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HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Jingle Hell Film Review average rating is 1 out of 5 Critic: Patrick Foley | Posted on: May 12, 2023 Directed by: Sean Cruser Written by: Tyler Beveridge Starring: Keith Szarabajka, Poonam Basu, Shalini Bathina ‘You better watch out, you better not die!’ reads the tagline on Jingle Hell ’s poster. Come on guys, ‘Slashing through the snow’ was RIGHT THERE. I guess it’s at least more appropriate than ‘Oh what fun…’, seeing as this Christmas-themed horror quickly devolves into a bargain-bin, by the numbers slasher that fails in utilising its seasonal setting. Margo (Poonam Basu) and Nathan (Tyler Beveridge) arrive at a luxury rental house out in the woods for a Christmas getaway. The couple are expecting, and have taken up Margo’s sister Grace’s (Shalini Bathina) offer to spend the holidays with her and her partner Spencer (Murphy Patrick Martin). But a rift in the family following their mother’s passing means it’s not just the weather that is frosty. When a mysterious attacker in a snowman mask attacks the house, Margo must fight to protect her family. Jingle Hell suffers from the same detriments that made Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey such a disappointment. Both have an intriguing and engaging concept – taking joyous and family-friendly characters, settings and themes only to flip them on their heads and instil them with brutality, blood and carnage. But neither go beyond the surface of dressing up a murderer in a daft mask and costume and hoping viewers clap like seals at the farcical idea of a copy/paste slasher villain wearing a fancy dress outfit. Rather than deconstruct the holiday-movie genre or have fun with Christmas tropes (surely one of the killers could have come down the chimney…), Jingle Hell ends up as yet another occult horror film – just draped in tinsel this time. At least unlike Pooh, it has the good sense not to outstay its welcome at thirty minutes. So the trimmings are a let-down, and truthfully, the Turkey isn’t much better. Horror fans will be unimpressed with the violence on offer, with poor choreography and editing making ‘killing’ blows appear stunted and without the kind of intensity needed to get grizzly gratification centres grinding. The plot is predictable, with a twist so obvious that it can be seen through a snowstorm. A theme of family is at least somewhat original, though tying this into the actual story produces further bafflement and leaves a pile of unanswered questions – going beyond the obvious of why the killers dressed up in a snowman outfit. Performances are fine if forgettable. Poonam Basu is an enjoyable and relatable protagonist, though one never really senses a visceral vulnerability a pregnant mother ought to illicit. Murphy Patrick Martin takes chunks out of the scenery as the filthy rich and utterly irredeemable Spencer, and leaves the most lasting impression of the cast. Production is similarly passable – with some dynamic and stylishly presented shots and scenes. Though the blood effects fail to convince and further drag down the already-awkward action sequences. Jingle Hell really is little more than a bite-sized beige slasher hiding under a somewhat interesting premise. It barely makes use of its only intriguing element, and even the bread and butter of all great horror – character, themes and good old-fashioned violence are far below the standards set by its many, many contemporaries. If you want to watch something truly terrifying at Christmas, you’re better off with Krampus, Violent Night or Andrew Lincoln’s creepy stalker scenes in Love Actually. About the Film Critic Patrick Foley Digital / DVD Release, Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Decrypted Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Nov 4, 2021 Directed by: Tom Sands Written by: Mick Sands Starring: Sophia Myles, David Hoflin, Don Gilet, Akie Kotabe, Talisa Garcia, Clive Francis, Amanda Abbington, Kevin McNally Members of the National Security Agency kidnap the creator of Bitcoin and bring him to an apartment for interrogation. However, things do not go according to plan, leading to outrageous consequences. Due to the issues it might cause in the financial world, the Trump administration categorizes its developer as a terrorist and the NSA takes action. Special officer Beth Barnes (Myles) and captain Buck Johnson (Hoflin) have been assigned to capture Satoshi Nakamoto (Kotabe), the man who created Bitcoin and extract valuable information from him that will eliminate cryptocurrencies. In London, Nakamoto and his associate Sofia (Garcia) are taken by Barnes and Johnson and brought to an apartment, where they plan to make them cooperate. Unbeknown to them, they are being spied on by two members of the MI5, who are staying in the building opposite them. The two NSA members report their progress to Colonel Pike (McNally), who is in the United States. The mission swiftly goes downhill as Johnson finds himself unable to resist Sofia and loses his patience with Nakamoto. Eventually, the people in the apartment are injected with a substance that makes them tell the truth, leading to all sorts of shenanigans. Most of the story in this adult dark comedy takes place inside the London apartment, following the situation as it spirals out of control. The operation begins OK, then Johnson's behaviour turns things around, as he becomes sexually involved with Sofia and viciously beats Nakamoto and repeatedly waterboards him. The administration of the truth serum drugs is what leads the story to its catastrophic conclusion. It should be mentioned that this movie is not for sensitive viewers. There is often very strong language, a very strong sex scene and a great deal of sex talk. The part where Nakamoto is assaulted and tortured might be quite upsetting to some. The protagonists deliver entertaining performances as mostly awkward individuals. Hoflin's character is the one who steals the show with his over-the-top performance as a person who ignores his mission and is more interested in pursuing his sexual desires and goes berserk as he attempts to make Nakamoto talk. Myles is the one who is focused on her duty and tries to keep it together. McNally also has an interesting role as a nervous military man who is constantly sitting at his desk, trying to put together a miniature battleship. Recognition also goes to Francis who plays a resident of the building where the interrogation is taking place and finds himself getting caught in the middle of it. Haydn West develops wonderful cinematography that works particularly well during the flashbacks. Richard Morson makes a great contribution with the music that is dramatic, atmospheric, tense, mesmerising and entertaining. Decrypted is not for everyone. It contains a lot of profanity and a great deal of dialogue about sex. One could also argue that the film is a bit overlong. Nevertheless, those who enjoy dark and adult humour will probably not be disappointed. About the Film Critic Jason Knight Digital / DVD Release, Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Sarajin Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Chris Olson | Posted on: Oct 1, 2023 Directed by: Justin Kim WooSŏk Written by: Justin Kim WooSŏk Starring: Jongman Kim, Taehee Kim Filmmaker Justin Kim WooSŏk’s heartfelt and understated short film Sarajin explores a small story in a much bigger picture, one about the impact of climate change. Jongman Kim plays an immigrant fisherman living in Alaska. Things are tight, as the snow crabs that his livelihood depends on have disappeared, forcing his captain to keep the boat anchored. With pressure at home from his partner (Ki Jin Kim) to provide for their family, our protagonist faces a tough decision: whether to wait it out or to move on. Sarajin is based on real-life closures of fisheries and how this impacts huge communities of people who have lived and fished in one place for generations. Whilst the film never engages in heightened melodrama, keeping a low poignancy throughout, it is still a very striking story about how the changing oceans (caused by human actions) can drastically impact the lives of common people. Beautifully shot and low-key with its dialogue, Sarajin is the strongest when contemplative. A simple shot of a rusted boat in the harbour, or a lingering shot through the truck window as our fisherman drives him despondent. It’s a film that encourages the feeling of tranquillity in order for you to really consider what’s being depicted here. The performances support this through dispirited exchanges, such as the couple exploring their hopeless situation, or the crew on the boat longing to get the green light to go back out to sea. The glum tone would be altogether too much if it weren’t for the engaging filmmaking and strong acting. The film’s title means “disappearing” in Korean and the layered meaning here is as equally as devastating as the plot. Often, considerations of climate change focus largely on the natural impact and how we might see drastic changes to weather, sea levels and such. What we aren’t usually presented with are the aspects of our global communities that will be lost forever. With his short film Sarajin , Justin Kim WooSŏk has opened a door for his audience that it may be impossible to shut if you have engaged with his piece enough. There are already aspects of our lives that will be lost to the history books, with lots more likely on the horizon. Being forced to move on from our homes is one of the most unnatural experiences in the world and yet this could be the experience for many if our neglect of the ocean and other essential parts of nature continues. About the Film Critic Chris Olson Short Film, World Cinema < All Reviews Next Film Review >

★★★★ Directed by: #ChristopherDeakin Starring: #GemmaWhiteley, #AdamMercuryBrown, #JoyceBranagh, #AshleyGregory, #EleanorJessicaRoberts Short Film Review by: Alexandra James A Happy Ending is a spoof reality television show that pokes fun at some of the court room dramas we see today. The show focuses on a young married couple and displays their inner conflicts with one another. For wife Lizzie, she is prepared to divorce her husband for not ever being able to satisfy her in all areas…but specifically in the bedroom! This dark comedy is a combination of Judge Judy, Love Island dramas and absurdity all wrapped up in a show called ‘Out of Order.’  For main character Lizzie, regrettably, this was unforgiveable, and she was ready to take her life into her own hands, her husband’s money and then leave him! However, as the drama progresses, certain secrets come to light and the audience discover that Lizzie is not as squeaky clean as she presents herself to be. As like many of these shows, the audience feed off this scandal and the juicier the scandals become, the better! The short film begins in a court room, its all lights, camera action as the jury take their seats and listen to Ms Who’s tales of woes and the lack of satisfaction she has had to endure for a good few years. Their marriage is in turmoil and there’s no coming back from this, especially when we find out husband David Ducksoup has been going to certain places alone to get his kicks elsewhere…For our Judge this appeared to be a clear-cut case, however, certain witnesses began to shed light on the couple’s marriage which left the judge having to make some tough decisions. A Happy Ending is a witty and outrageous film that keeps you hooked until the very end. It was great to see some of those ‘behind the scenes’ moments where the director instructs some of the reality stars to add more tears at this point or show your angry side when you say this line. Many people believe each scene is authentic and completely unfabricated. However, nothing we see on TV is ever how it truly is, which made for a hilarious premise and managed to break down that wall between fact and fiction and showed us exactly what was behind the curtain. The characters themselves were very funny and combined with the comical storyline and dialogue, it makes for an entertaining show that I would certainly be investing in if it came into fruition!

★★★ Starring: #DevonGrevious, #NateReynolds, #TylerMcCray Directed by: #NateReynolds Short Film Review by: Alexandra James Shear Disturbance focuses on the theme of anxiety and how much it can affect day to day activities such as the simple act of getting a haircut. For protagonist Tyronne, this typical action becomes far more than that and is such a trigger that he becomes completely consumed by even the thought of it. This can be a very real experience for many people that suffer with anxiety, it can become debilitating and stop you from going about your daily life. Director Nate Reynolds portrays these struggles and highlights the importance of patience and understanding when interacting with a person struggling to keep their anxiety under control. The narrative itself is very simple and I think although this is a short film, it would have been great to truly expose the pain within the anxiety. It would have helped the storyline further to pull back the covers of Tyronne’s mind and provide the audience a sense of what it feels like to have this fear. The physical signs were apparent with the trembling and shyness when speaking to the barbers. However, a cutaway of Tyronne’s mental state would convey the severity and seriousness of his condition. It was interesting to see the negativity towards Tyronne as well, the barber seemed to have little to no patience and believed that Tyronne was wasting his time and essentially fooling around. Nate was able to suggest that we need to be more perceptive and recognise the signs of anxiety to help that person and bring them into a calmer and more relaxed environment to support and keep their anxiety under control. Unfortunately, for Tyronne, the experience became all too much, and he was unable to control his emotions and left the shop disappointed in himself. However, another barber came out after him and reassures him that he is not alone. In fact, he has also experienced these feelings and encourages Tyronne to speak with someone to overcome his struggles. Shear Disturbance has a message within, and director Nate Reynolds uses this short film to tear down the stigma and shame of living with anxiety and instead, Reynolds concentrates on the importance of speaking about this subject and sharing these struggles as this will ultimately educate others to understand more about the experience as well as learn how to help and manage them.

★★★★★ Starring: #IsidoraFairhurst, #MiaMckennaBruge, #RitaBernardShaw, #DaniDyer, #MalachiPullarLatchman Directed by: #TeddyNygh Short Film Review by: Alexandra James Watch What I Do is an all-female cast and short drama. It focuses on 3 teenage girls in secondary school attempting to navigate their way through friendship, social status, and their love for basketball. Being a teenager today can be a difficult transition, emotions and arguments become heightened and at this point in life. Conflicts at this age are all consuming and it becomes difficult to break away and see the light, as well as ignore the negativity. This becomes the case for protagonist Layla, as she struggles to become friends with the new girl joining the group. Layla often feels excluded and is unable to connect with Nikki, who chooses to disregard or shame Layla as a form of one-upmanship making her appear to be the ‘popular’ friend out of the group. Layla must find a way to channel her anger and focus on what is most important to her, true friendship, and her passion for sport. Layla’s skills in basketball become clear when she walks past a court and jumps at the chance to make a shot, she is encouraged by the other players to join and be a part of the team. However, through fear of ridicule she shy’s away from this opportunity and ignores their praise. Instead, she is left feeling embarrassed and even more of an outcast by showing an interest in the sport. It became evident that Layla has some form of anger issues which she needs to work on. Layla often represses these thoughts of violence and aggression; the viewer is given snippets of Layla’s frustrated mind with use of cutaway shots. Her anger becomes fuelled when faced with conflict, and unfortunately for Layla she becomes tested to her limit as Nikki starts to put a wedge between her and her friendship with Kezia. Layla has managed to control this anger for a long period of time, however, like a bubbling pot, it does not take long for this anger to spill. The characters are extremely relatable, especially to teenagers growing up and learning to adapt and change throughout their school years and rise above the hate. Director Teddy Nygh breaks down some of the barriers that stop kids from being their true selves. Nygh highlights that for Layla, basketball gives her the chance to channel her energy, focus and discover some new friends who follow a similar passion. This was a great story, and the characters were able to really convey that emotion of betrayal, fear, hurt but also happiness and the importance of friendship. It was an enjoyable watch and the interactions between each character were engaging throughout, you really feel for Layla’s character and want her to overcome her fears and see the true bond between her and Kezia.