I don't need to tell you, faithful MONSTERS reader, of how difficult it is to not only produce an independent horror film, but also distribute and market your masterpiece. A solution to this problem is BITES - The Werewolf Chronicles, which combines two short films (about werewolves, naturally) onto one feature-length tape. The idea is certainly economically feasible, and gives us two very different takes on the legend of the lunar-driven howler.

BEAST - Anna returns to her apartment after a day at work - only to her husband ripped to shreds in the bathtub! Detective Nolan arrives at the murder scene to ask Anna some questions and insure she's protected from whoever, or whatever, sliced 'n diced her better half. Her friend Louis insures Nolan he'll look after Anna. Later, Anna receives a disturbing phone call - the voice tells her it needs her to stop the beast inside. The next day, a shaky Anna goes to the police station and is interrogated by the cops. They question her relationship with Louis, and bring up her brother Frank. Seems Frank is a belligerent con who usually only calls Anna when he needs money, and right now his whereabouts are unknown, Anna takes exception to all the implications thrown at her and leaves in a huff. Later, Anna returns to the apartment, only to find it vandalized. After cleaning up the mess, she goes to see Louis. Meanwhile, Frank is at his seedy dump, arguing with himself in a room filled with bones and trash about the beast within. When Anna takes her leave from Louis' place, she's followed. This freaks her out enough to call Nolan and tell him about the phone call she got on the night of the murder - it was Frank. That night, Frank attacks Anna and only the timely arrival of Nolan saves her. The detective agrees to stay with Anna, but Frank is still on the loose. With the full moon waxing, will even the presence of Nolan keep Frank at bay for long? And how can Anna save her brother from the beast inside of him?

MOON - Jonas rouses himself for another day of drudgery, but receives a surprise phone call from a former co-worker. Neil tells Jonah of an incredible job opportunity, and convinces Jonah to accept his offer. They arrange a meeting, and Jonah continues to get ready for work. When he spits blood into the sink, Jonah has a flashback about his father. Dad was an astronaut who had been exposed to some heavy radiation, so much so the government has a man watching him, and his son, for any adverse side effects. Back in the present, when Jonah's friend Lorissa arrives to drive him to work, she finds him passed out on the floor. Jonah tells her he's O.K., and leaves it at that. That night, Jonah arrives at Neil's place. There are two other men there - Angus and Mark - and they tell him their fathers worked with Jonah's at NASA. They ask about him, but Jonah says he disappeared twenty years ago. Another flashback shows Jonah's dad having a seizure, and then transforming into a wolf! The meeting at Neil's breaks up, and Jonah walks back to his car - only to be mugged on the way! The attacker seems disinterested in Jonah's wallet and points a gun at him. Jonah lashes out and the two struggle for control of the weapon. Jonah gets the gun, but the mugger's unnaturally hairy and clawed arm rips at his hand. Howling in pain, Jonah shoots him in the head. But when Jonah removes the hood's mask - it's Angus! In a panic, Jonah goes to Lorissa for help, but she is scared of him and tells him to leave. Overwhelmed, Jonah passes out. What will he face when he come to? Will he be able to face the truth of his lineage, or is he simply going mad?

Well, there you have it. Two werewolf films with their own unique spin on the legend. Each has a decent story that keeps the viewer interested, and the acting in both is decent. However, the production difference is, well, night and day. BEAST is very uneven; there are major problems with overexposure and lighting throughout the film. The audio is very dirty at times, and there are definitely problems with the sound synch. Plus, there is "white noise" heard in the background during many of the scenes. The special effects are decent - the use of gels for effect add to the suspense in Frank's apartment. Overall, BEAST is a fine effort - but the production makes the film tough to sit through. On the other hand, MOON has much better production value. This film also uses gels for the flashback sequences to good effect. The lighting is very good for interior scenes, although there is a fair amount of grain in the outside night shoots. Audio is clear and synched well; the music is very well used, and original. The make-up effects are well done for the werewolves (it may not be AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, but then again, it's certainly better than TEEN WOLF). MOON also throws in a few unexpected story twists that give it it's own place in the pantheon of werewolf movies. Add a few more characters and subplots, MOON could very well be expanded into a feature length horror film, and with some money, a darn fine production.

Combining two similar films into one has been done before, and since it lets us view films that might otherwise be inaccessible, I'm all for it. BITES is a fine example of two perspectives on the same theme, even if MOON is by far the better production. Still, Alexandre Michaud (BEAST) and Kevin Lindenmuth (MOON) can be proud of their films. I'll look forward to see what spin these directors give on their next productions.

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