Given the plethora of horror movies which come at us on a regular basis (especially on home video), one could assume that they are easy to make. Easy to make? Sure, but it's very difficult to make an effective horror movie. Just as we each have a unique sense of humor, different things scare each of us. It can be a challenge for a filmmaker to fall upon something which is universally scary. For some reason, twins can be pretty creepy, and it's not just because they are unique. When we see twins, there is an immediate curiosity, and then a twinge of something else. Two people who look just alike? Is that right? Horror movie makers have long since been aware of this inherit creepiness and the skilled ones take advantage of it, as in the new shocker Seconds Apart.

Seconds Apart opens at a typically raucous teenage party which is suddenly rocked by a mass suicide. We next meet Jonah (Edmund Entin) and Seth Trimble (Gary Entin), twin brothers who live in a gothic mansion with their parents, Owen (Louis Herthum) and Rita (Morgana Shaw). The two dress alike and are rarely apart. Their classmates barely notice them and most think that they are weird. Jonah and Seth videotape many events and while watching the videos, they talk about being able to "feel it". Detective Lampkin (Orlando Jones) visits the school to investigate the mass suicide, and immediately suspects Jonan and Seth, but they deny any involvement. Meanwhile, a new student, Eve (Samantha Droke), asks Jonah for help on her first day and the two strike up a friendship. Seth doesn't like anyone coming between him and his brother. Soon, it is revealed that Seth and Jonah are more different than anyone has ever suspected.

Seconds Apart also gets a big boost from its cast. On the commentary, Negret mentions that they had considered using one actor to play both roles, but they made a solid choice with the Entin brothers as Seth and Jonah. First of all, they are able to look creepy and they both do an excellent job of portraying the nearly emotionless world in which the twins live. The biggest surprise here is Orlando Jones. Known mainly for his comedic roles (have you seen Evolution? Well, watch it again, as it's actually really funny), Jones is very impressive here as a man who is literally scarred by his past and uses his pain to propel him forward in his job.

It's been a while since I've had a horror movie come out of nowhere and impress me the way that Seconds Apart did. It's that rare intelligent horror movie which takes itself seriously and delivers. While it loses some points for a few bumps in the story, it ultimately receives one of my highest personal ratings -- I wish that it was available on Blu-ray Disc.

Seconds Apart does nothing for those who are tired of twins being considered creepy on DVD courtesy of Lionsgate. The film has been letterboxed at 1.78:1 and the transfer is enhanced for 16 x 9 TVs. The image is sharp and clear, showing only a hint of grain and no defects from the source material. This is a dark movie, but fortunately, it's never too dark, revealing a well-balanced image where the colors look fine. The picture displays pretty good detail for a DVD and artifacting is kept to a minimum. The DVD carries a Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track which provides clear dialogue and sound effects. The stereo effects are nicely done and there are a few moments which nicely highlight sounds coming from off-screen. Surround sound effects are used wisely during crowd scenes and in the more shocking moments. The music fills the speakers and it's accompanied by barely perceptible voices. The subwoofer effects aren't numerous, but when present sound fine.

The only extra on the Seconds Apart DVD is an AUDIO COMMENTARY with Director Antonio Negret and actors Edmund and Gary Entin. This trio clearly formed a bond while making the film, as this is an intimate while also supremely goofy talk. They discuss the film's production in detail, but the Entin's also have a silly sense of humor and they have some good jokes during the chat.