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Treasure of the Ninja (1987)
Great little Classic Super 8 Gem.. The AGFA Blu-ray is stacked with Bonus Material too! Time & Money well spent!
Had an absolute blast watching William Lee's 1987 cult classic "Treasure of the Ninja". Both the film and the audio commentary which is so informative & funny.
First off it's amazing seeing the amount passion, knowledge & understanding that William has for filmmaking, cinema & martial arts. It's also incredible seeing William as a young black filmmaker making kung fu films since the early 80's in a predominantly white industry. I can't think of any other black filmmaker then or even in the 40 years since who's worked creating in the genre of American made kung fu films. This makes William Lee's work stand out as an auteur, innovator & a true original.
I always have a massive respect & adoration for filmmakers who've shot on actual celluloid film for countless reasons. Something so many of us filmmakers today in the digital age take for granted, with how much more effort & care went into the entire process from filming & post production. It should also be noted that this film was made during his final year at graduate school in film, who at the time was an employee at the WSU radio station & shot on location in those facilities without permission on the weekends.
The film "Treasure of the Ninja" is an absolute gem that any fan of kung fu films & DIY filmmakers will get a lot of entertainment & knowledge from. The fact this was made for under $1500 with a 1 hour 45 minute runtime just shows how efficient William Lee was back then and how effectively he handled his limited resources with most of the budget being spent on the positive reversal film stock.
Love watching anything that's shot on Super 8 & here visually you get all that charm from that format such as the vibrant colors, the film grain, the black lines, the cigarette burns, the scratches etc. The cheesy ADR & funny dialogue makes the film feel like an authentic Asian kung fu film or even a European film with it's use of dubbing. The entire sound design here is so effective & there's so much detail put into the sound effects here and every little nuance and action sequence is amplified by it.
Can clearly see William's influence from Bruce Lee films and the film is so unbelievably ambitious in it's approach despite being made on such a miniscule budget. The storyline despite being the cliche good guys vs bad guys actually has something different going on here. The character Magneta Faze is paired with a 14 year old girl who's a genius & gets stuck into a fair amount of the action & saving the day herself, which was a rare dynamic to see here. Both of these characters are government agents & sent on a mission to take out some deadly ninjas.
There's a lot of cool filmmaking techniques that pay homage to 70's cinema which I absolutely love & are rarely used today such as the long lingering zooms in and out which are used nicely. I always love seeing footage from films shot in 1980's New York such as "Driller Killer", "Maniac" & "Frank Henenlotter" films. There's quite a few scenes showing the urban area reflecting that period of time here. I should also mention one particular song from the soundtrack which I first heard in the trailer will get stuck in your head immediately & it's played several times throughout the film.
The athleticism & fight choreography is extremely hard hitting. William Lee & the performers (ninjas) are doing such agile stunts & there are countless fighting scenes repeated throughout the runtime. Plenty of high flying roundhouse kicks, countless fighting sequences with excellent sound design & sound effects reminiscent of the most popular kung fu flicks. Copious gun shots, sword battles & even a supernatural ninja who has the ability to behead those who he comes into combat with.
I can't get over how well done the fighting choreography is done here. Nobody looks like they're pulling back on the punches or kicks here. The long takes with minimal cuts & edits during these fight scenes just show how gifted William Lee's talents as a martial artist are here along with every other member of the ninja cast. Quite a few scenes here are honestly on par with the biggest budgeted kung fu and action flicks of all the time in how everything is orchestrated. There's some serious knowledge & evident craft put into every fight that's seen here.
This honestly is such a cool unique piece of film history that has been captured here & beautifully preserved with this AGFA Blu-ray release. This Blu-ray is absolutely stacked with extras. Including another feature from William Lee titled "Dragon Vs Ninja", " The New Chinese Connection" & "The Willie Jack Series". Pick up the AGFA Blu-ray & make a night of it! There's hours of entertainment to enjoy here!
Beast by Night (2020)
The level of enthusiasm and effort here is inspiring!
Awesome movie! 👏🎥.. Can see how much effort Zachary Keane put into crafting this film. Seen in the trivia that it was filmed between 2017 & 2020.
First off love that hammer horror vibe, from the soundtrack,locations, performances and period piece aesthetic. Love that in this day and age and on a shoe string budget Zach really put his heart and soul into this film. An old fashioned werewolf tale is definitely an ambitious project especially for a filmmaker obviously working on a low budget. But it's result is a very impressive piece of work that is bound to impress anyone who appreciates truly independent cinema.
Some excellent , special effects and the fog in certain scenes really makes it atmospheric and a throw back to classic horror films we don't see anymore. Those werewolf transformation scenes are incredible too.
Zach Keane does something here that most independent filmmakers shy away from, which is condensing their vision of a film to work within their lack of resources and limitations. Instead Zach has such a vast vision of his story and doesn't compromise at all. He wears the limitations and lack of budget on his sleeve embracing the low budget and delivers a very stylish and developed film.
Zach even plays multiple characters, has a large use of green screen to mimic locations. Carefully frames shots and decorates sets such as caves that give it that campy charm. It reminded me of watching an early Peter Jackson film where you can see a filmmaker bursting from creativity and unique ideas and every bit of it is shown on screen.
As a filmmaker myself I first came across Zach's film "Dark Visitation" as part of a horror anthology that we were both involved with titled "Deadly Numbers".. His work fascinated me from that point as you can always tell when a filmmaker is passionate about their work. Zachary Keane is definitely one to watch and a filmmaker who's work I'll continue to support and follow!
Sol Roth's the Audition (2020)
A unique experiment and viewing experience!
Sol Roth's "The Audition" is the perfect example of how less can be more. This film is very minimalistic and embraces that and uses it's limitations to it's advantage. What the film doesn't contain is lots of camera movements and set ups or fancy editing. But it does give the viewer a great character study of a character studying various characters (now that's unique). Which is unlike any other film I've ever seen and we're treated to some intriguing storylines and dialogue that drives the film from one scene to the next.
The film is also the ultimate performance piece and an enormous challenge an actor can take on as Sol Roth has the responsibility in carrying this one man show and keeping the viewer engaged, which he pulls off well. Not only does Sol hit so many emotions out of the park with this but he also comes off as a very likable guy as he breaks the 4th wall throughout as he's speaking to us all. That was a vital element that needed to be reached if the audience is going to sitting for a one man show and a 70 minute journey, we're going to have to want to be on his side to be invested in what he's saying. I feel Sol succeeded in that crucial element as his authentic demeanour, vulnerabilities are intimately thrown towards us that you can't help but root for him and listen to him.
Sol does this through taking us
the audience through a whole range of acting monologues with some interesting stories and cool original ideas. Since Sol obviously wanted to show a diverse range of his talents as an actor he displays a range of different emotions and effectively shows his capabilities as an actor. Any casting agent would just have to watch this film to see exactly the type of roles that he is perfectly suited for and there are many to choose from from what Sol has presented in the film.
I quite enjoyed the opening shot of a dark exterior showing an urban area followed by a quick tracking shot up a concrete stairs making it's way to a doorway with the title stuck on the door reading "The Audition". Then we're quickly inside the building, an audition room where Sol takes the screen as Paragon. I also really liked the whole black and white look which gave the film a nice aesthetic and made his character very striking visually.
Despite the whole literally meaning anyone could take away from this film about an actor showing his strengths to some casting agents during an audition. I even felt something more deeper as in certain monologues Sol really makes some very existential statements and reflects on the current world and how technology has shaped the world as there is even an interesting Mark Zuckerberg monologue discussed within. Maybe the isolation of Sol Roth in a room is symbolic for how he feels about his place in an rapidly changing society that's advancing in ways too much for it's own good.
Any filmmaker or actor I feel would be inspired by viewing this as I'm myself a filmmaker/creator and love this medium. So it's always refreshing and inspiring seeing other people creating despite any obstacles and not using obstacles to hold them back from putting a film out there for the world to see!... Sol Roth's "The Audition" shows all you need is one camera, one location and one creator with enough passion for their craft and you can make a great piece of work just like this.
The Devil's Woods (2015)
Mysterious, Old School Styled Horror Film.
Anthony White's "The Devil's Woods" is evidence of a filmmaker who really loves the horror genre and is not just making a horror film as a cash grab. This is an Irish film which is refreshing to see as there's a lack of films of this nature made in this country.
It's a fun horror film that doesn't take it's itself too seriously and even though it does follow the cliche of young couples going on a road trip and camping in the woods the film really is inventive and creative in moments that really matter.
This film is not a typical slasher and is a slow burner but the main characters really make the run time enjoyable and you care for their characters as they all have strong personalities and make you care about their fate.
The film has obvious homages to Deliverance, Texas Chainsaw, Massacre, Wickerman, George Romero and Dario Argento films however it's done in a way that embraces Anthony White's love for the horror genre in crafting this film. It doesn't shy away from letting the audience see his influences as a filmmaker. However there's plenty of originality in there that separates it from the average slasher film.
The locations are great and refreshing for anyone international who's interested by the Irish landscape as there is a lot of folkloric buildings and distinct rural Ireland countryside. There is a lot of inventive camera movements and excellent cinematography here too.
The soundtrack and score for this film is excellent and really is a throwback to old school horror films of the 70's & 80's. There's always a constant sense of the supernatural present in this film even with the slasher body count the film does have some intriguing unanswered questions and really leaves you wondering what's all responsible and behind the evil that's lurking in the woods.
A lot of questions are answered by the films conclusion and it really pays off and gives the film justice for people who may not like slow burn horror films and are expecting a kill every 10 minutes. The ambiguity of the town and wooded area is more satisfying than having everything spelled out. The ending and final act really threw me off guard and explains the opening scene and events that took place. It was really clever and loved the whole secret society occult direction that the film shifted in.
There's really a hammer horror vibe to this with Texas chainsaw blended together. It goes to show with enough imagination even films with a lower budget can really have the same effect on the audience that a blockbuster horror can and this is evident on screen. When a filmmaker like Anthony White has a clear vision and creativity it shines through and avoids films that are completely cliche with nothing new to offer the genre. The Devil's Woods is definitely something more fresh and ambitious than countless other films you see on the Horror Channel etc from other independent filmmakers. One to watch for any horror fan looking for the classic old school approach that is fun viewing and also some intelligent ideas thrown in.
The Girl Who Wasn't Missing (2011)
Unapologetic, Trashy, yet Devastatingly realistic
This isn't for everyone but those who are aware of Shane Ryan's work will know that he goes for tragic realism especially surrounding characters living in dire situations. The film follows a young woman who is homeless and is raped and impregnated which it's impossible to not feel empathy for the character. She has no support from anyone even her family who don't want her around due to her lifestyle.
She is forced to wander the streets, sleep rough and try make it through another day. She cries to herself countless times but it's her only form of release as afterwards she must continue to survive another day.
There is alot of shaky cam which gives the film a voyeuristic feel and it makes it even more unsettling as it's like us the viewer is present to witness all the trauma the girl in this film has to endure. The scariest thing about this film is the realisation that this type of life has befell many people and will continue to do so. There is very little hope or redeeming factors for the character who just seems to be forever caught in a nightmare.
This is what makes Shane Ryan's films so effective in that he doesn't sugar coat or hold back in giving people the harsh truths about society that we tend to ignore and not give a second thought about.
Dacryphilia + Hematolagnia (2019)
Bizzarely stylish, dark toned and visually breath taking.
Shane Ryan's short films have such a mysterious quality about them from their abstract structure. Yet despite not being fully able to comprehend the meaning behind some of his deeper work it's impossible to not be amazed on the visuals he creates.
From compared to his earlier work like the found footage Amateur Porn Star Killer trilogy, here Shane Ryan shows much more credibility in his creative output in his more recent work like his other shorts Paper Kids and Guerrilla and this film is no different.
The dreary atmosphere lasts the entire run time and this stylish gothic approach to horror and even at times the pacing of the editing gives this a music video like quality. So much is packed into this short that any viewer will feel intrigued and disturbed by this film.
Guerrilla (2018)
Impossible to debate Shane Ryan's intensity as a filmmaker... Captures the spirit of 80's cinema in all departments
In Guerrilla it switches between a handful of different scenarios each one with their own distinctive tone almost like an anthology. Shane Ryan really throws his heart and soul into his work and you get a wave of feeling different emotions which alot of filmmakers can't achieve.
His use of music, costume and set designs transports you back into the 1980's and style of fonts and visual effects just perfectly display it as an authentic period piece. It acts more of a love letter for Shane's obvious appreciation for 80's cinema, pop culture and music.
There are times you can feel Ryan's vulnerability and innocence in his work but never get comfortable because he can shift it completely into depravity and mayhem and then do it all over again feeling a roller-coaster of emotions. Also alot of the Cinematography is so effective and visually stunning on the eyes.
Even with Shane Ryan's lack of budget in his films, his capabilities are a force to be reckoned with and anyone who watches this film or any of his other work will be left with a lasting impression as he always manages to create films that have a profound impact on the viewer. In a time when cinema can seem jaded and repetitive this is a refreshing experience for anyone who appreciates the art form of cinema.
Paper Kids (2016)
Unsettling and makes you reflect on how life as kids determines our role in society
This film definitely has an art house feel to and is not an easy watch but in an effective way. Shane Ryan really knows how to strike a nerve in a viewer and here is proof.
The film follows a group of youths who are not connected in the plot they are all on their own life's journey, none of which are pleasant. There is a very soothing relaxing score played for the first 13 minutes or so. Despite some visuals of melancholic looking kids going through their every day life, the film still keeps a tranquil feel to it.
However that all changes and becomes the gritty reality that seems to be a key signature in Shane Ryan's work. These kids are all shown to live dysfunctional existences, which causes them to act out in destructive ways such as prostitution, violence, self harm and murder. It's evident the kids have no support system or stable upbringing which causes them to wander into living dangerously.
What the film doesn't have is a plot or any dialogue but it's not needed, the message will be slapped in any viewers face. Some of the visuals in this film are simply fantastic and the Cinematography has moments of pure excellence. It's an important message shining a light on the darkness of humanity and how impressionable and damaged people can be at an early age.