Peter Haynes
47 Reviews
Reviews
RoboRevenge
The second funniest film of the night, and my first 'wish I'd thought of that moment' ...short, and constantly inventive, I actually wanted this film to keep going. I wanted to see the trailer!
Indoors, with Geoff
If there's one thing that's as much a tradition in 48hours as render crashes and bad sound, its straight guys doing awkward, giggly homosexual humour. This was a fairly inoffensive example of this sub-genre, but then again maybe I've seen too many 48hours films for many things to offend/shock me anymore. On a positive note, the two leads performed well, and the location was very cool.
Surcease
As always, Hybrid's film looked absolutely stunning, and was fairly flawless technically, but it just seemed to be missing....something. I felt that the whole story could have been compressed into the first minute, and a far more interesting film could have been made out of the aftermath of the main couples decision to throw away their technology, and the repercussions of that. Having said that, I think that 'Inspirational' is probably the hardest genre this year, and I'm glad I dodged that particular bullet.
Distortia
Hmmm...not really a fan. The lead actor was suitably creepy, but as for the rest....a bunch of emo looking teenage emoting to the camera doesn't really make a horror. (Which I'm assuming this was) . Having said that, there was some nice editing in evidence, and a genuine attempt to generate an atmosphere.
Glow
What's been really interesting over the years is watching the regular teams as they gain experience and, let's face it, get older, have a go at the dreaded 'Serious Film'. Memory fails me if this is Del Sur's first attempt, but man, it's a stunner. For a start, its the only film so far (Admittedly I haven't seen that many) Where the leaves are actually used as a relevant, subtle and quite beautiful plot point. The lead performance is compelling, and the final twist wraps the whole thing up perfectly. Del Sur brought their A game for year 10, and I fully expect to see it again at the final.
Who Gets To Go?
This short had a great concept to begin with, and it's actually a shame that it wasn't expanded and explored beyond the slapstick violence. Having said that, it was a lot of fun in classic 48 hours style, and the end twist (Which was fairly obvious on reflection, but still worked) wrapped up the film well.
Junkie
Well shot, if slightly inconsistent in quality. Had a good, mostly clear storyline, which seems to be one of the hardest things to pull off in 48 hours.
Indoors, with Geoff
If there's one thing that's as much a tradition in 48hours as render crashes and bad sound, its straight guys doing awkward, giggly homosexual humour. This was a fairly inoffensive example of this sub-genre, but then again maybe I've seen too many 48hours films for many things to offend/shock me anymore. On a positive note, the two leads performed well, and the location was very cool.
Headshot
Who thought they wouldn't produce the goods? I was never in much doubt. From the moment the lead let that first fart slip I knew they had another winner. Great performances and a clever story. The only suggestion I would have is that maybe the montage of different subjects could have come at the beginning of the film rather than the middle, it felt a little strange where it was, but thats a minor quibble. An almost certain finalist.
Apple Bobbing (robbing)
Nicely shot and well acted, buuuuuuttt....left me a little cold. Not sure why. Maybe it's because I've been broken into before and find it hard to see housebreakers as sympathetic characters. The twist was a little odd, and maybe could have used a little more clarification.
Love Story Sessions
God, I so wanted to like it as much as 'Headshot', buuuuuut....not so much this year. It's not to say it was a bad film, it was still well made, well acted and well scripted, but it just didn't tie up the story as neatly as last years film. In fact, the ending, although funny, seemed just to come out of nowhere, as if the team weren't sure how to wrap it up. Once again, like Hybrid getting Inspirational, Romantic comedy isn't a genre I would wish on anyone, so well done with a tough draw.
Query
I found my attention wavering here....it seems unkind to say, but this film fell in the middle ground between being good enough to be interesting and bad enough to be funny, and just ending up being a little boring. Sorry guys.
Junkie
Well shot, if slightly inconsistent in quality. Had a good, mostly clear storyline, which seems to be one of the hardest things to pull off in 48 hours.
Nearest and Dearest
This was a good film, well written and structured. With age appropriate actors, it could have been a real contender.
Who Gets To Go?
This short had a great concept to begin with, and it's actually a shame that it wasn't expanded and explored beyond the slapstick violence. Having said that, it was a lot of fun in classic 48 hours style, and the end twist (Which was fairly obvious on reflection, but still worked) wrapped up the film well.
Cerebral Occupation
Another film with a really strong central idea, let down a little by its production values. Still, it was always clear what was happening and where the story was going, which is especially difficult in something like a body switch film. I felt like I wanted to see a little more of the lead character inside the bodies he was inhabiting....it always felt a bit brief (Which I know was part of the story), and Bobby Young seemed to come a little out of the blue. A little bit of a set up there could have been nice (Flashback)? Still, a solid effort.
Ratty Crack Bride: The Ballad Of Nicky Brick
Animation, especially hand drawn animation is always going to get my admiration in a 48 hours contest, and this sketchy little cartoon is no exception. I did feel, however, that it went on a little too long for my tastes, and reused the same shots a few too many times.
17
I was gutted to have missed half of this due to a coughing fit that forced me from the cinema, but what I did see looked amazing. Well done Halcyon, we'll see you at the finals one year (Maybe this year?)
Ratty Crack Bride: The Ballad Of Nicky Brick
Animation, especially hand drawn animation is always going to get my admiration in a 48 hours contest, and this sketchy little cartoon is no exception. I did feel, however, that it went on a little too long for my tastes, and reused the same shots a few too many times.
Glow
What's been really interesting over the years is watching the regular teams as they gain experience and, let's face it, get older, have a go at the dreaded 'Serious Film'. Memory fails me if this is Del Sur's first attempt, but man, it's a stunner. For a start, its the only film so far (Admittedly I haven't seen that many) Where the leaves are actually used as a relevant, subtle and quite beautiful plot point. The lead performance is compelling, and the final twist wraps the whole thing up perfectly. Del Sur brought their A game for year 10, and I fully expect to see it again at the final.
The Prophet
Once again, no real story but visually pretty cool. As an exercise in makeup and costume design, this film actually delivers the goods, and generates quite a moody, creepy atmosphere along the way. The lead actor was particularly good.
Brick's Quest
My second favourite film of the night, but I'm a sucker for lego and animation. Cute, pacy and funny, another good showing from these veterans. Finalist? Maybe.
Meet-Cute
As the team name suggests, this film was cute, with some well made puppets. I'm not sure if it was 'technically' one shot, but it was disqualified anyway, so it doesn't really matter. Best use of slo mo falling leaf shot yet.
Subject 57
Good, funny little short which I found particularly amusing because they must have been filming just around the corner from us in Torbay at one point. :)
Love has no Music
This film was cute, and pretty heartfelt, so going into it's technical deficiencies would feel like kicking a puppy (A cute Rotty Puppy). You could tell it was a very honest and non-cynical film, so it kind of won me over because of that. Also the lead boy was very good.
Open, Closed Doors
This film was made a success by it's lead actor, who was absolutely hilarious and totally committed to the part. The compositing was also impressive, given the hand held camera, and although the ending was a little predictable, the journey was worth it. My third favourite film of the night.
Charon
Was kind of a little meh about this.....it started out with an interesting premise, and the two leads were trying really hard (And succeeding for the most part) but it didn't really go anywhere. I don't know, maybe it needed more of a theme? A message? Something to say about life and death? Some of the dialogue was clever, but fairly generic. I wanted to like it more than I did, mostly because of the actors. And it really wasn't a horror.