I wish I was able to review this short film just two weeks earlier so I could have made an obnoxious opening about Christmas in July. Alas, Christmas in August will have to do. Truth be told, though, there isn’t ever a wrong season for a Mass Grave Pictures production because over a decade later they still remain one of my favorite creators. Their latest horror flick, Do You Hear What I Hear?, just started making the rounds in the film festival circuit and it’s already winning awards. Having viewed it myself this morning, I can see why this is happening. When making a scary movie, yes, story and gore are important, but there’s two other critical elements that crews often overlook. Those pitfalls have stunted other filmmakers while Manny and Lindsay Serrano have avoided it and ran into a league of their own.
But first, let me tell you a bit about their new movie before I jump into why it’s so successful. Do You Hear What I Hear? was written by Manny Serrano, Lindsay Serrano and Phil Krall. Manny also directed & edited the short while Lindsay served as producer & assistant director with Phil heading cinematography. Jennifer Jiles, Bob Celli and Rob Graydon star. The film follows a couple who awaken on Christmas Eve night by voices coming from downstairs. Let’s just say, the noise isn’t being made by Santa’s little helpers, but the bloodshed that follows will have you saying ho ho ho. Okay, I’m done with terrible Christmas references after that – I promise.
The first reason why Do You Hear What I Hear? is so amazing is simply due to the casting. All three actors put in worthwhile performances, this is true, but it’s their chemistry that really made this one a home run. Especially in the world of independent horror cinema, any group of people can show up and read a script. But it takes bonafide actors to bring the characters to life, and it takes a director – or whoever at Mass Grave Pictures was doing the casting – to picture those actors jelling together in a way that’s realistic. Jennifer Jiles, Bob Celli and Rob Graydon seem like they belonged together on screen. If Mass Grave Pictures wanted to stop making their own films and work in Hollywood, they’d be some of the best casting directors of all time.
The second reason why Do You Hear What I Hear? is so amazing is because of the atmosphere, because of the mood. Same sentiment as before – any schmuck can pick up a camera and call themselves a film-maker. But it takes true talent behind the lense to make a movie feels like an out of body experience. It’s funny, the home where this short takes place is decorated with Halloween decorations and Christmas decor splattered on top of it. Despite this, it reads 100% like a Christmas horror film that just so happens to take place in the home of people who love Halloween movies. From the score, to the colors, the warmth of the picture and the overall vibe, Do You Hear What I Hear? has set design and cinematography locked firmly in place.
Unfortunately, I want a sequel or a feature length adaption. I have more questions than answers and only Manny & Lindsay Serrano can make my Christmas wish come true. (Gross…)
Final Score: 9 out of 10
