Change Your Image
info-20163
McPherson Productions
Lists
An error has ocurred. Please try againReviews
Roulette (2012)
Review from the sneak-peak screening at the Charles
I was one the couple hundred people invited/arrived to the sneak preview of "Roulette" at the Charles theater in Baltimore on Nov. 17, 2010. And I would say overall if was well worth it.
Now to be perfectly truthful, my main issue with the whole evening was the wait for the film to start. Due to technical issues at the screening, the film was delayed from airing by about two hours. However this is par for the course when it comes to indy screenings. (I've experienced this personally with 5 out of the 7 screenings of my own last indy short having some kind of technical issue.) I bring up this point because I believe the way the film ended up being shown that night caused some minor issues.
The film does have a lot going for it. It looks great and this is no small feat for independent film. You could really tell by the quality the time, hard work, and effort that was put into the behind scenes. If anyone is interested I believe there is a video on youtube about the making of Roulette called I think Luck of the Draw. We were given a sneak peak at a two-minute preview of that as well that was also enjoyable. I am not sure what they shot the movie on but images look great. This film has been in production since 2008 and crew deserves a ton of props for the work they did.
As for acting it is hard to get any real talent to do films without a big Hollywood budget. This time however Roulette has pulled off getting some high end performances. I personally really liked the supporting cast namely Jan-David Soutar as Sunny's boyfriend and Michelle Murad made up a good supporting cast. As for the three lead characters I thought Mike Baldwin was good and Ali Lukowski was also very good at points.
The story which by the way is always most important part of any film is right up my alley. It is very dark and extremely dark toward the end. It has a good twist ending and director/writer Erik Myers manages to do the twist in the right way, which will make most audience enjoy it. There are couple lines that I could live without but overall it is tight script that was directed well. I would of done the very end a little different myself but that is personal choice.
The story basic is this; three random people whom all have had some kind of hardship in their lives leave a group meeting for people considering suicide. They go back to the ones house and start a Roulette style drinking game. That game leads to a real game of Roulette, where we began to learn more about the three main characters though what appears to be flash backs. Though these well-placed flashbacks you begin to discover who these people really are and what has brought them to this point. Also you learn that all three of their lives are intertwined which leads to the above mentioned twist ending.
Since I am in the biz myself I did notice a couple small things that as said above I believe is due to the way the film was shown. Some of the audio mix seemed off in volume and there are a couple of spots where white/color balance seems off as well. Now being an editor myself I would have suggest a couple different cuts here and there too, but nothing of the above mention issues are enough to take the regular viewer out of the movie.
Overall I am rating this movie 9 out 10 and if you are fan of indies this movie should be on you list to see in 2010. I also expect this film to do very well in the festival market. I am so glad to see a fellow Towson alumni out there doing there best in this industry.
I am by far not a professional reviewer, and I believe this to be only my 3 or 4th review on IMDb. So please forgive any grammar or spelling mistakes on my end.
The Car Wash (2010)
Not my kind of film, but might be yours
This is not my type of film. No offense to it, I just wanted to be upfront with those reading this review. (So saying that) I can't judge this film as high I would if it was kind of film I'd personally go out to watch; however, I also cannot fault it for being what it is. And what it is-- is a good drama. I think it is type of film my parents, grandparents, and even my girlfriend would like to watch. It is just not my personal taste. The story is well written and works for a thoughtful drama like this film. Acting is dry at points but this fits to how real life conversation would go. The time of the film is exactly length it should be for film like this.
With me being in film biz myself (and this is a review). I am going to discuss tech stuff now. Open sequence is very good and the titles/graphics are superb. The editing overall is well done, there is only two spots I had issues with. First there is one glaring jump- cut in the first part of conversation. I'd aspect most normal viewers will totally miss it, but if you do editing you happen to notice stuff like that. The second is the shot where older lady stands up and is facing so far away from the young man (and the camera) you barely see her side profile. I would have liked to seen a different angle shot there. Most of this is just editor's nit-picking, and as far as I can know it might have been meant to look like that or most likely due to lack of footage was only thing to pick from. I also noticed a little audio mix error toward end of the film. These small issues won't take normal viewer out of the story so you might not even notice them at all.
If you're in the mood for a good short drama about difference in youth to an experienced life, then I suggest this film for you.
Heads up to those watching this film on IMDb-- If you're like me you probably be waiting from some last second shot to come in for a shocking ending or something. There is no additional footage there is just 30secs. of black at end of the IMDb link to this film.
Morning After (2009)
Strong start for indie film maker
I never mind helping out fellow film maker, so I took time to watch this short online today.
Let me first say; for the directors very first short film not bad at all. I have no major problems with it, actually really like the story and the flow of the editing. They work great together.
However since this is a movie review I fill as I should share some stuff to help out those in film making biz and movie fans on what to pick to watch.
The only minor problems with it I have is technical ones, and I'd put money on most of these happening to everyone on their first films.
There is points in the film where audio was way to low compared to standard level of the film.
Text message shot needs to have been left up a half sec longer. Slow readers (as in myself) have trouble reading things like that. It's not big deal for stuff on you-tube but if you go to show it in theater, the theater lacks a pause button.
My main issue throughout was lighting. I am assuming the film maker didn't have any advance lighting setup for the film. But some small things to keep in mind for future films are-- When shooting someone in front of a window it is more important to see subjects face instead of the outside. I tend to the rule of taping up diffusion paper if possible on the windows. Also be sure to use the 3-point lighting. However, from the point of the hallway shot till the end the lighting got a lot better and fit the story more.(mostly cause it was night scenes where lighting was not really needed)
If you love indie films and like to support those putting themselves out there; you should watch this film.
The Narrator (2009)
Good humor and a solid short
"Narrator"
I loved the concept and story. This film has just the kind of humor I am into. The video once you went to color look really good too. (I am not a fan of B&W.) I also agree with the other reviewer in that if it was just a bit longer could of made it better as well. However I did rate it a 9 on IMDb, so I don't know how much better you can get. What I would change if I was you for future projects. Is I'd keep an eye on my audio levels throughout the project. The music at the top was loud, the Narrator was just right on, but "Simon's" audio was a bit to low. Overall very good movie. If your fan of shorts and laughing this is good film to watch.
The Cure (2006)
This is what a short film should be.
Let me start by saying I have never reviewed a movie on IMDb before; however, I am in the video biz myself. And coming from that perceptive; I can say, without a shadow of a doubt that this film is what a short should be. It has a very good story and another thing I love-(an even better twist ending). Opening was very well done, I loved video chosen for it and how it was edited.
I am not a fan of B&W but the way this film uses the effect it works. And with any film that is all that matters. The flow of the film works perfectly and editing was very well done. From a technical side of things (which is side I normally work on) everything is also very well done. There is no major tech. stuff to point out. Only minor one I have is that the end credits are a little bouncy. This is probably due to a rendering issue. Let me also say that I would have prefer to seen more of the love scene but I am guy (so you can chalk that up to a guy factor).
So overall I rate it a 9/10. It is worth the watch if you fan of Indies and/or short films.
ps. sorry for bad grammar or spelling.