Post by Cristo on Sept 21, 2008 21:44:06 GMT -5
Casablanca and the Movies
Episode #7
casablanca3491 - Casablanca
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Hello, MR Directors and patrons, and welcome to the seventh episode of “Casablanca and the Movies”. Today we have a somewhat, I don’t want to say typical, but more calm episode, which is what the episodes will be like for a while, until the 10th episode. But this one, 8 and 9, will be nice and calm, just covering some films and trailers, and this is so I have more time and information to throw in the “Casablanca and the Movies: 10th Anniversary Episode” which will be a massive and major episode, so much so, that some users are already writing some short stories for that episode specifically (I would like to take this time to thank them, Jester, Matt, and I don’t know if anyone else would like to). But today, let’s just take things slow. We’ll start by going over 5:30: The Director’s Cut and 16 Hour’s new film, The Ultimate, and then go over Batman: No Man’s Land, the new film by joeyjojojrshabadoo. After this, we’ll do Trailer Analysis, an interview with 16 Hour, and then 1 older film, followed by updates on the show.
Well, why waste time, let’s get started. To begin, I would like to look at 16 Hour’s new film 5:30: The Director’s Cut, which isn’t really a new film, but more of a revisiting of an old film. The results were amazing!
As you can read in my review, what was done in this new cut was what it took to make 5:30 one of the really astounding films. The original was good, however, it felt cramped, it felt constrained, and almost like the director’s artistic ambition was cut short. In this new longer version, it looks like 16 Hour had the freedom, and the time, to show us everything, slow things down, and really express himself. Basically, the changes include a few more scenes, a line or two of dialogue and some different music. That, however, is all it took, just that much more freedom to let the genius behind it break free, and then ride wherever it chose to, take us wherever it wanted, and, most importantly, show us what it wanted us to see.
Another complaint, though it wasn’t always a negative complaint, was how “weird” or “left open” 5:30 was. And many of you are probably wondering if it’s more tied together. The answer is both yes and no. Yes, it does push across more of a story; show us more of the journey, which is a man who goes somewhere different whenever he leaves his house. However, it also doesn’t tie everything together, and this is because of all the new questions it brings up, the new points it examines, and the new ways it dives deep, deep in its style and deep in its themes, which remain firstly and foremost, the unknown, the realms of the mind left undiscovered.
Also, one of the things which hasn’t changed since the original, the visuals are very inspired, they are very though of, however I have a feeling that these images can’t come from the mind, but from the heart. There are scenes in here, even shots, which have more life in them, more awe then many films I have seen on this site. I must say that my favorite scene is at about 5:30 (coincidence?) into the film and goes to 5:45 or 5:50. Look at the colors, the camerawork, the way we follow the character at a breakneck pace, almost coldly as he runs after the snapped rope, a surrealistic image of the rope escaping, almost running, like something living. Another fine scene is when, at the beginning, he walks past a drug store and the lights shine bright in the dark, cool sky. It is things like this which not only shows a dedication to the craft, but also to the form, the medium of art. There are spots in “5:30” which I would be proud to hang on my wall, as this film feels like a slideshow paintings set to music, a slideshow set at hundreds of paintings every few seconds.
Overall, it is a film to be cherished by anyone who likes good art, anyone who appreciates film, and interested in what film can do. This is a perfect representative of how the medium changes, and of how it can change us, open us to the magical, wonderful, unique and somewhat twisted world of…the movies!
Next, on a further not, let’s take a look at a film I was lucky enough to get a prescreening to, and that is “The Ultimate”, another film by 16 Hour, only this time, it is a comedy, a mocumentary.
I am warning you Movie Reels, look out! This film is absolutely hilarious! “g” has some competition for comedy in early October. First off, let’s admire its uniqueness. A mocumentary, the last thing I expected to see on Movie Reels, and it has been done so perfectly, with just the right amount of interviewing, just the right amount of oddness, but with humor to an excess, uncontrollably taking over the film, and making it, not so much a mokumentary, but a comedy, a classic comedy as that goes.
The style of humor is great, and that is because it is stupid as stupid can be. It is an idiot’s film about idiots. In fact, I venture to say that not one single ounce of intelligence rests in the 6:12 minutes of this entire project. The character is so mindless, so clueless as to any sense of reality that he seems completely separate from all society, and just lost on his own planet, a planet which orbits backwards, as there isn’t something quite right about it.
Something else, similar to The Long Coats, is that the acting is good. Now, this feels weird, as the film is a documentary with humor, but the acting really is pretty great. How much charisma the actor has, how much energy, all pouring out on the screen, we are all too willing to be pulled into his invisible circle of fun and excitement. He jumps around, he has fun, he talks like he is so excited to be in this film that he can hardly bear it, and that is what I like to see, people who like what they are doing, in this case, making movies.
Now, 16 Hour informed me that this was shot with a handheld camera, and not the camera used in 5:30 or Golf Tips. I couldn’t tell the difference, and this isn’t because of the visuals or the picture, but because I wasn’t paying attention. I was too pulled in by the elements that made it great. The great acting, the twisted sense of humor and the nice screenplay. That’s something I want to point out. The screenplay was written perfectly to match the film’s sense of humor, its sense of energy, take a look at a segment from the trailer:
The man walks over to the camera.
The Man
I am so thristy
A hand from behind the camera hands him a gatorade.
The man knocks it out of his hand looking shocked.
The Man
What the hell is this? I don't drink gatorade, thats for gilry soccer bitches. I would rather drink my own piss from a canteen.
Look at that wild sense of humor! Look at how well it uses fast paced dialogue to make us laugh, as it does with great line delivery. Some things are said quickly, some exaggerated, all done to a comic goldness, wrapping up a perfect comedy, and a good film I’d put above Golf Tips, however, not as good as 16 Hour’s magnum opus, 5:30.
And that ends the video segment of this episode; let’s turn to a new film, Batman: No Man’s Land, a new film by joeyjojojrshabadoo. (*** .5 out of ****)
This joins the pavilion of great superhero movies; in fact, it is one of the best. It is in the lighthearted style of Life of Superman, with the dark themes of X-Men Origins: Gambit, and as thrilling as An Amazing Spiderman, but don’t get me wrong, its completely original.
The thing that I want you to leave this review with, if anything, is how good of a detective story this is. In fact, Commissioner Gordon and Nigma, another police member, are two of the main characters in it, and must be in it close to the level of Batman. The story basically revolves around Catwoman. She is doing the same thing Batman does, with one exception, she kills the thieves. Gordon and Nigma want to put an end to this, Nigma wants to put an end to Batman as well. Meanwhile, Batman also wants to stop her from murdering the thieves, as he is one for swift justice.
Now, though I preach its originality, it also has themes of The Ultimates, as it mixes different superheroes and supervillians, which leads to the best plot I have heard in any superhero film; Nigma things that Luthor is Batman, and wants to sop him.
Those are the kind of plots and sub plots that make this film the delight it is, as jumpy as it is, with all of its energy and love, its love for comics and its loves for the people in them, but not only that, also their love for the movies.
There is also a sense of humor in this film like no other film from the genre. Its little things though, small lines that, while aren’t hilarious, add up for the comic effect:
BATMAN
So you think you can choose who lives and who dies?
CATWOMAN
If you don't shut up I'm gonna choose you.
BATMAN
No need to get violent.
Or a nice scene involving Harvey Dent:
INT. COURTHOUSE - DAY
In the ruins of a courtroom, Dent sits as judge while Nigma and MR. KANE sit in front of him and a bailiff stands to the side.
DENT
Mr. Nigma, state your case against the defendant.
NIGMA
It's simple, your honor. The defendant was the owner of the apartment complex in which I lived. It was his responsibility to make sure the place was safe for those he rented to. Although there were always safety violations which I brought to his attention multiple times...
KANE
Objection!
NIGMA
Are you calling me a liar?!
DENT
Order! Objection overruled. Mr. Nigma, please continue.
NIGMA
After trying to get him to keep his building safe, to no avail, the slightest shake sent it tumbling to the ground. Something which should not have happened to a properly maintained property. He took everything I own, and any just world will know I deserve compensation for that.
DENT
Would the defense please state their case?
KANE
The entire city was destroyed in the earthquake! Everyone lost everything! There's nothing else to say! This is just a frivolous case!
DENT
Calm down, Mr. Kane. I will now deliberate and make my decision.
Dent picks up a coin, both sides heads but one is scratched. He flips the coin and looks at the result.
And with that, I’d like to point out the screenplay. As I said earlier, it was a detective story. I meant this in two ways. First, it is one as in it revolves around mystery, where each character has to find something, and second because it leaves us guessing, us wondering what will happen next, what surprise will we be entangled in after the first, or if many of them will open at once, leaving us in a complex web of intrigue and interest. It may sound like a boring film I am describing, but it is all done with the same appeal as an animated television show. It is quick, even though it is long, it feels like it is in segments, and it even feels animated. The characters use more wild expressions then more subtle superhero films, and they seem to match their persona perfectly without the realistic mixing on the inner demons and the outer turmoil. And that is another mix this film does, realism and fantasy. It is a noir with wings really, wings that fly high through the heavens and into the minds of anyone that reads it.
This film doesn’t have giant ambitions, nor does it expect to be amazing, and that makes it the closest adaptation to a comic book, because it just wants to pleasure us, to give us an hour or more of joy. It is a nice film, and good natured, a perfect mix of comedy, action, adventure, drama, lightness and darkness, all while showing a perfect craft, a genuine eye for entertainment and a nice writing style that swiftly goes from place to place, hero to hero, villain to villain, and from page to page with a magnificent ease. There aren’t any wonderful images, no artistic pleasures, just nice clean fun.
With that over, I’d like to go to Trailer Analysis; however, it isn’t going to be as typical as it always is. This time, we will do only one trailer and then I will look over the first five pages of xplay’s newest film “A Little Piece of Heaven”. But, to start off, let’s do a trailer, a film by SCF, “House of Dracula”. It starts:
The screen is entirely black until the silver logo for SCF Films sweeps over it.
Voice: I’ve been in hiding for 6 months.
Now, I have a feeling that this isn’t Dracula. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dracula wasn’t even in this film. I do think, however, that this is a vampire, one of Dracula’s victims. I have a feeling the story takes place, shortly before he becomes one, or maybe even after he is one, as this narration sounds like it should be early in the film. This also is a good indicator of the mood of the film, as it seems to be quite dark, quite pessimistic and also quite mature. Look at how he says “I have been IN hiding”, besides “I have been hiding”. It shows a sophisticated angle at which the vampire subject is tackled. Let’s go on:
*Shot of a vast mountain landscape*
Voice: I’ve killed 14 people since then.
*Panning shot of the night sky*
Voice: Brings the total up to 23.
Nice shots of the land and the sky, which leads me to believe that this will be an artistic film, and thus, not the action fare we may, or may not, have been expecting. Also, look at the use of diction, the word “vast” in the mountain landscape. He is trying to paint a picture in our head, and set up an atmosphere while doing it. It is a very good use of multi-tasking. Notice how he says “I’ve” again, it almost sounds like a confession, like he is repenting, and this leads me to the assumption that this film will have some inner toil, as he regrets the things he does while he is a vampire, and feels terrible at the fate he has been given. Then, the next line, “Brings the total up to 23”, doesn’t have the same sophistication as the other two. This makes is clear that he is human. No matter how evil he may act, there is a human in there, and he wants to get out. Next:
*The camera continues panning until it reaches the full moon*
Voice: I’m on the verge of insanity.
*The camera slowly pans up a man's body*
Another sentence with “I’m” or “I’ve”, as if scared to admit it, and must do it in the form of confession. Though it may seem like he doesn’t care that much, I believe he is scared death, and is trying desperately to stop himself. Next:
Voice: Is there somebody out there who can cure me?
*The camera pans up until it reaches the back of a man’s head. His brown hair is scraggy. He turns his head around. Sam Miller*
*Cut to black*
This part of the trailer is worthless, except to confirm what I already knew. It isn’t Dracula, but Sam Miller, and he is a vampire, who wants a cure, who wants to be free.
Overall, this really is a nice trailer. Look at how much it told us, before it even got to that last part. In fact, it tells us practically the whole story, the mood and what to expect. And I expect a good film, and I sure will be looking forward to it.
Next, xplayadam was good enough to let me in on a sneak peak of the first five pages of his film “A Little Piece of Heaven”, a title which sounds almost ironic. Let’s look at how it starts:
Alleyways hang assortments of clothing, the building lights all on. Cat run on the roofs hissing at the new sun. Fog rises from the top of the highest buildings, children scream and police sirens go off. The skyline is a dark orange. Zoom to a window in this long alleyway. The kitchen is rather standard: a sink, a refrigerator, shelves and the checkered black and white floor. Tiffany, a young 23 year-old dark haired woman stands over the sink washing dishing. Her hair goes down to her shoulders and has a shine that only an angel could have. The white latex gloves match her white shoulder less white and skirt. After a few minutes she takes off her latex gloves and throws them in a trash can near by. Tiffany walks into the living room. A green couch on a red carpet with a old wooden box TV is what is at the center of it although several pictures of Tiffany and a young skinny looking man are on the wall. Tiffany lays on the couch holding a small red pillow. In the back ground the front door slowly opens. We only see the black lacks on a man walking in. He has something behind his back. He begins to slowly approach Tiffany’s resting body. Tiffany opens her eyes and looks over to see Tim: a very skinny dark haired man, in a black business suit, he has a big grin on. Tiffany smiles back-
Look at all the word usage we have here! This is the best example of creating a mood I have ever seen on Movie Reels. The first two lines about cats running, children screaming, police sirens, it all goes to set up a typical big city town, nothing unique, nothing out of the ordinary. Then we see the dark orange sky, which changes the mood from typical big city, to romantic, nice sky. There is switch number 1. After this we go into a home, a typical home which again switches the mood back to the first, that of a common place setting, one that could be anywhere. Switch number 2. Switch number 3 happens when it describes Tiffany, a woman with a “shine that only an angel could have”, nice metaphor. She then walks in a room with so much colors that I’m getting dizzy. And on top of the dark orange sky, colors seem to be important, and I’d recommend paying attention to them, I suspect some symbolism here. However, she meets Tim and Tim has something, what does he have:
Tim-
What have you been up to?
Tiffany-
Just cleaning. Making the place a little bit better.
Tim-
It looks great.
Tiffany-
Thanks.
-Tim pulls out a lovely batch of red roses. Tiffany smile extends-
Tiffany-
Awww… their gorgeous.
-Tim hands them to her-
Tim-
Just like you.
Tiffany-
Thank you so much.
Well, Tim has roses. He also has a large heart, a seemingly romantic man, with a great love for Tiffany and who only wants to please her. We get the idea that he is a man who cherishes that “thank you so much”. Tim then goes shopping.
Tim closes the door and walks off. Tiffany lets out a sigh. Cut to Tim at a Jewelry Store. The old cashier looks at him like he’s a idiot. Tim points toward a golden ring that a medium sized diamond-
Tim-
She’ll take that one.
Cashier-
It’ll be $200.
Tim-
That’s alright.
Marriage, why not? They seem like such a nice couple, however, someone feels differently:
Cashier-
How long have you known this gal?
Tim-
Three months sir.
Cashier-
You sure you want to pull the plug this early?
Now, by now I would have talked about the mood, I would have talked about how I could tell the story from just a few lines, but as you’ll see, this film goes beyond my criticism:
Time steps out of his chair and gets on his knees. Tiffany puts her hands over her mouth-
Tim-
… will you marry me?
-Tim extends his hand to reveal a ring. His face stops for a few seconds, full of patience. A grin begins to extend from her hands. Her eyes close and her cheeks move up and down. Tim continues to look at her with his big smile. The sound of chuckling escapes her hand. Tim’s face slowly slacks down, his smile forever gone. Her hands break and Tiffany laughs for a short period. Tim’s face shifts from wet eyes and a frown to raised eyebrows and a thick red forehead. Tim looks at the knife on the table and then looks back at Tiffany. His teeth grind on top of one another. He quickly grabs the knife and stands up. Tiffany begins to stop laughing and just stares at him in fear. Tim pushes Tiffany out of her chair and onto the floor. He jumps on top of her and raises the knife-
Tim-
You… fucking…. BITCH!
See what I mean. Now, this is where you get the mood. Obviously, Tim is a maniac. But so is the writer. Look at the description! A few times re-reading and I’m still lost in the dark! “The sound of chuckling escapes her hand.” Huh? It is written to a point of a mad genius, twisted and unique. Just look at the end:
Tim rushes toward a cabinet and swings it’s doors open. He grabs some thread and yarn and other sewing materials. He then grabs Tiffany by the leg and drags her into the living room. He puts her limp body on the coffee table infront of the couch and begins to sew her. The screen fades to black. It returns to view Tiffany sitting on the couch, her legs and just about everything else is sewn up. Her eyes have become pure white and her skin is a light blue color. The coffee table is gone. Tim is infront of her on his knees holding a ring-
Tim-
You’re as beautiful as the first day I met you, when your heart stops beating, so will mine. I want our lives to officially be connected, Tiffany, will you marry me?
-Tiffany’s corpse does absolutely nothing-
Tim-
… I love you too.
More color usage! First the color at the beginning, and now this, The carpet was red by the way, does this give off the foreshadowing of murder? These are the questions we must ask through this film, because it really seems to be a complex piece of writing.
Overall, I am excited, and I am now not concerned with it being a bad film, as it already proved it should be at least decent, if not very good. I’d see it, it might just be the most odd film on Movie Reels.
Now time for that interview with 16 Hour:
Q: Hello 16 Hour, and thanks for agreeing to do this interview. First off, I’d like to say that I loved 5:30: The Director’s Cut, it was truly a great film. In your opinion, what did you think of it? Did you feel it enhanced the original?
A: Hello, Casablanca and thanks for the opportunity to on your show. I'm glad you like 5:30 the Directors Cut. I believe the directors cut added visual elements the original didn’t have. The dialogue is different and unique in its own right and I feel it was just as good but not great. I think that the original was great but the Directors cut just adds so much to it, I felt it was something I though people needed to see.
Q: Now, surely the cinematography is something to rave about your films. Tell me, how do you achieve such good looking pictures? You seem to be a master at lighting and shadows, how did you learn this?
A: My goal with any film is how it will look when completed. Lighting is important so I make it my goal ina ll my projects. I achieved the pictures in this film by scouting out naturally lit locations. I wanted the scenes to breath as much as they did in real life as they do on screen. I learned how to use this lighting technique from my good friend Nick Federoff at ODU. We worked together on alot of projects together and I had the opportunity to show what I could do on this film.
Q: The music was also slightly different in the director’s cut. I, actually, prefer it to the original; however, you preferred the old music. What is it that you liked about it? Do you feel it set the mood better in the original or the new one?
A: I liked the original music because it was written by a local guitar legend in the city of Norfolk. He is pretty big and the music he wrote I felt had depth and soul to it. The 5:30 Director's Cut music was placed on a banjo, and it was great I just felt it wasn’t there enough. I think the music in 5:30 set the better mood.
Q: What form, videos or scripts, do you think is the supreme art form. Why? Is there one form that can better tell a story, or can better deal with emotions?
A: I think both have there own uniqueness to it. Every artist has its medium to express themselves. For me it is film. I respect both forms, I just think film is the best way I can show my vision. As far as emotion and story go, its really all up to the creator. I have read screenplay that brought tears to my eyes, and the same goes for film. It is all relative to the artists abilities.
Q: How do you manage your films before they release. It seems that videos don’t get as much coverage as scripts, and do you think that advertising helps, or is it essentially pointless for a video, how vital is it?
A: Well I think it is pointless to advertise for a film on MR, if you don’t have a wave to ride it on. The coverage is very low, and people usually are not interested unless it is from one of the big dogs who have been here for awhile. The way I did it, was make a film I believed in, an constantly hope for the best. I think the Critics review is a major factor I a films success and I have been lucky with the ones I have received. Once, you get a wave then you can start advertising. I think it is vital for the film to be accepted by the critics.
Q: Two more questions. First, have you seen any of indy42’s videos? Being, yourself, a video maker, what do you think other directors can do to make their videos even better. Do you think they reach the greatness that they can, or do they fall short?
A:I have seen some of his work. I think beginning filmmakers have to realize that the best way to make a film is to tell there own story. They need to tell the most difficult story possible and just do all that they can do. I think it is better to fail at something hard than something easy. I think some fall short. Its all about the filmmakers vision. They need to grab it and tell their own story, and once that happens then that can perfect their craft. I think most of the filmmakers here are on there way to putting out exceptional work. I know Long Coats was a good step in a good direction.
Q: And finally, what do you think about “Casablanca and the Movies”? Is anything missing? Could anything be added?
A: I think over the past couple of episodes it has gotten better and better. I enjoy reading it and I am happy to be apart of it. I think it is going in a great direction. You Handle it well and I think in time more movies will be added to the reviews and more sneak peaks will be added. But for now it is a great show.
Thanks for the interview!
Well, 16 Hour is defiantly one of the finest video makers, if not the best, and his new film “The Ultimate” lays claims to his perfection. I think, also, he is very right about saying how director’s should go for difficult projects as it is better the try and fail besides fail. 16 Hour seems to have a good philosophy and a nice view on things, and its sad that advertising doesn’t attract much people for him. I also agree 100% with him on his statement:
They need to grab it and tell their own story, and once that happens then that can perfect their craft. I think most of the filmmakers here are on there way to putting out exceptional work.
They are on their way to exceptional work. There hasn’t been a really bad film on here in a while and I sense that movies are becoming more mature. Even the comedies have a smart sense of humor to them. This was really a great interview, informative too, as I always like to hear what director’s have to say about other’s work. And on a good note, according to 16 Hour, many are on their way to being great filmmakers.
And finally, we will look at a review to an older film, “All For One”, a film by Cristo.
All For One
*** .5 out of ****
Interesting early Cristo film which is still a nice thriller, and a taut adventure. That would be what I would say if I was allowed only 1 line. Cristo is really a great director and it’s nice to see him take form. However, his early film, though only at his beginning still is a very good film in its own right.
The way it is written matches the finest of thrillers, and in some ways, this tops the other thrillers. It is very tightly wound, very well executed and, as customary in Cristo’s films, very well written. It is like Science of Evil without the depth, as in, it has a web like structure to it. It concerns many people, all going for the same goal, to save Michael. Except for Philip, his goal is to stop them
It starts on an intriguing note, as a man named Michael, a large part of the story, is seemingly killed by the antagonist, Philip. He does this before Michael’s execution at noon “tomorrow”. After this we join a group of revolutionaries who want to go and save Michael before it is too late. We expect it already is so. What follows is a nice suspense story, lined with the luxuries of a drama and the pace set to that of an action film.
The characters are more 1 sided then some of Cristo’s latter films and thus, as a result, we don’t care for them as much, however the story and the speed at which it is told makes up for this, and pulls us in, making up for the film’s few flaws. It foreshadows a wonderful career in the future though, as the themes and style has carried through to much of the films that have came out recently, especially Science of Evil, but in Mills of God to, as the thrilling atmosphere is evident quite often.
Overall, I’d see it if you haven’t, especially if you are another Cristo fan. And it’s a nice treat to see an old trailer to City of Dragons.
That ends this episode, but let me fill you in on some announcements.
Episode 8 will be out the 25th of September
Episode 9 will be the 30th
Episode 10, the anniversary Edition will be out October 4th or 5th
I hope this doesn’t cause anyone any problems, and sorry for the slower speed, but episode 10 will take a lot of time to do.
Also, as I won “8 Months of Theater Time” in Saturday’s game, episode 10 will have a contest attached, see details in the lounge.
Thanks for seeing this episode of “Casablanca and the Movies” and I hope to see you next time.
Episode #7
casablanca3491 - Casablanca
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Hello, MR Directors and patrons, and welcome to the seventh episode of “Casablanca and the Movies”. Today we have a somewhat, I don’t want to say typical, but more calm episode, which is what the episodes will be like for a while, until the 10th episode. But this one, 8 and 9, will be nice and calm, just covering some films and trailers, and this is so I have more time and information to throw in the “Casablanca and the Movies: 10th Anniversary Episode” which will be a massive and major episode, so much so, that some users are already writing some short stories for that episode specifically (I would like to take this time to thank them, Jester, Matt, and I don’t know if anyone else would like to). But today, let’s just take things slow. We’ll start by going over 5:30: The Director’s Cut and 16 Hour’s new film, The Ultimate, and then go over Batman: No Man’s Land, the new film by joeyjojojrshabadoo. After this, we’ll do Trailer Analysis, an interview with 16 Hour, and then 1 older film, followed by updates on the show.
Well, why waste time, let’s get started. To begin, I would like to look at 16 Hour’s new film 5:30: The Director’s Cut, which isn’t really a new film, but more of a revisiting of an old film. The results were amazing!
As you can read in my review, what was done in this new cut was what it took to make 5:30 one of the really astounding films. The original was good, however, it felt cramped, it felt constrained, and almost like the director’s artistic ambition was cut short. In this new longer version, it looks like 16 Hour had the freedom, and the time, to show us everything, slow things down, and really express himself. Basically, the changes include a few more scenes, a line or two of dialogue and some different music. That, however, is all it took, just that much more freedom to let the genius behind it break free, and then ride wherever it chose to, take us wherever it wanted, and, most importantly, show us what it wanted us to see.
Another complaint, though it wasn’t always a negative complaint, was how “weird” or “left open” 5:30 was. And many of you are probably wondering if it’s more tied together. The answer is both yes and no. Yes, it does push across more of a story; show us more of the journey, which is a man who goes somewhere different whenever he leaves his house. However, it also doesn’t tie everything together, and this is because of all the new questions it brings up, the new points it examines, and the new ways it dives deep, deep in its style and deep in its themes, which remain firstly and foremost, the unknown, the realms of the mind left undiscovered.
Also, one of the things which hasn’t changed since the original, the visuals are very inspired, they are very though of, however I have a feeling that these images can’t come from the mind, but from the heart. There are scenes in here, even shots, which have more life in them, more awe then many films I have seen on this site. I must say that my favorite scene is at about 5:30 (coincidence?) into the film and goes to 5:45 or 5:50. Look at the colors, the camerawork, the way we follow the character at a breakneck pace, almost coldly as he runs after the snapped rope, a surrealistic image of the rope escaping, almost running, like something living. Another fine scene is when, at the beginning, he walks past a drug store and the lights shine bright in the dark, cool sky. It is things like this which not only shows a dedication to the craft, but also to the form, the medium of art. There are spots in “5:30” which I would be proud to hang on my wall, as this film feels like a slideshow paintings set to music, a slideshow set at hundreds of paintings every few seconds.
Overall, it is a film to be cherished by anyone who likes good art, anyone who appreciates film, and interested in what film can do. This is a perfect representative of how the medium changes, and of how it can change us, open us to the magical, wonderful, unique and somewhat twisted world of…the movies!
Next, on a further not, let’s take a look at a film I was lucky enough to get a prescreening to, and that is “The Ultimate”, another film by 16 Hour, only this time, it is a comedy, a mocumentary.
I am warning you Movie Reels, look out! This film is absolutely hilarious! “g” has some competition for comedy in early October. First off, let’s admire its uniqueness. A mocumentary, the last thing I expected to see on Movie Reels, and it has been done so perfectly, with just the right amount of interviewing, just the right amount of oddness, but with humor to an excess, uncontrollably taking over the film, and making it, not so much a mokumentary, but a comedy, a classic comedy as that goes.
The style of humor is great, and that is because it is stupid as stupid can be. It is an idiot’s film about idiots. In fact, I venture to say that not one single ounce of intelligence rests in the 6:12 minutes of this entire project. The character is so mindless, so clueless as to any sense of reality that he seems completely separate from all society, and just lost on his own planet, a planet which orbits backwards, as there isn’t something quite right about it.
Something else, similar to The Long Coats, is that the acting is good. Now, this feels weird, as the film is a documentary with humor, but the acting really is pretty great. How much charisma the actor has, how much energy, all pouring out on the screen, we are all too willing to be pulled into his invisible circle of fun and excitement. He jumps around, he has fun, he talks like he is so excited to be in this film that he can hardly bear it, and that is what I like to see, people who like what they are doing, in this case, making movies.
Now, 16 Hour informed me that this was shot with a handheld camera, and not the camera used in 5:30 or Golf Tips. I couldn’t tell the difference, and this isn’t because of the visuals or the picture, but because I wasn’t paying attention. I was too pulled in by the elements that made it great. The great acting, the twisted sense of humor and the nice screenplay. That’s something I want to point out. The screenplay was written perfectly to match the film’s sense of humor, its sense of energy, take a look at a segment from the trailer:
The man walks over to the camera.
The Man
I am so thristy
A hand from behind the camera hands him a gatorade.
The man knocks it out of his hand looking shocked.
The Man
What the hell is this? I don't drink gatorade, thats for gilry soccer bitches. I would rather drink my own piss from a canteen.
Look at that wild sense of humor! Look at how well it uses fast paced dialogue to make us laugh, as it does with great line delivery. Some things are said quickly, some exaggerated, all done to a comic goldness, wrapping up a perfect comedy, and a good film I’d put above Golf Tips, however, not as good as 16 Hour’s magnum opus, 5:30.
And that ends the video segment of this episode; let’s turn to a new film, Batman: No Man’s Land, a new film by joeyjojojrshabadoo. (*** .5 out of ****)
This joins the pavilion of great superhero movies; in fact, it is one of the best. It is in the lighthearted style of Life of Superman, with the dark themes of X-Men Origins: Gambit, and as thrilling as An Amazing Spiderman, but don’t get me wrong, its completely original.
The thing that I want you to leave this review with, if anything, is how good of a detective story this is. In fact, Commissioner Gordon and Nigma, another police member, are two of the main characters in it, and must be in it close to the level of Batman. The story basically revolves around Catwoman. She is doing the same thing Batman does, with one exception, she kills the thieves. Gordon and Nigma want to put an end to this, Nigma wants to put an end to Batman as well. Meanwhile, Batman also wants to stop her from murdering the thieves, as he is one for swift justice.
Now, though I preach its originality, it also has themes of The Ultimates, as it mixes different superheroes and supervillians, which leads to the best plot I have heard in any superhero film; Nigma things that Luthor is Batman, and wants to sop him.
Those are the kind of plots and sub plots that make this film the delight it is, as jumpy as it is, with all of its energy and love, its love for comics and its loves for the people in them, but not only that, also their love for the movies.
There is also a sense of humor in this film like no other film from the genre. Its little things though, small lines that, while aren’t hilarious, add up for the comic effect:
BATMAN
So you think you can choose who lives and who dies?
CATWOMAN
If you don't shut up I'm gonna choose you.
BATMAN
No need to get violent.
Or a nice scene involving Harvey Dent:
INT. COURTHOUSE - DAY
In the ruins of a courtroom, Dent sits as judge while Nigma and MR. KANE sit in front of him and a bailiff stands to the side.
DENT
Mr. Nigma, state your case against the defendant.
NIGMA
It's simple, your honor. The defendant was the owner of the apartment complex in which I lived. It was his responsibility to make sure the place was safe for those he rented to. Although there were always safety violations which I brought to his attention multiple times...
KANE
Objection!
NIGMA
Are you calling me a liar?!
DENT
Order! Objection overruled. Mr. Nigma, please continue.
NIGMA
After trying to get him to keep his building safe, to no avail, the slightest shake sent it tumbling to the ground. Something which should not have happened to a properly maintained property. He took everything I own, and any just world will know I deserve compensation for that.
DENT
Would the defense please state their case?
KANE
The entire city was destroyed in the earthquake! Everyone lost everything! There's nothing else to say! This is just a frivolous case!
DENT
Calm down, Mr. Kane. I will now deliberate and make my decision.
Dent picks up a coin, both sides heads but one is scratched. He flips the coin and looks at the result.
And with that, I’d like to point out the screenplay. As I said earlier, it was a detective story. I meant this in two ways. First, it is one as in it revolves around mystery, where each character has to find something, and second because it leaves us guessing, us wondering what will happen next, what surprise will we be entangled in after the first, or if many of them will open at once, leaving us in a complex web of intrigue and interest. It may sound like a boring film I am describing, but it is all done with the same appeal as an animated television show. It is quick, even though it is long, it feels like it is in segments, and it even feels animated. The characters use more wild expressions then more subtle superhero films, and they seem to match their persona perfectly without the realistic mixing on the inner demons and the outer turmoil. And that is another mix this film does, realism and fantasy. It is a noir with wings really, wings that fly high through the heavens and into the minds of anyone that reads it.
This film doesn’t have giant ambitions, nor does it expect to be amazing, and that makes it the closest adaptation to a comic book, because it just wants to pleasure us, to give us an hour or more of joy. It is a nice film, and good natured, a perfect mix of comedy, action, adventure, drama, lightness and darkness, all while showing a perfect craft, a genuine eye for entertainment and a nice writing style that swiftly goes from place to place, hero to hero, villain to villain, and from page to page with a magnificent ease. There aren’t any wonderful images, no artistic pleasures, just nice clean fun.
With that over, I’d like to go to Trailer Analysis; however, it isn’t going to be as typical as it always is. This time, we will do only one trailer and then I will look over the first five pages of xplay’s newest film “A Little Piece of Heaven”. But, to start off, let’s do a trailer, a film by SCF, “House of Dracula”. It starts:
The screen is entirely black until the silver logo for SCF Films sweeps over it.
Voice: I’ve been in hiding for 6 months.
Now, I have a feeling that this isn’t Dracula. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dracula wasn’t even in this film. I do think, however, that this is a vampire, one of Dracula’s victims. I have a feeling the story takes place, shortly before he becomes one, or maybe even after he is one, as this narration sounds like it should be early in the film. This also is a good indicator of the mood of the film, as it seems to be quite dark, quite pessimistic and also quite mature. Look at how he says “I have been IN hiding”, besides “I have been hiding”. It shows a sophisticated angle at which the vampire subject is tackled. Let’s go on:
*Shot of a vast mountain landscape*
Voice: I’ve killed 14 people since then.
*Panning shot of the night sky*
Voice: Brings the total up to 23.
Nice shots of the land and the sky, which leads me to believe that this will be an artistic film, and thus, not the action fare we may, or may not, have been expecting. Also, look at the use of diction, the word “vast” in the mountain landscape. He is trying to paint a picture in our head, and set up an atmosphere while doing it. It is a very good use of multi-tasking. Notice how he says “I’ve” again, it almost sounds like a confession, like he is repenting, and this leads me to the assumption that this film will have some inner toil, as he regrets the things he does while he is a vampire, and feels terrible at the fate he has been given. Then, the next line, “Brings the total up to 23”, doesn’t have the same sophistication as the other two. This makes is clear that he is human. No matter how evil he may act, there is a human in there, and he wants to get out. Next:
*The camera continues panning until it reaches the full moon*
Voice: I’m on the verge of insanity.
*The camera slowly pans up a man's body*
Another sentence with “I’m” or “I’ve”, as if scared to admit it, and must do it in the form of confession. Though it may seem like he doesn’t care that much, I believe he is scared death, and is trying desperately to stop himself. Next:
Voice: Is there somebody out there who can cure me?
*The camera pans up until it reaches the back of a man’s head. His brown hair is scraggy. He turns his head around. Sam Miller*
*Cut to black*
This part of the trailer is worthless, except to confirm what I already knew. It isn’t Dracula, but Sam Miller, and he is a vampire, who wants a cure, who wants to be free.
Overall, this really is a nice trailer. Look at how much it told us, before it even got to that last part. In fact, it tells us practically the whole story, the mood and what to expect. And I expect a good film, and I sure will be looking forward to it.
Next, xplayadam was good enough to let me in on a sneak peak of the first five pages of his film “A Little Piece of Heaven”, a title which sounds almost ironic. Let’s look at how it starts:
Alleyways hang assortments of clothing, the building lights all on. Cat run on the roofs hissing at the new sun. Fog rises from the top of the highest buildings, children scream and police sirens go off. The skyline is a dark orange. Zoom to a window in this long alleyway. The kitchen is rather standard: a sink, a refrigerator, shelves and the checkered black and white floor. Tiffany, a young 23 year-old dark haired woman stands over the sink washing dishing. Her hair goes down to her shoulders and has a shine that only an angel could have. The white latex gloves match her white shoulder less white and skirt. After a few minutes she takes off her latex gloves and throws them in a trash can near by. Tiffany walks into the living room. A green couch on a red carpet with a old wooden box TV is what is at the center of it although several pictures of Tiffany and a young skinny looking man are on the wall. Tiffany lays on the couch holding a small red pillow. In the back ground the front door slowly opens. We only see the black lacks on a man walking in. He has something behind his back. He begins to slowly approach Tiffany’s resting body. Tiffany opens her eyes and looks over to see Tim: a very skinny dark haired man, in a black business suit, he has a big grin on. Tiffany smiles back-
Look at all the word usage we have here! This is the best example of creating a mood I have ever seen on Movie Reels. The first two lines about cats running, children screaming, police sirens, it all goes to set up a typical big city town, nothing unique, nothing out of the ordinary. Then we see the dark orange sky, which changes the mood from typical big city, to romantic, nice sky. There is switch number 1. After this we go into a home, a typical home which again switches the mood back to the first, that of a common place setting, one that could be anywhere. Switch number 2. Switch number 3 happens when it describes Tiffany, a woman with a “shine that only an angel could have”, nice metaphor. She then walks in a room with so much colors that I’m getting dizzy. And on top of the dark orange sky, colors seem to be important, and I’d recommend paying attention to them, I suspect some symbolism here. However, she meets Tim and Tim has something, what does he have:
Tim-
What have you been up to?
Tiffany-
Just cleaning. Making the place a little bit better.
Tim-
It looks great.
Tiffany-
Thanks.
-Tim pulls out a lovely batch of red roses. Tiffany smile extends-
Tiffany-
Awww… their gorgeous.
-Tim hands them to her-
Tim-
Just like you.
Tiffany-
Thank you so much.
Well, Tim has roses. He also has a large heart, a seemingly romantic man, with a great love for Tiffany and who only wants to please her. We get the idea that he is a man who cherishes that “thank you so much”. Tim then goes shopping.
Tim closes the door and walks off. Tiffany lets out a sigh. Cut to Tim at a Jewelry Store. The old cashier looks at him like he’s a idiot. Tim points toward a golden ring that a medium sized diamond-
Tim-
She’ll take that one.
Cashier-
It’ll be $200.
Tim-
That’s alright.
Marriage, why not? They seem like such a nice couple, however, someone feels differently:
Cashier-
How long have you known this gal?
Tim-
Three months sir.
Cashier-
You sure you want to pull the plug this early?
Now, by now I would have talked about the mood, I would have talked about how I could tell the story from just a few lines, but as you’ll see, this film goes beyond my criticism:
Time steps out of his chair and gets on his knees. Tiffany puts her hands over her mouth-
Tim-
… will you marry me?
-Tim extends his hand to reveal a ring. His face stops for a few seconds, full of patience. A grin begins to extend from her hands. Her eyes close and her cheeks move up and down. Tim continues to look at her with his big smile. The sound of chuckling escapes her hand. Tim’s face slowly slacks down, his smile forever gone. Her hands break and Tiffany laughs for a short period. Tim’s face shifts from wet eyes and a frown to raised eyebrows and a thick red forehead. Tim looks at the knife on the table and then looks back at Tiffany. His teeth grind on top of one another. He quickly grabs the knife and stands up. Tiffany begins to stop laughing and just stares at him in fear. Tim pushes Tiffany out of her chair and onto the floor. He jumps on top of her and raises the knife-
Tim-
You… fucking…. BITCH!
See what I mean. Now, this is where you get the mood. Obviously, Tim is a maniac. But so is the writer. Look at the description! A few times re-reading and I’m still lost in the dark! “The sound of chuckling escapes her hand.” Huh? It is written to a point of a mad genius, twisted and unique. Just look at the end:
Tim rushes toward a cabinet and swings it’s doors open. He grabs some thread and yarn and other sewing materials. He then grabs Tiffany by the leg and drags her into the living room. He puts her limp body on the coffee table infront of the couch and begins to sew her. The screen fades to black. It returns to view Tiffany sitting on the couch, her legs and just about everything else is sewn up. Her eyes have become pure white and her skin is a light blue color. The coffee table is gone. Tim is infront of her on his knees holding a ring-
Tim-
You’re as beautiful as the first day I met you, when your heart stops beating, so will mine. I want our lives to officially be connected, Tiffany, will you marry me?
-Tiffany’s corpse does absolutely nothing-
Tim-
… I love you too.
More color usage! First the color at the beginning, and now this, The carpet was red by the way, does this give off the foreshadowing of murder? These are the questions we must ask through this film, because it really seems to be a complex piece of writing.
Overall, I am excited, and I am now not concerned with it being a bad film, as it already proved it should be at least decent, if not very good. I’d see it, it might just be the most odd film on Movie Reels.
Now time for that interview with 16 Hour:
Q: Hello 16 Hour, and thanks for agreeing to do this interview. First off, I’d like to say that I loved 5:30: The Director’s Cut, it was truly a great film. In your opinion, what did you think of it? Did you feel it enhanced the original?
A: Hello, Casablanca and thanks for the opportunity to on your show. I'm glad you like 5:30 the Directors Cut. I believe the directors cut added visual elements the original didn’t have. The dialogue is different and unique in its own right and I feel it was just as good but not great. I think that the original was great but the Directors cut just adds so much to it, I felt it was something I though people needed to see.
Q: Now, surely the cinematography is something to rave about your films. Tell me, how do you achieve such good looking pictures? You seem to be a master at lighting and shadows, how did you learn this?
A: My goal with any film is how it will look when completed. Lighting is important so I make it my goal ina ll my projects. I achieved the pictures in this film by scouting out naturally lit locations. I wanted the scenes to breath as much as they did in real life as they do on screen. I learned how to use this lighting technique from my good friend Nick Federoff at ODU. We worked together on alot of projects together and I had the opportunity to show what I could do on this film.
Q: The music was also slightly different in the director’s cut. I, actually, prefer it to the original; however, you preferred the old music. What is it that you liked about it? Do you feel it set the mood better in the original or the new one?
A: I liked the original music because it was written by a local guitar legend in the city of Norfolk. He is pretty big and the music he wrote I felt had depth and soul to it. The 5:30 Director's Cut music was placed on a banjo, and it was great I just felt it wasn’t there enough. I think the music in 5:30 set the better mood.
Q: What form, videos or scripts, do you think is the supreme art form. Why? Is there one form that can better tell a story, or can better deal with emotions?
A: I think both have there own uniqueness to it. Every artist has its medium to express themselves. For me it is film. I respect both forms, I just think film is the best way I can show my vision. As far as emotion and story go, its really all up to the creator. I have read screenplay that brought tears to my eyes, and the same goes for film. It is all relative to the artists abilities.
Q: How do you manage your films before they release. It seems that videos don’t get as much coverage as scripts, and do you think that advertising helps, or is it essentially pointless for a video, how vital is it?
A: Well I think it is pointless to advertise for a film on MR, if you don’t have a wave to ride it on. The coverage is very low, and people usually are not interested unless it is from one of the big dogs who have been here for awhile. The way I did it, was make a film I believed in, an constantly hope for the best. I think the Critics review is a major factor I a films success and I have been lucky with the ones I have received. Once, you get a wave then you can start advertising. I think it is vital for the film to be accepted by the critics.
Q: Two more questions. First, have you seen any of indy42’s videos? Being, yourself, a video maker, what do you think other directors can do to make their videos even better. Do you think they reach the greatness that they can, or do they fall short?
A:I have seen some of his work. I think beginning filmmakers have to realize that the best way to make a film is to tell there own story. They need to tell the most difficult story possible and just do all that they can do. I think it is better to fail at something hard than something easy. I think some fall short. Its all about the filmmakers vision. They need to grab it and tell their own story, and once that happens then that can perfect their craft. I think most of the filmmakers here are on there way to putting out exceptional work. I know Long Coats was a good step in a good direction.
Q: And finally, what do you think about “Casablanca and the Movies”? Is anything missing? Could anything be added?
A: I think over the past couple of episodes it has gotten better and better. I enjoy reading it and I am happy to be apart of it. I think it is going in a great direction. You Handle it well and I think in time more movies will be added to the reviews and more sneak peaks will be added. But for now it is a great show.
Thanks for the interview!
Well, 16 Hour is defiantly one of the finest video makers, if not the best, and his new film “The Ultimate” lays claims to his perfection. I think, also, he is very right about saying how director’s should go for difficult projects as it is better the try and fail besides fail. 16 Hour seems to have a good philosophy and a nice view on things, and its sad that advertising doesn’t attract much people for him. I also agree 100% with him on his statement:
They need to grab it and tell their own story, and once that happens then that can perfect their craft. I think most of the filmmakers here are on there way to putting out exceptional work.
They are on their way to exceptional work. There hasn’t been a really bad film on here in a while and I sense that movies are becoming more mature. Even the comedies have a smart sense of humor to them. This was really a great interview, informative too, as I always like to hear what director’s have to say about other’s work. And on a good note, according to 16 Hour, many are on their way to being great filmmakers.
And finally, we will look at a review to an older film, “All For One”, a film by Cristo.
All For One
*** .5 out of ****
Interesting early Cristo film which is still a nice thriller, and a taut adventure. That would be what I would say if I was allowed only 1 line. Cristo is really a great director and it’s nice to see him take form. However, his early film, though only at his beginning still is a very good film in its own right.
The way it is written matches the finest of thrillers, and in some ways, this tops the other thrillers. It is very tightly wound, very well executed and, as customary in Cristo’s films, very well written. It is like Science of Evil without the depth, as in, it has a web like structure to it. It concerns many people, all going for the same goal, to save Michael. Except for Philip, his goal is to stop them
It starts on an intriguing note, as a man named Michael, a large part of the story, is seemingly killed by the antagonist, Philip. He does this before Michael’s execution at noon “tomorrow”. After this we join a group of revolutionaries who want to go and save Michael before it is too late. We expect it already is so. What follows is a nice suspense story, lined with the luxuries of a drama and the pace set to that of an action film.
The characters are more 1 sided then some of Cristo’s latter films and thus, as a result, we don’t care for them as much, however the story and the speed at which it is told makes up for this, and pulls us in, making up for the film’s few flaws. It foreshadows a wonderful career in the future though, as the themes and style has carried through to much of the films that have came out recently, especially Science of Evil, but in Mills of God to, as the thrilling atmosphere is evident quite often.
Overall, I’d see it if you haven’t, especially if you are another Cristo fan. And it’s a nice treat to see an old trailer to City of Dragons.
That ends this episode, but let me fill you in on some announcements.
Episode 8 will be out the 25th of September
Episode 9 will be the 30th
Episode 10, the anniversary Edition will be out October 4th or 5th
I hope this doesn’t cause anyone any problems, and sorry for the slower speed, but episode 10 will take a lot of time to do.
Also, as I won “8 Months of Theater Time” in Saturday’s game, episode 10 will have a contest attached, see details in the lounge.
Thanks for seeing this episode of “Casablanca and the Movies” and I hope to see you next time.
