The Revenant (openng in Cleveland on January 8th)

[THE REVENANT opens in Cleveland area cinemas on Friday, January 8th.]

Review by Bob Ignizio

Review by Bob Ignizio

In terms of plot, THE REVENANT is kind of like a cross between a seventies Clint Eastwood western/revenge movie like THE OUTLAW JOSEY WALES, and a western survival film of that same era like JEREMIAH JOHNSON. The specifics derive from a novel of the same name by Michael Punke, which was itself based on the true story of frontier scout Hugh Glass. And to be sure, the story of Mr. Glass, both in real life and in this slightly fictionalized version is quite gripping. But as Roger Ebert was fond of saying, it’s not what a movie is about, it’s how it is about it.

An interview with Kerry Prior, director of 'The Revenant'

[THE REVENANT screens Saturday February 11 th at 11:59 pm at the Cedar Lee Theatre. Writer/director/producer Kerry Prior will be at the screening to introduce the film.]

Interview by Bob Ignizio

Independent filmmakers have long been the lifeblood of the horror genre, innovating, pushing boundaries, and just plain keeping it alive during dry spells when Hollywood didn't want anything to do with such disreputable films. Unfortunately, the market for seeing independent horror films theatrically has largely dried up. That's why it's always a cause for celebration to a horror fan like myself when one does get the chance to play on a big screen.

I particularly have to admire Kerry Prior for getting his debut film as a director, THE REVENANT, into theaters. As of this interview, his film doesn't have a U.S. distributor so he's doing it old-school, taking prints of the film across the country and booking theaters on his own. Just such a booking brings Kerry to Cleveland Heights this coming Saturday February 11 th when THE REVENANT has a special midnight showing at the Cedar Lee Theater. I had a chance to talk with Kerry ahead of the screening about the making of the film and his past as a Hollywood special effects technician on numerous films you've probably seen, including the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET series and James Cameron's THE ABYSS. Here's what he had to say.