Torches are Chasing STITCH HEAD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres for the thriller season from writer/director Steve Hudson and Briarcliff Entertainment comes the animated story of monsters and friendship led by STITCH HEAD.

In the small town of Grubbers Nubbin, very high on the hill is a castle that the towns folk are afraid to even speak about. In the castle is a mad professor (Rob Brydon) who creates monsters. His first is a young lad named Stitch Head (Asa Butterfield), an assistant in the lab and caring friend to the others in the castle. He keeps things running smoothly and efficiently. Down in the village, a circus show arrives in town and leader Fulbert Freakfinder (Seth Usdenov) promising to frighten the people for a mere coin. It is the young Arabella (Tia Bannon) who explains that the creatures aren’t scary at all and only what’s on the hill scares them.

Back in the castle, a new monster that Stitch Head names Creature (Joel Fry), is introduced to the others in the castle and he explains that they must be quiet to keep the villagers away. Soon, the doorbell, literally, rings and the castle is on high alert. Freakfinder reaches out to Stitch Head to convince him that there is a better life outside the castle. Thinking about it more and not feeling loved, Stitch Head decides it’s time to see the real world and do what other kids would do – join the circus.

Almost immediately Stitch Head is a hit with the village but Arabella sees him more as a friend even though her Nan (Alison Steadman) tries to keep her at bay. Someone else who is keeping an eye on him from a distance is Creature. When things begin to go wrong and Freakfinder turns on Stitch Head by using the villagers to become what monsters fear the most, but Stitch Head, Arabella and Creature have other plans.

Sometimes monsters are exactly what you need!

Butterfield as Stitch Head is such a charming boy who believes that working with the professor and taking care of monsters is fulfilling. That may be true but it makes him feel unloved which is what sends him to the Freakfinder circus. It is his castle friendship with Creature and his new friendship with villager Arabella that makes him truly understand where he belongs. This isn’t the first animated character that Butterfield has done voice for as he has also done the voice of Icarus in the video game HADES II and the series THE PROPHECY. His voice is perfection for Stitch Head and I loved it.

Bannon as Arabella lends her voice to a young girl who clearly knows what scary is but she hasn’t quite found it yet. I just love how she was so not impressed with the circus or anything else but instead was more interested in friendships made. Usdenov as Freakfinder is a charismatic character, musically fun and outlandishly flamboyant which is why Stitch Head was so easily swayed. Of course, as with most characters like Freakfinder, there is a darker side and when push comes to shove, Usdenov gets to flick the switch and it works so darn well.

Fry as the Creature is endearing, loveable, caring and is thrilled to have found his best friend for life. In protective mode, he believes that Stitch Head is worthy of everything he has to give, including love. What a marvelous character to be the voice of and if we all could have one friend like that in our lives, we’d all be so much better in all things. Brydon as the Professor is a character so wrapped up in his work that he fails to see the joy of what is in front of him. Steadman as Nan tries hard to keep Arabella away from Stitch Head but the little girl is just to fast.

Other cast includes Fern Brady as Madame Miranda, Jamali Maddix as Taj & Tej, Ryan Sampson as Doctor Dislocation, Rasmus Hardiker as Geoff, Sway Clarke as Tiny Monster, Gemma Saunders as Pigbutt, Paul Tylak as Owggagoffakkookk (yes, that’s his name), Steve Hudson as Woodlouse and Ruth Gibson as the Old Lady.

Briarcliff Entertainment is an independent film production company launched in 2018 and responsible for such films as FAHRENHEIT 11/9, action films such as Liam Neeson’s BLACK LIGHT and COPSHOP with Gerard Butler. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.briarcliffentertainment.com

STITCH HEAD is a wonderfully animated film based on the books by writer Guy Bass. He is an award-winning author who has written more than 30 books. They include Dinkin Dings, Spynosaurs and Skeleton Keys. Dinkin Dings and the Frightening Things won Bass the Blue Peter Award for Most Fun Book with Pictures.

The story brings so many lively and totally creative characters and monsters, each with unique personalities and a bit of a mish mash of parts, and childlike qualities that makes me instantly want a stuff plushie of each. Watching with my family was such a joy that by the end of the film we spent so much time talking about our favorite parts of the film and which character we loved the most, after Stitch Head that is. Director Hudson had a vision for the film and wasted no time in putting it together (pardon the pun) in such a way as to make STITCH HEAD an instant classic that will be enjoyed for a very, very long time.

This is seriously one of the most beautiful animated films this year. It brings horror (not in a gruesome way), comedy, adventure, drama and love all wrapped up into a colorful piece of filmmaking. There isn’t a moment that does bring out some emotion that is going to include laughter, ‘awwwwws’, cheering and fun. It is amazing animated films such as this that bring families to the theatre to celebrate the joy of being together and comes out to time with the Halloween season.

In the end – he is frighteningly friendly!

 

 

 

IN THE EARTH

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from writer/director Ben Wheatley and Neon is the story of what is IN THE EARTH.

Martin (Joel Fry) in on his way to meet fellow scientist and researcher Dr. Olivia Wendle (Hayley Squires) deep in the forest. Arriving at his destination, he is given warnings about the goings on deep among the trees. Also making the journey is Alma (Ellra Torchia) who is investigating strange happenings in the forest as well.

Looking about the cabin they meet up at, Alma tells him about the folklore of the area. As night falls and they camp in the woods, she is woken up by something moving about the site. In the daylight they find wooden statues and a large, smooth black rock where a large rock would not be expected.

They find Dr. Wendle who tells them of her work with sound and the reaction of the earth to it and believes the items they found in the forest are part of it. She also tells them about Zach (Reece Shearsmith) who she has not seen in weeks. Dr. Wendle also knows that something is wrong with him and promises that he does not mean any harm. That is when a strange fog comes towards the three of them and now it is time to survive.

Fry as Martin is looking to help a friend and becomes caught up in something he has no control over. Joined by Torchia as Alma, the two characters, with each step get closer and closer to a mystery they could have never anticipated. Every moment brings them answers but even more questions that they look to the good doctor for.

Squires as Dr. Wendle tries to explain to Martin and Alma about her research. From the music to the lights, Wendle believes that she can reach into the earth and connect in a unique way. She also explains the strange behavior of Shearsmith who plays Zach. He seems possessed by whatever is in the woods and who ever is causing his mental reaction.

Neon is a film production company that is best known for such films as I, TONYA and one of the most incredible Oscar winning film PARASITE. With a total of 12 Academy Award nominations, Neon appeals to audiences that are looking for in-your-face storytelling. For more information, please visit www.neonrated.com.

IN THE EARTH is a film best watched in the dark for full effect (and it is uber cool in the dark) and with a huge tub of popcorn. The anticipation waiting for the answers, because I had a few, is almost forgotten because what takes over is the question “what is causing this?”. Thinking every answer under the sun, I realized that made the film even more enjoyable.

Wheatley says of his film, “It was kind of thinking of ideas about folk, horror and about the construction of myth. There is always a seed of truth in it somewhere but the trapping around it may be absolute nonsense. In this movie, there is a lot of different perspectives on this thing they cannot understand. That was the main idea; that there would be something almost alien that they are trying to come to an understanding with and they move towards that everybody making up lots of reasons and excuse for what it is.”

Having a small cast lets the viewer focus on the story and the characters which I truly enjoy. Their surroundings is another cast member with the deep forests and mysterious stone that keeps its mystery to itself.

In the end – nature is a force of evil!