Braindead studios aren't exactly known for good films, quite the opposite in fact. They are all hyper low budget movies and rarely have anything going for them beyond T&A.A Bothered Conscience otherwise known as Fatalities & Phantasms doesn't even have that going for it.It tells the story of a redneck father & son who kill trespassers on their land, who also happen to be rednecks. A combination of criminals, poachers and idiots and thus you have absolutely no protagonist in this film.Weak death scenes, shoddy camera work and a finale that is just seven shades of awful this is one of the worst Braindead films I've seen and that is really saying something.The Good:NopeThe Bad:Score is an annoying messWho was I supposed to be rooting for?Fails on every frontThings I Learnt From This Movie:All rednecks are criminals

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

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!