As a wannabe special effects artist, I of course have to have my heroes and role models. In this particular field, I’ve always looked up to the likes of Rick Baker, the guys of KNB (Robert Kurtzman, Greg Nicotero, and Howard Berger), Rob Bottin, Kevin Yagher, Tom Savini, and the master himself… Dick Smith. Now, there are a lot more out there whose work I enjoy, but these guys are at the top of their game as far as I’m concerned. Anytime I see their names attached to a project I know I need to check it out.

The only one on the list who I’ve been a little disappointed with over the last few years was Tom Savini. Through no possible fault of his own that I am aware of, his career was becoming somewhat questionable to me. I loved all of the work he did with George Romero (“Martin”, “Knightrider”, “Creepshow 1&2”, and especially the original “Dawn of the Dead”). I enjoyed the remake of “Night of the Living Dead” that he directed as well as the episodes of “Tales from the Darkside” that he worked on. In many ways, he was my favorite of all of the special effects artists because he wasn’t content to just do makeup. He often acted and did stunt work in the projects he was involved in, which I thought was the coolest.

In recent years though, it started to seem like most of the projects he was working on were more along the lines of ‘B-movie direct-to-video’ features. I don’t mean to knock his work on those films, and I’m sure that they were fun to be involved with, but all the ones I saw were just… well… beneath him in my humble opinion. Savini is a multi-talented effects artist who deserves to be working on big-budget movies, or at least bigger budget ones. If this has been a self-imposed career move, more power to him. I just miss his work in bigger and better films.

So when I heard his newest project was an anthology series that was produced for the ‘direct-to-video’ market I was very hesitant to request it. The series is called “Chill Factor”, and the first episode, “House Calls”, was due to be released in October. I received my review copy last week and looked over the packaging. The cover featured the man himself, clad in a plaid shirt, and sitting by an old oil lamp. The back of the case offers up a brief synopsis of the episode, which takes place on a dark and stormy night in 1936. I read on, learning that the story revolves around an old town doctor who is called out on this night to look in on the ailing son of one of the town’s inhabitants. The mother has been a widow for a year and cannot explain the strange malady that has infected her boy. Tales of strange disappearances in the area makes both the doctor (as well as the viewer) wonder what he will find.

For the record, “Chill Factor” was every bit as good as I hoped it would be. Actually it was even better. This was Savini’s first stab at directing (that I’m aware of) since the 1990 “Night of the Living Dead” remake and he did an awesome job. The short film was extremely well-paced considering the narrative involved lot of flashbacks. I was especially impressed with the great camera work, which evoked a style appropriately moody and atmospheric. All three of the actors are also to be commended as there wasn’t a weak performance amongst them.

As expected, “Houscalls” is a very dark piece, and Savini successfully presents the story in the manner in which works best. Knowing his best-known work is grounded in gory special effects, it was almost surprising that the episode did not rely entirely on these effects, and instead delivered a very well told and ultimately horrific story.

The DVD of the first of “Tom Savini’s Chill Factor” comes complete with a very well made documentary feature that gives a very detailed look at the making of this particular episode. There is also a very entertaining and informative interview with Savini, as well as Fangoria Magazine’s Tony Timpone.

I’m thrilled to see Savini back at the top of his game with this new anthology series. I really hope that sales will be strong enough to warrant the release of future episodes, so I’m telling you right now to go out an order a copy. (Actually, Christmas is coming up; you might wanna grab 2 or 3 for the horror fans on your list!!)

Directed by: Tom Savini
Starring: Bingo O’Malley, Maryanne Nagel, Jason Hoehnen
Extras: The Making of House Call, Interview with Tom Savini, Interview with Fangoria Magazine’s Tony Timpone, Trailer
Specifications:
Studio: New Perspective
Release Date: Available
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR (Contains Graphic Violence, Nudity and Language)
Website

We'll give Tom Savini's Chill Factor: House Calls an A.