The Attic Expeditions

Plot synopsis:
Note: The story is explained here in its chronological order, rather than the way it unfolds in the film.
Trevor and Faith are a happy couple who decide to buy a home together. After purchasing their new house, Trevor is cleaning the attic and discovers a chest. In the chest there is a staircase, under which he finds a book of black magic that only he can read. He begins studying the book, and starts to perform rituals with Faith. In an effort to gain even greater power, he and Faith perform a ritual in an attempt to merge their two consciousnesses. The ritual goes wrong, and Faith suffers a violent death. Trevor calls the police.
Years later, Trevor appears in a hospital. Apparently having been found insane, he is now under the care of Dr. Ek. The doctor has learned about the book Trevor found, and wants to use it for his own means - one of which, he later admits, is to cure all mental illness. It is around this time that Dr. Coffee comes to stay at the sanitarium and study under Dr. Ek. Trevor seems to have forgotten much of his past including practicing black magic and killing Faith. Dr. Ek talks with Trevor, trying to help him regain any previous memories about where Trevor may have hidden the book. At first Ek is very coy about his intentions. He worries that if Trevor knows the value of the book and his intent, he won't willingly surrender it.
Dr. Ek sends Trevor to be rehabilitated at "The House of Love." While Trevor thinks he's being sent to a recovery facility filed with other patients, he is actually being sent to his former house which is now filled with actors pretending to be patients. He interacts with the other patients, and eventually befriends Douglas. While he thinks Douglas is just as oblivious to the strange happenings in the house, Douglas is actually trying to get Trevor to sneak around the house (including the attic) and expose the location of the book. Ronald pretends to confess secrets of the house, hoping it will motivate Trevor to explore more. As Douglas and Trevor's conversations and expeditions continue, Trevor develops an interest in Amy - another supposed patient. While Amy seduces and has sex with Trevor, the first "murder" takes place. As time goes on, several more fake murders are orchestrated in an attempt to build urgency and get Trevor to continue exploring.
Unhappy with his results so far, Dr. Ek commits further surgery on Trevor. As Dr. Coffee's skepticism builds, Dr. Ek also subjects Trevor to several medications and hallucinogens. In his drugged state, Trevor communicates with Faith who now appears to be searching for the book as well. She explains to Trevor his past, the truth about the House of Love, and Dr. Ek's actual intent. She has sex with Trevor and tries to manipulate him into giving her the book.
Dr. Ek has another conversation with Trevor, and sends him back to the House of Love. Previously murdered characters are seen alive, just as they were the first time Trevor came to the house. While Trevor remembers his previous time here, the actors continue to pretend he has never been here before. The charade breaks down and actors begin to confess the ruse. Trevor suspects Faith will attempt to possess one of them in a final attempt to find the book. Observing all of this on the monitors, Dr. Coffee and Dr. Ek have a fight over Dr. Ek's methods. Dr. Ek drugs Dr. Coffee in a fit of rage. Dr. Ek eventually accepts the experiment's failure. He sends two orderlies to the house and begins to pack up and leave the sanitarium.
Thinking Faith has possessed Amy, he kills her. As the orderlies arrive at the house, Douglas (who is the one actually possessed by Faith) kills them and goes looking for Trevor. They run through the house, and Trevor eventually knocks Douglas down and makes his way to the attic. Douglas follows him down the stairs within the chest, and Trevor kills him. Trevor begins to see the situation playing out the way it did when he killed Faith in her own physical body. He attempts to make his way out of the Attic while another version of his consciousness is knocking on the chest. In the final scene, Trevor is seen pulling himself into the chest.

Tags: murder

Review:
This and Mulholland Drive are two of the most confusing movies I have ever seen, and I have the distinct impression that one of two things happened with each movie: either the film was incredibly well-done, well-acted, well-shot, and well-written and just flew over my head because I'm too stupid to understand it, or it was shoddily written and pieced together like a puzzle assembled by a drugged, blindfolded, mitten-clad psycho.
I'd like to think that I'm intelligent enough to pick up on clues in a movie, so the fact that both of them left me so puzzled frustrated me beyond belief.Having read the reviews, I have a better understanding of what Attic Expeditions was about.
Those expecting pornographic vivisections will be disappointed; compared to movies like "Hellraiser," this film is more rightly classified as "psychological thriller" than horror.
I have to wonder about people who call this movie "boring." What do audiences want from horror films today?
I must agree that many younger minds with short attention spans will not enjoy this movie, but if you were intrigued by 12 Monkeys, Memento, Eraserhead, and other movies you HAD TO WATCH AND THINK ABOUT, I highly recommend this movie.
Difficult Film to Follow, Might Be Worth It. Trevor Blackburn is put under psychiatric care after killing his girlfriend and then going into a four year coma.
Other people -- at least two -- have called this a "thinking man's horror film", and I'm going to join them.
P. Lovecraft, though as near as I can tell, this film has no direct connection.The "thinking man" aspect is either going to intrigue you or frustrate you.
Had it not been for our man-crushes on Jeffrey Combs and Ted Raimi, the film probably would have been turned off.
but only so I can understand it, not because I think I'll like it.While Combs and Raimi made the film enjoyable, and a brief Alice Cooper was nice (anyone seen "Prince of Darkness"?), what I really disliked was the actor playing Trevor, Andras Jones.
And for being like "Lovecraft", the man didn't fill his stories with sex and nudity, while this film has two sex scenes and more nudity.
The writer must have been watching Fight Club, Vanilla Sky, and the Truman Show on 3 different TVs and thought "Wow, if I could only rip all 3 of these off, I could make the most mind-bogglingly retarded waste of film known to man!"  The main character, Noname McNeedsActingLessons, looked like some horribly distorted charicature of George W.
Seth Green, who enjoyed fame in questionably "mainstream movies," figured he could make an easy paycheck with this one by doing a bad Brad Pitt impression from 12 Monkeys.
There was a film I reviewed a bit ago entitled "13 Seconds", in which your typical horror genre gets a confusing twist ending coupled with horrid acting and a bland plot.
As you can tell, I wasn't a fan of this film and was momentarily turned away from cheap horror movies.
I think that is what harmed this film the most  but then I gave up on my plight to avoid cheap horror films and decided to watch the equally low-budget horror/suspense/thriller film "The Attic Expeditions", and I must admit, I was rejuvenated.
While I cannot say that director Jeremy Kasten has created a flawless film, he has impressed me by giving us a strong story with a limited budget.
This was a film obviously loved by everyone involved and in my eyes has the ability to become a cult classic if watched by an open-mind audience.We follow the story of Trevor Blackburn, who may or may not have killed his fiancé while performing a magik ritual.
Then, quite classically, as we think we know the truth to this film, director Kasten gives us one last push of the unknown and before the screen our minds are shattered.I think what appealed to me the most was that albeit this was a very low-budget film, the creators did everything possible to make this less cheap and more detail oriented.
Kasten assembled a flawless cast with a surprising turn from Seth Green (playing a very Patrick Bateman character) and the always fun Jeffrey Combs.
With this seemingly strong cast in place, it was up to the storyteller to get the rest in motion  and it happens successfully."The Attic Expeditions" is not a one-time-viewing film.
"The Attic Expeditions" is one of those films that leaves the room either going, "gosh that was horrible", or wide open for discussion.
With a film like "The Attic Expeditions", more chances are taken  the risks are higher, and the final product is worth a second viewing.
Trevor (Andras Jones from Nightmare on Elm Street 4 and Sorority babes in the Slimeball Bowl-a-Rama) kills his girlfriend and is sentenced to a stay in the half way house for loons by Dr. Elk (genre staple Jeffrey Combs).
Fight Club, the Twin peaks series) But this isn't one of those.And Seth Green isn't really the best actor in the world to put it diplomatically.My Grade: C- DVD Extras: both widescreen and fullscreen versions; behind the scenes featurette; and Theatrical trailer Eye Candy: Beth Bates shows everything, Shannon Cleary goes full frontal.
This is definitely a great cult film...and if you like getting scared,i would definitely recommend seeing this movie.
Besides, Seth Green, Ted Raimi, and Jeffery Combs all rock!As for scariness, I don't rate it very high, although there are plentyof good scenes that are pretty freaky.
In fact the whole movie is a big tease.Those reviewers who believe this film is for the "thinking man" and not for stupid people who can't understand its convoluted plot are being unfairly condescending.
(Hint: It works for Mamet.)  Normally Seth Green is great, but I get the feeling the director asked him to play the character as two dimensional as possible.
D: Jeremy Kasten S: Andras Jones, Seth Green, Wendy Robie, Ted Raimi, Beth Bates, Alice Cooper, Jeffrey Combs.This is a story about a man named Trevor, he is young, ambitious and has a beautiful girlfriend.
Though the movie does have some strong parts as far as Green, Combs and Raimi go, the acting on their part was very enthusiastic and well drawn out.Co-Starring: Jerry Hauck, Beth Bates, Nancy Wolfe, Brenda James, Scott Levy..
When Trevor Blackburn awoke from a coma,he had no memory of his past.In search for answers,he breaks into the secret attic with another patient,as the others are being killed one by one.A darkly sinister doctor played by a horror regular Jeffrey Combs informed him that he'd been committed to a sanitarium for the criminally insane for the sacrificial murder of his fiancée.Thrown into a bizarre halfway house filled with strange psychos he plunges into a violent world of magic,nightmares,wild sexual escapades and torturous medical experiments.The above synopsis on the back of my tape sounded pretty good,so I finally decided to check this film out."The Attic Expeditions" is a pretty unusual horror flick.It contains a decent amount of violence and nudity.The plot is interesting as it showcases plenty of unique twists and turns,but in the end becomes extremely confusing.8 out of 10..
The main character, Trevor Blackburn (Andras Jones), convicted for the murder of his fiancée, has been left in the care of psychiatrist Dr. Ek (Jeffrey Combs).
I recently saw "The Attic Expeditions at DragonCon in Atlanta, Georgia.Fans of the horror genre should definitely check this film out.
It's not a "blood and guts" film, but one that takes your inner fears and smacks you in the face with them.The movie is stylishly directed by first-time director, Jeremy Kasten.
With bits of humor spread throughout (mostly delivered by Seth Green), the story pulls you in unlike most of the genre pieces that are floating around these days.With great performances by Green, Andras Jones, Jeffrey Combs, Ted Raimi, and a wonderful cameo by Alice Cooper, the film is exactly what the horror genre needs these days..
The performances are generally good especially Jeffrey Combs & Seth Green.I would like to see this movie again, just for the fact that I saw it as part of an all night film fest, and my brain wasn't functioning properly.
The Attic Expeditions was a superb film, from first time director Jeremy Kasten.
I was first interested in this film because Seth Green was starring in it, but i got a lot more than i bargained for.
Seth Green was great as always and the only thing that kept me from turning this film off were the scenes between Ted Raimi and Jeffrey Combs.
From the moment the film started to its final scene, The Attic Expeditions had my rapt attention.
Finally, a horror movie in the classic tradition of unsettling fear that stays with you for months after you see the film.
Evil brain doctor wants magic book and orchestrates nefarious plot to drive magician insane.There is more to the film that just that, and it is not always clear what is real and what is not.
Cleverly revisiting plot elements and using circularity to great effect, The Attic Expeditions keeps the attention from start to finish.Jeffrey Combs is perfectly typecast as the therapist with an interest in the arcane arts and Ted Raimi makes a very good counter-balance to him as his observer.
It is hard to tell what was going on with the filmmakers--were they unintentionally making a B movie, or was everything part of the gimmick--from the spotty acting to the confusing chronology?
But everything else isn't as easy to critique after one viewing.There are lots of familiar genre faces including Combs and Ted Raimi--both of whom turn-in solid B-movie performances that contrast with the performances by the other lead actors (especially Green and Wendy Robie), which seem to aim higher.
While the guy continues to search for answers.The Attic Expedition is a confusing movie that doesn't explain itself or give an answer.
I've rarely felt as disappointed from watching a horror flick as after "Horror in the Attic"  I looked forward to this film because of the seemingly innovative basic premise, some of the names in the cast and the director (whose other movies "The Wizard of Gore" and "All Souls Day" intrigued me to say the least).
The acting performances of the lead actors are rather forgettable I spent the entire movie wondering where the hell I saw that guy Trevor's face before, but frustratingly didn't find the answer.
Seth Green is the best and most believable character in this movie (though I can't deny Colms as he is a legend among films of this genre).
I think this movie is just a fun ride -it's not meant to be a "thinking mans horror film" as I've understood it, as it probably wouldn't have had so many goofy elements -it's supposed to be an entertaining fun ride.
i've forgotten the main plot already and all i remember is seth green being completely adorable, jeff combs playing (another) psychotic doctor (he was way better in reanimatior) and the fact that it was absurd.
This film was a nice surprise as i had heard of it on various websites but only mangaged to see this a few months ago, If u havent seen it, its a must as Jeffery Combs plays another crazy doctor, Sam Raimi makes an apperence, and Seth Green makes a good Crazy guy, all in all give it a try, u wont be disapointed.
Here's my theory about what happened.'"  While The Attic Expeditions doesn't rise to the level of Donnie Darko and other outstanding films, it masterfully falls into the category of the terminal head-scratcher, the cinematic uber-question mark you stay up all night debating with friends in a diner--an acquired taste to be sure, but subtly great all the same.I reported to a friend on this film as it transpired, and my initial remarks were wholly negative: the acting reeked, especially in the case of the lead; the continuity errors were gross and blatant (a multi-year coma patient wakes up and hops out of bed with no muscular degeneration and atrophy); scenarios seemed cheesy beyond belief; there seemed an almost allergic aversion to transitions and audience hand-holding; etc.But as the film rolled on, I began to notice amazing detail in the filmwork.
Watch the acting: it has chops in spots, suggesting either that the cast is inconsistent or that somebody's actually in control.Some open-ended films are obviously intentional: Jacob's Ladder.
I watched in w/s as I like to see all movies in w/s whenever possible so I won't miss anything.
I only saw this movie because I love Seth Green.
I recommend not seeing this movie and renting an enjoyable Jeffrey Combs film such as Re-Animator or House on Haunted Hill (1999)..
The Attic Expeditions is a great puzzling in depth movie, one that you must take a second look at after your first viewing.
Strong acting from Andras Jones and Seth Green really brought this movie out and into a classic horror/thriller movie.
I recommend "The Attic Expeditions" to everyone- this is a firm example of what new movies will look like in the future- no more plot leading up story plotlines, but just piecing each clip together.
It means that someone will take a small budget, second rate actors and a horribly written script and make a movie that is a miasma of looks and scenes that confuse you.
Today's designer drugs may be far more powerful than LSD users ever dreamed of or our newer film makers have some serious problems relating to their parents' use.The film about a mental patient who may or may not be the subject of a deranged doctor's experimentation is visually gaudy but has no substance and an annoying sound track.Our hero may or may not have access to a magical book that holds the key to transferring one's mind into another's body and such transferrence may or may not be the key to unlocking the secrets of the brain and finding out whether or not there really is good or evil.The movie is an incongruous mess but if you are sufficiently stoned you might think it is "groovy"..
Warning: this movie is playing games with your mind and may not fulfill your expectations in case you are looking for a typical madman horror flick.
I'd personally recommend it nonetheless, as there are few unusual productions like this which manage to enter the commercial market, and there is an interesting cast featuring Jeffrey Combs and Ted Raimi as 2 doctors, Seth Green (who played Scott Evil in the 'Austin Powers' movies) and - heaven forbid - heavy metal legend Alice Cooper as a guest star..
'Attic Expeditions' is one of those rare films that gets better with repeated viewings.
I gaurentee you'll catch things the second time around you didn't the first, and it's going to be a better movie overall for you.Kasten is a director to watch, and this is a great way to begin a career..
~Spoiler~The Attic Expeditions was a fun and very cool movie when I first viewed it in 2001.
The film follows Trevor (Andras Jones from Nightmare on Elm Street 4) as he is recovering from brain surgery in an insane asylum.
Jeffrey Combs is always good at the evil doctor role, Ted Raimi is a great ham, and Seth Green seems a little out of place.
Trevor Blackburn(Andras Jones)is an amnesiac told by his psychiatric doctor, brain specialist Dr. Ek(Jeffrey Combs as eccentric as ever)that he was an unhinged, hard-to-handle criminal who was behind the murder of his lover Faith(Beth Bates).
The film even offers up the idea that Faith's being has came to life within Trevor's mind to get that book using someone in the House of Love as a host to kill him.
Lots of B-actors here like Combs as the doctor, Ted Raimi as a writer who bares witness to Combs' madness and becomes threatened by him, Seth Green as "loony" Douglas who becomes a possible ally to Trevor.The film is really a visual marvel on such a low budget and a credit to imaginative filmmakers who really want to mind-screw you..
Not that it doesn't have quite a few other flaws, but it's obvious that it could have been a lot better if they had just switched some of the actors around.Trevor Blackburn (Andras Jones) is a man who doesn't know what's real and what isn't.
But the main character in the movie is Trevor, played by Andras Jones.
His struggle with sanity and reality is at the heart of the film but you can't feel anything from his performance, which is flatter than a pancake after it's been run over by a tank.I'm not sure how good this movie could have ever been, but if they'd just switched the actors around it could have been a lot better.
Heck, Alice Cooper has a bit part in the film and even he'd probably do a better job and be a better choice for the main character.There's enough in The Attic Expeditions that you can see how the filmmakers and the actors thought this might be a worthwhile story to tell.
Another thing that set this movie off for me was not only Green's character's line but the delivery.
I original rented a) Because it looked to be scary, and I love scary/thriller movies; b)Seth Green.Plus to watch Seth Green try to kiss another man just made my day!
Basically this film repeats itself throughout the movie and generally ends up being very stupid and confusing.
The Attic Expeditions starts with the revelation that Trevor Blackburn (Andras Jones) has murdered his fiancé Faith (Beth Bates).
At first things seem good but the very first night Trevor has a dream about going into the attic & finding a spooky old chest.
Horror genre favourite Jeffrey Combs deserves better than this.The Attic Expeditions is a mess of a film, I simply can't look at it any other way.