Film Review - The Skunkape Story
Starring - Marcus Tegtmeier, Tara Hinkley, Kim Moser | Directed by Dustin W. Ferguson | RHR DVD-R FF R 46min 2009
Review By Xmortis
This short film is from Dustin Ferguson and his RHR Home Video team. It's a semi parody and homage to such films as Legend of Boggy Creek and Legend of Bigfoot.
Hank Crabtree is a professor in Nebraska who brings us this shocking and terrifying look at the Skunk Ape, a Bigfoot-like creature who has roamed the area since 1974. He talks about real cases, shows dramatic enactments and speak to those who witnessed the sightings. Crabtree also shares a video of the final moments of two young girls lives who had crossed paths with the Skunkape.
This is a fun throw back style film that has the fake documentary horror style down to a capital T. The filming is great and captures the grain and dull colors of those films. The video found of the two girls is crisp with some added shaking effects and flaws. The acting is super cheesy and once more this is done for effect and is to add that "real" feel to the documentary. What's funny is the film's use of filler with tons of nature shots and music moments that once again is straight parody of the source martial. The Skunkape is a man in a cheap gorilla suit and while not scary is perfect for this style of film. The soundtrack is great and does a kick ass job of mixing folky rock and score material. The film is pretty much bloodless and only has one scene of violence that actually makes a big impact. Tara Hinkley who is also a web show horror hostess named Devi Lina has a small role in the film as one of the missing girls. Her show Dungeon of Horrors is also made by RHR so make sure to check it out as well. Over all this is a fun short film that is a prefect watch alongside films like Legend of Boggy Creek and TV shows like Monster Quest. If you like your Independent Low/No Budget horror films with a little retro feel then check out this film and others from RHR.
The DVD is barebones and is a pop and play because the film is download only and the dirctor supplies the movie file and the cover for download.
I love the style of film that this parodies, and I think that is why I found this film to be so much fun. While it's not truly a horror film and has tongue in cheek humor, it's a weird throw back film that has lots of charm. I would say it's worth the watch and download for sure.
I should also point out that the amazing cover art is a double homage to old VHS covers and to the film The Town That Dreaded Sundown. That also wins this film and its crew brownie points from this reviewer.