This is good news, following Brimstone's very welcome to the horror anthology with the entertaining 'Blood of the Werewolf' they treat us once again, this time round with a trio of off kilter science fantasy stories in the form of 'Grey Skies: The Alien Conspiracy'.
First up is 'Interviews', an amusing lighthearted twist on the aliens integrated into society scenario. Thomas Nondorf scripts, directs and stars in this fun comedic short that is a pleasant distraction in a genre full of po-faced sci fi seriousness. We meet this poor out of work research scientist who is pounding the streets searching for work. The scene is set during his first interview where he realises that all is strangely not what it seems. As he waits to head into the interview the secretary sits staring at him unblinking and more amusingly when she talks to him her lips are horrendously out of synch with the words coming out of her mouth. Things don't get any better for our hapless hero when during the interview itself he overhears an instruction for his death he swiftly exits the scene realising that he has in fact just been interviewed by some shape shifting aliens!
Unperturbed, he persists on with many more interviews but sadly (or amusingly for us viewing) each scenario gets more insanely desperate. At times hilarious, 'Interviews' is a refreshing and very much enjoyable (although too short) diversion from the usual sci-fi tedium that we're overloaded with elsewhere. Clever, witty and lots of fun.
Next up is Kevin Lindenmuth's 'Abduction' which whilst being entertaining ends up seeming slightly out of place with the two frothy shorts that it is sandwiched between. It opens with this young guy's car stalling in the forest not far from his hometown. The area is renowned for UFO activity and this guy should know as he's part of a family of resident Morphs, that is peaceful aliens that have integrated into human society and are keen to preserve the human way of life. On returning to town he discovers that no one is home and not only at his own family house but in fact no one is to be found anywhere in town! Where have the towns' inhabitants gone and what is the full story behind these alien inhabitants?
'Abduction' is an enjoyable short film and whilst it likely wont appeal to everyone's taste in genre viewing it will be of interest to old school sci-fantasy fans with its straight faced belief in its fantastic scenario.
Wrapping things up in this trilogy is one of the most enjoyable genre diversions I've viewed in a long time...'The Not So Grim Reaper'. Written, directed and starring (as the Reaper himself) Les Sekely, this short will bring a smile to even the most hardened of horror fans as we meet the Grim Reaper himself and are shown the real Reaper, warts and all!
Newspaper journo (Michael Lundy) is visited by the Reaper as he goes bout his work and offers him the opportunity to shadow him as he does his deathly business whilst interviewing him about the real ghoul behind the hood! The Reaper really opens up here in this hilarious romp as he reflects on his life (sorry death), his family (yes you read right) and the secrets behind his techniques. Along the way we hear from some of his victims (who bicker about the grisly nature of their deaths), his death ratings (one finger for natural causes, five for grisly mayhem etc) and the interviews for the role of Reapers apprentice!
Sekely delivers the goods big time in this excellent fun short. Clever, hilarious and well executed (no pun honest!); 'The Not So Grim Reaper' is essential viewing for horror fans looking for a lighthearted distraction to the relentless usual terror fare.
As an all round package 'Grey Skies: The Alien Conspiracy' is perhaps somewhat misleading and ends up being a somewhat mixed bag. Whilst 'Abduction' is indeed what the package intends to be the other two shorts are less so - especially 'The Not So Grim Reaper' which while being the best of the bunch is obviously padded with some alien link scenes to offer some connection and explanation for its inclusion. Sure it's nit-picking and by no means a complaint as I'm thrilled that its out there for our viewing pleasure. Good solid genre fun and worth the price of admission alone for 'The Not So Grim Reaper' - check it out!
For more details on 'Grey Skies: The Alien Conspiracy', check out the movies cool website by clicking here.
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