‘Scream… you’re on TV’
Kolobos is a 1999 American supernatural slasher horror film directed by Daniel Liatowitsch and David Todd Ocvirk from a screenplay co-written by Nne Ebong. The movie stars Amy Weber, Donny Terranova, Nichole Pelerine, John Fairlie, Promise LaMarco and Ilia Volok Simms Thomas. It was also released as Haunted House.
The soundtrack score by William Kidd references the work of Italian prog rock band Goblin.
Arrow Video is releasing Kolobos on Blu-ray in March 2019.
Plot:
A troubled artist named Kyra (Amy Weber) agrees to take part in an experimental film. she meets her new housemates, struggling comedian Tom (Donny Terranova), spoilt actress Erica (Nichole Pelerine), film student Gary (John Fairlie) and fast food worker Tina (Promise LaMarco) Her artwork, which is inspired by a creepy faceless entity, disturbs her new housemates.
The group gets along fine until night time, when a series of deadly traps begin to pick them off one by one. Also hunting the group is the entity from Kyra’s dreams…
Reviews [may contain spoilers]:
“Oddly enough the movie I was most reminded of while watching Kolobos was Norman J. Warren’s Terror, in that it employs much the same Argento-aping style to tell a story that doesn’t really make sense, but by the end you don’t really mind because it’s been such a fun ride anyway. ” House of Mortal Cinema
“…Kolobos generates a surprising amount of mileage out of its creepy, unsettling framing and recurring images, including one doozy of a scare exactly one hour into the film. The filmmakers are obvious lovers of the horror genre, with some welcome nods to author Poppy Z. Brite and particularly Argento.” Mondo Digital
“Kolobos was a breath of clean air when every film on the market seemed to want to smother itself in Scream’s shadow. It was fresh, it was original, and most importantly it was scary. For a very long time my sixteen-year-old self had nightmares about this film, and I was the sort of kid who’d grown jaded against Jason’s and Michael’s and Freddy’s ability to frighten.” Oh, the Horror!
“Even with its limited budget, the practical effects in this film are top-notch. Rivalling the entire Saw franchise, the make-up in this forgotten gem of yesteryear is where this movie really shines. We’re talking bloody entrails, face slicing, and an ankle scene that will make even the biggest gorehound cringe.” PopHorror
“This is by no means perfect, but very few slasher movies ever have been. It is still one of the best titles of the last twenty years and in the top fifteen of all time. Superbly directed with style, panache, a fast pace and a great cast; Kolobos is a titan of slasher styling and should most definitely be added to your collection.” A Slash Above…
“It’s a common flaw in ambitious horror: Great openings are often unfurled by bollocks final acts. Here, Kolobos reveals itself only to be a trip down a blind alley. Journey or destination? Because the latter might be lame, but the former is at least an inventive (for its time), well-acted, and amusing romp.” Vegan Voorhees
” …it features good performances, likeable characters, and a few genuine surprises. The flick is actually really freaking good for about 70 minutes or so. It’s when the twist ending comes into play when every sorta goes downhill. But other than that, it’s quite a solid horror movie.” The Video Vacuum
“There are some interesting mysterious and hallucinative touches here and there but the murderers antics are very unrealistic and the twist ending is one of the most nonsensical endings ever made. The gore is borderline excessive…” The Worldwide Celluloid Massacre
Cast and characters:
- Amy Weber … Kyra – The Pumpkin Karver
- Donny Terranova … Tom
- Nichole Pelerine as Erica
- John Fairlie … Gary
- Promise LaMarco … Tina
- Ilia Volok … Faceless
- Simms Thomas … Doctor Waldman
- Todd Beadle … Doctor Jurgen
- Mari Weiss … Lucille
- Jonathan Rone … Carl
- Linnea Quigley … Dorothy
- Ivan Battee … Detective Byers
Running time:
84 minutes
Release:
Kolobos was released theatrically by Armitage Pictures on September 28, 1999.
Watch trailer on YouTube
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