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August 28, 2005
RUTHERFORD ON FILM: 'Lake Forest' - Journey into bizarre Bedlam
By Tony Rutherford
Huntington News Network Writer
Huntington, WV (HNN) --- Come step into a nightmare. Wes Craven turned them into a Freddy franchise, so local residents Eric Lee and Ashley Stinnett (along with friends and family behind the scenes) shove you into a 'what's wrong here' juggernaut of horror and suspense.
"Lake Forest" reaches into a weirdly wicked world of drugs, conscience, demented normalcy, and family dysfunction. Blair (Eric Lee), Ash (Ashley Stinnett) and Jenny (Kathy Leslie) ride along on a routine drug deal that turns deadly sending the trio rushing on a cumbersome trek to hide out in the woods. But everything's not a-ok with this group. Just when you think they have gotten their lives together, somebody's grabbed a machete threatening to saw off some bones.
Blending Craven's early stylish direction with impeccable shot composition, the independent horror film sends shivers at nearly every twist. But this is not an ordinary low budget indie.
Editor / cinematographer Lee Stinnett captures angular camera positions that, for instance, turn a run down house into a forbidden, ominous portal of evil. Shooting in West Virginia and Ohio, Stinnett takes full advantage of upward perspectives which heighten an aura of dangerousness and downward perspectives that reflect a helpless sensation. By keeping the visuals fascinating, they seal twisting tensions which, more often than not, intentionally do not make sense. This knack for redirecting eye balls has the feel of John Carpenter's "Halloween," who exploited common streets and a throttling music track into daunting thrill jabs.
Here, though, the adept effects weave together (for the viewer) a series of increasingly bizarre episodes As Blair and Ash's perils mount, they go to jail, face hostile environments , and plunge into a worm hole that has them dodging clashing blades of men who have a little Hannibal Lector in them.
Maintaining above par acting for an independent production, "Lake Forest" catches you in its convoluted thought processes that repeatedly scream out, "Rescue me." Intentionally some characters have shallow development, but when asked screenplay writer Lee, who directs with Don Jarrell, merely grins and refers to the puzzle that mounts. The film often does more than hint at the truth, but no one in the audience will likely fully untangle the events until the finale. Lee said it would take a minimum of two viewings to have a good grip on the multiple implications of the character's basket case minds.
In fact, asking a question in a rational mode leads to one or more answers, which quickly dispel any dangling "whys" or "why not."
Prior to the premiere of the film which he co-directed, attorney Don Jarrell (Eric's dad) admitted to a case of nerves. Asked if he was more nervous than when waiting for a jury verdict, Jarrell emphatically responded with a "yes," suggesting that verdict watches did not reach the heightened emotion state of waiting for the picture to debut.
Eric's mom, Missy, expressed pride for her son's accomplishment. Having always encouraged her children to go for their dreams, she revealed that Eric's early dreams were along pro football and pro basketball realms. However, in growing up, Eric had a passion for art (drawing), which displayed his early creative prowess.
The horror production features many regional locations, including Jake's, the old Cabell County Jail, Beech Fork State Park, and a city parking garage. Supporting speaking and extras all came from the Huntington area. WKEE's J.B. Miller and Sheila have "cameos" along with former WSAZ weathercaster, Adam Joseph.
Although "Lake Forest" will play at least a week at the Keith Albee, Jarrell and Stinnett already have found the need for one or two minor tweaks before moving onto the film festival circuit. Both involve audio alterations that will improve dialogue clarity in one or two scenes.
Currently, the production company is in discussions with Dani Englander's Kindred Media Group for possible limited theatrical distribution. Englander, the sister of Curtis and Brian McCall (who respectively operate Marquee and All Star Cinemas), has a current film in the editing process, "Two Fireflies." She also hosted a series on cable's Discovery Channel.
Although not rated, the content qualifies for an "R" rating for language and mostly implied violence. Excluding cast members, "Lake Forest" sold approximately 150 tickets for the debut. A percentage of ticket sales will be donated to Autism Services, including the share that would ordinarily be kept by Greater Huntington Theatre Corporation which operates the Keith.
