I'm giving this film 9 stars. I rarely give out 9 stars. This may seem confusing to some people because I'm a harsh, but honest critic. Now, the be certain, this film has flaws. Many flaws. Those flaws have already been mentioned in other reviews and anyone who has seen a movie in their lifetime could point out Freeze's shortcomings instantly.
Yet, I'm giving Freeze 9 stars because of it's mere existence. Lots of people talk about writing a horror movie script, especially HP Lovecraft fans who would like to see more movies based on his fiction, but rarely does anyone actually attempt to write a script, let alone finish it.
Lots of people talk about producing a feature length film, and hardly anyone actually puts forth the effort to make it happen.
Hardly anyone who actually get a film produced can get that film in front of an audience. Any audience. Especially low budget films. And most low budget horror movies are claustrophobic, tired tales of people being chased by serial killers in the woods.
So to produce a film with a tiny crew that takes on a Lovecraftian story set in the Arctic is, quite frankly, incredible.
I don't know Charlie Steeds, or anyone else who made this film, but I will offer this advice should one of them come across this review. Charlie, your talent isn't as a director. Nor is it as a great cinematographer or writer for that matter. You, sir, are a producer. And you could be a producer that shakes the world. To have the motivation, drive, ambition, and guts to put together this movie and actually get it made is a feat that only those who have tried it themselves could ever appreciate.
For your next project, you need to embrace the role of producer. Pour over scripts until you find one that one cultivated by someone who understands story and dialog, and that personally moves you. Go recruit some fledgling director who has a talent for telling stories using the art of film. Go find a young, hungry cinematographer who is dying to show the world how they can paint with light (they're easy to recognize because they all have very strong opinions about prime lenses). Go find an art director who is passionate about building a color palette with costumes and props. And please, find a sound person who will insist on getting just the right mic placement, and a composer who is dying for the world to hear their music.
Build up this team, convey your dedication and enthusiasm. Get them caught up in a shared vision and others will naturally gravitate to you and your next project. If you can make Freeze with a skeleton crew, imagine what you could do with a team of people each dedicated to different aspects of the craft.
I hope to see more of your films in the future.