The Facts in the Case of Mister Hollow (2008)

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Newspaper cuttings of child disappearances, suggestions of a cult being involved, a photograph sent to an investigator from someone called Johnny Hollow – all of the things are connected, and the photograph holds the answers if we can only look closely enough.I am not really sure what to call this film; for sure it is a type of animation but then we also have real elements, although technically none of it "moves" since the majority of the film is spent with the virtual camera moving in and around the photograph, providing information behind the image of 4 people and a baby seemingly smiling for the camera. Much like the "enhance" feature in shows like CSI, the movement of the camera into and around the photograph goes far beyond what "looking closely" could provide, and it really opens up the image. It is surprisingly compelling, and I did find myself leaning a bit closer to see everything as the camera/eye moved around and in/out. What helps the sense of building immensely is the great soundtrack by, erm, Johnny Hollow (not sure if that is a real name or not!). The music builds tension, and steps up at all the right points.The Gothic imagery, and the hints of ominous violence in and around the photograph build with the sound, and while there is not a narrative per se, it does engage and start to get quite gripping until the creepy conclusion. A very well imagined short film, with a good idea which is well delivered on with great camera movement and invention. Pleasingly creepy and tense.

I can't describe this movie too much, because anything will give it away. It's a very short film, but there's ridiculous amounts of depth to it.The entire movie is an exercise in interpretation and inference. I saw it this weekend at Texas Frightmare Weekend and got to talk to the director one on one after. The DVD contains two other shorts, and they are solid, but nothing like this movie that forces you to tell the story to yourself spark your imagination.I could never have guessed what I was getting into when my buddy insisted we go see his screening, but I am still totally excited that we did. If Rodrigo Gudino has this kind of vision and creativity, he'll soon be listed as one of the greats. Whether or not you like this or his other two movies is completely your opinion, but give it a shot, because I guarantee that it will be different. This day and age, that is hard to come by.

Total spoilers in this review.This is a short film that centers entirely on examining a still photograph. Except that it is animated and the photo has layers of depth. It's difficult to describe, but the photo looks like it is from the early 1900's with the amber tinting. We get a wide shot of the entire photo, then the camera moves in fluidly and zooms through layers of trees and around the dimensions of the photo to reveal details that are visually exciting, but also add layers of mystery as to what is going on.The photo is fairly simple at first glance--it seems to be several family members posing outside near their car. One man is kneeling down with a box of matches, ready to strike one. A couple poses with the bride holding what appears to be a newborn baby. One of the more ominous features of the photo is the look on the woman's face--confusion mixed with terror. The ending shows a close-up of the reflection in one character's sunglasses. Again, big spoiler here: it appears to be a witch/demon-like figure removing a hood to show her sinister face.I'm not sure it all adds up, but it is an interesting excercise. The director had done an earlier short called "The Eyes of Edward James," which also utilizes an unusual storytelling device. However, by the end of that piece, I felt like I had an idea of what might have happened. If there is an actual back-story to "Mr. Hollow," I can't piece it together or find any information on it. But the visuals are memorable and amazing.

I saw this tonight, during Nuit Blanche in Montreal at the Fantasia/DJ XL5 show at Place des Arts, and it just blew me away. I wanted to find it on YouTube, or even for sale, but no such luck. Now I want all of my film-fanatic friends to see it.I very much enjoyed the way it was shot, and the general feel of it all. The music was just plain awesome, and really worked well with the general aesthetic.Hopefully it will be made available in some way or another in the near future, as I'd love to watch it again.And congrats on the Genie nomination!