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Reviews
The Last Victim (2021)
First Time Director, Amazing first Effort!
So this review is a little personal since I am a filmmaker, a producer/director and I met the director on the app called CLUBHOUSE. I have gotten to know Naveen since then and I have learned a lot about his journey.
First of all, this is not a studio movie and it was equity financed by individual investors. First time director Naveen not only directed this, but also put the financing together, and produced it. Let me just tell you how hard that is to do, as a first time director. It's almost impossible to get named stars Like Ron Perlman, Ali Larter, and Ralph Ineson to act in your movie, let alone find millions to finance a first time director. Naveen did that. If you know anything about producing independent films, you know I am right. Here is the kicker, Naveen distributed this movie as well!! That gets my respect and his effort earns a 10 from me.
Now let's talk about the film. The movie is beautifully shot, casted, and the locations are amazing. Ali Larter does a very good job in her comeback film, and she needs to be in front of the camera more. Great to have you back Ali! Ron Perlman, well, what can be said about this man that hasn't been said. The man has a presence like no other, and steals any scene that he is in. The man is a legend. For me, the surprise element was Ralph Ineson as the Villain. Bravo Naveen, so well casted, and you have done an amazing job of shooting him. He reminded me of Javier Bardem from No Country for Old Men. I don't know how you pulled this off Naveen, but you get a 10 for a first time director casting. Wow! Now let's talk about some of the things that did not work for me. The movie should be 25 minutes or so shorter. The pacing is very slow. I get what Naveen was trying to achieve, but the editor and director both missed the mark on this. This is a very common first time director problem by the way, and I know he is going to do things different. For me, the script is everything, and this script does not work for me. This is where the movie falters for me, and some of the dialogues are ineffective. I also felt like Ron's character was extremely under utilized, and I would have had a show down scene between Ron and Ralph! Like the scene from HEAT, Dinero and Pachino faceoff. So the movie gets a 6 from me.
My over all rating is 8.666. 10 for producing, raising financing and distributing, as a first time director. 10 for casting, and I am still in disbelief how he pulled that off. The film gets a 6. So the average is 8.66 and I will round it up to 9 because I am so impressed with what Naveen has pulled off. I can't wait to see his next film. I know he is only going to get better.
Paradise City (2021)
Don't knock it until you watch the whole show!!
I have never met the creator, director, producer, and actor Ash Avildsen in person, but we met recently on clubhouse audio app. My wife and I sat down and watched this show with absolutely no bias at all. As a producer/director and an actor back in the day, let me tell you guys, Ash has done an amazing Job!!! My favorite line from the show is "facts are not feelings, and feelings are not facts"!!! The moment I heard that, I was like, this is something I will be using myself. Look, go make a show like this by yourself, put up your own money, and then come tell me this is good or not. This is not even my genre, or interest, but he succeeded into sucking me into the show, and we ended up binge watching the show. It was nice to see some old familiar faces, and I was sad to learn that Cameron has died. I really loved him on this show!! I have not seen American Satan, and I thought Ash got Bella to do some of her best work. Some of the acting was a little weak, but I can overlook that, because I can tell Ash pretty much did this without much seasoned help next to him. One last thing, I loved Ash's acting!! Great job dude, now go out and get one of the streamers to pick up season two. Wish you all the best!!!
Den of Thieves (2018)
Don't listen to the BS reviews, this is one of the years best movies!!
I went to see this movie on a friday night with low expectations, thinking it will be an average fluff heist action movie. Rotten tomatoes critics gave it 38%, and as usual, they are full of crap, the movie is really good. That's why the rotten tomatoes audience score is 87%. First time director Christian Gudegast (writer of screen plays such as A MAN APART, LONDON HAS FALLEN) did an really good job, and looked like a veteran director. Gerard Butler was fantastic, 50 cents and O'shea Jackson Jr. (Ice Cube's son) were pretty good, but the break out star of this movie will be this guy named PABLO SCHREIBER (paternal half brother of Liev Schreiber). He was the main bad guy, and his acting will blow your mind. He was a bona fide bad ass, and I am sure we will see him in a lot of other movies to come. He has definitely arrived. He also acted in 13 HOURS, Orange is the New Black. Pablo will be the breakout star from this movie. If you want a non-stop edge of the seat action movie, with a huge twist, GO watch this. Don't listen to the haters that are miserable with their lives, and can't ever appreciate anything good. It's definitely one of the best heist movies I have seen in a long time. Loved the twist in the end.
Go for It! (2011)
Waste of Producers money..and ours who watched it.
I am not only a fan of dance movies, but also a dancer and a fellow independent filmmaker/producer/actor. I always go out and watch and support every independent filmmaker who makes a movie on dancing, because that is my passion. I have to say I was very disappointed by this movie. When I found out they spent over $2.4 million on this movie, I was very sad!!
There are so many talented filmmakers who could have made this movie better for half the budget. I give the director credit for finishing a movie, and getting it distributed, but that doesn't mean anything when the people that financed this movie will never recover even half of their investments.
I am not a hater. I wanted to love this movie, and I payed money to rent it from blockbuster. Here is my constructive feedback for the director: The DP work was horrible, he has no idea how to film a dance movie. Half the dance routines can't be seen properly, and isn't that the reason people go to watch dance movies?? I guess I can blame the editor or the director, but a DP should have guided the first time director. SECOND, the lighting is so horrible, it makes the whole experience unpleasant. Look, a dance movie is meant for a younger audience, bright lighting not only sets an upbeat fun mood, but it's better visually when we are trying to watch the dancing. I am sorry, nice effort on the directors part, but before you go out and spend that kind of money, please do the research, watch other successful movies in that genre. I am watching this movie as I am writing this, and I am so annoyed that I cannot even see the dancing clearly to enjoy this movie. The acting was not bad, which is a step up from most dance movies. Directing was OK, minus directing the dance scenes. I give the director credit for finishing a movie for sure, but her lack of experience clearly shows through out the movie. What I am saying is also clearly evident by the box office outcome.
ALSO: Stop having friends write reviews. It's funny when someone compares this movie to Good Will Hunting. That's a joke right!!! This kind of stuff undermines the director's efforts and talent even more. Look, the fact is, she is work in progress, let her bloom. Don't fill her head with BS. A real criticism will make her a stronger and better filmmaker. Don't feed her ego with garbage. Sorry if this critique offends anyone, but I say it as I see it. I am very critical of my own work as well, and I'm always striving to learn and grow myself. Good luck to the director, and I hope you keep making movies and you keep getting better.