Russ Emanuel has outdone himself with "Girl With Gun." The sets, props, costumes, choreography and music are all top notch. He has managed to squeeze comedy, action, suspense and drama into this 14-minute film, an excellent attempt to combine genre's for a piece that works well as both entertainment and a calling card. The story is genre-specific with a new bent - a female assassin, tough and gritty on the job, is nothing more than a soft, lonely woman with a penchant for teddy bears and a need for a quiet Saturday night at home. Russ has continued to increase his burden on each project and keeps managing to come through on top, highly commendable. Looking forward to more from this guy.
6 Reviews
Well done.
filmlover053 March 2006
GIRL WITH GUN was actually a good film from the acting (for the most part) to the directing (for the most part) to the music (I liked the fact that there was varied music throughout the film and a cool end song). While there are some weak points in the film (including a storyline that begs for more than its actual 14 minute length - I really wanted to see more after the film ended). But that said, this is a short and due to that you can't expect to see everything like in a Hollywood Blockbuster. But this definitely has a potential to be a blockbuster, if it can be made into a feature with a budget. And until then, this is pretty good and anyone who likes shorts should see it (it screened at a festival already, hopefully more to come).
I was very impressed with "Girl With Gun"
expressive1113 March 2006
Warning: Spoilers
"Girl With Gun" is a great effort by film-making partners Russ Emanuel, who produced and directed this, and Emile Haris, who wrote and edited. Although I haven't seen their first films, "Her Knight" and "Mavet", if it's anything like this one, it has it all. Let me explain: The story is strong and the dialog sharp, these two points are the necessary elements since the script is the backbone of a film. The actors who portray the characters, especially Tracy O'Connor as Gwen Hunter and special kudos to Michelle Martin as Mitzi, Erick Holloway as Dan, really bring out the dialog in a believable, dramatic, funny ways. Watch out for the restaurant scene! HILARIOUS! The pacing is spot on, never too boring or too fast. This is due to the acting as I mentioned above but also to the fine editing. And watch out for the action packed fight scene especially the (spoiler wirework!). The production design and the costumes (look out for Gwen Hunter's costume!) are also another big plus.
But not only that, I really liked the music (it complemented the film). The composer, Neil Argo, has worked with the director a couple times before ("Her Knight" and "Mavet" . . . and "Perfect Red" is an upcoming film between them according to the official website), and I've heard his music on the composer's website what I hear I like, and his music for "Girl With Gun" is no exception. It's therefore no wonder that this film has won an award at the Park City Film Music Festival (which is where I saw this film).
I really look forward to this film-making duo's future ventures.
But not only that, I really liked the music (it complemented the film). The composer, Neil Argo, has worked with the director a couple times before ("Her Knight" and "Mavet" . . . and "Perfect Red" is an upcoming film between them according to the official website), and I've heard his music on the composer's website what I hear I like, and his music for "Girl With Gun" is no exception. It's therefore no wonder that this film has won an award at the Park City Film Music Festival (which is where I saw this film).
I really look forward to this film-making duo's future ventures.
Well done and unique short
jab507 March 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Who says a short film can't be as professionally done as a feature film made in Hollywood. Though Girl With Gun doesn't have the budget of a feature, there are many elements that deserves attention.
Included are: acting (the lead especially, but also her best friend and her boyfriend), the pacing (it tells a well-packed story in only 14 minutes!), the music (I'm not a big fan of electronic music but it worked well during the fight scenes).
I've read several reviews for this film on different sites (Cinema Crazed, Kung Fu Cinema, etc) and they all seem to agree that this short deserves attention. And I agree, although each scene is by itself average, it's the overall whole that makes this a worthy contender among films.
Included are: acting (the lead especially, but also her best friend and her boyfriend), the pacing (it tells a well-packed story in only 14 minutes!), the music (I'm not a big fan of electronic music but it worked well during the fight scenes).
I've read several reviews for this film on different sites (Cinema Crazed, Kung Fu Cinema, etc) and they all seem to agree that this short deserves attention. And I agree, although each scene is by itself average, it's the overall whole that makes this a worthy contender among films.
Very cool twist on an old formula
TostadoProd1 March 2006
Director Russell Emanuel does a good job of giving us a different view of the old spy / crime fighter genre in GIRL WITH GUN. The focus for this slick little short is not the usual boring "let's blow up something and watch non-stop fighting" for no apparent reason. Instead, director, Emanuel offers an inside look at the private daily struggles of a kick ass crime fighter / all American girl who can't quiet get her personal life together. The short is a welcome big big step up from the usual disappointing shorts I'm used to seeing. And of course it doesn't hurt that the lead actress is a beautiful blond who wears a skin tight leather jump suit, drives a hummer and carries a very big gun.
Best short to see
cpencer11 July 2006
If there is one short you see make sure its Girl with a Gun Mr. Emanual has taken 14 minutes of film that takes the viewer on an action packed story filled with real character driven emotion. Girl with Gun's resident female assassin Gwen Hunter Code Name: The Nightingale is perfectly cast by Tracy O'Connor. Ms. O'Conner shows her talents by mixing up her trained martial art skills and her vulnerability with prowess and ease as the comic book superheroes of Batman and Batgirl were undeniably The Nightingale's role models. After seeing this film you will yearn in finding out what happens to your new favorite action hero Gwen Hunter. I am looking forward to a feature if it's put into production.
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