Lost Phoenix (2023) Poster

(2023)

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10/10
Great indie!
sweet_k_z3 May 2024
I always love watching indie movies and this one did not disappoint!

For an indie they really packed a lot into this. Interesting plot and fast paced. The fights were well done. And even though these were not "known" actors, they all did pretty well. Some funny moments too. Good banter between the two henchmen. And some serious, even scary moments.

The sword fight at the end was very good. A little odd the one guy had swords on his back (Deadpool??), but once they got used, the action was great. Clearly the old guy has some real skills.

The only down side of the film was some sound issues in the early apartment scenes.
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7/10
The look and feel of a low budget B movie
christopherswinter13 January 2024
Lost Phoenix has the look and feel of a low budget B movie, and that's not a criticism. There are a lot of people who like those kinds of movies, including me. I applaud the creators for going all in and making this film. It takes a lot of guts and is more than many people even attempt. That being said, there were some continuity issues that were pretty noticeable, such as the warehouse/garage fight scene, and why the mask kept going on and coming off, without a specific reason for doing so. At least one time, he was wearing the mask in one shot, and then in the next shot it was just gone, and there wasn't time for him to have removed it and put it away. There was A LOT of dialogue. But, overall it was a pretty good flick. I see it as a stepping stone with things to learn from for their next film.
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10/10
Love this indie movie!
catchengery2 February 2024
I love this indie action covid movie! After such intense stuff we all went through with covid, it's nice to see some creativity come from it! I thought this was a well done low budget movie, lots to celebrate here. One- a cast that seems very committed to the story and shows up! I thought everyone did a great job. Two- the movie looks really great. You can tell the filmmakers had a lot of vision in how they wanted this film to look. Lastly, and probably my favorite thing about it- the editing! I was so surprised at how tight and sharp this movie is. Would definitely recommend to any indie movie fans looking for some great action.
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7/10
Decent indie action flick
jlarosa-8223418 January 2024
This was a pretty good B-Movie action flick.. On the downside, story was a bit muddled and cliched. The caliber of the acting was also uneven, but not too bad.

On the positive side there is some decent humor in here. The cinematography is a cut above what you'd expect in a movie like this. Action choreography was also good, and the editing was also excellent keeping everything fast paced in the action sequences. A standout was the guy who plays the main villain. He had a bit of that James Bond-esque style of villainy, and he was also very good in the action scenes.

On the whole, although not winning any academy awards, this was an entertaining flick, and I enjoyed it.
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8/10
Action thriller w/ good fighting
SGarrett4961210 February 2024
This is an ambitious action flick that delivers a potent combination of martial arts, gunplay, and swordplay with some good character development along the way. Actors Eliza Kelley (Layla) and Wan Dral (Isaac) shine as adversaries pitted against each other. Nice to see a subtle respect develop between them. I appreciate that the filmmakers kept the action happening at regular intervals. Nice production values - cinematography and sound. It's great to see an action movie set on the East Coast (Richmond, VA) for a change. Eliza Kelley delivers a standout performance that leaves the male actors scrambling for cover.
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9/10
Nice indie action!
awesomedaven2 January 2024
Fun movie. Too summarize, without spoilers, it is in the realm of "Bourne Identity", but with a little bit of "Total Recall" thrown in for good measure - the main character wakes up with memory loss. Who is he, where did he come from, how did he get here? And where does he go now? And it hits the ground running.

Great cinematography, good pacing, some solid performances. A few issues, but for a micro-budget, there is a lot packed into it. Also, it's not the standard action film - thoughtful, dark, but with a somewhat positive outlook.

Definitely worth watching, if you have any interest in indie films.
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10/10
Entertaining action flick!
kevinctan22 January 2024
Lost Phoenix" is a compelling indie action flick that manages to captivate audiences with its engaging storyline. Despite a few continuity hiccups and an abundance of dialogue, the film succeeds in delivering an entertaining experience.

While the movie's continuity may falter at times, the strength of its characters and the overall plot compensates for these minor flaws. The action sequences are skillfully choreographed, providing a thrilling spectacle for fans of the genre. Each fight scene contributes to the narrative, showcasing the characters' growth and determination.

One notable aspect of "Lost Phoenix" is its character development. The film takes the time to delve into the backgrounds of the protagonists, allowing the audience to connect with their struggles and motivations. This emotional investment adds depth to the story, making the action sequences more impactful.

However, the film does rely heavily on dialogue to convey its narrative, which might be a drawback for those seeking a more visually driven experience.

Despite these considerations, the entertainment value of "Lost Phoenix" remains high. The well-executed action scenes, coupled with a decent storyline and strong character development, make it a worthwhile watch. The film's flaws are overshadowed by its strengths, making it a standout indie action flick.

Congratulations to the entire cast and crew!
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8/10
Phoenix Found
josephdifran8 May 2024
Very interesting concept, and original in many ways - even when compared to films covering similar territory.

Cinematography is first rate. Scene compositions, fight sequences, pacing, sound effects, editing - considering its indie status and budgetary restraints, all very strong. Impressive. A great team of filmmakers came together on this. That is very clear.

Director James Couche most certainly has his own style. Great cinematic choices. Transitions. He has a touch, and I will most definitely be keeping an eye out for him.

The writing, overall, is good, but there were a couple of holes in the logic, and a few scenes seemed a touch overwritten - but that's just me.

As for performance standouts: Wan Dral (assuming acting debut) did a great job. His character had a lot going on, and he gave every facet his full attention. David Norton is as slick and sinister as they come. Eliza Kelley, being tasked with an emotionally and physically complex, multidimensional role, knocks it out of the park.

I hope these filmmakers come together again and again because they have something going here that really works.
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9/10
Seriously good . . . you'll watch it more than once
cathiemcc-4982912 May 2024
This film drops us directly into the summer of 2020 with Black Lives Matters protests as a backdrop, and the pandemic as a catalyst for the narrative without it being the focus. It's a great use of context, and the setting will feel both familiar and unsettling for all of us who experienced those couple of years, which is all of us. For those who watch it in the future, it will be a lesson in the isolation and uncertainty of those times. For a low-budget film, the cast is amazingly talented. The fight scenes and camera work are top notch. The locations are well chosen, and the lighting is stunning. Couche is one to watch, and I'm not just saying that because he is one of my former students. ;-)
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9/10
Low budget, but fun action movie
coachjerryn7 May 2024
Lost Phoenix is an action-packed indie film with a familiar storyline not unlike the Jason Bourne movies. Fans of this genre are rewarded with standout acting highlighted with well-choreographed and masterfully performed action sequences--virtues not always associated with low-budget films.

It is difficult to choose this movie's star, considering the fine performances by Eliza Kelly, Wan Dral, and David Norton, but my choice would be Norton in the role of the villain. His fighting skills were apparent and impressive, and his unique acting style reminded me of Gene Hackman.

One of those rare gems--worth a watch if you find.
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9/10
Entertaining, action packed thriller
internalalchemyschool11 January 2024
Really enjoyable movie that kept us hooked from beginning to end. We noticed in the credits that the writer/ director also edited, did the cinematography and lighting, was also the fight coordinator and even acted in the movie, which makes the movie all the more impressive.

Some great stand out performances with excellent dialogue and impressive fight sequences, with convincing techniques which martial artist will appreciate. Innovative camera angles and slow motion action.

The story was gripping. We wanted to know more about some of the main characters after the movie had ended, so hoping for a sequel.
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