Directed by: David Lee Madison
Starring: Stephen Geoffreys, Edward X. Young, Jessica Cameron, Steve Dash, Brad Loree
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Distributed by: Kino Lorber/Horizon Films
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Running Time: 90 minutes
Film: 1 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars
“Mr. Hush” is the directorial debut from David Lee Madison. The film wants to be 80’s throwback slasher but it is really lacking on the horror…and the slashing. The film also takes way to long to get started and suffers from really flat dialogue and poor execution. For example “Die you smelly fuck”. For a film that is claimed to be brutal and terrifying I had a really hard time holding back from laughing. On the only plus side, the film is jam packed with great genre cast including Stephen Geoffreys (“Fright Night”, “976-EVIL”), Brad Loree (“Halloween: Resurrection”) and Steve Dash (“Friday the 13th, Part 2”). Even Brian O’Halloran (“Clerks”) appears in this film. But when it comes down to it, even being a huge horror fan and I found it incredibly hard to even finish this film.
The film tells the story of Holland Price (Loree), a devoted husband and loving father, who loses his family to a psychotic stranger named Mr. Hush (Young) who sings “Hush, Little Baby” before slitting throats. When Price attempts to move on with his life living in a small Pennsylvania town, he finds that Mr. Hush returns to wreak havoc once again, this time with a demonic sidekick (Geoffreys).
Horizon Films delivers an decent Blu-ray video presentation but I had real issues with the audio. Even though it is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, there was a lot of issues, especially with the dialogue. The special features are lacking and starts off with an introduction by director David Lee Madison and Brian O’Halloran. Next up is a audio commentary from director David Lee Madison & star Edward X. Young. There is outtakes and bloopers included, though I am never a fan these with horror films. “There is the music video for “Mr. Hush” from the band “Visitor” (featuring Bill Gibson & Mario Cipollina from Huey Lewis & the News and Tal Morris from Creedence Clearwater Revisited). Lastly there is the original theatrical trailers included.
You’ve hit it spot on. I really wanted to like this film but just couldn’t do it. I’ve been waiting a long time for this to finally come out. Was really looking forward to it. Now all I can ask myself is why? The story isn’t original, the acting is pretty bad and the fx makeup at the end is just laughable!
The only redeeming part of this film is Stephen Geoffreys whose character will no doubt remind you of his Evil Ed from fright night, it was fun to hear that laugh again. Stephen please find some better movies to be in, you’re much better then this!