The Hid

The Hid

The Hid

The Hid

Dove into this without a clue what it was and I kind of wish I hadn't. I'm happy to have watched something indie and small-time but this was not great. Lots of poor acting, dialogue that just doesn't sound like people, and very weird storytelling. The women acting are one of the few high-notes, as compared to their male counterparts they at least feel human and somewhat creative. The male leads are just poorly written and acted. The story itself I feel has potential but just doesn't really deliver. There's too much time spent on weak backstory and not really anything to keep interest piqued throughout. The filming and cutting is very weird, and it's hard to understand whether it's supposed to be a mockumentary or not, since some shots break the fourth wall in a docu-fashion while others are interspersed which breaks this notion. Like, it's all right for a home-movie but there's a lot of whacky things which just bring down the experience, mainly the performance from the male leads and the strange pace of the story.

source: The Hid

Another winner for Brian. Intreaging story showing how folklore can come out of the woodwork ... actually, in this case, out of the woods, and bite you on the ass. Great performances by less well known actors. Brian successfully plays with the viewer's minds, giving them just enough information so they can formulate their own immage of Billy Shire, a.k.a., The Hid. The fact that this story is based on real events is the real kicker. I have been to and occasionally pass the reservoir which in the story is known as "Hidden View.". I've also seen pathways around the reservoir that lead off into the woods. While I chuckle about The Hid, I can't bring myself to explore these routes which seem to choke out the sunlight.

This relatively short (hour and a quarter) indie gem draws us into a strange tale inspired by some true events, told via a few outstanding performances in simple, everyday settings. The feel weds stage play with found footage traditions. The movie opens with a flashback: the stunningly talented Leora Kalish plays a desperate mother, Helen Shire, awfully strugglingly to maneuver someone or something, whom she refers to as her "boy", into a shed for protection from a posse of perfectly depicted townies. When Kalish is on screen, you really cannot look away. The straggling mob out to exact some kind of vengeance on Helen or her son are so perfectly played, you have to laugh. Cue the present day little university team out to study a history of paranormal happenings around the town, which was flooded to make Hidden View Reservoir. A few cabins remain around the lake which had struggled as a camping resort. Two professors, a dorky, skeptical one, and a serious, level headed one who studies witchcraft; a hip film student, and an English student turned podcaster hosting true ghost experiences. This group is headed to stay in a cabin to learn more about the history, and serve as our means of learning what is going on. They interview a caretaker played by Erik Renn who does a fine job as the cagy practical business-like guy who knows about fuses and cash money, and also shares his own ghostly experience. They find old clippings and files, and videotape of a police interview. The characters in the interviews include another compelling turn by Helen Shire, and an online interview with Rosie Frey as a very believable Sarah Jane Pickets, the resort host. In these interviews we learn about the Shire's ice farm and its dangers, and more about the bizarre characters in the town. The college searchers are soon debating whether they are investigating murders, a monstrously deformed human, or supernatural phenomena. Jake, the film student, is perfectly performed by Gideon Berger and is as sexy hot as he is chill and dry. Deirdre Koczur as Marla, taking her own footage for her channel, is super high strung, with innate anxiety building throughout. Samantha (Linda Conrad) ironically balances a no-nonsense professional attitude with witchy spells to summon the dead. And Phil Husbands as Professor Grayson really doesn't want to be there. The situation, noise and their own debates become enervating for everyone and very fast, things deteriorate. What really happens or happened is probably something you'll want to discuss. Which now that I think of it reminds me of the whole scenario. Worth the short time investment. I personally dread movies longer than this, though I would have loved to spend more time with some of these actors, so I look forward to another viewing, and to look for more hints as the story unfolds.