WesScog
"You're So Going To Hell" by Redhand Studios - Reviewed on January 15th, 2010

This was really good. I really disliked the main character, she was so mean, and I think you set it all up really well.

The cinematography was kind of loose in the beginning, and as it's been pointed out, the fade felt a tad out of place, but it didn't take away from it.

The eyeline switch with the kid kicking the ball was also a little weird, but it was funny, and a nice touch to help build up the character between the intro and the ending. Since it says a lot more about her than just that she is cheating on her husband. I also loved the shot with the kid, even though the eyeline switch got me, just him bouncing the ball, against that background, it looked really good, and I loved the dreary sky, good job with that, the colors were great too.

The cinematography at the end is really great, and I loved the little touches of the reaper disappearing and reappearing again and the slight transparency on him.

Your actress is great, she is so evil, and the "Can you get me a pack of Camel crush." is delivered in such a dripping with honey way, that I want to jump kick her, she is just great being such a bi-otch.

The view down the gunbarrel was also good, and how the gunshot was handled was great, just very quick and sharp, and you could feel the surprise she has from being dead. I think you handled that well.

Great job, lots of funny moments, good acting, good cinematography, and nice effects. Can't wait to see this continued, I am interested to see where this is headed, and I would love to see what character development you've got planned for her and the Reaper.

It would be ironic for her death to be the catalyst for her to actually start "living" like a good person. But you've got me, I am interested in seeing where this is headed, and want to find out the character arc that these characters must go through.

8/10

WesScog
"Evil on the Internet" by Freaky Streak Films - Reviewed on January 15th, 2010

Very funny. I liked the jokes a lot. The cinematography while minimal in this was clean and everything was represented really well. The computer display was faked fantastically, and I think you synced the video up with the actions on the screen wonderfully.

The acting was great for two young people, and the devil was great.

Would have liked the ending to be a little better, have him be a little angrier (the devil looked more hurt like, "Why would you sad that.. =*("...) and have him thrown the phone harder.

Other than that, great job, really funny, really simple.

WesScog
"Agency Caught" by Round Balls - Reviewed on January 15th, 2010

WOW. Holy crap. This was fantastic, you are truly an artist. The compositing, and custom backgrounds and animation is all truly fantastic.

Your cinematography is beautiful, and you integrate your elements so seemlessly into these backgrounds so they look like they fit so well.

This is very dreamlike and surreal, and I loved the visuals, and your acting was great, and really made it feel really weird (I felt like I was watching a Jeunet film a few times), and it works really well.

Besides the accolades for your visuals, the plot did indeed confuse me, but the disjointed nature of it definitely helped with the overall atmosphere, but I think it makes it inaccessible.

I think if you teamed up with a writer on a more "conventional" plot, it could be really beautiful and something that could appeal to people on more than just your obvious visual and artistic talents.

Great job, I can't see what you do next.

WesScog
"Speak of the Devil" by CharmingNewSociety - Reviewed on January 15th, 2010

You guys definitely loved working on this, and I think it shows. This was good, and I won't say it was too long, as I felt it was the length you wanted, but I think that there is 3:00 worth of material here that could have won it this month.

The acting was good, I liked your cinematography, and the devil was really creepy and believable, and the make-up job on him in hell was great.

Loved the lighting and CC work in hell, and I think the little dialogue at the end is a nice touch. The transvestite was also hilarious, the look on his face as he transforms is great.

Other than it being too long, I think you did a good job, and it was a good film that could have been a contender this month if it had been trimmed down.

Other than that, I guess I just wanted to question a bit of the philosophy of the film. I guess an eternity of suffering is a bit steep of a punishment for a character whose only crime is one of ignorance. I guess I would have felt like the punishment was more apt, or due if you had established that he was a very rich/popular pastor who had a big audience and a lot of influence, or that he had been inspiring people to violence or something. He just felt less like an "evil" character and more like simply an ignorant one.

Logically though I had a few issues, I think if it had explained why the Devil revealed himself in the first place, it would have made more sense. If the Pastor was doing his work by making the world a more hateful place, wouldn't the Devil have motivation to keep him comfortable and successful, so he can keep doing the "good work". If it had explained that the Pastor was about to die from a heart condition or something anyway, and the Devil was there to "collect" him, or if there was some other reason he was there rather than just to murder him, it would have made more sense. As it is I was confused about why the Devil was there to begin with, if it had established that the Pastor was actually evil rather than just ignorant, and that he had done something to bring the Devil there, I feel like it would have made more sense.

Also, if it's evil to be intolerant, is it also evil to be intolerant of intolerance? Just wondering about the internal morality of the films' Universe.

Overall, great job, can't wait to see what you do next, liked the location variety, liked the acting, cinematography was generally good, and effects were good. Looking forward to next month!

CharmingNewSociety
Replied on January 15th, 2010

You know, I'll be honest, we really didn't put too much thought into how deserving it was that he go to hell. Just the mere fact that he, and real preachers like him, decide that others are going to hell for much less (in just being who they are) we thought it would be interesting to turn the tables. And it wasn't the devil that murdered him, it was fated he'd be hit by a car that day (I know we didn't really set that up though). I think a lot of our story's continuity and characters' motivations were a means to an end. Our short (at 7 mins as it as) might have been a full 10 in length if we addressed these aspects of the story. Besides, we meant it to be taken less literally and more metaphorically. The moral being taken as simply as "what goes around comes around". It's really just a parable on karma.

Anyway, thank you for your great compliments. Next fight we submit to I think we'll make an extra effort not to go over time or break any rules. People have told us both this and our last submission could have been strong contenders if they hadn't gone over in length. If our films are heavyweight quality then it may be nice to actually compete next time.

WesScog
Replied on January 15th, 2010

Ah, gotcha. Thanks for getting back to me about that!

WesScog
"Modern Warfare Madness" by Shouse Studios - Reviewed on January 15th, 2010

It seemed like you guys had a lot of fun, and that is great, but there is so much potential here that I feel like you guys aren't taping.

Firstly, work on a more natural delivery, it sounded like you were reading off cue cards a few times, just say it a whole bunch and work on saying it like you're just talking.

Besides that, you could have used more location and angle variety. The "security cam" static angle has been overused for a century, and almost never makes for an interesting shot, especially when done for the majority of the film. Some more close-ups, and cutting back and forth would have really helped the film.

Other than that, the plot feels rushed, and meaningless. None of the characters have film motivations, and the film doesn't seem to have a purpose. Watch some more classic cinema, and study story arcs, and work on getting a conventional story done.

Once you understand all of the rules, it becomes easier to break them and make it work. Starting out making disjointed attempts at surrealism will contribute to it feeling loose and amateurish.

Master conventional storytelling before branching into more surrealist fair, because here it feels slapped together illogically, rather than an intentional attempt at surrealism.

Keep at it, you guys seem to enjoy doing this a lot, and with a little work you could make something great.

Volatile Productions
Replied on March 19th, 2010

I don't think they thought for a second about making a surrealist film Wes, looks like they were just bored.
(Which by the way is no bad reason to make a movie, keep at it guys!)

WesScog
"Your Mom's Going to Hell" by Pirate Hooker Status - Reviewed on January 15th, 2010

You guys definitely seemed like you just wanted to have some fun, but this could have been better with some help.

Your acting was actually pretty funny, and realistic since it seemed like you guys were having a regular "guy" conversation. But I think you need to loosen up a bit and work on a more natural delivery.

Your cinematography needs work, "guys sitting on couch with game controller in hand", is a shot I see WAAAAAAY WAAAAAY to much, and then holding it there like the camera is on a tripod, with no cuts or edits, it needs work, and with better sound and camera work, I think the jokes could have come through better, since visually it was uninteresting.

Nice ending.