So we come to January 2008 this month in the vault - spies, assassins, Armageddon, a supreme Galactic Leader, reality TV and the ultimate The Movies tutorial are the on the menu - all cracking movies!

January 2008 Highlights


No One Waits Forever (part 1) (German with English subtitles) (not online)

&

No One Waits Forever (part 2) (German with English subtitles) (not online)

by mlederer

Genre: Action Spy Comedy

Durations: 8 minutes each part

BBFC ratings: /PG\ - for action violence (both parts)


In this thoroughly entertaining Bond homage, we begin by watching the young Max Capacity in action in the 60s. Then, after the requisite credits sequence with naughty silhouettes of ladies (and a song starring my sister [my James Bond effort was put to use in this film - the villain even quotes the title later on]), we join the present day in the spy chief's office. Hilariously, we learn that Max Capacity was so that they had to retire him because he was too well known ("they even made movies about him") - but luckily, everyone's forgotten about him now - so 40 years later, he gets put back on the job...

Max is more Roger Moore than Sean Connery, his puns are entertainingly groan-worthy throughout the film .. for example, after narrowly escaping an arson attack, he's asked by a passerby "why did you jump out of the building?" ... Max quips "I had a burning desire!"

All the classic Bond features are included: gadgets, a souped up car, stunts, a crazed villain with a seemingly invincible henchman (in an underground lair of course!) - there's even a Honey Rider type character walking out of the sea!

All great fun, the time whizzes by.  



Confessions of a Supreme Being

by Strondor

Genre: Science Fiction Comedy

Duration: 4.5 minutes

BBFC rating: (15) - for bad language


A punchline to this intentionally geeky comedy, as Golthar the Merciless recounts the 7 great civilisations he conquered in order to become supreme Intergalactic Ruler (or something like that).
An enjoyable shorty with some really funny lines by Golthar's victims, check it out.



To TMO or Not To TMO [C]

by rileyman

Genre: Comedy "The Movies" Tutorial

Duration: 14 minutes

BBFC rating: (12) - for implied bad language


For my highest award, now here's a first,
A tutorial for "The Movies", it's certainly not the worst!

(and that should get you used to the level of poetry in this film!).

Unlike the usual dry video tutorials we're used to seeing for programs like "The Movies", this one is hilariously funny as it documents the many pitfalls of using the software featuring a hapless new filmmaker trying to get to grips with it (played brilliantly).
The director narrates the film using rhyme, guiding him on his way, while we can visually gauge his mood via a large "The Movies" mood bar at the bottom of the screen (by the end it's at irate level!).

The film is beautifully produced - the opening titles remain the best I've ever seen, extremely smoothly animated; the words jump and spin out at you in 3D! Even in the online-quality version, nothing as glossy as that had ever been seen before.
The music and sound effects are all from "The Movies" and have rarely sounded better, or been used with near-perfect comic timing.

So, as a well written and produced tutorial it works; the part about uploading to the website is now irrelevant, of course, but for someone new to machinima filmmaking there's much advice in this film which still holds up; especially if they're not using an external editor and are only interested in producing something completely from within the program to start with.

But it also has value in another way - there are many cameos and references to several members of The Movies community. It is like a very glossy snapshot of a website at a particular moment in history. Those of us who were there will have our memories jogged by this film.
That makes it very special indeed for some.

In the end, our hero decides "Not to TMO!", unamused at the 1-star rates for his unfortunately titled "The Baggage Boy" - but watch past the end credits for the TMO spirit to re-emerge within him in an entertaining fight sequence that anyone who has triumphed with this software will relate to.
"To TMO" I say!



   
Bombshelter - Part 1 (not online)

&

Bombshelter - Part 2 (not online)

by Jase180

Genre: Reality TV Mystery Drama

Durations: nearly 20 minutes & 28.5 minutes

BBFC rating: (15) - for bad language (both parts)


Against the backdrop of a Russo-Sino escalating cold war, a brand new reality TV show is discussed by some cynical TV executives. We've had the inescapable house, and the inescapable island, and the inescapable jungle - now why don't we do something we've never done before and take a bunch of people who we know are never going to get along and trap them in an inescapable underground military nuclear bunker?
It's hinted at that the executives would be able to control the information that the contestants get to see in order to spice up the show and add to the paranoia.

After a brief, but incredibly chilling, nuclear holocaust sequence we see one of the contestants wake up sharply from her nightmare [I've had that one many times]. The contestants have been shown footage of a nuclear holocaust and now have no contact with the outside world. Is this part of the game or for real?
One character pours scorn on the idea that it's a set-up, "there's no way they could pull that off!"

And yet - an even more audacious setup was carried out by Channel 4 TV in England in 2005 very successfully.
Reality TV contestants, explicitly chosen for their gullibility and sheep factor and lack of knowledge of space travel, were invited to train to be cosmonauts at Russia's Star City, then 3 winners were to go into space on a mission.

The contestants were taken from a British air base by plane to Star City in Russia - or that's what they thought - in actual fact, they were taken using a 4-hour flight plan to another RAF base which would normally be only 15 minutes away. This base was dressed perfectly to look like a Russian space training facility. Even the cigarettes that the production crew were smoking, and all the snacks, were from Russia. They were met by some "real" Cosmonauts - who were British method actors that stayed in character the whole time, even when alone.

All the personnel in "Star City" were actors - and also three of the contestants whose job was to misdirect any suspicions their fellow contestants were having. One of these actors would be chosen to "win" one of the places on the space mission at the end of the four weeks.

After some incredibly silly lectures and training exercises [one lecture claimed that "only 30% weightlessness will be experienced, as we will be in 'near space', not 'deep space'" - having no knowledge of space travel, the contestants believed this horsecrap!], the winners were chosen and put onto a Hollywood mock-up of a space shuttle (the same one used in Deep Impact) for the final mission where, just before the "space walk", they were finally let in on the hoax.

All the contestants (victims?) got £5000, a trip to the real Star City and 25 seconds of real weightlessness for being sports - the winning contestants got an additional £20000 as a prize.

... the name of the show? "Space Cadets" - lol


... so the scenario suspected by one character in Bombshelter is perfectly plausible, and pretty horrifying when you think about it. Definitely the kind of thing someone is going to try and do in the near future in an attemp to make reality TV even more nasty than it already is. We've already seen candid camera shows where victims are made to feel like they're going to die - mock executions are against the Geneva Convention, apparently that doesn't apply to US TV corporations.

Worldwide, we've had cases where a TV contestant wasn't informed that she had cancer until 2 weeks had passed in the game (presumably while the people upstairs debated what to do) - and another case where a contestant wasn't told about their father's death until they left the Big Brother house (which is simply despicable).

My idea is for a gameshow where 20 reality TV executives are locked in a small room and told that only the last one standing gets their bonus this year - it wouldn't make for TV, it wouldn't even last until the first commercial break before we had a winner; we'd have to run old cartoons and repeats of "Big Brother" to fill the remaining time.


Back to Bombshelter ...

The set design is immense - I can think of no other film I've seen where such a set "feels" vast. We're treated to countless corridors, a huge control room, a massive generator hall, a beautifully dressed armoury - all in addition to an amazing pull-through of the opening to the complex and out beyond the gates. It feels massive and one can imagine that somewhere in pre-production, a map was made of this huge place, even for areas that are never filmed.

The usual assortment of hand-picked stereotypes have made it onto the show - we see how self-serving or clueless they are in their audition tapes at the beginning of part 2.
The wisecracking, basketball playing, African American cop [West] is my favourite (played superbly), stealing the show with lines like this one:

FEMALE CONTESTANT: What did you find West?

WEST: ... I wandered into 13 block

POMPOUS BRIT: that's off limits!

WEST: you said that about yo momma and I still got with her didn't I?  


I'll not give too much more away, other than to say the tension between the contestants is very palpable - this is well worth watching just for that, even if this had been staged against a black background for the entire film or as a radio play. As it is, it turns into an intriguing whodunnit halfway through - the mystery only really being resolved after the final credits have rolled (so watch it ALL - or you'll miss out).

In tone, this movie reminds me a bit of a cross between Lost and Alien (two of my favourites). Even if, like me, you hate reality TV, don't let the subject matter of this film put you off watching it. It's solid drama throughout.

Unsurprisingly, this director is currently remaking Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece "Jesus Christ Superstar". Early signs are that it's going to be even more terrific than this film - it certainly won't bomb at the box-office!

...

...

[sorry ... I'll get my coat ...]




Last Rites: In Nomine Patris

Last Rites: Et Fille

Last Rites: Et Spiritus Sancti (improved audio synch version)

Last Rites: Amen

by tmunderg (aka kuroken)

Genre: Religious Apocalypse Detective Thriller

Durations: just over 24.5 minutes, 21.5 minutes, 26.5 minutes, just over 29.5 minutes

BBFC rating: (15) - for violence and bad language (all episodes)


This very original supernatural spin on the detective thriller begins with a malevolent priest pulling out a gun and shooting a young boy. This appears not to be the first time he's done this and two cops are assigned to the case. They can't understand why they've been assigned because neither of them works in homicide, both are in the less prestigious violent crime department. They are told by their boss that homicide doesn't have any detectives available and that they'll have to do. "That's bullshit!" exclaims our main protagonist Falcone - and I was in complete agreement with him, surely they could reassign somebody from homicide for a serial killer case ... (there's a reason though which I won't give away)

That's the setup - so far, so run-of-the-mill cop drama ... but if I tell you that Satan and Armageddon and even the Whore of Babylon are somehow involved, I'm sure you'll agree that you just have to see this!

I'm not going to spoil any of it though, you'll just have to watch it - there's plenty of twists in store, I can tell you that much. You'll also be treated to some great visual effects in part IV when the story reaches its climax.

Throughout the series, there's some great exchanges between Falcone and Father Hooker - one character is utterly convinced of his mission for God, the other is completely skeptical; at times Falcone is almost like a sarcastic comedian to Hooker's straight man - there's chemistry between the two.

Falcone gets all the best lines - in one episode, after listening to what he sees as gibberish from one character, he headbutts them, "What was it Mike Tyson said? They all have a plan until they get hit!" ...

... but that's just an indicator of the outstanding quality of writing that this series is steeped in.

Last Rites is very absorbing to watch, easily defying its 100 minute total running time - some achievement!
It led to several excellent spin-offs from other directors, some of which we'll be revisiting next month.




Penultimate FDS (not online)

by Soulsword

Genre: Bizarre Slapstick Comedy

Duration: 6 minutes

BBFC rating: /PG\ - for mild sexuality and cartoon violence



On YouTube today, and for the past year, there is a fad for taking the tantrum scene in the German film "Downfall" and re-subtitling it. In the scene, Hitler - played brilliantly by Bruno Ganz - is shown being delivered some bad news by his Generals and then going off on one for six minutes!

Hundreds of parodies of this scene have been done; "Tottenham loses to Arsenal", "Hitler's X-box has the Red Ring of Death", "Hitler can't get Superbowl tickets", "McCain loses to Obama", "Hitler gets banned from World of Warcraft", "Hitler's car gets stolen" and my own personal favourite "Hitler hates Downfall parodies" to name but a small few. The exact same scene done hundreds of times but with different subtitles on each occasion.

Back in the day, there was a similar meme on TMO for making films showing various characters falling down the cellar stairs. Much less skillful than even the worst "Downfall" parody, but people seemed to think it was hilarious at the time [I thought it was pathetic].

This film is all you could ever ask for in a falling-down-stairs film, and much more. There's some genuinely funny lines from each victim (who include just about everyone, even Jesus and Satan) and a slight digression in the middle where we are treated to some great underwear mods (including "LIONHEAD" underpants!) - we even get to see Hitler fall UP the stairs at one point!

Unlike its source material, this film is genuinely funny and full of laughs. If you still think Falling Down Stairs is funny 3 years later, then you'll rest contented after seeing this, the ULTIMATE falling down stairs movie which will never be bettered.



KILLERS.COM (French with English subtitles)

by samyhouse

Genre: Assassin Thriller

Duration: nearly 10.5 minutes

BBFC rating: (15) - for extensive violence


This inventive spin on the assassin genre is about a website set up to provide work for hired assassins! Basically, you go on Killers.com stating who you want killed and how much you're prepared to offer. An assassin will read the listings and pick a contract that they like.

Lately, business has been bad, amateur assassins have been giving the profession a bad name and the reward money that clients are willing to pay has been getting less and less; but when a $10 billion reward comes up on the site, every assassin will be looking to get a piece of the target - and each other...

A nice twist in this brilliantly shot film about brilliant shots! The camerawork and editing of the action (and there's plenty of that) is just fantastic. The erotic dancer that opens the film has never been captured on camera better than this thanks, not just to the angles, but also the colouring of the scene. You'll see great cinematography in the rest of the film as well - different lense filters (or transparent coloured overlays as we otherwise know them) are used to enhance the mood and atmosphere.

Another cracker from this studio which is registered to TMU, but has been dormant so far.
Here's their studio website where you can watch all their films: http://www.freewebs.com/samyhouse/killerscom.htm - they're all well worth it!


Also archived this month:

"Internal Darkness - Episode 1: Burden" (VO remake)
"Sexual Harassment in the Workplace"
"Woke Up Dead"
"Woke Up Dead 2: The Wrath of Judas"
"The Girl Who Lost Her Clothes"
"SantaHyde: NEXT"
"Terror Tales"
"Blue Chicago Moon"
"Empire (Part Four)"
"Groovy Night"
"The Adventures of Weredog"


There are now 931 films in the archive, the latest addition being "Home Sweet Home" (Hi-res) by RJANACONDA

Click here to watch all the featured films in this month's Movie Vault:
http://www.tmunderground.com/channels/JazzXMV


See you in one month's time!

---

Please rate my movie, Its uncomplete without your critic. Cheerio for now, for tis day is oblique.

Endo2008:

Please rate my movie, Its uncomplete without your critic. Cheerio for now, for tis day is oblique.

Funny that you asked me off your thread, when your going onto threads where, your obviously not welcome.

Also, JazzX can you rate 'Spooked' the Baskit movie?

http://www.tmunderground.com/watch/91b896ad95059d13df61/Baskit-Studio's-Spooked

Kit

---

ozman69:

I attempted to hug you, but with 8 eyes, I have a problem with depth perception.

He's a movie reviewer, I got a movie. Fair game. He dont have to critic my film, its up to him.

Hey JazzX, I just checked this thread out, I know, anyway I'd like you to rate a few of my films.

Dreams

http://www.tmunderground.com/watch/c6ae8c082a8422bb7dfc/Dreams

Der Lauerende Damon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roiohjbAqQY&feature=channel_page

The Origin of Dr. Bones

http://www.tmunderground.com/watch/767cffec0e513ae886df/The-Origin-of-Dr.-Bones

Please rate them. The reason I didn't post the Der Lauernde Damon TMU link is because the sound is about ten seconds off. I'll have to fix it later.

---

Contact Me At werecoolmodder@yahoo.com

moviekit06:

Endo2008:

Please rate my movie, Its uncomplete without your critic. Cheerio for now, for tis day is oblique.

Funny that you asked me off your thread, when your going onto threads where, your obviously not welcome.

Also, JazzX can you rate 'Spooked' the Baskit movie?

http://www.tmunderground.com/watch/91b896ad95059d13df61/Baskit-Studio's-Spooked

Kit

I've already rated "Spooked" in my open review thread on this site Dec 19th 2008

http://community.lionhead.com/forums/63/2246431/ShowThread.aspx

movie - it got a 4. Liked the Scooby-Doo!

---

Did you review Joke in the Box Jazz?

werecool:

Hey JazzX, I just checked this thread out, I know, anyway I'd like you to rate a few of my films.

Dreams

http://www.tmunderground.com/watch/c6ae8c082a8422bb7dfc/Dreams

Der Lauerende Damon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roiohjbAqQY&feature=channel_page

The Origin of Dr. Bones

http://www.tmunderground.com/watch/767cffec0e513ae886df/The-Origin-of-Dr.-Bones

Please rate them. The reason I didn't post the Der Lauernde Damon TMU link is because the sound is about ten seconds off. I'll have to fix it later.

Hello Werecool,

This thread is where I feature the best films I watched from a year ago.

The thread you want is my Open Review thread.

You can either paste your links into the thread on this site:

http://community.lionhead.com/forums/63/2246431/ShowThread.aspx

or the one I've set up on TMOA forums:

http://www.tmoaradio.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1193

Don't worry about the YouTube link - if that's the best version of the film, then that's the best one to submit for review. I don't mind what site hosts the film as long as the picture quality is ok.

---

This month, it's February 2008, and what a mixed box of delights we have here (or is it Kleenex? -[atchoo!!]) - two "Last Rites" spinoffs, zombies and curses, twisted horror, swish sci-fi both from the future on Earth and up in outer space. We even have a trip into another dimension. Or you could just remain locked up here on Earth in the present - we have a really classy movie abou .. a .. ahh ...ATCHOO!!

February 2008 Highlights

[C] = classic must-watch film


The Hound (Black & White Director's Cut) (not online)

by slarner

Genre: Classic Horror

Duration: 6 minutes

BBFC rating: (12) - for scenes of horror and mild gore


This is what happens if you take up grave robbing as a hobby; you have been warned!

This H.P. Lovecraft story is done real justice here - an eerie soundtrack with excellent editing in this classy black & white horror short.



UnSub

by A_N_D

Genre: Black Comedy Horror

Duration: 7 minutes

BBFC rating: (12) - for violence and implied extreme violence


This film is almost a manual for performing the perfect serial killing!

So easy as well; all you need is a van, a large box, a baseball bat and a chainsaw  ...

The only possible problem is that the intended victim may be an arsehole - it only works on nice people!

Superb sound design, writing and acting stand out in this excellent tongue-in-cheek horror.



CAPITOL: Origin & CAPITOL: Initiation

by AlexBradley

Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Drama

Durations: 8 minutes & 14.5 minutes

BBFC ratings: /PG\ - for action violence & (12) - for violent scenes

On July 4th, 2045, the world ended. But, after a goose-bump nightmare inducing astounding depiction of the nuclear holocaust, we are told that this was only the end of the "old" world.
"Grandfather" (a nod to "Big Brother"?) has decreed that, in the new domed city which replaced Washington DC (the Capitol of the title), July 4th is now Grandfather's day!
The story proper opens with three students being let out of school early to celebrate - each has different opinions on whether "Grandfather" actually exists or whether it even matters, and we get an interesting discussion between the three until ...

... In the second part, we see the three students follow different life paths. Saying what those are would give away too much, you'll just have to watch it.

What I can say is that you will be treated to breathtaking visuals, especially in the cyberspace sequences where all three characters spend some time. One vision involves a beautiful neon cyber-city flythrough, the like of which has never been equalled - just jaw-dropping to behold.

Never a dull moment - I am about to, at last, watch the final part, "CAPITOL: Manifesto". I'll let you know about that one in a year's time!
(EDIT: Just watched it, my eyes are stuck together - too much candy)


Last Rites: Rex Rgis Fortuna

by Kingpengvin

Genre: Supernatural Cop Drama

Duration: 16.5 minutes

BBFC rating: (15) - for bad language


This "Last Rites" spinoff tells its own story about the cop assigned to find three teenagers wanted by the Serious Crimes Department (the same three who go to the diner in Last Rites).

Unfortunately, things go wrong, and this cop - whose whole life has been one long hard luck story - gets fired without pension or pay. Bad news, considering the only nice thing he's ever had - his wife - lies in an expensive hospital on life support.

This story is about what happens when he goes after the detective who messed his life up.

The ending is a stunner - but only if you've watched "Last Rites" though. (Do that now! That's an order!)

acting by the lead and an engaging story make this a joy to watch second time around. It's almost like falling in love again ...



My Dad was a Middle-Aged Zombie (Parts 1 & 2) (not online)

by Gnostradamus

Genre: Zombie Comedy

Durations: 7.5 minutes & nearly 9.5 minutes

BBFC ratings: /PG\ - for scary scenes and action violence & /PG\ - for scary scenes and one instance of mild bad language


A girl embarks on a holiday romance while on a tropical island with her annoying parents ... but it's not just tourists and hotel staff that populate the resort!

Plenty of hilarious lines and misunderstandings in this unfinished zombie series - intelligent comedy writing in many places. There's a nightmare sequence at the beginning of part 2 as well.



SOLA FIDE (aka "Last Rites: Sola Fide (by Faith Alone)") (not online)

by Jase180

Genre: Supernatural Religious Drama

Duration: 23 minutes

BBFC rating: (15) - for bad language


This film is set in the "end times" as documented in Revelations (a book in the New Testament of The Bible). Watch "Last Rites" (of which this is a spin-off) if you want the following to make sense ...

Previously atheistic cop, Falcone, has found himself appointed by God to fight Satan's forces on Earth. It's a task he doesn't appreciate much - his disdain for religion continues even now, with such quips as "why doesn't God show himself? It seems like the other side is making all the effort ..."

Beautifully atmospheric - the opening scene set on a ship against a darkened sky and rain is one that has stuck with me. A great mod - but the rest of the film is peppered with superb visuals too. The cinematography is exquisite throughout.

But, above all, the acting and writing is spot on. Falcone is such a well drawn character; there are many gems in his lines that bring a darkened smile to the face!.
The delivery, for such unbelievable material, is completely convincing; the performance demands you to suspend your belief, because Falcone didn't believe any of it either! He's the hardened cynic's way into the story and it works hands down.

An excellent film which can be admired even if you've not seen "Last Rites" (but you'll get even more out of this if you do).



The Man Who Wanted to Sneeze

by timothy_richmond_3

Genre: Offbeat Cult Comedy

Duration: 15 minutes

BBFC rating: (12) - for violence


Corey Kindle has a mental disorder. The film opens with him feeding 1200 quarters into a drinks machine as an experiment ("it didn't 'vend' well!")

The money would have been better spent paying his rent arrears; the Landlord wants to throw him out at the end of the week.

His condition seems to be brought about by his inability to sneeze! ...

Cue a very bizarre and original comedy, in its way quite sophisticated. The line between fantasy and reality is well and truly blurred in this one. Even his TV seems to be hovering in mid-air ready for the attack!

Very music by the director of this film too. His unmistakeable style fits the quirky subject matter like a slipper.

I'll give the ending away partially - the main character finally does sneeze, but ...

(click on the title to find out!)



Captain Ron and the Dagger of Deception (Parts 1-3) (not online)

by vikinghillblly

Genre: Old-school Science Fiction Serial

Duration: nearly 3.5 minutes, 3.5 minutes and nearly 5 minutes

BBFC rating: (12) - for one instance of bad language, U - suitable for all, /PG\ - for action violence


This is old-school "The Movies"; there's some modding of the sets but, apart from that, just subs and lots of imagination.

The middle episode is great - as the "deception" of the title is brought fully into play.

Much fun to be had here in a sort of Flash Gordon style - a total of 12 minutes well spent.



Chronicles of the Rift & Chronicles of the Rift: Origins (both not online)

by userjosh9874

Genre: Fantasy Drama

Duration: just over 12.5 minutes & 22.5 minutes

BBFC rating: /PG\ - for action violence and scary scenes (both parts)


What a fantasy film this is! Terrific sets and costume mods and some great acting performances from lesser known actresses.

The story for both films revolves around a cosmic "rift" between earth and the afterlife.

But it's the earth-based writing in "Origins" that floats my boat - our heroine hasn't found a man yet, which her society demands; her female friends chide her for that.
Her eventual choice of partner is a poor one! ... (watch now!!)

This is worth it for extremely capable performances, classy castle set mods and an intriguing story.



wiwanyank Wacipi (The Sundance): Part 3 [C]

by cinecitta

Genre: Prison Drama

Duration: 27.5 minutes

BBFC rating: (15) - for bad language


This is easily one of the best machinima films I've ever watched.

A truly brilliant film - even though it's part of an incomplete series - I watched that and realised what a privelege it was to witness it. There is nothing I can fault - simply wonderful in every respect

Here's my original review, which is one of my best:


"Absolutely brilliant.

One of the best TMO films I've ever watched (and I've watched at least 2000).

The only thing wrong with it is the hilariously mistranslated subtitles - but my GCSE A-grade in French got me through the film. (lol - the lead character's cell-mate hasn't really imported fleas from North Korea has he! ????)

But what an amazing film - it broke the language barrier through its incredible camerawork and editing, acting performances, music - just wow! And what a story ...

The prison scenes were brilliant - there can be no other word. I really felt for this character as his own feelings were documented during the various phases of his incarceration (and, as an aside [wow - that's saying something!], the penitentiary mods were terrific). This is the best "prison" film on TMO without any question whatsoever. Let's not even compare it to TMO films - it deserves to be compared to real life prison movies. This film should spell the end for those tired old TMO "in jail" scenes (you know, the one where he picks the lock and sneaks out?)

The structure worked beautifully, switching between his time in prison (which grounded the film nicely) and the more recent events. The desert sequence was a fantastic negative-karma moment with the lense-flare providing a scorching hot feeling. I actually felt sorry for the guy who had wronged him in the past ...

The love scenes were a lesson to all TMO filmmakers (and romance is the hardest thing to do with this game) - in the bedroom scene, the sudden change of music was what conveyed the extreme passion of the two characters - the earth moved for me anyway! A touching moment at the end too.

Pacing, editing - and even special effects - it was all there.

Let's also not forgot the acting - wonderful. I mentioned how poor the translations were - but the acting performances kind of told the story on their own. The central character was played brilliantly, and a big thumbs-up to Helen too. I don't care if she only speaks French, I want her in my film!

Not much else to say - this is my version of speechless.

A truly superb film."


I stand by what I said above - but second time around, it's even better.

I gave it my highest award - but even that's simply not enough for this film. Anyone who chooses not to watch this should be locked up!

This isn't machinima, it's cinema.



Also archived this month:

"The Armor of God"
"Celebrity Surviverz"
"Expedition to Alpha Centauri" (parts 1-4)
"Les Coupables" (The Culprits)
"The Origin of the Baggage Boy"
"Realm of Insanity: The First Nightmare"
"The Human Person"
"The Family Business" (Parts I - V (B))
"Newsbot Calls for YOU!"
"Newsbot - The Sequel"
"JAY ADAMS: A Detective Story (Act 1)"
"Captain Ron: Quilo" (Parts 1-3)
"Captain Ron and the Ambassador of Vela"
"Tough Kid on the Block"


There are now 949 films in the vault, the latest addition being the full hi-res version of "Tauschungen Eines Fremden (Fallacies of a Stranger)" by Meowan

See you next month! Have a one ...

---