RELEASED TO VIDEO IN 2006 and directed/written by Dennis Smithers Jr., "A Bothered Conscience" takes place in rural Arkansas and concerns a hermit father who has "No trespassing" signs posted all around his remote property and he ruthlessly kills those who disobey. He passes this curious hobby on to his son whose conscience can't handle the mounting slayings and corresponding guilt.My wife & I saw a 'film' by a local 'filmmaker' (terms used loosely) that cost $2000 and it was easily the worst 'movie' we've ever seen. Keep in mind that I'm a fan of micro-budget indie horror flicks and am well aware of their typical limitations (bad sound, dubious 'acting,' shaky hand-held cameras, bad editing, etc.). Despite this, they CAN be entertaining, whether the creators shoot for campy & amusing, like "Backwoods Bloodbath" (2007), or thoroughly austere, like "Butchered" (2010). Yet both of those movies cost quite a bit more than $2000, likely somewhere between $10,000-$50,000, give or take. Two great examples of micro-budget indie horror are "The Lonely Ones" (2006) and "Another Kind" (2013), but they cost $100,000 and $120,000 respectively."A Bothered Conscience," by contrast, only cost $2300 and so I was expecting a real dog, like that local 'movie' noted above. Thankfully, that's not the case at all as the film has a professional indie air from the get-go with a superlative score. The entire story takes place deep in the Arkansas forests and the sylvan cinematography is superb, creating an ominous vibe (comparable to the exceptional opening credits of the TV show Tales from the Darkside). While most of the acting is okay at best they're masterful performances compared to the non-acting of that other 'film.' The first 50 minutes revolve around people getting killed in the forest whereas the last 37 minutes reveal the title of the movie. There are some effective scenes in this last act involving a currently popular 'monster' (I don't want to give it away, but it should be obvious).It goes without saying that, to appreciate this movie, you have to enjoy the woods or woodsy outdoor photography. It successfully establishes a foreboding forestry ambiance. But the story isn't tight and it gets tedious after 30-45 minutes of redundancy. It's also marred by minor anachronisms. But things like this can be overlooked in a flick that only cost $2300. Another problem is the lack of quality females until just past the hour mark; and not enough is done with her (Tina Martin) when she shows up, but she's appealing enough for her brief period.Despite these glaring problems, there are moments of greatness, like when a certain character in the last act gets shot and the song "When I Awake" by Hollow Earth Conspiracy is heard on the soundtrack (written by Paul Zlotucha). The sequence is almost worth the price of admission.THE FILM RUNS 87 minutes and was shot entirely in northern Arkansas (Cushman, Horseshoe Bend, Weaver's Chapel & Spring Mill).GRADE: C

Vicious redneck patriarch Keller McGavin (well played to the stern'n'steely hilt by Dennis Smithers, Jr.) and his wimpy bumbling son Lucas (a solid performance by Stephen Martin) protect their secluded forest land against trespassers through the most harsh means imaginable in rural Arkansas. After Keller gets bumped off by a sleazy cocaine drug dealer, Lucas is left to fend for himself and exact revenge on those responsible for his father's death. However, Lucas is soon plagued by unsettling visions of all the people him and his dad have killed. Writer/director Smithers, Jr. ably uses a mean'n'lean style in order to effectively create and sustain both a gritty no-nonsense tone and a creepy atmosphere which becomes more progressively bleak and spooky as the unsparingly grim story unfolds towards a genuinely startling surprise bummer ending. The outbursts of raw savage violence pack a really nasty punch. The remote sylvan location projects a truly harrowing feeling of dread, isolation, and vulnerability. Of course, we also get a handy helping of grisly gore and a good deal of nerve-rattling tension. The rough widescreen cinematography by Smithers, Jr. gives the picture an appropriately grainy look. Doug Johnson's neatly varied score alternates between harmonic hillbilly jamboree music and shivery ooga-booga moodiness. A cool little indie fright flick.

Wow! ... While this movie was not great, it was very well made and I jumped a few times. Unlike the new influx of crap horror movies that rely on creepy music and and actor (or 'something') jumping in front of the camera, A BOTHERED CONSCIENCE has some truly scary moments. The good points of the film are in its direction and music score as well as very talented acting by ... um ... amateurs!! The cinematography and editing are astounding and quite realistic. A bad point would be the opening 'kill.' Little was explained why the young woman dropped her beloved camera (and, I instantly thought the camera would have 'somehow' snapped a picture of her demise). Another bad point would have to be twofold: the film opens in 1975, then proceeded "20 years later." That would make it 1995?!?!? I wanted to feel it was taking place today (like I did watching the original TCM upon its release). The 'dream' sequence was quite a surprise as it pays homage to many of my favorites: The EYE, Ju-On, Living Dead (series), and Italian Giallo. I even knew before I saw it there was going to be a 'twist at the end,' but I wasn't ready for it. The images from this film kinda freaked me out. Oh ... if you are going to see this because you want to see gore ... Forget it. There isn't a lot, and what there is is kinda dumb, and uncalled for. Watch it with the lights out, during a storm, alone, at night, in the dark ...

While it's not perfect (and I think Dennis will admit to that), it's far from your standard low budget horror fare. A Bothered Conscience is what indie films are all about, from the story to the acting everything here is top notch! The story involves a 'mountain man' who just wants to be left alone, it's the lengths he'll go to to be left alone that makes this different. The lead actor here is Dennis Smithers, Sr. and, for someone who's never acted before, he's the standout! I honestly believe him in this, and, frankly, he'll make you watch over your shoulder the next time you go camping in the woods!!Also, there's a great twist ending to the movie that makes it just that much better. If you're looking for something scary, but also something different and original, then A Bothered Conscience is an A+ movie!