Treehouse (film)

Treehouse
Directed by Michael Bartlett
Produced by
  • Martin Myers
  • Andy W. Meyer
  • Michael Guy Ellis
Written by
  • Alex Child
  • Miles Harrington
Starring
  • J. Michael Trautmann
  • Dana Melanie
  • Daniel Fredrick
  • Clint James
Music by Justin Cardoza
Cinematography J. Christopher Campbell
Edited by Justin Cardoza
Production
company
Aunt Max Entertainment
Distributed by Uncork'd Entertainment
Release date
  • October 20, 2014 (2014-10-20) (UK DVD)
Running time
 98 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Treehouse is a 2014 American horror film directed by Michael Bartlett, written by Alex Child and Miles Harrington, and starring J. Michael Trautmann, Dana Melanie, Daniel Fredrick, and Clint James. Teens attempt to escape a treehouse back to the safety of their town after going out after a curfew.

Plot

After several children go missing, a Missouri town institutes a curfew. Brothers Killian and Crawford disobey the curfew and discover Elizabeth, one of the missing children, hiding in a treehouse. As the teens became aware that they are being stalked, they attempt to return to town safely.

Cast

  • J. Michael Trautmann as Killian
  • Dana Melanie as Elizabeth
  • Daniel Fredrick as Crawford
  • Clint James as Killian's father
  • Victoria Spencer Smith as Killian's mom
  • Nick Herra as The Tall One
  • Shannon Knopke as Marsha
  • Darren Kennedy as Officer Morgan
  • Caleb Cox as Tyler

Production

Bartlett, a native of the UK, moved to Missouri, where he shot Treehouse. Bartlett said that he was attracted to the script due to its atmosphere and originality.[1] Bartlett did a complete rewrite after optioning the script.[2] Elizabeth was based on his own wife.[1] The initial budget was $1 million, and they worked to decrease costs below that. The shoot was planned to last 19 days. Impressed with The Signal and its fast shooting schedule, Bartlett sought out that film's director of photography, but unforeseen circumstances, including an influenza outbreak, caused shooting to extend to 30 days. Bartlett and original scriptwriter Child were heavily involved in casting.[2]

Release

The theatrical premiere was at the St. Louis International Film Festival on November 16, 2014.[3] After technical issues with the film's screening, Bartlett told the audience that they should illegally download the film from the Internet in order to get their money's worth.[4] It was released on DVD in the UK on October 20, 2014,[5] and on video on demand on February 20, 2015. It also played in Los Angeles on the same date.[6]

Reception

Gary Goldstein of the Los Angeles Times called it "a lackluster backwoods thriller" lacks the tension of Jeopardy!.[7] Dan Gvozden of LA Weekly said that the film initially builds suspense but ultimately unravels due to the characters' "cringe-worthy dialogue" and "unlikely decisions mandated by plot rather than character".[8] Ryan Pollard of Starburst rated it 8/10 stars and wrote, "In the end, while there are inadequate faults with the script and some ungainly performances, Treehouse overcomes its flaws with its core aesthetic, visceral atmosphere, Dana Melanie's towering performance, and ultimately delivering on its promise to scare the pants off you."[9] Michael Gingold of Fangoria rated it 2.5/4 stars and criticized Bartlett's rewrite of the script as changing the film's tone and contradicting what has gone on before, though he praised the film's tension.[10] Patrick Cooper of Bloody Disgusting rated it 3.5/5 stars and called it "a brooding, atmospheric thriller that works on a lot of levels".[11] Scott Hallam of Dread Central rated it 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "If you're looking for a tense and creepy night at the movies, give Treehouse a look."[12]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Dread World. "DreadWorld Exclusive: 8 Questions with 'Treehouse' Director Michael G. Bartlett!". Retrieved 2015-04-12.
  2. 1 2 Stockman, Tom (2014-11-14). "SLIFF 2014 Interview: Michael Bartlett – Director of TREEHOUSE". Retrieved 2015-04-12.
  3. ↑ "Movie Premiere "TREEHOUSE" Tonight Nov 16th". Facebook. Retrieved 2015-04-12.
  4. ↑ Trivedi, Sachin (2014-02-13). "'Treehouse' Movie: Director Compares Filmmaking To Leading An 'Army' To War (Exclusive)". International Business Times. Retrieved 2015-04-12.
  5. ↑ Barton, Steve (2014-10-21). "Win a Signed Handmade Treehouse DVD Sleeve Along With the Movie!". Dread Central. Retrieved 2015-04-12.
  6. ↑ Barton, Steve (2015-01-07). "Treehouse Opens in February". Dread Central. Retrieved 2015-04-12.
  7. ↑ Goldstein, Gary. "Review Terror has trouble making the climb to 'Treehouse'". Los Angeles Timesdate=2015-02-20. Retrieved 2015-04-12.
  8. ↑ Gvozden, Dan (2015-02-20). "Treehouse (NR)". LA Weekly. Retrieved 2015-04-12.
  9. ↑ Pollard, Ryan (2015-01-17). "Treehouse". Starburst. Retrieved 2015-04-12.
  10. ↑ Gingold, Michael (2015-02-20). ""TREEHOUSE" (Movie Review)". Fangoria. Retrieved 2015-04-12.
  11. ↑ Cooper, Patrick (2015-02-16). "[Review] 'Treehouse' Is An Intense Backwoods Horror Tale". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 2015-04-12.
  12. ↑ Hallam, Scott (2015-04-12). "Treehouse (2015)". Dread Central.

Further reading

Interviews

  • "Talking Treehouse". HorrorTalk. 2014-10-22. Retrieved 2015-04-12.
  • Rea, Darren (2014-10-17). "Michael Bartlett (Director) - Treehouse". Sci-Fi Online. Retrieved 2015-04-12.
  • Hanley, Ken W. (2015-02-20). "Q&A: Dana Melanie talks "TREEHOUSE"". Fangoria. Retrieved 2015-04-12.
  • Troy, Brandon (2015-03-08). "EXCLUSIVE: Director Michael Bartlett Talks TREEHOUSE". Reel Film News. Retrieved 2015-04-12.
  • Haberfelner, Mike. "An Interview with Michael Bartlett, Director of Treehouse". Search My Trash. Retrieved 2015-04-12.
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