DVD Review: STULL (2010)

---------Review by contributing writer Scott Baker---------

STULL

Directed by J. Ott

Courtesy of Grandview Productions

The narration at the beginning of this short film proclaims that Pope John Paul II visited the United States in 1993 and, on a flight to Denver, had the pilot divert the plane from flying over Stull, KS. No explanation was ever given as to why. STULL gives us an interesting look at the area the Pope avoided and a supernatural story as to why.

If you’ve never heard of Stull, you’re not alone. I’m not even sure if it’s a real town or not because Google Maps doesn’t like it. But STULL is a horror short that was done last year (in 2010). Here is a synopsis, courtesy of imdb.com:

In 1993, four teens went to investigate an abandoned church in Stull, Kansas -- a place rumored to be a gate to Hell. They were never heard from again. 'Stull' shows the events leading up to their disappearance, including an encounter with a strange man who may be the Devil himself. The story is based on the chilling real-life legend.

What the synopsis doesn’t mention is that the teens meet two men: Old Scratch and Old Bull, who have a verbal battle of wits in front of them. We are never really told who these guys are, but inferences lean towards God and Satan.

I really enjoyed STULL and love the potential symbolism that is conveyed in the story. This symbolism is why I am going to label STULL as a smart horror short. This is one of those films that you’ll think about and dwell on for quite a while after the credits roll.

The acting is good for a low budget film, as are the visual special effects (there’s not many fx shots, only a couple, but they’re done well). My only complaint about the film is that I couldn’t turn the subtitles off (possibly due to a disk glitch or a programming error) and had to watch the film with them on the screen. Otherwise, STULL is a provocative short that definitely deserves a look.

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website