jose montesinos
SYFY Shark Thriller, FRENZY Bites With Campy Shark Spectacle
I haven’t seen a lot of shark films in my life to consider myself invested (don’t even ask me about the Sharknado films), but I have seen a fair share. Like with any horror film, I reckon it’s a challenge to find fresher ways to write in good scares with a shark movie, and with Jose Montesinos‘ August SYFY release, Frenzy, you do get some good ones. As for all else when it comes to the more intolerable moments with films like this, tolerance levels are soley up to you.
UNLUCKY STARS: Dennis Ruel’s Indie Action Comedy Feature Debut Is Online To Watch For FREE
When you look at the cadre of independent creatives in martial arts cinema who’ve impacted the internet, there’s no way you can miss the name Dennis Ruel. He’s germinated amply from his roots at The Stunt People with the exhilarating indie action classic, Contour, to starring and even directing feature films of his own, namely the 2016 crowdfunded action comedy, Unlucky Stars, and with that, ultimately becoming no stranger to the hurdles and woes of independent cinema.
THE HIT LIST – November 2, 2015
The fourth (hat tip to Twitchfilm) is a resurrected animated proof-of-concept for a live-action rendering of the animated classic, Ninja Scroll. Dracula Untold helmer Gary Shore directed the pitch with action sequences by 87 Eleven and animation by The Third Floor, and with Warner Bros. and Appian Way in possession of the rights as of 2008, and there’s no telling when a live-action take will come to pass although I personally recommend someone more suited for handling an anime property to direct should this come to pass. Just my opinion.
Shortfilm Review: SENSITIVE 70'S TURTLENECK TOUGH GUYS (2015)
As practical as it is for filmmakers to make movies set within a specific decade or a certain period in time, there’s always been something admirable when a director’s vision harkens back to a time period as recent as the last five decades, particularly the seventies. To date, it’s an era most people can still relate to given how varying cultural aspects of that time frame have inspired quite a handful of the artists living today, and to say the least, directing duo Jose Montesinos and Brett Stillo clearly fit the category.
Their latest shortfilm, Sensitive 70’s Turtleneck Tough Guys, doesn’t have all the trimmings down, but it does hit most of the right notes to encompass the tone and level of satire embodying a project of this nature. Montesinos co-stars with actors and stuntmen Eric Jacobus and Troy Carbonel in a story that often switches between situation comedy and action adventure, centered on three badass private detectives who convene at a restaurant to wax philosophical on redefining masculinity while coming into themselves as sensitive men in the 1970’s.
This isn’t the first time Montesinos himself has dealt with decade-based storytelling as several instances of his own work in recent history include him playing a quite a few dated characters (look up The Winds Of Time on YouTube, definitely a favorite). On that note, I certainly hope it won’t be the last for such an effort that relies so heavily on a level creativity that comes so naturally between him and Stillo.
As always, the fights are fantastic and inventive between Montesinos and Jacobus who designed the sequences with co-choreographer Dennis Ruel. From a slightly more critical standpoint, most of the acting is good as well, although it comes across a bit better for Montesinos than Jacobus while I did find mysellf genuinely enjoying their on-screen delivery altogether. Carbonel isn’t left with much to do for a role with no lines although he does leave an impression of his own.
All in all, Sensitive 70’s Turtleneck Tough Guys is a cool little snapshot that presents yet another among many workable concepts from the independent film scene. It’s got a cool script with great talent on hand and I don’t think it would hurt to see this expanded into something larger. However, if we are relegated solely to shortfilm prospects, I sincerely look forward to what a follow-up entails, and especially because of the delight that fresh ideas provide. And for a short film like Sensitive 70’s Turtleneck Tough Guys…that ain’t no bull!
The shortfilm is currently making the film festival rounds and is expected to go online next week. If you haven’t seen the trailer, click here to check it out, or simply follow the project on Facebook.
You must be logged in to post a comment.