepis. I had spoken to Tiffany about this role back in the day in New York . She was approached again when we were about to shoot the film. She was excited and we were heading closer to working together until something occurred that didn’t work out for us. I was bit bummed because I wanted to work with her. I will be now with Hallow Pointe. Brooke McCarter brought Krista Grotte to the table. I had a few meetings with her and she read the script and came with the passion you would need to pull off this complex character. The role of Pamela Garret is very layered. Each layer reveals something cool about her. Krista got it! An amazing actress and a delight to work with. She brought Pamela Garret to life as well as won a Best Actress award for role.
When you’re doing an independent horror film with a limited budget you need the best actors to bring your writing to life. I believe no A list stars would have done a better job than the cast that I have inEP. Brooke McCarter won a Best Actor award for his role as Dylan. “The Lost Boys” was an amazing film and Brooke’s role in it was cool. But it didn’t show his amazing talent as an actor. His acting range is brilliant! Seeing him play this role in EP was amazing. If it was a Hollywood film, Brooke would be Sean Penn. Brooke was just that good in this film. Stephen Geoffreys who plays Cameron in the film was brilliant. Stephen has had an amazing career…he is a horror icon with his roles in “Fright Night” and “976-EVIL.” He was brilliant. We have several horror icons in the film: Stephen, Brooke, Steve Dash (“Friday the 13th part 2”) and Tony Moran (Carpenters’ Halloween 1 and 2) They brought their A-game to EP. Even though their roles were small, they stand out in a HUGE way.
Malice: What led you to the decision to have G Tom Mac soundtrack this masterpiece?
T.J.C: Masterpiece? Thanks bro. Thank you very much for the compliment. Well, G came to the table through David Lee Madison and Brooke McCarter. Actually most of the cast came through David. During shooting Brooke told me that he had this feeling while making the movie that it’s going to be bigger than what we are doing. He mentioned he would reach out to G. I didn’t think anything about it…just went about making the film. The night before I was leaving to go to LA, David called me on a three-way with G on the other line. We spoke a bit and when I got to LA we met. Great guy. I showed him some “raw footage” and he wanted to be involved a bit more than giving a song or two. He was excited about the project. He stated he has not had this feeling since The Lost Boys about a film. He wrote the score and handed over 8 “new” songs including “Soul I Bare” which I directed. “Taken,” “Fallen” and the duet with Corey Haim “Mend Me”. Brilliant. To me this soundtrack is G’s best work. “Soul I Bare” is the new “Cry little Sister”. We have a song called “Mud” by Katie DiCicco which also won Best Song. I directed that video as well. Various artists including Brian Ray, Magni, Kizzy Star…just to name a few, round out the soundtrack. Spectra Records did a kick ass job with the soundtrack album which is available now for download on sites such as iTunes and Amazon and the physical CD hits stores the same day the movie does…June 7th.
Full Movie on PutLocker
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