Film Review: A FOREST (Argentina)

 This experimental piece follows one man’s journey through the trauma of his world, his actions, his memory and his own mind. Following him through his world of memories and present day experiences revolving around an old and run down house, there is an unknowable quality to A FOREST. It is never truly clear what painful past event our hero is running from, trying to deal with, or launching towards. We get the beautiful, tragic picture of a jigsaw puzzle missing several key pieces. The glory of this type of film, is that is gives the audience ample ability to fill those pieces in with their own imaginations.

There is a soft, almost smoky sort of cinematic quality to piece- as though our hero must work through the literal smoking ashes of his past. It is never totally clear what he is moving through, but there are enough engaging, scintillating clues throughout the piece that it lends itself well to after-cinema conversation.

If you have a pension for beautiful, poetic films that ask you to do some heavy lifting, you’ll love A FOREST. It has no easy answers and offers no cut-and-dry explanations- but the answers are there- lurking somewhere in our hero if we can only recognize the clues.

 

 

Short Film played at the EXPERIMENTAL FEEDBACK Film Festival in December 2017

Review by Kierston Drier

A FOREST, 11min., Argentina, Experimental 
Directed by Adriano CurciThe past and the present are intertwined in an old abandoned house in the middle of a forest. Into the trees, Martin walks. A tragedy. Into the trees, into the trees. Based on the song “A Forest” by The Cure.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Film Review: IN SEARCH OF REVERENCE (UK)

  A controversial, but stunningly beautiful film. IN SEARCH OF REVERENCE chronicles a handful of young adventure-hungry men on their backpacking trip in the UK. Set against the glorious mountainous vistas and boasting spectacular cinematography and editing, IN SEARCH OF REVERENCE is a jaw-droppingly gorgeous film to watch.

The level of professionalism and work put into this film is clear by examining the fantastic amount of detail and composition in both the editing and footage. No element was spared in the creation of a beautiful and cinematic story. Perhaps the one controversial area is the shooting of an animal for sustenance by the group. The issue is not the hunting itself, but the specific type of fallen animal- a mother with adolescent offspring. While the content may be hard to watch for some viewers, the theme of this film seems to be getting back to a sense of nature by going back to basics- including hunting for one’s’ own food.

A film worth talking about, and starting a conversation about, IN SEARCH OF REVERENCE is a strong and visually breathtaking piece. It reminds us that we are often guilty of the greatest folly of man- walking upon the Earth as though we own it.

 

Short Film played at the EXPERIMENTAL FEEDBACK Film Festival in December 2017

Review by Kierston Drier

IN SEARCH OF REVERENCE, 12min., UK, Experimental
Directed by Darryl PaceAn ambition to realize the uncomfortable truth that there has to be a greater connection to this world and life than how most people live it. Under the material, fast paced world urban based world, we had lost our connection with the land. This was a quest to re-discover that

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Music Video Review: KILLING US SOFTLY (Australia)

A wide reaching music video filled to bursting with social commentary and vivid visual metaphor, KILLING US SOFTLY holds nothing back with it’s musical up-front approach to world issues.

From racism, to health care, from corporate greed to social injustice, KILLING US SOFTLY throws an unapologetic light on the areas of our world many of us wish didn’t exist. Colorful and bright with rapid-fire editing creates the illusion of walking through a socially conscious funhouse of a societal extremes.

Although at times the content may see jarring, KILLING US SOFTLY makes its’ point with rhythm, style and a musical accessibility that makes it a worthwhile investment for both music and cinema. A funky framework for many first world criticisms, but a film both enjoyable and meaningful, nonetheless.

 

Short Film played at the EXPERIMENTAL FEEDBACK Film Festival in December 2017

Review by Kierston Drier

KILLING US SOFTLY, 5min., Australia, Music Video
Directed by Emilie BoyardA mirror held up to humanity – it points out our ugliest, greediest and most idiotic ways. It is a chant, a protest rally, a wake up call to the people, and a reminder that we still have the power to take back what they are taking from us

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Film Review: YOU (Portugal)

 An experimental with gripping intensity and breathtaking visuals, YOU, directed by Hugo Pinto, is a compelling emotional piece about a tumultuous and passionate love story. Told from the male’s perspective, two lovers meet in a find love, while battling within themselves and the worlds around them.

Told with no character dialogue, but exceptional interpretive dance, our heroes move through, (often literally) gravity defying feats of life. Together they unravel the intense highs and lows of love. We follow our male protagonist as he rides a metaphorical emotional roller coaster, yet displays it literally through his dance with his partner.

Excellent camera work accompanies this intense story and the rapid fire editing and creative use of day and night as well as lightness and darkness mean that YOU is an excellent well composed film. It sweeps the audience up with it- for a few magical minutes, you are not watching a film- you are watching passion.

 

Short Film played at the EXPERIMENTAL FEEDBACK Film Festival in December 2017

Review by Kierston Drier

YOU, 10min., Portugal, Experimental
Directed by Hugo PintoY0U is a love story, that happens in a moment in wich the last thing you want to do is to fall in love, but falling in love is probally the only way you have to go on with your live.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Music Video Review: ORACLE, USA

 Bright, vivid and surprisingly sensual, ORACLE Directed by Jessica Baston is a sharpe and creative music video. A woman slowly paints herself in textured gold paint throughout the song.

Boasting sharp camera work and playing with use of light and focus, ORACLE is a spellbinding work of visual fluidity. Not to go unrecognized is the subtle (and not so subtle) metaphors running through the work, calling to mind ancient myths and legends of Greek and Roman times, such as Midas or the Oracle of Delphi.

A highly polished performance with stunning execution of form for the genre, ORACLE is a spectacle that will delight the senses.

 

Short Film played at the EXPERIMENTAL FEEDBACK Film Festival in December 2017

Review by Kierston Drier

ORACLE, 3min., USA, Music Video
Directed by Jessica BatsonAn art collaboration between a film collective and band. A beautiful short, visually stimulating and emotionally conflicting. A woman being consumed by gold.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Film Review: THE COMMUTER (USA 2017) ****

Submit your Screenplay to the Festival TODAY

The Commuter Poster
Trailer

A businessman is caught up in a criminal conspiracy during his daily commute home.

Writers:

Byron Willinger (story by), Philip de Blasi (story by) | 3 more credits »

 

Submit your Screenplay to the Festival TODAY

Winners – 75th GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS 2018

With January comes the first big Awards ceremony – The Golden Globes.

Compared to the Academy Awards, the Globes are less formal and arguably more fun to watch, with less speeches giving thanks to almost everyone involved.

With a table and food and drinks, many Hollywood celebrity guest will be ‘more relaxed’ and give lighter acceptance speeches.

The host this year is late night show host Seth Meyers.  My favourite host is still Ricky Gervais who has insulted a record number of winners and celebrities.  His response to all this: “I don’t care!”

One of the issues this year is women nominated – clearly with no women nominated in the Best Director category.  Still, there are noticeably more women films this year – like “Three Billboards”, “I, Tonya”, and “Lady Bird” all excellent movies.  The other, obviously is the sexual abuse harassment issue.

To gauge how well Seth Meyers did as Golden Globes host is to judge his opening number.  Meyers looks really sharp in his tuxedo, confident with his wide smile and delivery of jokes and smart with the jokes on sexual harassment (seems to be one in every three, at least) and women in the film/TV industry.  He gets to have his say on the celebration of women in film that at the end, which sums up the success of him as a host.

The best acceptance speech is clearly James Franco’s who brought his bother Dave Franco and Tommy Wiseau (director of THE ROOM) on stage with him.

Are the acceptance speeches too long?   The orchestra music would come on to indicate time is up.  But when the music came on for Guillermo del Toro’s speech for Best Director for THE SHAPE OF WATER, he silenced the music with the words: “It took me 25 years, give me another minute!”

Good moments include Carol Burnett, Barbra Streisand and Kirk Douglas’s (in a wheelchair) standing ovations and Allison Janney’s acceptance speech (for Best Supporting Actress in I. TONYA) celebrating women’s voice in film.

Oprah Winfrey received the Cecil B. DeMille ward for Contribution for the Film and TV.  She delivered an arousing crowd audience speech praising women and denouncing the sexual harassment abuse from men in power that was the highlight of the evening.

Below is the full list of nominees with the winners marked by two asterisks (**).  Many usually go on to be Oscar winners or at least nominees.

Movies

Best Motion Picture – Drama

“Call Me by Your Name”

“Dunkirk”

“The Post”

“The Shape of Water”

“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”     **

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

“The Disaster Artist”

“Get Out”

“The Greatest Showman”

“I, Tonya”

“Lady Bird” **

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama

Jessica Chastain, “Molly’s Game”

Sally Hawkins, “The Shape of Water”

Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”  **

Meryl Streep, “The Post”

Michelle Williams, “All the Money in the World”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

Timothée Chalamet, “Call Me by Your Name”

Daniel Day-Lewis, “Phantom Thread”

Tom Hanks, “The Post”

Gary Oldman, “Darkest Hour” **

Denzel Washington, “Roman J. Israel, Esq.”

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Judi Dench, “Victoria & Abdul”

Margot Robbie, “I, Tonya”

Saoirse Ronan, “Lady Bird” **

Emma Stone, “Battle of the Sexes”

Helen Mirren, “The Leisure Seeker”

Best Director

Guillermo del Toro, “The Shape of Water” **

Martin McDonagh, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”

Christopher Nolan, “Dunkirk”

Ridley Scott, “All The Money in the World”

Steven Spielberg, “The Post”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Steve Carell, “Battle of the Sexes”

Ansel Elgort, “Baby Driver”

James Franco, “The Disaster Artist”      **

Hugh Jackman, “The Greatest Showman”

Daniel Kaluuya, “Get Out”    

Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Mary J. Blige, “Mudbound”

Hong Chau, “Downsizing”

Allison Janney, “I, Tonya”     **

Laurie Metcalf, “Lady Bird”

Octavia Spencer, “The Shape of Water”

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Willem Dafoe, “The Florida Project”

Armie Hammer, “Call Me by Your Name”

Richard Jenkins, “The Shape of Water”

Christopher Plummer, “All the Money in the World”

Sam Rockwell, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”   **

Best Song

“This is me” from The Greatest Showman  **

Best Original Score in a Motion Picture

“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”

“The Shape of Water” **

“Phantom Thread”

“The Post”

“Dunkirk”

Best Screenplay in a Motion Picture

“The Shape of Water”

“Lady Bird”

“The Post”

“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”   **

“Molly’s Game”

Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language

“A Fantastic Woman”

“First They Killed My Father”

“In the Fade” **

“Loveless”

“The Square”    

Best Animated Film

“The Boss Baby”

“The Breadwinner”

“Ferdinand”

“Coco” **

“Loving Vincent”

TV

Best TV series – Drama

“The Crown”

“Game of Thrones”

“The Handmaid’s Tale”   **

“Stranger Things”

“This Is Us”

Best performance by Actress in a TV series – Drama

Caitriona Balfe, “Outlander”

Claire Foy, “The Crown”

Maggie Gyllenhaal, “The Deuce”

Katherine Langford, “13 Reasons Why”

Elisabeth Moss, “The Handmaid’s Tale”   **

Best performance by an Actor in a TV Series – Drama

Sterling K. Brown, “This is Us”        **

Freddie Highmore, “The Good Doctor”

Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul”

Liev Schreiber, “Ray Donovan”

Jason Bateman, “Ozark”

Best TV series – Musical or Comedy

“Black-ish”

“Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” **

“Master of None”

“SMILF”

“Will & Grace”

Best performance by an Actor in a TV series – Musical or Comedy

Anthony Anderson, “Black-ish”

Aziz Ansari “Master of None” **

Kevin Bacon, “I Love Dick”

William H. Macy, “Shameless”

Eric McCormack, “Will and Grace”

Best performance by an Actress in a TV series – Musical or Comedy

Pamela Adlon, “Better Things”

Alison Brie, “Glow”

Issa Rae, “Insecure”

Rachel Brosnahan, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”   **

Frankie Shaw, “SMILF”

Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

“Big Little Lies”  **

“Fargo”

“Feud: Bette and Joan”

“The Sinner”

“Top of the Lake: China Girl”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Robert De Niro, “The Wizard of Lies”

Jude Law, “The Young Pope”

Kyle MacLachlan, “Twin Peaks”

Ewan McGregor, “Fargo” **

Geoffrey Rush, “Genius”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Jessica Biel, “The Sinner”

Nicole Kidman, “Big Little Lies”       **

Jessica Lange, “Feud: Bette and Joan”

Susan Sarandon, “Feud: Bette and Joan”

Reese Witherspoon, “Big Little Lies”   

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Alfred Molina, “Feud”

Alexander Skarsgard, “Big Little Lies”   **

David Thewlis, “Fargo”

David Harbour, “Stranger Things”

Christian Slater, “Mr. Robot”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Laura Dern, “Big Little Lies”        **

Ann Dowd, “The Handmaid’s Tale”

Chrissy Metz, “This is Us”

Michelle Pfeiffer, “The Wizard of Lies”

Shailene Woodley, “Big Little Lies”

Screenplay Festival: January 21, 2018 Event

WILDsound Festival's avatarWILDsound Festival

The FEEDBACK Screenplay Festival’s 3rd event of 2018 features a full reading of a LGBT feature screenplay that is considered one of the top spec scripts in the world today. Plus, readings of 12 best scenes in various genres.

If there was a theme to this evening, it would be “It’s never what it seems”.

Full cast list available next week.

****
LGBT Feature Screenplay Reading of Love is Free Will, by Amanda Samaroo

Genre: Drama, Romance, Sports

In the mountains of North Carolina a high school football coach’s love for his teenage daughter comes into clash with his religious views when he learns that she is a lesbian in this story of family and acceptance.

****
STAGE PLAY Best Scene Script Reading of RARE COINS SPEND, by Beth Fine

Genre: Historical Fiction Drama

Rare Coins Spent describes how St. Lawrence, Rome’s Archdeacon in 258 A.D., traded treasures from wealthy…

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Screenplay Festival: January 14, 2018 Event

WILDsound Festival's avatarWILDsound Festival

 The FEEDBACK Screenplay Festival’s 2nd event of 2018 features a reading of an original screenplay of the RICK & MORTY TV show, plus two short scripts and 22 best scenes.

If there was a theme to this evening, it would be TENSE COMEDY.

Full cast list available next week.

******
TV SPEC Script Reading of RICK and MORTY TV Show, by Daniel Richardson

Genre: Comedy, Animation

After shooting Summer and Morty with a ray that forces them to spout their inner monologues, Rick takes Beth out on a space adventure for her birthday.

****
10 page SCI-FI SHORT Script Reading of VIRTUALLY FINE by Gil Saint

Genre: Sci-FI, Comedy, Satire

What good is living in the world of tomorrow if you’re still haunted by all the problems of today? That’s the question at the center of this dystopian dark comedy. But science may finally have an answer: an experimental device…

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Screenplay Festival: January 7, 2018 Event

WILDsound Festival's avatarWILDsound Festival

The FEEDBACK Film Festival’s first Screenplay Festival event of 2018 features a reading of a Fan Fiction feature screenplay (Black Widow, Marvel Universe) and 7 1st scene readings from various genres and festivals.

If there was a theme to this evening, it would be ROMANCE with SUSPENSE.

CAST LIST:Kiran Friesen, Alicia Ryan, Carly Tisdall, Carina Cojeen, Christopher Huron, Peter Nelson, David Occhipinti

 

FAN FICTION Feature Screenplay: BLACK WIDOW: FUGITIVE, by Brooke Elowe

Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime, Fantasy

After the events of Captain America: Civil War, Natasha Romanoff is on the run. Branded a fugitive for violating the Sokovia Accords, Natasha tries to keep her head down and lay low, but there’s no rest for the world’s greatest spy…

CAST LIST:
Narrator: Carina Cojeen
Natasha: Kiran Friesen
Ava: Alicia Ryan
Ivan: David Occhipinti
Tony Stark: Christopher Huron
Nick Fury: Peter Nelson
Tori Raven:

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