It is not always fun being the nice guy who finishes last. Marc Cartwright hits this message, among others, home in his newest short film, We Die Alone. This film centers around Aidan (played by Baker Chase Powell), an awkward young man whom suffers from attenuate insecurity, paralyzing social anxiety, no self-esteem and acute sociopathic tendencies towards females. A chance encounter dangerously intertwines the lives of three people with differing perspectives on love. After making its debut for award winning film festivals and while collecting many awards. We Die Alone made its VOD debut on August 21st of 2020 on Amazon Prime. The cast and crew of We Die Alone won many awards from Best Director (iHorror Film Festival) and Best Short Film (Genreblast Film Festival) to Best actor/actress (Crimson Screen, Nightmares, Filmquest and Shriekfest film festivals). This short was officially selected for LA Shorts, North Hollywood Cinefest, Newport Beach, Pasadena and Julien Dubuque film festivals. We Die Alone works in so many ways, from the acting to the hidden meanings viewed by the general audiences that you forget this is a short film and want to watch more. Baker Chase Powell, along with Ashley Jones (portraits Elaine) and Samantha Boscarino (portraits Chelsea) are phenomenal in a way you care for them and how they progress throughout the film. You really feel for Aidan (Powell) and Chelsea (Boscarino) as they interact very well in a way you have forgotten you are watching a short film. Aidan spends most of his time living in his apartment, hermit crab like, that he is socially awkward when it comes to his work life. Working at a thrift store, co-worker with Elaine (Jones), he can't physically bring himself to talk to any females in person. He relies on the internet as a crutch to meet new females. After chatting himself up online to females on whom he pretends to be, he never finds his inner-strength and confidence (he really needs) to actually show up to those dates. Aidan's only real friend is in Elaine (Jones) whom is his co-worker at a local thrift shop whom he is even hesitant to even talk to. Despite the age difference, Elaine really cares and has some attractiveness towards him, more than he realizes. While it could be more conspicuous that she is trolling for his attention on multiple occasions, Aidan is so wrapped up in his own loneliness that he never notices that she is providing him an outlet for him and his needs. As Aidan gives up hope, a knock at his door, brings him more hope than anything else. Cartwright (Marc) paints Adian's new neighbor as a saint and savior for him. Aidan meets his new neighbor Chelsea (Boscarino) and he seems to be less hesitant when talking to her. He offers her to step into his life in helping her. This task isn't easy nor normal for him and sees this as his chance. From here, Aidan wants to finally get something off of his chest; however, he can't believe him to it. Aidan is very skeptical in bringing her into his life; however, something feels just right about her. While Aidan seems to want her more, he secretly wonders if she is the one. He follows watches her and even follows her while doing laundry. Aidan plays off as a lonely person whom can't bring himself to speak talk to a female without sounding weird to them (in his mind). Chelsea feels that she maintains her tough woman mental inside without showing it and feels like he needs to not be tied down to anything. Chelsea is a way is the complete opposite of Aidan in a way their arcs don't add up. The only thing in common to both Elaine (minus working together) and Chelsea (minus being neighbors) is that both love to solve puzzle (just like Aidan does). As for Aidan, he really sees two (2) puzzles in his mind, 1) with the corners already built and 2) majority of said pieces missing. Cartwright really brings to light that there is a love triangle hidden in the background where both secretly are hiding feelings for him and Aidan is unaware of this. Storytelling and its visionary structure is part of what makes a great film maker (among other things). Without the words on a piece of paper, your vision won't come to light. Marc Cartwright and Cassie Keet dive deep in bringing their visionary script to life. Clocking in just under 24 minutes, this short film really hits home some strong points that Cassie and Marc really wanted to flush out. From Aidan's social awkwardness and the effects on his psyche to how others see him without knowing him (men in general). At the start of the film, you really feel for him in an almost negative light; however, by the time the last frame hits you, you feel for the guy more in a positive light (roles reversed). Cassie and Marc did a wonderful job at telling this story, fleshing out the characters and hitting a home run on the social commentary of their vision. Cassie screenplay works well with the visionary aspects of Marc’s creative eyes. We Die Alone is one great short film. Probably one of the best we have reviewed; however, one scene feels like it helps the story, but kills the pacing somewhat. After we watched it a few times, we noticed that the pacing feels off and somewhat slows down the story a bit. The scene in question is when Aidan follows Chelsea to the laundry mat. Keet and Marc really want to hit home that Aidan isn't in his right mind nor a normal person while he rushes to see whom this new girl is like. For us, this does help the story and how he feels about her; however, it slows the pacing of getting to the climax of this film just a bit. If that scene was maybe shorter or placed differently in the editing timeline, might help the pacing justice. The scene itself would've made more sense towards the end of the film just before climax or in the beginning of the film (before they officially met). Marc, Cassie and the rest of the cast and crew make this film their own with their own techniques and methods in creating a great story as this one has. Just like the puzzle inside this film, Marc and Cassie are the finished corner sections of this puzzle and the rest is filled in with great acting and creativeness of each character. In Conclusion There has to be a right thing to say that would result in her seeing our connection! Marc and Cassie really tugs the viewer into a dark, damp and chilling tale of a love-triangle gone wrong. What you think is really in the right hand without noticing what’s in the left, will really shock you as it’s revealed. We Die Alone has a strength far exceeding its length and leaving the audience wanting more and what you think you could expect from such a great and powerful narrative is not it’s all cracked up to be. Baker Chase Powell, Ashley Jones and Samantha Boscarino play their roles very well that you almost forget you’re watching a short film. Baker is stellar at portraying the chronically, awkward and socially inept Aidan whom sheds a light on his struggles, being painful, relatable to any audience member. Every action Baker [Aidan] makes seems to be painstakingly done to illuminate Aidan's societal pains, from his awkward stares to his stilted speech, which really makes you wonder what’s really behind those eyes. It all adds up to Aidan becoming a fully fleshed out multi-dimensional character, whom the viewers are most skeptical to draw upon in his move problematic moments. The ending will shock you and leave you wanting more from this story in a way it makes a lasting impression on you as love really isn't about a fruitless game but more about whom knows you the best. We Die Alone delivered a well thought out and detailed story, strong and solid plot, extremely talented casting, and both superb visuals and score to capture a tense and uneasy atmosphere makes this short film absolutely flawless. Marc, Casse and the rest of the cast and crew have created a master piece in of itself with little to no issues (pacing) that would revival any Hollywood film. Be on the lookout for this film on Amazon Prime today and over VOD serves near you. We highly recommend you watch this short for stunning story, excellent cast and the reality check it really gives you after viewing this. We Die Alone IMDB Rating: 8.6 out of 10 Stars The Independent Film Corner Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars We Die Alone IMDB Page: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8111080/
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What if the Man of Steel was also the Man of Horror? Chris R. Notrile dark take on what if the Man of Steel was not all good. Created in a very short time while he directed and edited this piece, he really flushes this short story in a way that it leaves you wanting more. This Man of Steel just doesn't want justice, he wants to go on a murderous rampage in order to seek justice is served the right way. Chris R. Notrile is no stranger to us here at Next Dimension Productions. We have reviewed many of his films and grow a fantastic partnership while doing so. He has been making fan film shorts for years now. With his newest short fan film (Martha Joker) in pre-production, this one really caught our eye. Eradicator: Absolute Authority centers around a grieving mother whose child was murdered by a member of the Metropolis police department, a familiar symbol of Hope must seek out justice in the darkest of places. After dropping this short film (watch it below) last week, his short has gained a lot of press and attention since premiering. Film in a short time frame, Chris really paints a very dark picture of a symbol of Hope. This version of the Man of Steel reminds me that of the embodiment of a Terminator (inside the Man of Steel) with the moral backbone of Judge Dredd. This Man of Steel puts the Dark Knight to shame with his actions. The look and feel of this short has been nothing but amazing. It really captures the dark, damp and grittiness of an aftermath so unreal it embodies problems in today's society. The writer (Chris) works hard at throwing commentary of what is happening in today's world (unjustified police actions) versus a fictional world. The Eradicator is out for peace and justice for all no matter what. Justice is not served in a court room but after the fact, by the hands of the Eradicator. Eradicator: Absolute Authority works on a lot of levels from look and feel to story and editing. One element of this short that doesn't quite hit the mark is acting. Kevin Caliber, who plays the title character, feels like a great choose for this role. Dialogue between characters is a key element to a short film. When dialogue seems a bit rushed, forced or not effective, the character may fall flat even though actions might be impactful. Caliber (Kevin) falls victims to these traits while actions seems justified. For example, Eradicator confronts justices with a few lines of dialogue that with a more impactful tone or cadence might be that push his character needs. The three LEO and the grieving mother play their part well given their emotions and motive takes center stage. This short is shot well, story developed; however, this wouldn't break the bank in turns of nitpicking. With only a few settings to place these scenes, Chris and his team created a backdrop of fear, dread, and horror it justifies its elements throughout the short. Mixing this with the real life commentary about wrongful police brutally and murders makes this short film all too real. Lawrence and his law enforcement friends brag about things they have done, almost like they should've gotten off scott free before things get grim and dark for them. In Conclusion Chris and his team, while doing their best social distancing, created a series that tells a different tale of a more justified Man of Steel then we have seen before. Painting a picture of justice being severed in a dark, campy and gritty way, this Eradicates the notion of the Man of Steel's rules. With the morals similar to that of the Dark Knight, it feels like whomever wishes proper justice, the Eradicator arrives to seek said justice. Dispute some acting troupes with the titled character, this short (being only a few scenes) is a great film that leaves you wanting more. The effects, being minor, works well with the source materiel and not overly used. The Eradicator: Absolute Authority jumps onto the commentary of today's society with a DC twist that justice will be served by any means necessary in order to fight for Injustice. |
bRANDON
During a few talks with independent companies and people, we have received a few emails about reviewing independent, short or long, films. We have created the Independent Corner for all things Independent!!! These film review may have the same format, but will be a different feel then the Hollywood treatment of our main Film Corner reviews. Please bear with us in constructing this new page. Archives
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