Michael McLachlan
34 Reviews
Reviews
Ratty Crack Bride: The Ballad Of Nicky Brick
I'm amazed this film has only got one review so far, as I thought it was well done and was my 4th favorite of the night. The animation was nicely done and the script was clever, but it didn't work for me as a film, as it was more of a music video. Which says to me this team should be hitting up bands right now, as I think they could make some pretty cool music videos with their style. But the thing that really put me off was their team members talking during other peoples films and yelling out during their own film. There's being excited, and then there's just being rude...kids today huh. ;)
Love has no Music
I enjoyed this film for what it was, which felt like amateur film makers making a movie with a hard genre. But I actually really liked that it had a heart and soul to it, and that's something most 48 Hour films lack. Had a couple nice laughs as well which always helps.
Copy That
I'm a big fan of Lense Flare and was really looking forward to seeing this one but it didn't grab me like their past films have. This short was prettiest of the night and the first few shots of the guys running from the train looked pretty awesome. The story was solid but again wasn't as interesting as I thought it could be and the ending got a clearly unintentional laugh which is never a good sign. One of the best from the heat though.
A Letter To A Samurai
My 2nd fave of the night and really gutted for them that they were DQ. Really funny! Really well acted by the main guy! Some great looking shots! Let down though with the fight scene. I'm just a believer if you can't do something as good as the rest of the film then it's better to find a simpler way of getting the same idea across. Also the ending felt like it could have been stronger. Still my second favorite of the night and possible best DQ film award?
BROKEN SILENCE
This was my favorite film of the finals, and I can't get it through my head how they didn't win. This is a pitch perfect film in every way, and that's regardless of the fact it was done in only 48 hours. Add that factor into the mix and it was a no-brainer that it should have won. So on that note, I'm predicting that not only will it make the grand final, without the help of a PJ wild card this year, but it will take out the grand prize as well. This will go down as one of the all time best 48 hour films, and I hope like hell the commission picks up this film!
BROKEN SILENCE
This was my favorite film of the finals, and I can't get it through my head how they didn't win. This is a pitch perfect film in every way, and that's regardless of the fact it was done in only 48 hours. Add that factor into the mix and it was a no-brainer that it should have won. So on that note, I'm predicting that not only will it make the grand final, without the help of a PJ wild card this year, but it will take out the grand prize as well. This will go down as one of the all time best 48 hour films, and I hope like hell the commission picks up this film!
Indoors, with Geoff
This is a film I thought just didn't live up to its potential, as it had some cool things going for it. The two main characters were really good but I would have loved to see them developed more. Also the quick sex scene montage was well played and got some good laughs from being as short as it was. But it didn't have a strong enough ending I feel but shows good potential for their future films for sure.
Open, Closed Doors
I really enjoyed this film and was my 3rd favorite of the night. I think that mostly came from the lead actor whos commitment to the role really sold the idea. But I think it's main weakness is that it was a concept film rather than actually having a narrative or character journey. But still an entertaining watch!
Brick's Quest
My 2nd favorite film of the night and easily the funniest. It got off to a slow start but once I 'got' what they were going for I really enjoyed the ride. The triple montage and the death character were highlights for sure!
Charon
This is a film that shows the beginnings of some real talent with the people behind the camera. There were some nice visuals and some interesting story telling going on, but they didn't have the experience or skills to bring it all together in a cohesive film. But, there were some nice moments and makes it worth checking out for sure.
Swap
This was my 3rd favorite from the night and a great little story and nicely put together and told. It was a great concept and I think the only thing holding them back may have been some of the acting. Other then that I can see these guys doing pretty well in years to come.
Open, Closed Doors
I really enjoyed this film and was my 3rd favorite of the night. I think that mostly came from the lead actor whos commitment to the role really sold the idea. But I think it's main weakness is that it was a concept film rather than actually having a narrative or character journey. But still an entertaining watch!
Love has no Music
I enjoyed this film for what it was, which felt like amateur film makers making a movie with a hard genre. But I actually really liked that it had a heart and soul to it, and that's something most 48 Hour films lack. Had a couple nice laughs as well which always helps.
Swap
This was my 3rd favorite from the night and a great little story and nicely put together and told. It was a great concept and I think the only thing holding them back may have been some of the acting. Other then that I can see these guys doing pretty well in years to come.
You Muppet!
Ok so this is my own film and like I always do I'll review it honestly. It's my 4th 48 hour film and now my favourite of my teams films with 08 rating 7.5/10, 09 rating 8/10, 07 rating 8.5/10 and now 11 rating 9/10. Everything about the film making process of this film was just so easy and we had no issues and I honestly believe it shows on screen. I think we have a tight script, two great actors and really great comedy that works on more then just a shallow level. The technicals let me down with some soft focus and some slightly off eye lines, and I didn't even bother with a colour grade or in-depth sound mix, which in doing so means I got it in stress free at 5pm. I love it! My team loves it! And the crowd seemed to love it as well! Hope the reviewers did as well! :)
Natural Selection
I'm guessing this was a school team, and that they shot it at their school. So the first thing I though when I saw it was I wonder if the school was ok with the subject matter of gun battles in the class room. :) Nice effects though and some nice camera work but was let down with not really having a story, as it was really just a concept more then anything.
Brick's Quest
My 2nd favorite film of the night and easily the funniest. It got off to a slow start but once I 'got' what they were going for I really enjoyed the ride. The triple montage and the death character were highlights for sure!
The Dole
This film had some great comedy moments and told a very telling story of life on the dole, which I'm sure most film makers out there are more then familiar with. :) Lacked a solid structure but they kept the laughs coming and it easily had the best freeze frame of the night!
Ratty Crack Bride: The Ballad Of Nicky Brick
I'm amazed this film has only got one review so far, as I thought it was well done and was my 4th favorite of the night. The animation was nicely done and the script was clever, but it didn't work for me as a film, as it was more of a music video. Which says to me this team should be hitting up bands right now, as I think they could make some pretty cool music videos with their style. But the thing that really put me off was their team members talking during other peoples films and yelling out during their own film. There's being excited, and then there's just being rude...kids today huh. ;)
You Muppet!
Ok so this is my own film and like I always do I'll review it honestly. It's my 4th 48 hour film and now my favourite of my teams films with 08 rating 7.5/10, 09 rating 8/10, 07 rating 8.5/10 and now 11 rating 9/10. Everything about the film making process of this film was just so easy and we had no issues and I honestly believe it shows on screen. I think we have a tight script, two great actors and really great comedy that works on more then just a shallow level. The technicals let me down with some soft focus and some slightly off eye lines, and I didn't even bother with a colour grade or in-depth sound mix, which in doing so means I got it in stress free at 5pm. I love it! My team loves it! And the crowd seemed to love it as well! Hope the reviewers did as well! :)
A Letter To A Samurai
My 2nd fave of the night and really gutted for them that they were DQ. Really funny! Really well acted by the main guy! Some great looking shots! Let down though with the fight scene. I'm just a believer if you can't do something as good as the rest of the film then it's better to find a simpler way of getting the same idea across. Also the ending felt like it could have been stronger. Still my second favorite of the night and possible best DQ film award?
Apple Bobbing (robbing)
This was a film that I kept expecting to get better, but by the end I realised it just wasn't going to. It had elements of being something more than it was, but I think the slightly convoluted story got in the way of something that could have been really good if they kept it more simple.