HALF MOON

"Inside every man lies a beast ... the question is when or whether or not it can be tamed". So sayeth Dr Ralph Martin Peterson, PHD.

Opening quotes to films often add gravitas to proceedings. But ... who the Hell is Dr Ralph Martin Peterson anyway?

No matter. The film kicks off proper with sombre bass-lines and gentle piano picks as a black-gloved man cleans up after himself in a sparsely decorated apartment. Upon completion of hoovering the floor, he leaves - and we get a glimpse of the naked female corpse he's left behind.

Next we meet a trio of hot prostitutes who are afraid to walk the streets at night, on account of the killer who has been stalking their friends and colleagues of late. Their black pimp Kevin (Torey D Sutton) tells them to stay strictly within walking distance of him and hands them each a mobile phone, suggesting that this will enable him to keep in touch with them, hence keeping them safe. "If I call you, make sure you answer your phone on the first ring," he instructs them, "unless you got a dick in your mouth".

Meanwhile, just outside their apartment, a security guard finds a hobo slumped on the pavement with his throat torn out...

Oblivious to how close they may be to danger, the girls - headed by feisty Rose (Tori Black - prolific star of such classics as CUM COAT MY THROAT 4, HOUSE OF ASS 8 and BLACK COCK ADDICTION 5) - make to the streets anyway, in search of business. It's not long though before Tammy is arrested.

Which leaves Rose having to cover for an appointment Tammy (Nicki Hunter) had - a hotel call with attractive client Jacob (Marek Matousek) who she thinks seems really nice ... but we have already seen quivering and guzzling pills in order to keep a compulsion at bay ...

Of course, the fact that Rose witnesses him shovelling a shitload of cash into his safe (along with spying the combination over his shoulder) surely makes the thought of sticking around all the more attractive...

The couple take the unusual move of starting their transaction with a chat over a coffee table. Jacob becomes more and more appealing to Rose during the conversation, she opening up to him while questioning why he would possibly need the services of a hooker. For a while, it seems that the pair may be genuinely hitting it off - but for his infrequent bouts of spasms, suppressed only by more pill-popping.

As the evening progresses, Rose begins to doubt her initial feelings towards Jacob, and decides to rip him off of that money in the safe after all. But Jacob has a surprise in store for her too. I don't want to dish out the spoilers here, as writer-director Jason Toler builds the scenario so much so that the revelation doesn't arrive until 50 minutes in - but, I'm guessing the film's title and virtually any synopsis (including the brief one featured on the film's IMDb page) will furnish the curious with all they need to know.

Good-looking women, a fair smattering of nudity and a taut, lean script that allows for action - be it intriguing cat-and-mouse wordplay or, later, sex and gore: HALF MOON works as simple, undemanding entertainment.

The more demanding though may well bemoan the lack of decent dialogue or credible acting from peripheral characters, or maybe wonder whether there is room for another LA-based film that attempts to portray the City of Angels as a cesspool to rival the New York of TAXI DRIVER.

HALF MOON reminded me of the many low budget, low-key horror films that were shot on video during the 1990s. It's shot on digital and looks better; it's actually a very stylish, well-shot and well-lit effort. But the talky build-up and two-headed dynamics of at least half the film exhibit that desire to do something genuinely different within the conventions of a traditional horror staple. I'm not sure that the end result is altogether successful, but I enjoyed HALF MOON regardless.

Black, real name Shellie Chapman, is very good in her role. If it gives her the bug for regular acting and provides her with an avenue out of porno, then great: she's got the energy, charisma and talent to do it.

Elsewhere the film has style visually and treads a different path to most modern horrors story-wise. It doesn't nail the characters in quite the way this script-heavy premise should, but it engages regardless; I stuck around for the conclusion, which was okay (and wisely confined the ropy monster FX to a mere frame or two).

Breaking Glass provided an extras-free screener disc for review purposes. While it can't be claimed to be indicative of the final release version, it does at least bode well in terms of picture and audio.

HALF MOON is presented uncut in its original 1.78:1 aspect ratio and is enhanced for 16x9 television sets. Colours are natural, flesh-tones remain accurate and any grain appears to be an intentional stylistic choice in keeping with the grimy interiors and handheld camerawork. The film seemingly strives for the look of MANIAC and HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER, its two most obvious forefathers, and doesn't do too badly in this respect.

English 2.0 audio is fair but unremarkable.

The retail disc is set to include a behind-the-scenes featurette and commentary from debut filmmaker Toler.

It's not a bad film. I'd certainly look out for what Toler does next.

Review by Stuart Willis