DVD Review: APP (2013)

APP
Directed by Bobby Boermans
Distributed by  RAM Releasing

  I had not heard anything about this film going into it.  I honestly wasn't expecting much, but I was blown away by this one.  I'm really surprised there is not more buzz about this film.   Here is the plot of the film from the Ram Releasing website:

Anna, a student at the University of Amsterdam, lives with her best friend Sophie and balances psychology classes with supporting her brother and his recovery following a traumatic motorcycle accident. She’s never far from her cellphone, and after a night of partying in the dorms, Anna wakes up groggy and hungover only to find that a new app has been inexplicably added to it. Initially helpful and clever, IRIS soon begins behaving mysteriously, answering personal questions it shouldn’t know the answers to, and sending inappropriate images to her contacts. When it becomes clear she can’t simply delete the unwanted evil app, Anna’s efforts to confront it will set in motion a fearful series of events that will put her life, and that of her roommate and her fragile brother, in fatal danger.

  What's really unnerving about this film is that something similar to this could actually happen.  Now I'm not saying a killer app could download to our phones, but I do have to wonder about that camera and microphone on our smartphones.  Someone could probably create a virus or some kind of bug that could turn your microphone and camera on without you knowing.   This concept makes up the creepiest part of this film for me, as the phone takes over and records Anna without her knowing.
  
  APP was enjoyable on many levels.  I thought the acting was excellent and the concept was unique and was carried out perfectly.   One of the best things about this movie was that you can actually download the same app from the film onto your smartphone for a unique two screen experience.  In fact, the movie claims to be the "first second screen film".   It must be, because I have never seen this concept before.  What I assumed was going to be just a dumb gimmick turned out to be a very interesting and fun part of this film.    The app you put on your phone syncs up with the film through sound cues in the movie.   At certain times in the film, your phone will show you something that pertains to that particular scene.   This was really neat and I was impressed as the filmmakers had to film extra footage just for the extra scenes in the app.   I can see this concept being put to use by many more films in the future.  While APP did a good job with it, I can see the potential for other films to use this concept in a much broader way.

  APP will be coming to DVD and Blu-ray on December 30th.  The DVD contains the following bonus features:

*  Director's Commentary
*  Special Effects Bonus Featurette
*  APP Theatrical Trailer and Bonus Ram Trailers

  You can download the IRIS app by texting the word IRIS to 97-000, or search for the IRIS app in your phone's app store.


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to watch on Amazon Prime
CLICK HERE to pre-order the DVD
CLICK HERE to pre-order the Blu-ray

Check out the interactive horror story iPhone/iPad app, HAUNTING MELISSA

I heard about this a while back, but forgot to post about it.  A couple of months ago a new app was released called Haunting Melissa.  The app is a revolutionary new concept in story telling...basically in interactive movie that puts you right in the middle of the horror!  

Here is the info from the official press release from Hooked Digital Media:

Hooked Digital Media, a next-generation production company, premieres Haunting Melissa, a horror story available now exclusively on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch at www.AppStore.com/HauntingMelissa. Designed specifically for a new generation of connected viewers, Haunting Melissa reinvents storytelling to engage audiences and keep them on the edge of their seats. The Haunting Melissa App takes viewers into the world of Melissa, a teenage girl who believes her recently deceased mother is haunting her.

 

Haunting Melissa is the first project using Hooked Digital Media’s new platform, which enables delivery of stories in varied lengths, received at unpredictable intervals. Written and produced specifically for Hooked Digital Media’s new story platform and is designed to connect with Gen C viewers to tell stories in a whole new way. The company holds multiple patents that bring mystery and intrigue to the viewing ecosystem. These technology innovations release flexible content in an unpredictable but linear progression maximizing audience anticipation. As viewers progress, the app can inject new content that reveals important storyline elements through seamless push “update” notifications.

 

The project was conceived, directed and produced by Neal Edelstein, producer of hits such as “The Ring,” “The Ring 2” and “Mulholland Drive.” Haunting Melissa is written by best-selling author Andrew Klavan (True Crime, Don’t Say A Word); Haunting Melissa features an up-and-coming cast of talented actors that includes Kassia Warshawski as Melissa Strogue, Travis Nelson as Brandon, Barb Mitchell as Katherine Strogue, Jasmine Berg as Holly, Greg Lawson as Jack Strogue, Larry Reese as Mike Cole, Christian Laurian Kerr as Carter, Lisa Moreau as Amanda Maynard and Lorette Clow as Dr. Carroway.

 

“Haunting Melissa is a ghost story created to be consumed in a dark corner with headphones on and iPhone or iPad in hand,” said Neal Edelstein, president, Hooked Digital Media. “You never know when the next piece will come or how long that piece will be…it’s a complete surprise.”

 

The intuitive platform features an easy-to-use visual guide that includes a color-coded path to identify what has been viewed and what awaits. Haunting Melissa is also highly social -- viewers can easily sign in through Facebook and alert friends they are watching Haunting Melissa, share theories, freak out and make predictions of what comes next.

 

“The amazing technology contained in the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch has allowed us to present stories in a dramatically different way. The technology supports story first and foremost. As viewers move further into Melissa’s world, they will understand why this new app technology will change distribution forever,” added Edelstein.

 

The Haunting Melissa App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.AppStore.com/HauntingMelissa. The first chapter is free with additional chapters available via In-App Purchase. Check out the Haunting Melissa trailer at http://youtu.be/EKlBUCouC_c for additional chills.

 
For more information on Haunting Melissa, visit www.HauntingMelissa.com. “Like” Haunting Melissa on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HauntingMelissa; follow Haunting Melissa on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HauntingMelissa; check out Haunting Melissa on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/HauntingMelissa and on Instagram at http://instagram.com/hauntingmelissa.
 

 I just downloaded the app a few minutes ago, and will be trying it out soon.  It's a free app, so why not try it out!  If you like the first chapter, then you can purchase additional chapters of the story.
If you give it a try, comment below and let me know what you think!

Go to www.HauntingMelissa.com to download the app, or just browse the app store for "Haunting Melissa".