The Code 2011 (Short Film) - REVIEW

Your first date with someone is always the most important. You have to make a good impression, make sure you don’t run out of things to talk about, and most importantly watch out for zombies!

The Code begins with Chad (Daylon Walton) and Vanna (Tamara Voss) alone on a grassy hillside, talking and getting acquainted. Chad is sweet talking her about to make his move when they are interrupted by a slew of zombies. Turning around to run away they are greeted by a masked killer named Carl (Todd Terry). One of the zombies named Shaun (Taylor Brandt) tells Kyle to take off his mask that he is actually there on the wrong night. They switched weeks and it was updated in the Google calendar. Later a vampire named Neil (Ben Cody Rogers) also shows up to partake in the killing along with Bigfoot (Jason Walter Vaile). Bigfoot is sent away immediately because 4 different sets of killers is obviously too many. Shaun the zombie is forced to get out “The Code” to settle the debate on who gets to kill the couple. As he is reading they realize that the woman they want to kill is no ordinary woman but is Vanna Helsing. It is Vanna who does the slaying to everyone’s disappointment.

The Code was recently featured at the Splatterfest Festival in Houston and won 11 awards. Best Film, Best Director, Best Splatter and Audience Favorite Film just to name some. The writing in this short film is excellent. This could easily be made into a feature film. The acting is great with everyone being able to deliver. There is comedy, horror and of course splattering blood.

I thought this film was fantastic. I never had so much fun watching a film that was 6 minutes long. The delivery of the humor is what made the movie for me. Taylor Brandt did an outstanding job along with everyone else that was involved with the project. Definitely a 2 thumbs up in my book. Makes you want to ask the next woman you take on a date if she is monster slayer.

Be sure to stop by and "LIKE" The Code's Facebook page then head over and check out the full short on Funny or Die.

Reviewed by J.R. Watkins

SPLATTERFEST BRINGS CARNAGE TO COMICPALOOZA

Houston, Texas January 29, 2011

SplatterFest will be hosting the Comicpalooza Film Festival May 27-29, 2011 at the George R. Brown convention Center in Houston.

Special guests include Tony Todd (CANDYMAN, STAR TREK: NEXT GENERATION) and Linnea Quigley (RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD: A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4) and many more.

Film submissions in the horror, sci-fi, action, animation, comedy and fan fiction genres are now open. The deadline for entry is March 31, 2011. Submissions are free - see splatterfest.com for details and entry form. Premiere trailers for upcoming movies will also be accepted on a case by case basis.

Comicpalooza is one of the best and biggest annual pop culture conventions in the southwest region of the United States, serving not only fans of comics, science fiction, fantasy, gaming, anime, music and film but also as a trade show and showcase for studios, publishers and manufacturers in those industries. Visit comicpalooza.com for more information and registration.

Exhibit booths are available at discounted rates for filmmakers who submit. All exhibitors will be included in the festival's massive PR campaign and numerous media outlets will have a presence at the convention making it a great opportunity for exposure.

SplatterFest, known for their weekend short film competition, began in 2010 producing 18 films with over 250 filmmakers and drawing an attendance of over 2000 at the Alamo Drafthouse West Oaks. SplatterFest will return in the fall of 2011 with it's annual short film competition.