The Tell Tale Heart (2020) Short Movie - Based on the original psychological thriller by Edgar Allan Poe.

Burrow Reviews Review

By Jared Charles

July 6, 2020

Descend into Madness…

In my professional opinion, there isn’t ever a bad time to delve into a good horror story. Fortunately, I happen to stumble upon these gems quite often. This time, it’s a short film with the aim of reimagining Edgar Allan Poe’s classic story, The Tell-Tale Heart. The visual representation of Poe’s original writing is done justice; and boy, will it work for your own evil, horror-loving eyes.

First-time director, McClain Lindquist, and art director, Lyndi Bone, work in tandem to deliver a terrifying exploration of madness. Perhaps, the most notable elements of The Tell Tale Heart rest upon the visual landscape and the panic-inducing edits that the film offers. Joel Petrie and Raymond Delmar use many different montage tricks in the editing room to keep the tension to a maximum; transitional dissolves and intercuts at the slash of a sound, to name a few — all in service of disorienting the viewer about when, and where, the story is taking place. With a run time of only 22 minutes, these edits aren’t over-played, either.

Speaking of behind the scenes, The Tell Tale Heart‘s crew should be given high praise for their work in the make-up and visual effects department, as well. When the set design, make-up, and practical effects culminate to create the razor-sharp atmosphere, almost nothing else can go wrong. It is also worth noting that the film’s soft color palette establishes the timelessness to the story, all while being equally proper and disgusting. Lindquist’s background in music allowed him to clearly define how the mood was to be conveyed with every frame: from the subtle riffs of guitars — to the droning bass of eerie synthesizers. Consistency is apparent across every department.

Perhaps, the only critique is the often overly melodramatic dialogue, and the equally melodramatic performances. If the aim is to have fun (and be equally entertained and terrified), then the execution of the storytelling here is wonderful. However, this reimagining loses the subtlety of the original source material. Gone are the days of suspense and longing for answers; here, Lindquist makes certain to the audience that the Narrator has lost his mind. Though, I fully acknowledge that was the original intention behind Poe’s work, too. It’s a very slim issue to pick, and everything else is flawless.

If you are like me, then you love gothic literature — on the page, on the screen, or wherever you can find it. Lucky for you, The Tell Tale Heart is another excellent addition to the genre and it’s relatively short run time will leave you itching for more. It is about to take a lap around the festival circuit, but the trailer is available for viewing below.

Review can be found at: https://theburrowreviews.com/2020/07/06/short-film-review-the-tell-tale-heart-2020/

DATE July 7, 2020 CATEGORY Reviews
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The Tell Tale Heart (2020) Short Movie - Based on the original psychological thriller by Edgar Allan Poe.BASSMINT PRODUCTIONS presents a BMP production a BassMint Pros picture Introducing Sonny Grimsley as the Narrator Starring Teren Turner as Detective Tucker Starring Mikah Olsen as Police Officer Sharpe with James C. Morris as the Old Man Special Effects Supervisor Chris Hanson Executive Producer Herb Bangcock Line Producers Social Construct Directed by McClain Lindquist 1st Assistant Director Aspen Andrew 2nd Assistant Director / Dialogue John Lindquist Director of Photography Joe Olivas 1st Assistant Camera Mikkel Richardson Gaffer Jason Rogers Key Grip Mr. Jason Fife Production Manager Ryan Jensen Assistant to Producers / Craft Services April Stromberg On Set Assistant Eric John Set Dressings Michael Frazier, Lyndi Bone Editor Joel Petrie Assistant Editor Ryan Templeman Edit Bay Parking Garage Pictures Colorist Marshal Davis Technical Supervisor Kevin Johnson Crane Operator Glenn Fisk Script Supervisor John Lewis 2nd Assistant Camera Riley Weston, Alex Igidbashian Best Boy Bennett Duchin Prop Master Darren Johnson Technician / Best Boy Chris Johnson Sound Engineer Camden Chamberlain, Tad Chamberlain Music Joel Pack Wardrobe Janelle Corey Wardrobe Assistant Katie Carlson Still Photos Jeremy Poorte Production Assistant Erin Nordberg, Stephen St. Peter, Joey Bullock Directors Assistant Charles Lindquist Pre Production Assistant Alyson Gregory Motion Designer Tim Gray Sound Designer Jake Proctor Foley Angela Mason Sound Studio Strawberry Sound Special FX Makeup Immortal Masks, Dapper Cadaver Special FX Assistant Shawn Henry, Sarah Gamble Makeup Artist Ambria Powell Hair Stylist Nikki BreedLove Contact Lens Painter 9mmSFX Kevin Carter Digital Effects Brendan Wilson Wrangler Zack Valois, Jim Dix Production Designer Scenic Solutions Music Supervisor Meggi Pack Musicians Megan Allman, Gentry Densley, Joel Pack, Aaron Child, Sophie Blair Knifes Dirt Knap FX Timothy Ivan Miller Graphic Illustrator Chris Bodily Quality Control Chris Richards Dark Art Spiritcage, Stanislav Krawczyk, Maxime Taccardi Motion Art Peter Bainbridge/Mothpete Poster Art Andy Walsh Logo Christophe Szpajdel Post Production Artwork Sean Donahue Post Production Photography Grady at Electric Glass Media Relations Jared Christensen Police Technical Supervisor Chief Randy Watt Ogden Police Department Liaison Lieutenant Will Farr Traffic Control On Set Officer Robert Evans A1 Uniform Lori Cigany, Trichelle Marshall Officer Decal Ogden Stamp Company Utah State Officer Assistant Brian Stilson Studio Owner Bryan Clifton Studio Liaison Colin Becker Camera/Lens Rental Jack Allred Eccles Art Center coordinator Pat Poce, Travis Pate Yardcare Kenny Parker Legal Kristopher Greenwood Financial Advisor John Clower CPA Gary Brooks Payroll Nikki Thon Banking Operations Thais Medina, Ramsey Mansour, Rita Luacia Casting City Creek Media Screenplay Mcclain Lindquist Story by Edgar Allan Poe Filmed at Redman Movies & Stories in Salt Lake City, UT and Eccles Art Center in Ogden, UT
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The Tell Tale Heart (2020) Short Movie - Based on the original psychological thriller by Edgar Allan Poe.
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