Callous Sentiment (2002) User Reviews

Empty playground awashed with blood.

[HumanoidOfFlesh · 8/10 · 31 July 2008]

I first saw "Callous Sentiment" during Horror Fiesta Festival in Warsaw in 2004 and I enjoyed this little bit unsettling short.A local playground seems to be awashed with blood of murder and suicide victims.A murder takes place in the same place every day for one kid's amusement.Vincent Grashaw's "Callous Sentiment" is surprisingly professional horror short with decent acting and some well-executed and I dare say powerful scenes of violence.The suicide hanging could have been better,though.I also think the bright daytime and otherwise family setting lessened the mood a bit.Still if you enjoy watching short horror films you can't go wrong with "Callous Sentiment".

Wow!

[FILMhater · 9/10 · 15 November 2002]

I tip my hat off to the filmmakers who pulled this off. Yeah I know I hate films, but I LOVE THIS ONE. It breaks all the rules! I was actually scared at times. Not your typical horror movie either. It all basically takes place at one location, during the daytime, in a span of 3 or 4 days.

And the cinematography was wonderful. Great lighting, camera work. The director made some good choices with actors and shot set-ups. And for such a visual film, the acting was very good too. With very minimal dialogue, the actors played it subtle which to me, made it seem like a real movie. The lead actor, Jeremy Pryer, was freaky!!! The transition his character makes is so great. From this totally geeky, scrawny little dork, to some crazed, sinister-looking killer. This movie is as great as 'The Shining'!

I LOVED THIS MOVIE!!!

[catalentagent · 9/10 · 3 December 2003]

I loved everything about it, the acting, story, directing. It was great! I really thought the story was unique. And it was horror, but not your typical horror flick. All in the daytime and all pretty disturbing visuals. I think the lead actor did a PHENOMENAL job.

'Twilight Zone' meets 'The Shining'

[mgrashaw · 10/10 · 25 November 2002]

First of all, I want to give a lot of credit to the lead actor Jeremy Pryer, who did an amazing job! This kid isn't an actor either, part of the reason he did so damn good! You really can see his character's transition and arc.

The directing was great, DP work was great. Everything... GREAT! There were so many things about this movie that made it good. And I can't help but want to talk about it after I saw it. Too bad it's not a wide release in theaters where everyone would be able to see it.

A Delusional Introduction To Violence.

[ochavo · 9/10 · 25 October 2004]

I enjoyed watching this short film at the "The New York Horror Film Festival". The director's camera work and the lead character's transition into violence, along with his resistance, was well delivered.

Jeremy Pryer delivers a very good performance as a quiet neighborhood teen who starts to experience visions of violence at a small playground.

I think Vincent Grashaw is talented, and I will be keeping an eye out for more of his work in the future.

A remarkable film

[mysticone · 10/10 · 9 December 2002]

Definitely the most thought provoking piece I have viewed in a long time. Filmmakers who can produce film of this quality need to make sure they show this around town. Get it out there, throw it in people's faces.

I was in awe of the director's shot choices. The editing was superb and the lead actor was fantastic. The rest of the actors, GREAT as well. You can tell by the final product that this was a professional team of people that put this together. I hope to see more of Grashaw's work in the future. I've noticed on his IMDB status that he wrote a feature length screenplay called Coldwater, currently in Pre-Production, so I'm keeping my eyes open for that film to come out.

"Brutal at times. This is one piece of film work that will stir up chaos in the industry."

[cspebbles818 · 10/10 · 15 November 2002]

Definitely one of the greatest short films I have ever seen. Forget budget, cranes, jib-arms, all the expensive film stuff. Simple shots are executed with style. I've watched this movie more than once and know I'll be viewing it a couple more times. I don't care what people will say about how violent it is. It's weird, I'm not usually into violent movies, but for some reason I could handle this. It's almost like one of those fun matinee films you see on a Saturday afternoon with some friends. I can see this becoming a cult classic, I really do.

"Dark... Controversial... Disturbing!"

[catalent · 15 November 2002]

After viewing this film, I couldn't help but feel bothered. The realistic violence was almost too hard to look at. THAT is why films like this should be made. Leaving the audience with the questions it did tells me that the movie did it's job. If the director wants you to feel a certain way, you do... He wants you to ask a certain question, you will... He has you in the palm of his hands at all times. It was brilliant!

Visuals of violence turn a kid on to the dark side.

[moviecre8r · 10/10 · 15 November 2002]

This film is VERY violent, but not gratuitous. The visuals are not overdone. The scenes were handled with a 'Twilight Zone' feel. Leaving you disturbed at times, you cannot shut your eyes because the anticipation of what will happen next is too great.