All Categories - Regan W. H. Macaulay

Recent Reviews of "Merry Myrrh, the Christmas Bat"

12/3/2019

I received a couple of lovely reviews of Merry Myrrh, the Christmas Bat recently and wanted to share them during this most magical time of year.

First we have a review done for Reader View Kids by Lydia Dehning (age 6), with a note from her mom:

“Merry Myrrh The Christmas Bat” by Regan W.H. Macaulay is the story about a baby bat who has an interest in Christmas after hearing about its excitement from his parents. Myrrh’s parents are named Mr. and Mrs. Raft, and they are barn bats. Before Myrrh was born, every year they would wake up during the winter to look in the window of a house and see all of the Christmas decorations. The bats see the Nativity first by the window, with the Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Then they see the Christmas tree with pretty ornaments and tinsel around it. Next, they see the candles on the mantel over the fire with the stockings and toy sleigh with reindeer. After seeing all of this, the bats go back to the barn and sleep the rest of the winter. Then Myrrh was born, and he was named that because they loved Christmas so much.

The bats talked about Christmas a lot, but they wouldn’t let Myrrh go with them. Myrrh got his friend Sensa Squirrel to wake him up early so he could go on his own, without his parents knowing. When he looked in the window, he saw all of the pretty Christmas decorations, and he saw that the window wasn’t closed all the way. He snuck into the house and got into things and that made the people inside wake up and find him. They were nice and took him back outside to the barn where his parents were waiting for him. His parents forgave Myrrh for sneaking out and they all went back to sleep. I really liked this book because I like reading Christmas books. This was a fun story that I think is a good one to read around Christmas time, or any time of the year.

A Note from Mom: “Merry Myrrh, The Christmas Bat” by Regan W.H. Macaulay was a cute story about the feelings that Christmas can give us. I liked how the author made it a point to talk about both sides of Christmas, the Christian and the secular sides; too often it seems like Christmas is made to be just a secular holiday, when there are quite a few people that celebrate the Christian aspect of the holiday as much, if not more. At the end, the story shows a loving and forgiving set of parents and paints a lovely picture of Christmastime for kids of all ages.

A Man of Great Importance...Episode 4

12/2/2019

Episode 4 of a 13 episode web series called "A Man of Great Importance Explores the Scary Changes, and Social Decline, and Secret Horrors of Our World, and He Doesn’t Like it One Bit". Based on characters from the feature film "Space Zombies: 13 Months of Brain-Spinning Mayhem!", including A Man of Great Importance, the movie's narrator. This episode stars Jason Reilly as A Man of Great Importance. Written by R. J. Downes. Directed and edited by Regan Macaulay. Lights and camera work by Kevin Risk. Produced by Maureen Bell, Regan Macaulay and Kevin Risk. Mannequin from Desigual/D-Style Toronto.

Z & The Remnant, plus bonus Night of the Living Dead VR at BITS

11/28/2019

Warning - disturbing/mature content and images

Z

(Dir. Brandon Christensen) TORONTO PREMIERE (83 mins)
A family find themselves terrorized by their eight-year-old son's imaginary friend.

MY TAKE: The director mentioned during Q&A that budget constraints dictated the look of the terrifying imaginary friend at the centre of this picture, Z, but I must say, they dealt with it in a way that made Z seem like an expensive and sophisticated CGI creation. Only quick "full reveals" to see, otherwise we're mostly seeing Z through his actions and the behaviour of other characters (not to mention a glimpse out of the corner of the eye here and there).

Another strong ensemble cast fleshes out the characters (whether they annoy you at times or not, it's all a part of who they are and a larger back story). I really enjoyed the twists and turns of plot, including the lead's final solution to the problem...though I very much doubt there's any way to completely get rid of this insidious "friend." And wait for what Kirk Haviland of Blood in the Snow referred to as a truly jaw-dropping moment about midway through the film - it's really something!

THE REMNANT

(Dir. Navin Ramaswaran) (16:45 mins)
A team of con artists posing as paranormal investigators steal from the home of an affluent elderly woman, only to find themselves unleashing a dormant malevolent spirit.

MY TAKE: Creepy cool meets the art world, once again! There's a larger story here, and I hope someday the filmmakers see fit to expand this story line.

A Series of Web Bites BITS Web Program, Deep Six, Giltrude's Dwelling & EXT

11/27/2019

Warning - disturbing/mature content and images

MYSTERY TRACKERS (Dir. Robin Hunter) (4:40 mins) concept pilot
An animated web series poking fun at the numerous shows exploring the paranormal. Rex Daniels, the conceited, non-believing host of the show puts up a good front and plays along with the victims of the paranormal. Soon he finds himself terrified in very real situations.

MY TAKE: A fun animated series!

TO NO MAN'S LAND (Dir. Khizer Khani) (12:00 mins) concept pilot
When a catastrophic attack puts a peaceful galactic nation on the brink of war, a lowly Scout is sent to an isolated planet to obtain the whereabouts of the one man who may know who committed the attack. But he quickly finds out that there are other players in the game, trying to incite a war between the peaceful factions in the universe.

MY TAKE: This would definitely make a fun series - looking forward to seeing more from these filmmakers.

Check out my interview with the makers of To No Man's Land below...

RESOLVE (Dir. Marta Borowski) (12:30 mins)
RESOLVE explores the ways we hurt one another and the nature of forgiveness in a world connected by social media.

MY TAKE: I think our world probably needs this app. Very neat, ad style short.

DARK BEFORE DAWN: CARAVAN (Dirs. Brodie Spaull & Paul Krysinski) (9:58 mins)
After catastrophic social collapse, the survivors struggle to find their way in the harsh wilds. "Season 1" follows two such survivors, whose path becomes divided. Reconnecting in the future, they are both changed men. On the trail of his missing son, a man and his long-time friend are led to a decrepit caravan, where a nefarious merchant resides.

MY TAKE: Cool concept...I'm liking the two main characters.

Horror at Terror Creek is a Royal Dragonfly Book Award Winner!

11/26/2019

Honourable Mention in the Humour Category!
ORDER YOUR COPY HERE!
(Please note that I am restocking this book, so your order may take a little longer than usual if you order from me directly)

Dark Visions BITS Shorts Program, Hunter's Moon & Break in Break Out

11/26/2019

Warning - disturbing/mature content and images

ROMI (Dir. Robert Cuffley) (10:00 mins)
A woman is terrorized by her virtual assistant after it dredges up an ugly event from her past.

MY TAKE: Creepy and clever...totally tweaked my distrust of Alexa-type devices!

THE THOUGHT OF YOU (Dir. Elvis Deane) (8:34 mins)
A woman tries to move on from the events of a violent night, but finds that it's not only trauma that comes clawing back.

MY TAKE: This film oughta resonate with any victim of violence...

ABHORRENT (Dir. David Scott) (15:00 mins)
A woman learns the sinister secret her husband has been hiding in the basement and must take violent action or risk losing her son to her spouse's evil influence.

MY TAKE: Not absolutely sure of everything that happened in this film, but it was very cool to watch.

POLAR TOUR (Dir. Dustin McGladrey) (4:30 mins)
Three university friends embark on an adventure they hope never to forget. They choose an exotic location in the Arctic to go polar bear seeing for their Spring Break. In the middle of their first tour, the engine of the rover breaks down. Now isolated and freezing in the dark, they wait for rescue. With their morale at a real low, their isolation ends with a chilling spring polar bear experience they did not plan for.

MY TAKE: Some visceral terror from the cast - good stuff!

A Man of Great Importance...Episode 3

11/25/2019

Episode 3 of a 13 episode web series called "A Man of Great Importance Explores the Scary Changes, and Social Decline, and Secret Horrors of Our World, and He Doesn’t Like it One Bit". Based on characters from the feature film "Space Zombies: 13 Months of Brain-Spinning Mayhem!", including A Man of Great Importance, the movie's narrator. This episode stars Jason Reilly as A Man of Great Importance. Written by Jason Reilly. Directed and edited by Regan Macaulay. Lights and camera work by Kevin Risk. Produced by Maureen Bell, Regan Macaulay and Kevin Risk.

And don't forget to check out the inspiration for this series, my own B-movie, Space Zombies: 13 Months of Brain-Spinning Mayhem!

Emerging Screams BITS Shorts Program, m.a.j.i.c. & Songs My Mother Taught Me

11/25/2019

Warning - disturbing/mature content and images

SPECTRE (Dirs. Gabriela Diacon & Mariana Diacon) (4:08 mins)
Things turn sinister at midnight when Anna realizes a presence in her house.

MY TAKE: A creepy traditional haunted house tale!

SOLITUDE (Dir. Andrew Fleming) (5.24 mins)
In this short thriller a man disconnects from his city life for tranquility while solo camping and canoeing through Ontario backcountry.

MY TAKE: A short, sweet and simple tale with one actor (and a very small crew) is exquisitely effective with it's late in the game twist!

THE ACRYLIC (Dir. Daniel Pike) (12:23 mins)
On the hunt for some new art for her apartment walls, Rosie acquires a bizarre painting from an equally bizarre art collector.

MY TAKE: A perfectly creepy tale about possessed artwork!

SNACK TIME! (Dirs. Kaw Tay Whee School students) (4:20 mins)
The "Frostbite" kids are back! in Kindergarten, EVERYONE can hear you scream.

MY TAKE: I love these kids...I love their puppets - it's all awesome-sauce! Especially that one kid that will remind you a little of a certain Home Alone moment...

Dead Dicks & Sky So Blue and The Nights Before Christmas & One in Two People at BITS

11/24/2019

Warning - disturbing/mature content and images

Dead Dicks

(Dir. Chris Bavota, Lee Paula Springer) TORONTO PREMIERE (83 mins)
After Becca receives a distressing call from her suicidal brother Richie, she rushes over to his apartment and finds him alive and well - surrounded by copies of his own dead body.

MY TAKE: This is not the movie you expect it will be going in, even though there are Dicks, literal and as classy metaphoric descriptions. It's about the cycle of death and rebirth. It's about mental health and the traps it lays for those who suffer from it, as well as their loved ones who suffer along with them on their journey.

But it also knows when to add a touch of levity. The characters are strong and real and connected. I wouldn't say it's a full on horror comedy, but it's close enough for me.

It's no wonder this is one of the movies nominated for BITS "Bloodies"...gotta love a fun film with a unique concept that also gives you some twisted speculative fiction, a dash of gratuity (in the form of nudity and gore) that's grounded with a message...maybe not so much a message as a bit of a study.

This was a low budget production shot in 10 days plus, making it all the more amazing. Watch my interview with Lee and Chris, co-writers and co-directors.

Sky So Blue

(Dir. Tyler Williams) (15:12 mins)
After being attacked and imprisoned in his own home, a man stands accused of creating a strange piece of music that may or may not have the power to kill anyone who hears it.

MY TAKE: This is very much in the tradition of a Twilight Zone, Night Gallery, Outer Limits or Black Mirror episode - a super cool concept.

Funny Frights BITS Shorts Program

11/23/2019

Warning - disturbing/mature content and images

THE VIDEO STORE COMMERCIAL (Dirs. Cody Kennedy and Tim Rutherford) (4.10 mins)
A desperate video store owner hires a crew to shoot a commercial in his shop. But when they accidentally destroy a cursed VHS, suddenly, all their lives are in danger.- and worse yet, the commercial may never get finished.

MY TAKE: A fun throwback to the 80s with a wickedly awesome supernatural creature!

NOW IS THE PRINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT (Dir. Michael Peeling) (10:25 mins)
After experiencing a series of unsettling events, a couple begins to fear that an evil printer may be at the centre of their paranoia.

MY TAKE: Ha...a printer as stalker monster! Love it!

VIDEO VENGENCE (Dir. Nada Cosovic) (5:57 mins)
Two "cool girl" video rental shop employees make the best of the graveyard shift when an obnoxious customer shows face.

MY TAKE: A totally fun 80s vibe here, shot at the great Eyesore Cinema! A strong entry from students at Humber College...

Wanna check out my video with the owner and proprietor of Eyesore Cinema (many time location choice for independent filmmakers in TO) - click HERE.