[FLICK REVIEW] “The Void (2016)”

Making something: “Lovecraftian” is hard. There are some recurring visuals, and recurring themes, but overall for me Lovecraftian is in the feeling it gives. It’s less a genre and more an atmosphere. It’s something I kept hearing “THE VOID (2016)” would deliver, much the way John Carpenter’s “THE THING (1982)” did!

The Void didn’t live up to this at all.

It wasn’t “It Comes At Night” levels of disappointment, because there actually is a payoff to this film…sort of. No, The Void was a let down in it’s failure to grasp a simple fact that the Internet has sadly misunderstood for a long time: tentacle monsters does NOT automatically mean it’s Lovecraftian! In fact, let’s go through the list of Lovecraftian tropes and rate their appearance, use and effectiveness.

• Cults:
  Sure, you’ve got a creepy cult, but they don’t really do anything.
• Tentacle Monsters:
  Yep, but so does the Pirates Of The Caribbean. As I’ve said it’s not automatically Lovecraftian.
• Unimaginable Creature:
  No the creatures present in the film are pretty standard.
• Impending Sense of Dread:
  Not even a little bit!
• Shocking Sanity Dissolving Revelation About Your Place In The Universe:
  The lead villain has seen the other side and is pretty cool with it so…nope!

Even though it fails to be truly the second coming of Lovecraftian horror, it should still function as a competent horror film right? It’s gotten great reviews so it must be true?

NOPE!

It’s got all the elements of a potentially good horror film, it just doesn’t use them. The isolation, the approaching horror, the thread of death…or worse, all squandered here. What makes it worse, is there are several “homages” that are less references and more shot for shot rip offs. And while the original films did them better, I do have to give credit to the final homage. It’s not everyday someone remembers Lucio Fulci’s “THE BEYOND (1981)“, but remembers this particular part!

Short-Story-Long:

The Void is a nice thought, but a bad execution. Shame too, I was really hoping it would usher in an era of Lovecraftian horror done right. Maybe someday…when the stars are right again….

~_M.H._~

Follow Me on Twitter: @MHSmith22

“John Wick: Chapter 2” Review

In 2014, we got a brief glimpse of old school action films again in the form of: “JOHN WICK (2014)“. The fact it was super successful was promising for future installments as well as for the action genre as a whole. And even though all the lessons the first Wick taught weren’t taken, you could clearly see it had made an impact.

Then finally this year we were blessed with: “JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 (2016)“, a sequel that was not only entertaining, but as good, if not better than the original!

Now, I’m going to go on record here and say I’m not a believer in a common held belief of sequels not {usually} being as good as the original. I will concede sequels are usually made for the primary purpose of making money, but in my mind there exist too many “EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980)” ‘s, and “WRATH OF KHAN (1982)” ‘s for that fact to be true.

John Wick: Chapter 2 concludes the story began in 2014 in spectacular fashion, all in the first fifteen minutes! Fifteen, action packed, beautifully shot, painfully felt minutes. From here we are drawn deeper into the world of assassins and John {embodied to perfection by Keanu Reeves} is once again not allowed to “retire”.

The plot is fairly straight forward, featuring a lot of double crosses that are treated with almost samurai level honor. Say what you want about the Star Wars universe being a fleshed out universe, the John Wick series has managed more in less run time!

Interesting side characters from the previous entry return to walk us through the complexities of this shadowy underworld. One new character was a special treat for me: Franco Nero as Julius the manager of the Italian Continental. Seeing this Giallo/exploitation actor not only still working, but being exceptionally memorable was more than I could’ve asked for!

Then there is the action itself. In a continued extension from the first film we are given straight forward, non-shaky cam, non-quick cut fights, shoot outs and chases. It goes to show, when you allow people who know how to fight make the creative decisions you are rewarded with awesome spectacle!

We need more of this everybody.

Short-Story-Long:

For a fun, action filled two hour at the movies John Wick: Chapter 2 is just right! Only time will tell if we get the see the epic Chapter 3 that is set up in the final minutes. I have faith it will.

~_M.H._~

Follow Me On Twitter: @MHSmith22

My Top 10 Movies Of 2016!

So when it comes to new films released this year I’ve been on the opposite side of public opinion. This is seen clearly in my top 10 favorite movies of the year.

———-

10: “THE NEON DEMON”
I reviewed this puppy when I saw it earlier this year. It is a work of twisted art and I love it for being that!

———

9: “THE NICE GUYS”
A ’70s period piece buddy-cop comedy from Shane Black? Uh, you bet it made it to top 10 status! Honestly it would be higher, but it features one thing that is a icky point for me. Something I HATE seeing! Nothing plot related, more an effect that just gets under my skin. Otherwise a great movie.

——–

8: “THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (Remake)”
This wonderful modern western did something remakes should do: get you interested in the original film, or in this case film(s).

——-

7: “BATMAN: RETURN OF THE CAPED CRUSADERS”
After the disaster that was “BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE” I was skeptical of another theatrical animated Bat-Flick. Even one with Adam West and Burt Ward. Oh boy was I wrong! This was the ’60 show with an unlimited budget and that’s spectacular. I’m giddy for the announced sequel featuring William Shatner as Two-Face!

——

6: “FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM”
Confession time: I’m not a big Harry Potter fan. I only read the first three books and wasn’t drawn in. I’ve seen five of the films and liked them to various degrees. This film however showed me the wizarding world the way I wanted to see it: full fledged wizards doing full fledged wizard things!

—–

5: “STAR TREK BEYOND”
This is the best of the J.J. Trek series, hands down. Who would’ve thought what modern cinematic Star Trek needed was a Fast and the Furious director! Perfect balance of the modern action people seem to like with the thought provoking introspectiveness that makes Star Trek what it is.

—-

4: “PASSENGERS”
The controversy surrounding this film is so far off the mark it’s not even funny. This was an absolute delight to watch due to Chris Pratt showing he does indeed have range and Jennifer Lawrence continues to be top notch. This film probably tackles serious issues the most bluntly on this list, but it handles the transitions between ethical dilemmas, romantic comedy and space danger with ease.

—

3: “SUICIDE SQUAD”
This movie is fun! I have no desire to defend it further, you either like this or you don’t. That being said it did manage to do something no DC film has done to date. It didn’t play like a comic book film; it played like a random comic from the DC universe. I believed it was all happening in he same world, not a gimmicky crossover.

—

2: “BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE”
This film was ART. I will not defend it further.

–

1: “ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY”
I’ve seen it twice now and can say without a doubt this is true Star Wars! Truer than last years J.J. flick. What I saw was war. For the first time since Empire in the Original Trilogy {and Revenge for the Prequel Trilogy} there was a real sense that a galaxy spanning war was in progress, not random skirmishes with ray guns.

Most impressive? Other than CGI dead people? It solved my biggest “prequel problem”.

A prequel problem can be summed up with the scene in “ATTACK OF THE CLONES” where Obi-Wan is being chased through an asteroid belt by Slave I. It should be a thrilling action scene, but for me it wasn’t why? Because no harm could befall Kenobi because he’s alive in “A NEW HOPE“! All dramatic tension is gone. This is a generational thing and not a problem for people who grew up with Episodes 1-3 originally.

Rogue One, even knowing the Rebels succeed in the end I was gripped with the sense of dread that they might fail at every moment. Every set back spelled doom for them and I was enthralled!

This is amazing filmmaking. Gareth Edwards you’ve joined a special league of directors I admire as artists. Thank you for doing amazing work in two franchises I adore.

~_M.H._~

Follow Me on Twitter: @MHSmith22

READING REVIEW: “The Other Side Of Haunting” by Travis McBee

Back for another Reading Review! And it’s a Travis McBee story again!

~_M.H._~

Follow Me on Twitter: @MHSmith22

2016 Manifesto Results

2016: A year I look forward to leaving behind.

Then again, I think this year has been pretty dreadful for just about everyone. From celebrity deaths, to family passing, to an election that refused to end!

Unfortunately, my goals were among the afflicted. I wish I could report I accomplished everything I set out to do, but I can’t. Not even close. I’m not going point-by-point here, my self reflection alone would fill pages. Instead I’m going to comment on the good and bad of a few critical points.

~-~

     –I’ll start with a big one. James Patrick Vaughan and I parted company early this year. Under not too good of circumstances. I’d like to say it was the result of some big fight, but truthfully I don’t really understand what happened. I have suspicions, I have theories, I have ideas, but I cannot say with 100% certainty what happened. So I won’t.

This however started my problems. It wasn’t just losing a creative partner, but my friend as well! The effects were felt immediately. Due to his loss, my Giallo mini series project fell apart cinematically, which was my only planned project to shoot this year. To make matters worse it involved a location I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get again! The damage to my personal attitude was noticed too. I wasn’t able to finish Neil’s Nemesis because simply looking at the footage was too much for me. I was angry and it showed.

To compensate I sped up a project he had zero involvement in to fill the gap which only got partially shot due to other production issues {more on that later}. That particular project is being finished as we speak and I owe much of its functionality as is to Chris Widdop, who stepped up for me in my time of desperation. Thank you Chris!

The worse part of losing my friend creatively? Seeing how deeply entrenched he and his assets were in my future projects. I’ve had to do a tremendous amount of tweaking and renegotiating to make these projects even possible to see the light of day! But they will be done. In various forms.

~-~

     –I mentioned in a previous post about having to abandon Retro-Vision Studios HQ for repairs and how doing so fixed my breathing issues.

This might be the best news of the year!

Even if evacuating for repairs, in turn, shut down any film related projects I was attempting to shoot. Thus my project with Mr. Widdop ended. During the downtime Chris moved to Tampa for bigger and better things. I look forward to seeing what he does in his new location and one day wish to collaborate again.

We’re moving back into the house now and should be operational again by January.

~-~

     –As I also mentioned in the same previous post I’ve shifted focus toward writing. My first novel has seen test readers who have given notes and beginning the next draft is on my agenda. Plus a series of short stories I’m working on now. But those are all for the 2017 manifesto…. What I can talk about now is my reading!

~-~

     –I’ve read more books for pleasure this year than I ever have in my life. And because I’m paying for video editing software I started a review show for them! When it comes to reading I’ve re-discovered two authors: Walter B. Gibson and R.L. Stine!

• Walter B. Gibson {aka Maxwell Grant} being the writer of over 250 pulp novels of The Shadow {which are amazing reads by the way}
• R.L. Stine has been thrilling me with his Fear Street books from back in the day. {I like older horror lit}

I wish I’d fallen in love with reading like this years ago. So much to catch up on!

~-~

     –I was able to relax more this year. If you can call what I was doing relaxing. To me most of the year felt like a waste, but working with Chris, reading and being with family after DragonCon, {not to mention DragonCon itself} was enough to restore me when things were looking bleak. And even though next year is looking busy already, I plan on taking it with as much ease as I can.

~-~

     –I finished “A Deadly Affair” finally! It’s been well received! Played one screening at a local art-house theater a few months back. Did my first Q&A session! It was nerve-racking, but I did ok. This brightened my year a bit when I needed it. Looks like I’ll be screening another short for them in April too.

~-~

It wasn’t all bad this year, but it could have been far better! After the much needed time to think I’m confident my plans for 2017 will yield far more productive and joyful results. For now though, I plan to keep my head down and just enjoy the remnants of the year…

~_M.H._~

Follow Me on Twitter: @MHSmith22

A Realization of Hypocrisy

I had a shocking realization about myself recently.

Talking to a friend of mine about recent movies we had watched, I brought up the Disney remake of “THE JUNGLE BOOK (2016)“. My friend didn’t enjoy it when they saw it, but I felt compelled to defend it.

My argument being that yes, it’s a recycled plot that has plenty of holes and problems, but that’s not why you watch it. It’s purely for the visual spectacle of the special effects! It wasn’t until days later in giving the same defense to another friend that it hit me:

This is the same argument I complained about from fans of “AVATAR (2009)“, a movie I have refused to watch on those grounds!

I was stunned at myself. How could I have railed against a film and the fans of said film for a argument I was now using for something I enjoyed? It wasn’t fair of me. It hasn’t been since 2009.

So to all the people I’ve talk to and in some cases talked down to about liking Avatar, from the bottom of my heart I apologize for my hypocrisy. There is nothing wrong with liking a film for purely effect reasons. Getting caught up in what movie magic can do is something we need more of in this cynical age of criticizing every little detail. If something exists that captures you, you should be proud of that.

It happens so rarely anymore, it should be protected.

~_M.H._~

Follow Me on Twitter: @MHSmith22

The Current Status Of M.H. Smith {9/24/16}

Good Lord 2016 has been a year so far!

From losing friends, losing projects, to losing pets and motivated direction, everything has been upside down and back again it seems like. Well now that I’ve got a grip {small one, but I do have one} it’s time for a “here’s where I am” post!

{All of the following has been hinted at on my Twitter feed, so if you’re not following me see the bottom of this post :)}

• Two months ago, my wife and I had to abandon Retro-Vision Studios HQ.

Due to discovering structural problems that if not fixed then would have lead to bigger repairs {and possibly injuries} in too near of future. So in a somewhat disorganized fashion we packed up the essentials and cleared out, staying with various family during the repairs. This in turn shut down every production I had running/was about to start running!

I’ll admit the last two months have been a nice vacation, but I do miss being in my own environment.

The repairs are going nicely, but as it began other issues were discovered. Mainly that our air conditioner had become infested with mold! This has been the best discovery because once our AC ducts are changed and a new unit installed, the source of my 3+ year breathing issues will be fixed! During the time I’ve been away my breathing/coughing has completely healed.

That’s one of the lights at the end of the tunnel.

This week we began cleaning and organizing what rooms we have access to and are making preparations to move back in in a few weeks when the repairs are complete.

• I’ve started writing short stories.

Earlier this year when my newest film project collapsed I returned to the idea of writing not for the screen, but for print. At that point I had just completed the first draft of a sci-fi novel I’d started a decade earlier and with film growing more and more difficult, the prospect of books was starting to look brighter and shinier!

Then I found an author on YouTube by the name of Travis McBee!

Travis is a young {younger than me} author in Georgia who has several book published, but all I’ve read so far are his self-published, short stories for the Kindle. His writing advice videos are not only informative, but entertaining! What he’s taught me about self publishing {and being a writer in general} the past few months is something I’d have never guessed: the value of short fiction.

Now, I’ve been reading Reddit’s section “No Sleep” for sometime now and hearing another talk about the growing desire for short fiction has been a real eye opener. Don’t get me wrong, I have plenty of novel length ideas, but many of my thoughts can easily be made into short stories and novellas.

In fact as of this posting I’ve got test readers going through a short story I’ve had cooking in my mind for the last couple of years. It will be my first, self-published work!

I’m not giving up film by any means! However, the ease of writing and self publishing and the possibility of financial return has moved the priority of digital print writing to a higher place than before. By extension…

• Reading!

Becoming a better writer involves two things: writing everyday and reading. I can do the writing, but reading has been an issue. I’ve always been a slow reader. It’s why I didn’t read as much as I wanted to as a kid. I get easily confused and lose my place and have a hard time forming good pictures based on what I’ve read. From what I’ve been told this will improve with time and the more I read.

So I’ve been reading. Finished two of Travis McBee’s short stories: “The Thing In The Shadows” & “The Other Side Of Haunting“, and am beginning to work my way into R.L. Stine’s “Fear Street” novels. Experiencing prose I admire is doing me a great service and I plan to keep it up. Truth be told, I’m tempted to start a vlogging series reviewing everything I read.

• Podcasting is fun!

Two projects I’m involved with is “The Anti-Plastic Cascade Podcast” and the soon to be returning “M.H. Speaks Podcast“. I was a little worried about my future in podcasts earlier this year when a partnership died suddenly, seeing as it cost me a co-host. However, I have since recorded with two other gentlemen who not only were a delight to converse with, but have both agreed to continue podcasting with me in the future! That coupled with several other people willing to talk to a microphone with me, I’ll be podcasting for some time to come!

It’s super fun and amazingly easy with what can be low cost equipment.

• A much needed vacation.

After DragonCon this year my wife and I drove up and spent five and a half days with her artist brother and his family in Kentucky. Just good food, good conversation and beautiful scenery with wonderful people. The fact this entire trip was the longest vacation I’ve taken since I started working my current, adult job four years ago had to contribute to this feeling.

This was without a doubt the most refreshing time I’ve had in many years! Thank you Jonathan, Leslie, Caeden, Bram, Quinn, Hadley and Piper for gifting me a recharging week of fun and rest!

Plus, being so close to a good friend of mine I hadn’t seen in seven years, we were able to have lunch and catch up!

Not to mention the sixty something movies I got to add to my collection on the way home!

Anyway….

Life has been crazy the last nine months, but I’m still here. Getting my barrings and plotting new courses. Can’t wait to share it with you all!

~_M.H._~

Follow Me on Twitter: @MHSmith22

I Saw “The Neon Demon”…

Upon exiting the auditorium after watching “THE NEON DEMON (2016)“, the young couple {who I’d never met before} who’d sat next to me during the film asked a question I wasn’t prepared for:

“So…did you like it?”

All I could say at the time was what I felt:

“It was interesting.”

Then came a harder question:

“Would you recommend it to people?”

This question not only solidified my thoughts a bit, but made me feel incredibly pretentious:

“To some of my friends, sure. To everyone else NOOO!”

Nicolas Winding Refn’s most commercial/general audience acceptable film I’m told is “DRIVE (2011)“. Which is a film I LOVE, but even that film isn’t for everybody I’ve found. So how do I even begin to talk about, let alone recommend this piece of twisted art to people?

I’ve seen people compare this film to Dario Argento’s supernatural classic: “SUSPIRIA (1977)“. And that could be the closest film to draw comparisons to, beyond the colors and production design. To me it comes down to tone and concept of content. The more intense content of The Neon Demon isn’t anything like Suspiria, but I feel they come from a common source of feeling: Italian exploitation cinema from the ’70s-’80s.

I don’t want to spoil anything about this film, but it contains things and ideas that you don’t see in movies anymore. Things that you would ONLY see commercially in Italian exploitation cinema from the ’70s-’80s! I mean these things are gruesome in concept and mostly in execution, but completely fitting considering the story and themes at hand. But again…I don’t want to spoil anything here.

The CAST:

Elle Fanning. Just Elle Fanning’s performance is reason enough to see this film! Her character raised the most questions and theories from me that anything else I saw.

The other standout is without any doubt: Jena Malone. Her characters and performance is something that will haunt my mind for years to come. One shot in particular has joined the ranks of: So-Perfect-I’d-Frame-It-On-My-Wall! I have a theory on her character as well…for another time!

Abbey Lee & Bella Heathcote were also good in their supporting roles, but I felt there could have been more done with them.

And a brief, terrifying appearance from Keanu Reeves to top it all off!

The STYLE:

This film, even in at it’s most savage IS BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT! Even during a scene I feared would give me a seizure I COULDN’T LOOK AWAY! If there’s one thing you can never say about Nicolas Winding Refn it’s he lacks style. From the visuals to the music it all works together to create a full experience. This is what talent looks like.

Short-Story-Long:

The Neon Demon is an affecting film; in every way possible. It’s not for everyone, but if it is for you, you’ll know it and you’ll love it!

~_M.H._~

Follow Me on Twitter: @MHSmith22

TEN YEARS OF MAKING MOVIES!

Ten years ago today: May 26th, 2006 Retro-Vision Studios’ YouTube channel went live with the posting of my directorial debut: “Bob & Rob: In A Pickle”. {No, I will NOT provide a link, it is painful to watch!} Over the next decade with the help of an amazing and ever rotating group of talented co-conspirators, I’ve directed and released:

• 12 Short Films
• 3 Web Series
• 4 Audio Dramas
• Produced 2 Podcasts
• Won A Film Contest
• Was screened in Tampa based Zombie Film Festival

And that was just the first decade!

Plans are in the works to not only continue with web related film, but to expand further into audio content and well other forms of media!

Overall, it was a great first ten years, thank you each and every person who helped make these as well as the viewers who watched! I couldn’t have done it without you. I look forward to what’s to come!

~_M.H._~

Follow Me on Twitter: @MHSmith22

Film Is Hard {A Rant}

This year have been interesting for me when it come to growing not only as a filmmaker, but as a person. I can’t say it’s all been good, but it has been interesting. I’ve learned a new facet of a fact I’ve known since the beginning:

Film is hard!

Sure, I’ve had production problems before, I’ve solved writing issues in the past, and dealt with criticisms back in the day, but these new issues….wow!

It’s a matter of people. Or more precisely, people’s attitudes and commitment.

2016 marks ten years of filmmaking for me, and over the course of it I’ve met and collaborated with so many cool people. People who I’ve been able to call friends! This year though, I’ve been having trouble with getting people on board with any serious capacity. Which is a problem because this far into the game for me, I’m here for the long haul, film or bust!

Sadly, even the people in my life who’ve been nothing but helpful thus far, have talked a good game and expressed interest and commitment to the future of our collaborating, have vanished into the ether! Unpleasantly to boot! I mean it’s one thing for people with a passing interest to be less than committed. I get it; people have lives and interests and this is just fun for them. It’s the people who share the dream and goal of professionalism that boggle my mind.

Film is hard, but doesn’t have to be this hard!

This type of complication isn’t a complete year killer though. It just makes coordinating and setting up anything beyond video blogging in my house a challenge. Not that I’m pooping on video blogging by any stretch of the imagination, it’s a wonderful tool that I enjoy watching from others and have many plans for using the rest of the year.

Overall, recent events have forced my hand in a restructure of my project life as well as my personal life. One I wasn’t expecting, and one that will probably not be received well by some people. But in the long run looks to be lucrative and fulfilling.

It’s forcing me to live up to my secondary titles as a “Vlogger”, “Podcaster” and “Future Author”!

Film is hard, but not impossible! I will NOT be beaten by these setbacks, I will learn from them, grow from them and be in a better position then I was before!

Film is hard, but I am harder!

~_M.H._~

Follow Me on Twitter: @MHSmith22