DVD Review: ‘CURIOUS STORIES, CROOKED SYMBOLS’

I have been a fan of Rue Morgue Magazine and have attended their conventions since 2005 with exception of 2007.   While I was up there, Rue Morgue was selling the DVD ‘Curious Stories, Crooked Symbols’ which collects all of Rodrigo Gudiño’s shorts.   Rodrigo Gudiño is the president of Rue Morgue Magazine.   I had already seen all of his short films prior to my purchase.   However, I quickly realized that many of the American attendees of the convention have not seen one if not all of his short films.   Therefore, I plan to help out as much as I can by introducing you to a intriguing and upcoming genre filmmaker.

Over the span of 2 years (2006-2008), Rodrigo Gudiño has produced 3 short format films.

‘The Eyes of Edward James’ (2006)

Through recollection of a grisly event inside a house, a hypnotherapist tries to pry out an information from his patient to get to the bottom of what happened.   You, the viewer, take a front seat via POV camera work as the story unfolds.   I first saw this at the 24 hour Music Box Massacre in Chicago during the latter part of the marathon.   What Gudiño squeezes out in 15 minutes will make you realize that the man knows how to work the audience.   Suspenseful and creepy, you get the feeling like the environment being introduced is untrustworthy.   The short film thrives on tension as it establishes that something horrible has happened.   The resolution doesn’t give you all the information, therefore you will want to see this as soon as you finished it.

‘The Demonology of Desire’ (2007)

While his second film may seem like he is trying to pander to the hardcore horror fans, it is more of an attack towards relationships and the most personal out of the three.   We are introduced to a angst ridden teenager that prays to god to find her a man that will stop at nothing to be with her.   Moral values are thrown out the window in this film.   No one is safe.   Are we dealing with just a bitchy teenager or something worse?   You will have to watch to find out.   Oh yeah, there is also a monster locked in a cage in the basement as well.   Just saying.

‘The Facts in the Case of Mister Hollow’ (2008)

While it is co-directed by Vincent Marcone (mypetskeleton.com) and runs half the time of Gudiño’s first short, this is quite possibly one of the most visually haunting films I have seen in awhile.   The film explores a single photograph by moving the camera in and out the photograph.   While the images are two-dimensional, the environment is three-dimensional to bring you a mystery presented in a unique fashion.   The film was nominated for a Genie Award (the Canadian equivalent of the Oscars) for Best Animated Short.   While it didn’t win there, it did win Best Animated Short Film at the Stiges Film Festival.   A film the begs for repeat viewings, everything flows like butter with the short.   The imagery & the music blend to make it an unforgettable 6 minute experience.

The DVD includes all three short films along with optional Director Commentary along with a making of featurette for ‘The Demonology of Desire’ along with the original trailers, screenplays, storyboards and production/publicity stills.   My only complaint with the DVD is that while ‘The Eyes of Edward James’ & DVD menus are enhanced for 16:9 HDTV’s, ‘The Demonology of Desire’ while 16:9 formatted is actually presented letterboxed.

The DVD is available now through Rue-Morgue.com for $20.   Order it here!