Throws Of Passion

Throws Of Passion
Year: 2009
Director: Todd M. Jones
Cast: Steve Belanger, Leah Gallimore, Jeffrey May, Jim Danila

In My Own Words
“Throws Of Passion” is the third film I have reviewed that premiered at the Soho International Film Festival and completely different from the other two films which I have reviewed thus far. While both “A Kiss Of Chaos” and “One In The Gun” were serious and quite intense, “Throws Of Passion” is a comedy. It is not just a comedy, it is in the style of a mockumentary. A mockumentary about a rock scissors paper tournament....that should arise much interest in the film by itself! Rock scissors paper is traditionally a way of deciding those decisions between two people that really aren’t that important (I haven’t actually heard of any decisions in the political world being made by rock scissors paper, but correct me if I am wrong!), so it is obvious that the movie itself will be something light and comedic.

The mockumentary style of film is one that I am particularly interested in. I really like the creativity involved in making such a film. I enjoy documentaries as well as they are really educational, but mockumentaries are entertaining, and you feel like you are learning something as well. However, what you are learning in a mockumentary is rarely factual, but that is the talent and creativity combined of the directors to make you believe that you are actually learning something real. The talent of Todd M. Jones shows this as well in “Throws Of Passion”. Believe it or not, there is actually a Rock Scissors Paper World Championship for those who did not know, as I didn’t before I saw this film and did my research.

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review
“Throws Of Passion” is the comedy film that everyone who attended the 2010 Soho International Film Festival is talking about, and with good reason. It is an extremely funny little mockumentary, which is great fun and completely enjoyable. The film is pieced together from found footage by the failed Cable Sports and Life Network of the coverage of a Rock Scissors Paper tournament. There is a stressed producer, Cuban competitor who no one believes in Cuban, the drunken, out of work presenter and many more who are all involved in the tournament and allow for mayhem amongst all the passion.

According to director, Todd M. Jones, “Throws Of Passion” cost only $1000 to make. Well, what a superb feature for such a small investment! The script is extremely witty and original, not to mention extremely funny. It is never easy to make a film funny, but writers Jones and Jeremy Linden (whom also plays Jeremiah) succeed in making a film that will make everyone giggle. Jones has taken a subject which people would find amusing and made it even more so by throwing some intriguing and colourful characters. As one would expect from a film such as this, the cinematography or visual effects are nothing to write home about, but that is definitely excusable considering the budget. It is the script and the characters which are the focal point of the movie and they are the aspects to be celebrated.

The character development is brilliant in this film. The way in which the film is edited shows all the important points of each of the characters very early on in the film. The audience connects with the characters straight away. There is no character in the film that doesn’t bring a smile to your face, they are all hilarious in different ways. All the characters are perfectly cast in their roles, and, again, Jones does a fantastic job in directing them all.

“Throws Of Passion” is a great film that is funny in so many ways. It is a very clever comedy and certainly a credit to its makers.
7.5/10

One In The Gun

One In The Gun
Year: 2010
Director: Rolfe Kanefsky
Cast: Steven Man, Katherine Randolph, Steven Bauer, James Russo

In My Own Words
“One In The Gun” is the second film of the 2010 Soho International Film Festival that I am reviewing. This feature premiered on the closing night in February and ended the festival with a bang. The film is high paced and full of action, with never ending twists and continuous surprises, a perfect end to a festival. Such an end to an event leaves an audience wanting more, ensuring that the 2011 Soho International Film Festival will be bigger and better.

Director Rolfe Kanefsky has tried his hand at many genre’s, horror being what he is best known for. In this film he tries his hand at “One In The Gun”, a film which is hard to fix with a particular genre. It has the aspects which could classify it as film noir, such as a femme fatale and.....well, I can’t say much else besides that as I would give away part of the film! However, the film has a real David Lynch feel about it, reminding me most of a cross between “Mulholland Drive” and “Lost Highway”. It is extremely surrealistic , just like many of Lynch’s films, but Kanefsky has his own style and knows how to make it work for him.

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review
“One In The Gun” is an extremely enjoyable, action packed roller-coaster. It is one of those rare films where there is not a single moment where there is not something of intrigue and captivation happening, a sign of a great story, script and direction. True to the surrealist nature of the film, there are times in the film that are plagued with a feeling of confusion, but the confusion is an intended part of the film. It is not there as a result of something being ill-explained, but rather to increase the audience’s inquisitiveness of what Mickey, played by Steven Man, is really going through. When Mickey meets Katrina (Katherine Randolph) in a supermarket car park, he is thrown into a seductive, and dangerous chain of events. In becoming the house painter for Katrina and her husband, he falls under her spell and falls victim to her charms. However, things are never what they seem.

Although the film can seem like it starts off weak, it is realised that it is the perfect the way it is. “One In The Gun” gains momentum continuously throughout the film so it is only fitting that it starts off at its weakest as it is revealed later as to why Kanefsky made things the way they are. It can be argued that the acting is weak at the beginning of the film, but it is supposed to be weak as the actors are playing characters who are acting themselves. It is a great film when a film is one that makes you think you know the ending, but the ending is continuously changing so the film is indeed tricking the audience. When you think it is predictable, it changes direction. “One In The Gun” changes direction, but does not do so in a messy way. There is no stone that is left unturned and everything ads up in the end. It feels as though the film really is a roller coaster, it goes around in a loop, but shocks its passengers by making jolted, unexpected turns, leaving the passengers anxious as they do not know what to expect. When the roller coaster of “One In The Gun”, the passengers turn to one another, looking for each others reactions, but they all agree that that was a great and surprising ride.

Steven Man does well as Mickey and carries a convincing performance showing the unease of the character. At times, the character can seem like the evil one, yet there is also pity for him. Katherine Randolph is the perfect femme fatale, both physically and in her acting ability. She is sexy and sultry, as well as scheming and can be plain wicked at times. The character of Heather, played by Dana Fares, is definitely noteworthy. She is extremely bizarre and definitely unsettling. Her movements and terrifying laughter and voice are the things nightmares are made of. Just the sight and sound of her makes the audience squirm. Heather is the horror of the film.

“One In The Gun” is a film where nothing is ever as it seems. Even when you think you have it figured out, it is unlikely that you do. It is a film that must be watched until the end and is unlike your everyday run of the mill thriller. Although it does contain fragments of other movies that you may have seen, it is presented originally due to its surrealism and is entrancing.
8/10

A Kiss Of Chaos

A Kiss Of Chaos
Year: 2009
Director: Ricardo Sean Thompson
Cast: Judy Marte, Manny Perez, Michael Rivera, Gleendilys Inoa, Stephanie Ortiz

In My Own Words
Today Movie Critical embarks on a new journey. Not only will we still be featuring films currently showing in cinemas, but we will also be reviewing several films that are being shown or have recently been shown at film festivals around the world. The first film festival which we are honoured to be reviewing films from is the Soho International Film Festival. The annual Soho International Film Festival ran in New York City from the 18th till the 21st of February 2010 and featured many notable films. Among them was our first film to be reviewed, “A Kiss Of Chaos”. “A Kiss Of Chaos” took away the honour of being the Best Showcase Feature Film, an outstanding achievement for director Ricardo Sean Thompson.

And a well deserved award it is. “A Kiss Of Chaos” is completely gripping and full on from start to finish. The major aspect I really admired in this film is that the crime thriller with a strong female character as the lead. Stereotypically, crime dramas and thrillers where the subject of the crime is illegal drugs tend to have male lead characters, but not this one. Judy Marte plays one of the strongest female lead characters I have seen on screen in a long time. For how much she endures throughout her life and especially on this night, she remains stronger than the people around her and does not show any sign of weakness. Phoenix could well be one of my favourite characters of the film year.

These are my words and here is my review.

Review
“A Kiss Of Chaos” is exactly as the title suggests, chaotic in the most amazing way. The film by Ricardo Sean Thompson is captivating right from the opening scene and does not lose momentum throughout its duration. The film is definitely not for the faint hearted and does require quite a strong stomach, but it is to be enjoyed by anyone who can admire great film making and story-telling. Phoenix (Judy Marte) is a young artist who is trying to overcome the turmoils she experienced in her childhood. However, this birthday of hers only makes this harder and makes her life more chaotic. Her wounded trouble maker ex-boyfriend, Angel (Michael Rivera) turns up on her kitchen floor just before Phoenix’s younger and overtly jealous sister, Isis (Gleendilys Inoa) calls for help. The only person she feels she can trust is her best friend, Tiffany (Stephanie Ortiz) who see’s Phoenix as more than just a friend. Phoenix ends up in a web of drug crime and it is unclear whether she and everyone around her will survive the night.

Thompson is indeed an amazing film maker. “A Kiss Of Chaos” is completely original and not predictable at all. There is twist after twist in the film, none of which the audience see coming. It is completely compelling. Just like a car wreck, the audience watches and cannot turn away from watching Phoenix’s life go from bad to worse, not because of her own actions, but because of the people who disrupt her night. The script is well written and the cinematography is also notable. The musical score is appropriate in all the right spots and adds to the emotion of the film. Be warned though, there are some strong themes and images in the film so be prepared to not be relaxed for an hour and a half.

The characters development and acting are also very strong points. The script provides great character development as well as the flashback scenes. Judy Marte is an absolute stand out as Phoenix and perfectly cast. She shows tremendous talent in executing an emotionally tired but strong character. The audience truly feels a connection with her and her strength. The audience also feels a connection with both Angel and Isis, but not as favourable a connection as that with Phoenix. Michael Rivera’s Angel is not a likable character with his shrewd behaviour and treatment of his ex, especially when younger sister Isis steps onto the scene. Both Rivera and Gleendilys Inoa’s characters are not likable at all, a tribute to their acting. Inoa’s Isis is completely crazy and scary to watch.

“A Kiss Of Chaos” is not yet available for release, but if you do get the chance to see it at a screening, definitely go to witness a success. Phoenix is definitely a character to be remembered and celebrated, as is Thompson’s direction. “A Kiss Of Chaos” is definitely a film that does not hold back on issues that are often seen as taboo in society and on screen. Completely chaotic and enjoyably confronting and compelling.
8.5/10