Quoting from their website:
"Black Bag Pictures is a Brooklyn based independent film company founded in 2010 by James Bentley, Perry O'Brien, David Donnelly and Josh W.E. Hays. We strive to tell stories that push the boundaries of genre, with mash-ups of science fiction, cosmic horror and dark comedy being our primary interest. We are currently screening our award winning short film Miskatonic University at film festivals nationwide."
Miskatonic University is a stylish short-subject based on the stories of H P Lovecraft. Thomas Highland returns from the First World War clutching a strange ebony tusk inscribed with eldritch glyphs. He's found this bizarre item clutched in the hand of a man buried in the desert sand. With his return to civilisation, he attempts to learn more of the thing's origin; then a letter from Professor Elliot summons him to Miskatonic University.
As soon as he enters this place a disquieting note is struck when he finds two students misbehaving in his room. A further bizarre touch is added when he witnesses a curiously violent sporting event. His sleep is disturbed by strange dreams, and when he wakes his room has more than the smell of the sea about it. His health is failing him, too, and he discovers that Professor Elliot has a collection of strange and arcane books which he believes might tell him more about the artifact in his possession.
Most Lovecraft adaptations invoke the names and plots without catching the spirit of the original stories. This one works beautifully, and in the space of half-an-hour a fine cast, good direction and a well-evoked sense of period combine to spin a tale that Howard Phillips would surely have appreciated.
My vote is 7 out of 10, and would have been higher if the film had more length to develop. I look forward to seeing more from the team at Black Bag Pictures.
I've decided to place a spoiler alert to be on the safe side, though I think the plot outline I've given doesn't really deserve that.
"Black Bag Pictures is a Brooklyn based independent film company founded in 2010 by James Bentley, Perry O'Brien, David Donnelly and Josh W.E. Hays. We strive to tell stories that push the boundaries of genre, with mash-ups of science fiction, cosmic horror and dark comedy being our primary interest. We are currently screening our award winning short film Miskatonic University at film festivals nationwide."
Miskatonic University is a stylish short-subject based on the stories of H P Lovecraft. Thomas Highland returns from the First World War clutching a strange ebony tusk inscribed with eldritch glyphs. He's found this bizarre item clutched in the hand of a man buried in the desert sand. With his return to civilisation, he attempts to learn more of the thing's origin; then a letter from Professor Elliot summons him to Miskatonic University.
As soon as he enters this place a disquieting note is struck when he finds two students misbehaving in his room. A further bizarre touch is added when he witnesses a curiously violent sporting event. His sleep is disturbed by strange dreams, and when he wakes his room has more than the smell of the sea about it. His health is failing him, too, and he discovers that Professor Elliot has a collection of strange and arcane books which he believes might tell him more about the artifact in his possession.
Most Lovecraft adaptations invoke the names and plots without catching the spirit of the original stories. This one works beautifully, and in the space of half-an-hour a fine cast, good direction and a well-evoked sense of period combine to spin a tale that Howard Phillips would surely have appreciated.
My vote is 7 out of 10, and would have been higher if the film had more length to develop. I look forward to seeing more from the team at Black Bag Pictures.
I've decided to place a spoiler alert to be on the safe side, though I think the plot outline I've given doesn't really deserve that.
