dbs630-697-952794
The locations and scenery in this film were perfect. The cast was very believable, especially old man "Keller!" Its the kind of movie that has its roots set in the right place. "Don't go messing around them there parts!" for sure that was the morale of the story. Very atmospheric and chilling, with some very good home grown effects and scares. The editing was good, and the use of "jittery" zombie motion was effective. I have to take my hat off to the cast and crew, it couldn't have been easy to make an indie feature in such a remote part of the country for such a low amount of money. I enjoyed this tale and would like to see a sequel in the making! (Next time get some "home grown girls next door" in their birthday suits!)
Woodyanders
Vicious redneck patriarch Keller McGavin (well played to the stern'n'steely hilt by Dennis Smithers, Jr.) and his wimpy bumbling son Lucas (a solid performance by Stephen Martin) protect their secluded forest land against trespassers through the most harsh means imaginable in rural Arkansas. After Keller gets bumped off by a sleazy cocaine drug dealer, Lucas is left to fend for himself and exact revenge on those responsible for his father's death. However, Lucas is soon plagued by unsettling visions of all the people him and his dad have killed. Writer/director Smithers, Jr. ably uses a mean'n'lean style in order to effectively create and sustain both a gritty no-nonsense tone and a creepy atmosphere which becomes more progressively bleak and spooky as the unsparingly grim story unfolds towards a genuinely startling surprise bummer ending. The outbursts of raw savage violence pack a really nasty punch. The remote sylvan location projects a truly harrowing feeling of dread, isolation, and vulnerability. Of course, we also get a handy helping of grisly gore and a good deal of nerve-rattling tension. The rough widescreen cinematography by Smithers, Jr. gives the picture an appropriately grainy look. Doug Johnson's neatly varied score alternates between harmonic hillbilly jamboree music and shivery ooga-booga moodiness. A cool little indie fright flick.
Brian Morton
While it's not perfect (and I think Dennis will admit to that), it's far from your standard low budget horror fare. A Bothered Conscience is what indie films are all about, from the story to the acting everything here is top notch! The story involves a 'mountain man' who just wants to be left alone, it's the lengths he'll go to to be left alone that makes this different. The lead actor here is Dennis Smithers, Sr. and, for someone who's never acted before, he's the standout! I honestly believe him in this, and, frankly, he'll make you watch over your shoulder the next time you go camping in the woods!!Also, there's a great twist ending to the movie that makes it just that much better. If you're looking for something scary, but also something different and original, then A Bothered Conscience is an A+ movie!
shawn justice
If you are looking for a new original horror movie then this is exactly what you are looking for. Dennis is getting better with every movie he makes. The story is really good and easy to follow and has some damn good twists near the end. The effects are done very good for a low budget movie, but like before with his short film, he needs a bigger budget. A lot of people that make low budget movies stick their family members in and sometimes it hurts the movie but not in this case. Dennis Jr. knew exactly what he was doing when he got his father to play Keller. Stephen Martin did a good job as Lucas. I don't want to take anything away from Martin's job as Lucas, but I personally would have liked to have seen Thomas King come back and play that role. Speaking of Thomas, I think he stole every scene he was in. Overall, A Bothered Conscience is smart, dark, twisted and original. Just what horror fans have been needing!
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