FLASHDANCE – The Musical is coming to Segerstrom Center May – 19, 2013. Read the press release below of the fun activities planned during the duration of the tour.
D23's Summer Magazine to feature The Lone Ranger and Walt Disney Imagineering
Here is the full-press release: The summer issue of Disney twenty-three, the flagship magazine of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, features a mega summer movie preview of Disney’s upcoming theatrical releases. D23 gets readers back in the saddle with filmmakers Jerry Bruckheimer and Gore Verbinski for Johnny Depp’s upcoming The Lone Ranger; Billy Crystal talks about scaring up big laughs for Monsters University; the masterminds behind Marvel’s newest film, Iron Man 3, offer an inside look at how they’re bringing Iron Man back to basics; and John Lasseter shows us how the upcoming animated film Disney’s Planes will soar.
Disney twenty-three also celebrates 60 years of Walt Disney Imagineering with a special commemorative back cover. Imagineer Tony Baxter discusses his work on some of the world’s most iconic attractions, including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, and Star Tours. “You Do What?” profiles some of the most unusual jobs Imagineers have had over the years, from rock designer to castle architect. “Imagineering Fact? Or Fiction!” debunks some of the long-time myths and legends of the Disney Parks. And there’s much more, including “23 Imagineering Game Changers” and a salute from Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Tom Staggs to the thousands of creative individuals whose contributions have changed the way guests experience Disney around the world.
Beginning with the summer issue, Disney twenty-three, hailed by critics for its superlative fan content and collectability, will be offered exclusively to D23 Gold Members who will continue to receive the magazine as a benefit of their membership. Disney twenty-three is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, and this issue contains a special member gift—a metallic D23 keychain, signifying how members hold the key to unlocking the magic of Disney through D23.
Disney twenty-three’s favorite sections are back with new images and content, too. In this issue:
- An image of Walt and Lillian celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary just prior to the opening of Disneyland in “PHOTOfiles”
- “A Walk with Walt” takes readers back to 1946, the year following the end of World War II—a transitional one for Walt and his company
- In “D Society,” Ne-Yo, Rod Stewart, and Tina Fey are among the stars shown visiting the parks
The Disney discoveries don’t stop with the end of the summer publication. In conjunction with the summer issue of Disney twenty-three, www.D23.com will feature original and exclusive stories that complement the contents of D23’s glossy magazine. Beginning May 14, only on D23.com you’ll find an exclusive video interview with Imagineer Tony Baxter.
"Pacific Rim" Con Footage Now Available!
When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity’s resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes—a washed up former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and an untested trainee (Rinko Kikuchi)—who are teamed to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind’s last hope against the mounting apocalypse.
[blockquote]”This was originally intended for only WonderCon, but after listening to so many of you asking for more of the movie online, I think it’s time for me to show you more footage. Enjoy, my friends!” -Guillermo del Toro[/blockquote]
WARNER BROS. PICTURES AND LEGENDARY PICTURES PACIFIC RIM
In 3D and 2D in select theaters and IMAX on July 12
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Writers: Screenplay by Travis Beacham and Guillermo del Toro
Story by Travis Beacham
Producers: Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, Guillermo del Toro, Mary Parent
Executive Producers: Callum Greene
Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, Ron Perlman, Robert Kazinsky,
Max Martini, Clifton Collins, Jr., Burn Gorman, Larry Joe Campbell, Brad William Henke, Diego Klattenhoff
This film has been rated PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action
and violence throughout, and brief language.
MONSTERS UNIVERSITY New Trailer
In cased you missed it, here is the new Monsters University Trailer.
The film opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2013, and will be shown in 3D in select theaters.
2013 Newport Beach Film Festival Movie Review: In Lieu of Flowers
Not familiar with this movie? It’s okay. This is an official selection of the 2013 Newport Beach Film Festival with no fate as of yet, but I wouldn’t right it off quite yet. In Lieu of Flowers is quite frankly another one of your stereotypical indie films with some heart, a good solid base, and some known actors that supply some compelling acting. The great debate will become of the movies ability to capture an audience and whether or not a distributor will be willing to support it.
Written and directed by William Savage, not many will have a basis of what to expect. This is a film that isn’t going to gain notice by a well-known director or a star-studded cast. The most known actor may very well be from a small role by Big Bang Theory’s Melissa Rauch. However, I hope this little flick may draw some attention from raw emotion and believable relatable characters.
In Lieu of Flowers follows the story of two strangers that have recently lost their love ones in quite different ways whose lives intertwine in a support group for people that have lost someone. Eric, played Josh Pence (The Social Network), is coming to terms with a harsh break-up where he FEELS like his girlfriend has died opposed to Rachel, portrayed by Spencer Grammar (Greek), whom has actually lost her husband in a tragic death. The two are faced with losses, but in quite different ways.
This Romantic sort-of-like Comedy follows these two as their paths meet and are pushed into awkward conversations as they attempt to relate and act as a supporting shoulder one another. You will fall instantly in love with Spencer Grammer’s character as her quick wit and cuteness quickly charms Eric. However, it is Eric’s humorous way of dealing with Rachel’s direct putdowns that makes his character seem a little too quick to get his spunk back.
The two of them build a great chemistry and feels natural, for the most going, and really adds to this done-before story. This is your typical boy and girl meet and fall for one another upon odd circumstances from a place where they would least expect and then overcome their emotional past to fall for each other. Don’t worry as I didn’t ruin anything. This scenario will quickly be figured out by any average movie-goer.
The film is fortunately able to stand apart by having that wonderful raw feeling that many indies pull off, but I’m not so sure it’s memorable. In Lieu of Flowers lacks a good score until we reach toward the end and the music changes from forgettable royalty-free sounding music you’ll find in most low budget indies to poetic adult alternative. This allows the film to build and add to the story William Savage is showing us on the screen.
The supporting cast with the likes of Melissa Rauch and Nathan Corddry do add to the film, but are not there enough to truly make a difference. The supporting cast like Eric’s group of buddies was a perfect opportunity to spread more humor as well to break it up from just the leading two. Sadly his pals are almost too rude toward his situation and never show any sense of care for him. This even seems the case for his close friend who tends to not offer much support.
It’s also important for any good movie to have those quiet moments to create tension, awkwardness or seriousness; but like many indie films, it just felt forced during the first half. I must say that there are moments that this is done correctly where it made my heart stop for a moment as I felt a sense of what I believe the actor would be feeling. This makes any good movie great. Thankfully there are many GREAT moments.
Hopefully I am getting across that there are a few flaws but at the same time, some many beautiful powerful moments that help this movie stand above others. It will be up to the distributors to take that risk and decide if the general audience will be noticing these or will it just fall flat for them. It definitely left a feeling of emotion for me, which to me is a successful film. I unfortunately don’t know if I will be remembering this movie come next year’s Newport Beach Film Festival.
Disney’s First Cruise Ship, Disney Magic, Offers Guests Brand-New Experiences and Reimagined Spaces
There’s an extra dose of magic coming aboard the Disney Magic, when the Disney Cruise Line vessel relaunches with new spaces, reimagined areas and exciting additions for the whole family. Guests will experience new adventures from stem to stern throughout their journey on the cruise ship that set the standard for oceangoing majesty and family fun.
From a new grand atrium lobby and a children’s area of “super hero” proportions to a three-story water thrill slide and a spa to stimulate the “Senses,” there are plenty of new and magical surprises in store for cruise guests. The ship features fun new experiences with Marvel characters – the first time Super Hero icons from the Marvel Universe have been introduced on a Disney Cruise Line ship.
“We have always been committed to reinvesting in our fleet and continuously making shipboard enhancements that elevate the guest experience,” said Karl L. Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line. “What we’re doing with the Disney Magic is yet another step forward in our commitment to delivering the absolute best family vacations at sea.”
“Storytelling is at the heart of everything we do,” says Joe Lanzisero, senior creative vice president for Walt Disney Imagineering. “Walt Disney was a master storyteller and knew how to engage people’s emotions into stories. Our job is to take what we learned from Walt and apply it to the experiences on board our ships.”
Here are some highlights of new “magic” in store for guests aboard the Disney Magic after the “reimagineering” transformation of the ship that takes place during dry dock Sept. 7-Oct. 10, 2013 in Cadiz, Spain:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPMNEKNg1w4&list=UUlHZgjZJ6S8wrqngXYpY6sQ&index=1
A Grand First Impression
When guests board the Disney Magic, they enter the grand atrium lobby that is redesigned to be “elegant art deco, inspired by elements of the sea,” according to Lanzisero.
“Filmmaking is the history of our company and in film the ‘establishing shot’ sets the scene,” he says. “This is the same with the atrium, as we begin telling our story.”
The spacious and spectacular three-deck lobby features hand-tufted, custom-made carpet that dazzles in a palette of vibrant coral, blue and aquamarine seashell-inspired designs. The art deco atrium chandelier is inspired by rays of the sun and the glisten of the surface of the ocean. Opulent furnishings, a grand piano and giant portholes recall the days of early 20th century ocean liners.
The lobby’s centerpiece is a cold-cast bronze statue of “Helmsman Mickey,” ever-smiling and keeping watch as guests stroll past. The famed statue, which has stood in the atrium since the ship was launched, will receive a special makeover bringing new luster to its golden hue.
Disney, Disney-Pixar & Marvel Characters Join the Fun
Disney’s Oceaneer Club, open to 3- to 12-year-old children, is a completely re-imagined area that transports children to the magical realms of brave super heroes, adventuresome toys, fanciful fairies and Mickey Mouse’s club for creativity and fun.
With Marvel now a part of the Walt Disney Company family, this will mark the first time the Super Hero icons of Marvel have been introduced on a Disney Cruise Line ship. Marvel and Walt Disney Imagineers have created a new space for children to enter into the Marvel Universe.
Marvel’s The Avengers will make their presence known in an epic way aboard the Disney Magic, with Marvel’s Avengers Academy calling Disney’s Oceaneer Club its new seaward home. Young crime-fighters will be transported to a high-tech command post used by The Avengers for special missions and operations training.
Throughout the base, displays featuring some of the equipment that helps to make The Avengers the earth’s mightiest heroes – Iron Man’s suit of armor, Captain America’s shield and Thor’s hammer — inspire super hero “recruits” through their academy missions. Avengers Academy is a multi-day, immersive entertainment experience where children interact with Marvel characters and unleash their inner super heroes.
Adjacent to Marvel’s Avengers Academy is Andy’s Room, where stars of the Disney-Pixar “Toy Story” trilogy come to life in a multi-level space. Stocked with all of Andy’s favorite toys, the room features a larger-than-life Mr. Potato Head, a giant version of the lovable piggy bank, Hamm, and a Slinky Dog slide.
Next door is Pixie Hollow, the enchanted land of Tinker Bell and her fairy friends. In this magical forest setting, Tinker Bell’s teapot house serves as a costume closet and children can make crafts while sitting on stools shaped like mushrooms and acorns.
In Disney’s Oceaneer Club guests will find the Mickey Mouse Club, another new children’s area. Inside a room splashed with Mickey’s signature colors of red, yellow and black, kids can create crafts and play games on ear-shaped tables. The club also features Goofy Gears, an oversized activity where kids play with wacky, magnetic spinning gears.
Disney Dining With an Extra Dash of Pixie Dust
New restaurants and new technology are on the menu for the restaurants aboard Disney Magic.
Animator’s Palate, one of the most popular restaurants on the Disney ships, is updated with all-new, animation-adorned walls and larger high-definition flat-screens to provide the best views of the animation magic that takes place all around.
A heaping helping of entertainment is served up during the brand-new “Drawn to Magic” experience at Animator’s Palate. Throughout this deliciously fresh take on Disney Cruise Line’s much beloved classic dinner celebration, the restaurant’s black and white “blank canvas” explodes into full color as favorite Disney and Disney-Pixar characters, such as Rapunzel from “Tangled” and Remy from “Ratatouille,” come to life right before guests’ eyes.
On every Disney Magic cruise, guests will have an opportunity to experience the tremendously popular “Animation Magic” dinner show that celebrates the magic of Disney animation and allows families to create and participate in an innovative way. First unveiled on the Disney Fantasy, “Animation Magic” invites guests to create their own characters that magically spring to life, become fully animated and join the show onscreen.
The vibrancy of Rio de Janeiro creates an energetic atmosphere in Carioca’s, a new restaurant named after Donald Duck’s parrot pal in “The Three Caballeros,” Jose Carioca. Festooned with lighted lanterns, the restaurant is designed to be “fun by day, elegant by night,” says Lanzisero.
During the day, there’s a festival theme and, when night falls, the atmosphere transforms into an after-hours scene of Rio de Janiero, with city-side windows softly illuminated and lanterns flickering overhead. Carioca’s replaces Parrot Cay restaurant, currently on the Disney Magic.
Another new restaurant to the Disney Magic is Cabanas, a casual dining experience with food and beverage stations during daytime hours and a table-service restaurant during dinner. The Australian setting of the Disney-Pixar animated classic “Finding Nemo” inspires the décor with hints of the film’s fishy and feathered friends throughout the restaurant.
Cabanas, which replaces the current Topsider Buffet, also is expanding. More inside space is being added, increasing the total square-footage of air-conditioned area by nearly 3,400 square feet to more than 9,460 square feet and a total of 455 seats.
Disney Cruise Line’s popular Palo restaurant for adults receives a makeover with stylish fixtures, glass artwork and new stone floors. Red and white striped poles reminiscent of those found throughout the canals in Venice are a design feature.
Putting more “room” in staterooms
Disney Cruise Line knows that traveling families always need more space, so features are included in each room to provide more usable space. Bed frames are elevated to provide storage space underneath. The bathrooms include the split-bath feature that Disney introduced to the cruise industry — providing even greater convenience to guests.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit www.disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent.
YouTube Launches First-Ever Comedy Week May 19-25
YouTube announced the first-ever YouTube Comedy Week, a special event from May 19 through May 25, that will showcase the best of comedy with live events, video premieres and creative collaborations from the world’s funniest people. YouTube Comedy Week will bring together the biggest names in comedy on YouTube and beyond, including Vince Vaughn, Rainn Wilson, Ryan Higa, Smosh, Sarah Silverman and Michael Cera of JASH, The Lonely Island, Seth Rogen, Tim and Eric, Nerdist, Ed Helms, Ken Jeong, Norm Macdonald, Craig Robinson, The Gregory Brothers, The Onion, CollegeHumor, Epic Meal Time, Rhett & Link, Epic Rap Battles of History, Funny or Die and more, to create a one of a kind experience for comedy fans.
A live, all-star comedy variety show kicks off YouTube Comedy Week with a global livestream on Sunday, May 19 at 5pm PT/8pm ET. Featured comedians will do a mix of stand-up, sketches and musical performances and there will be a special pre-show at 4pm PT/7pm ET. This event will be followed by a week of dedicated programming that includes live performances, new episodes from popular YouTube comedy channels, curated top ten lists from comedy stars and more.
“YouTube is the home of comedy for the next generation,” says YouTube’s VP of Marketing, Danielle Tiedt. “If you like to laugh, come join us during Comedy Week as we celebrate the best of comedy with sketches, pranks, stand-up routines, sit-down routines, parodies, blunders, fails, live shows and unexpected collaborations in a way that only YouTube can.”
Tune in at youtube.com/comedyweek starting May 19 for the week-long comedy lineup, produced in conjunction with Daniel Kellison, that includes the following talent, with more to come:
Participating Talent
- Above Average – Above Average is the comedy network that makes you laugh. Proud member of the Broadway Video family, the people who brought you SNL, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Portlandia, and 30 Rock.
- Barely Political – This channel has comedy, song parodies and sketches, including the famous “Key of Awesome”, “Rated: Awesome,” and “Barely Guys!”
- Beardyman – The two-time UK Beatbox Champion, King of Sound, Ruler of Beats and Destroyer of Dance Floors.
- Craig Robinson – Stand-up comedian and actor from The Office, Pineapple Express and Hot Tub Time Machine.
- CollegeHumor – Original and funny videos from CollegeHumor, one of the most popular comedy sites. Enjoy CollegeHumor’s award-winning sketches, animations, music videos and web series, delivered right to your (digital) doorstep—like the paper!
- Ed Helms – Stars in The Hangover Part III and The Office.
- Epic Meal Time – They make your dreams come true with recipes like Whiskey Syrup Bacon Pancakes…and then they eat them. You’ve never seen more calories on a plate.
- Epic Rap Battles of History (ERB) – Maker Studios’ record-breaking series created by Peter Shukoff (aka Nice Peter) and Lloyd Ahlquist (aka EpicLLOYD), features comedic altercations between historical and pop culture figures in a rap music format.
- Eric Andre – Comedian and host of The Eric Andre Show on Adult Swim.
- FIDLAR – Hailing from LA, Elvis Kuehn, Max Kuehn, Zac Carper and Brandon Schwartzel make up the members of this skater punk rock band.
- Fine Brothers – Comedy from filmmaking brothers Benny and Rafi who created the popular “React” and “My Music” series.
- Funny Or Die (FOD) – Founded in 2007 by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, Funny or Die makes really funny videos that feature your favorite comedians and celebrities.
- Garfunkel & Oates – American comedy-folk duo from Los Angeles, consisting of actress-songwriters Kate Micucci and Riki Lindhome.
- Grace Helbig – Grace Helbig’s DailyGrace channel is a daily vlog series and part of the My Damn Channel Network.
- Gregory Brothers – Maker Studios’ American musical group and creators of viral music videos “Auto-Tune the News,” “Bed Intruder Song,” “Double Rainbow Song” and “Oh My Dayum!”
- Hannibal Buress – New York based stand-up comedian and co-star of The Eric Andre Show on Adult Swim.
- Improv Everywhere – A New York City-based prank collective that causes scenes of chaos and joy with massively organized pranks in public places. Created in 2001 by Charlie Todd, Improv Everywhere has executed over 100 missions involving tens of thousands of undercover agents.
- JASH – A comedy collective featuring original content by partners Michael Cera, Tim & Eric, Sarah Silverman, Reggie Watts and producer Daniel Kellison (Jimmy Kimmel, David Letterman) with additional contributions from their many friends.
- Jeff Ross – The New York Friars’ Club Roastmaster General and stand-up comedian.
- Jenny Slate – Saturday Night Live actor and creator of the Marcel the Shell With Shoes On short films and book.
- Jerrod Carmichael – Stand-up comedian and writer of sketch comedy show Loiter Squad on Adult Swim.
- Justin Willman – Magician and host of Cupcake Wars on Food Network and Scrabble Showdown on The Hub.
- KassemG – Interviews and sketch comedy from Kassem Gharaibeh of Maker Studios. Some of it’s good.
- Ken Jeong – Star of the Hangover Part III and Community.
- Comedy Central’s Key & Peele – Sketch comedy series from Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele.
- Michael Cera – Superbad and Juno star, and one of the founders of the JASH channel.
- Nathan Fielder – Comedian and creator/star of the docu-reality comedy series Nathan For You on Comedy Central.
- Nerdist – Founded by comedian Chris Hardwick, the Nerdist Channel is the nexus of all things pop-culture and comedy in the Nerdverse, beaming content covering everything from comics to gaming and tech to movies and TV right to your eyeholes.
- Norm Macdonald – Host of Norm Macdonald Live on the Video Podcast Network and Saturday Night Live alum.
- Pete Holmes – Comedian and host of an upcoming late night talk show produced by Conan O’Brien that will debut on TBS this fall.
- Rainn Wilson – Actor from The Office and founder of the SoulPancake channel, where Wilson and his friends (Kid President!) invite you to open your heart without feeling like an idiot.
- Reggie Watts – Comedian and musician on IFC’s comedy series Comedy Bang Bang and one of the founders of the JASH channel.
- Rhett & Link – Comedy from the entertaining duo of Rhett & Link.
- Ryan Higa – Creator and YouTube star of the Nigahiga channel and co-founder of the YOMYOMF Network, along with Fast Six director Justin Lin.
- Sarah Silverman – Comedian and writer from The Sarah Silverman Program and one of the founders of the JASH channel.
- Seth Rogen – Actor, comedian and writer of Superbad, Pineapple Express and The Watch who will make his directorial debut with co-screenwriter Evan Goldberg in This is the End.
- Smosh – The most subscribed channel on YouTube, showcasing the talents of comedy duo Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla.
- The Lonely Island – The Lonely Island are Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone. They’ve been making videos together since September of 2000.
- The Onion – America’s Finest News Source. Believe at your own risk!
- Three Loco – American comedy hip hop group composed of Andy Milonakis, Simon Rex (Dirt Nasty), and Jody Christian (Riff Raff).
- Tig Notaro – Stand-up comedian and host of the podcast Professor Blastoff.
- Tim & Eric – Stars of the popular series Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! on Adult Swim and one of the founders of the JASH channel.
- Tummy Talk – Three percussionists who like to get down on the beats with a man’s tummy.
- Vince Vaughn – Writer, producer and actor in the upcoming film, The Internship, co-starring Owen Wilson.
YouTube is the world’s most popular online video community allowing more than a billion people to discover, watch and share originally created videos. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube, LLC is based in San Bruno, Calif., and is a subsidiary of Google Inc.
IRON MAN 3 – Premiere Photos
In case you missed the Iron Man 3 Premiere in Hollywood, here are the official Photos from the Red Carpet.
Iron Man 3 is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures and DMG Entertainment. Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige is producing and Jon Favreau, Louis D’Esposito, Charles Newirth, Victoria Alonso, Stephen Broussard, Alan Fine, Stan Lee and Dan Mintz are executive producers. The film releases May 3, 2013, and is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
Sprint paints a bright future with 4G LTE
The tech@Socalthrills team was invited to, and attended a Sprint event on April 24 to discuss their future with 4G LTE technology.
Among the panelists were John Batter, CEO of M-GO, a new digital content provider; Juan Reyes, CTO of BluFocus, a Quality Assurance and Certification Facility which specializes in entertainment content and technologies; Ajay Shah, CEO of Orange County based TV Plus; Bob Gold of Bob Gold & Associates; Laura Martin of Needham & Co.; and Ken Raaf and Kim Wade from Sprint.
Sprint and company discussed the many changes surrounding the entertainment space over the last several years, including the major shift consumers are having to mobile and tablet content consumption, along with the ways that Sprint’s new technology roll outs will be there to take advantage. Sprint detailed a bit of their Network Vision progress, including what they described as the “pardon our dust” phase, and they say that major improvements to their 4G LTE as well as their 3G networks are coming within the next 90 days or so.
We were able to get a bit of hands on time with the HTC One on Sprint’s 4G LTE network, and a speed test showed a not too shabby download speed of about 7 Mbps in downtown LA. This was in contrast to the basically non-existent coverage of AT&T in the same building.
What say you? Are you ready to join the Now Network now that their 4G network is ready to compete?
Check-out some photos from the event!
2013 Newport Beach Film Festival Movie Review: Rushlights
While I can appreciate first-time filmmakers Antoni Stutz’s attempt at a twisty modern noir, Rushlights reeks of rookie mistakes, both in terms of storytelling and production. There is a good idea at the heart of the film. Haley Webb (Final Destination) plays Sarah, a woman who finds herself in over her head after being convinced by her new boyfriend to impersonate her dead roommate in order to claim an inheritance. Unfortunately, this already convoluted setup lends itself to an unneccessarily complicated plot filled with twists that don’t naturally flow out of the story.
To make matters worse, Stutz’s direction is amatuerish, to put it politely. The editing is often confusing, crosscutting between elements of the story in a way that makes it very difficult to follow what is happening. In addition, the soundwork is sloppy, with the sound effects often overpowering the dialogue. There is very little in the mix that sounds natural. The film especially suffers when a sound cue is supposed to provide a story point, such as when a character hotwires a car. This person gets in the car, you hear some sort of quick electrical sounds and the character is driving off. It took me a moment to realize what had just happened, and it is these sort of mistakes that can make the film feel like a chore to sit through.
I wish I could say that the acting made up for the rest of the problems, but everybody involved appears to be phoning in their parts. There is no chemistry between the leads, and the random cutaways to their sex life does nothing to validate the relationship. With a cast that includes Beau Bridges, Josh Henderson and Aidan Quinn, I was really expecting more out of this film. Bridges fares the best, appearing to have some fun in his role as the town sherrif, but his work just isn’t enough to salvage the film.
The sort of film that features characters explaining the plot to each other as it’s happening, this exposition heavy mess of a story could have been improved with a rewrite or two. The setting of the film, Tremo, TX, is an interesting location. This dirty, backroad town feels like it could be home to any number of twisty characters and stories. As the story evolves, things get more and more convoluted, but always without focus. For a first time feature, it’s an admirable effort in need of focus.
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