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Schlozinger23
Reviews
Ashes of Eden (2014)
So so close. An honest opinion
I had a chance to watch this film in theaters during its short theatrical run in Lansing, MI. I had the opportunity to meet a few individuals involved in the production. First off, I would like to congratulate the cast and crew for executing a well made film. It has the components one looks for in a film, unfortunately the film is about two or three edits away from being a home-run success. The story starts off with an immediate impact, the opening sequence was fantastically, edge of your seat good. The music, the editing and the scene itself grabs you and takes you on a ride. Fantastic opening!! Unfortunately the film quickly falls flat and fails to deliver throughout. I understand the filmmakers were going for a christian/pg-13 feel but why change the tone of the film throughout?! The film went into a silly over dramatic daytime soap opera episode. The score at points were incredibly cheesy. Please keep in mind that the entire film, thankfully, isn't all like this but one to many scenes are. There are some amazing moments throughout the film that take you for a ride unfortunately that ride ends when such scenes come forward. For example: A scene in the kitchen with Dana (Melissa Anschultz) Tony Hanson (Michael Joiner) and Red (Steven Sutherland) is excruciatingly long and painful, the acting (way over the top) is underpar with the rest of the acting in the film and the score is absolutely horrible. The scene could have been saved IF there was a better score in the very least. Its odd though because the score is on point in many other scenes. The film looks fantastic, not sure what camera was used but it definitely has a big budget feel. The cinematography was also beautiful, kudos! The acting, for the most part, was on point for the exception of some over acting scattered here and there. Red (Steve Sutherland) was definitely a right fit, he shows a great pain of the demons that are buried inside him. I felt that his acting SOMETIMES had no range or came off as flat but it played well with the character. Overall, a solid performance. Dana (Melissa Anschultz) who plays an officer and mother to Red brings the tearjerking side of the film. The position of what will go wrong will go wrong that we have all come across in points of our lives, applies here. I do feel however, her acting was a bit over the top, more suited for a stage performance. I felt some scenes were longer then they needed to be, perhaps the director was giving her more screen time then needed? Her character seemed to get better as the film went on and definitely had some heart pulling moments. Tony Hanson (Michael Joiner) played his part well although didn't seem to be a principle/role model type to me. Acting was spot on anytime he was on the screen but his appearance, for some reason pulled me out of those scenes. Perhaps I'm just nit picking now. Donnie (Dj Perry) an old vet turned bad guy looked and acted the part well, my favorite scene was his engagement with another fellow "Bad guy" Carlos (Carlucci Weyant). Unfortunately, he was not in many scenes but the scenes he was involved in definitely shined through. A+. Carlos (Carlucci Weyant) comes in about a quarter of the way through. He is a highlight in this film. I hated this man. Every scene that Carlos comes in (for the exception of an over the type kick fest on a local drug dealer) was worth the price of admission. He shined through in every scene and actually saves the film from going into a terrible unraveling of sappy soap opera, lifetime TV. Fantastic emotional arcs here! Excellent casting. Angela (Mayra Leal) was good as Reds girlfriend, there were some very good moments and some not so good. A specific scene that sticks out (most likely the editors fault) was a number reaction shots of Angela when Red fights a fellow friend upon catching him with Angela. Her expressions are almost comical. I asked myself would anyone really react in that way? and why so many closeups? Finally, my second favorite character (another bad guy) was Poncho (Josh Carrizales) he served as the comic relief in the picture and was a perfect counterpart for Carlos. These two helped if not made the film, they made me thirsty for more. Poncho's acting was superb and kept you engaged and in the moment every time. Superb acting! Again, great casting. The rest of the cast was good and believable. The direction was also very well done. The story as a whole unfolds perfectly although the execution of some scenes are just to weak. The film was SO close to being a great film from start to finish. The editing (in some scenes), some acting and some of the score is unfortunately what will prevent this film from going to a level it could. Shame. Hope this was a test to see how audiences reacted. My two cents? Re edit! and make the film carry the same feel/tone throughout, stay away from the daytime TV death trap. I loved the message in the film and would absolutely love to see some of the actors in this film get the attention they deserve. Should you watch this film? I say yes, it has a number of wonderful elements and a good message behind it.