courtesy of my blog: http://cjferrara.blogspot.com
They have just 19 more weeks, and Sean and Christine Fitzgerald have had an amazing summer creating film brilliance for Project 52. As in my previous Blog Entries, I will take you through the Summer of 2011; Films number 21-33.
Week 21 - SHOWDOWN - They immediately stepped up their game by creating the action packed "Showdown." Inspired by Westerns, Sean created a modern day series of battles between two awesome fight choreographers. The fights are epic, and there's a twist that will keep you wondering through the entire film. I give it 4 swords up!
Week 22 - HUNGRY - Next came a very fun "sports movie." I put "Sports" in quotes because the sport in question is competitive eating. Sean did a lot of research for this story of the preparations, training, and conflict between two competitive eaters gearing up for a "Kamikaze" battle, where they have no idea what the food will be. Funny, and clever! I give this film 4 Marshmallows!
Week 23 - PAPER CUTS - This one is my daughter's favorite. A boy who is procrastinating doing his homework is visited by a PAPER MONSTER!!!! It's very cute and nicely paced. I give it 4 paper balls!
Week 24 - FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY PART 2 - While we were spending the weekend recording "Love Is..." Christine was putting together this compendium of all the films so far. This is a great place to start if you're new to the Project. I give it 3 movie clips.
Week 25 - IL DESTINO - A Foreign Film! They cleverly rose to this task. With narration in Italian, the film follows a man in Central Park as he searches for the woman he loves. Beautifully done! I give it 4 pink balloons!
Week 26 - THE GIRLFRIEND - Lest you think I'm going to give 4 "stars" to everything, we now come to one that's not really my favorite. It's a great idea about a liaison turned psychotic as a woman leaves creepy notes written in red crayon to the girlfriend of a man she's obsessed with. Don't get me wrong, it's well made, and nicely acted. Here's the inside scoop... the dialogue was completely improvised. Impressive; except some details of the plot got me confused which kind of left me with unanswered questions. I give this one a mere 2 1/2 red crayons.
Week 27 - HELLO CRUEL WORLD - The greatest gift given to the SLTM team is this week's random element, "A Character from a previous Project 52 film." This gave S&C the freedom to revisit the funniest buddies from the series, Sam and Fred from Goodbye Cruel World. In a very "Brian and Stewie" kind of series of plot twists, the duo time travel into the other P52 films. It's hysterical, but in order to truly appreciate it, you need to have seen all of the films. Save it for last. I give it 3 Scented Markers.
Week 28 - BROKEN ROAD - This one is intense. Cole Richard Hochenberger, who shows off his immense talent in several of the P52 films, gives a heart wrenching performance as a man struggling with guilt after a car accident that claims the lives of his 2 best friends and his fiancee. Amazingly acted and beautifully filmed. The supporting cast provides a brilliant contrast between the love and genuine friendship of the flashbacks and the intense emotion of the recovery. 4 1/2 wheelchairs for this one!
Week 29 - "LOVE IS..." - Because of an obvious conflict of interest (I co-wrote it), I can't review this amazingly filmed, acted and sung movie musical which sets the bar for all future musical projects. But see my previous entry for the background info. (I DO love how it came out and give it 4 webcams!!!)
Week 30 - BORED GAMES - How do you follow up 2 months of development and build-up to the musical event of the summer? With a cute family film. A brother and sister are bored stiff at grandma's house, and grandma finds a clever way to bring the siblings together. Nicely done, despite the challenges of directing child actors! I give it 3 mystery boxes!
Week 31 - IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING - A poignant twist on Little Red Riding Hood, "Red" meets an African-American man for a picnic. When attacked by three rednecks, the series of events will keep you wondering, "Where's the wolf?" Some of Sean's best films are told through imagery without words, and this is no exception. 3 1/2 Creepy Wolf Contact Lenses.
Week 32 - THERE WILL BE FLOOD - Finally, a water fight during the summer! And it was shot on the hottest day of the year. This "War movie" recreates some of the most iconic action film scenes using water guns. It follows the brilliant practice of playing the scenes straight, and just letting the hilarious scenarios speak for themselves. Just brilliant! 4 Water Balloons!
And Finally... the newest
Week 33 - DISCONNECTED - They've been dying to do a Zombie movie all year, and they finally get to!!! Creepy make up and everything! In a post-apocalyptic world where zombies have turned everyone on earth, Charles has survived, and receives a random phone call from another survivor named Alexis. Amazingly acted, with a close shot on Charles with just a voice over from Alexis through most of the film. It draws you into their world and as they feel each other's pain. That is, before the physical pain kicks in. 4 Baseball Bats covered in fake blood!!!
Things to look forward to this fall? 19 more amazing films! Another installment of "Follow Our Journey" featuring interviews with cast members. Plus everyone is wondering the same thing... how will this project end...? Keep watching, sharing, "like"ing and subscribing!!!!
