The Echo Game Movie Review

After seeing the trailer for this The Echo Game, I was interested in checking out the psychological slasher film. The plot of a psychotic Doctor killing all the ex-patients of a project called the Echo Game, and trying to steal their powers of projection, sounds intriguing, however this movie misses the mark a bit in horror, and as a thriller there is too much explanation, and not enough happening to keep it interesting throughout the 75 minute film.

The acting is very uneven, which drags down the story, and particularly I did not care for any of the evil characters, they just were not scary enough, and their acting was rather stiff. The only way we found out their intentions was through a letter which was sent to the lead actress and read, to explain the story.

Some bright spots in The Echo Game however were the acting of the little girl Sarah played by (Melissa Lee) I thought as a young girl she put forth some emotion and was not as wooden as some of the other cast. Jeannie Bolet who played the wife of lead actress Alisha Seaton did the best she could with the limited material, showing emotion, and actually acting frightened when she was being hunted by Judy Clement's evil character Anne Cassavettes.

Jeannie Bolet as Casey Lin in The Echo Game

I really enjoyed the work of Helga the Hedgehog, the furry little round animal was so cute, and hit her marks crawling around on the little girl's bed, I did like that her credit in the films credit's crawl was before the director of photography. I am sure her diet of insects was doubled that shooting day!

Zelda The Hedgehog in character of Helga The Hedgehog!

Seriously though, for a first feature effort director Brian Feeney had very little resources, only 15 days to shoot the film, and some inexperienced actors. This is a watchable film, with some interesting elements of the slasher-horror genre that with a bit of more time and money, could have been developed further. The Echo Game conceptually was a decent idea, but never quite materialized into the movie it could have been. I rate this film a rent and a 5 out of 10.

The film comes out on DVD September 27th, from MTI Home Video. http://www.mtihomevideo.com

Official site for the film and other projects by the same production company Lead Balloon is http://www.leadballoonpictures.com/ On that site there is quite a few cool short films and other news about The Echo Game

Actress/Musican Eileen Daly shows her thorns in new film "Rose"

"Rose" is currently filming in the UK. Actress Eileen Daly, best known for the legendary 1998 vampire goth film "Razor Blade Smile" also wrote some of the music for the film, in addition to starring in it.

Eileen's band The Courtesans are currently writing new material and have appropriately scheduled a show for Halloween! For more information on Eileen's happenings impale your browsers to: http://www.eileendaly.net Below is a pic from her official site, Eileen is all ready for fun!

"Rose"

The Plot: ROSE knows only the moment and in every one of those moments she feels her flesh like a butcher handles meat. Her flesh bleeds and burns, her flesh is pain, her flesh earns her money to get things that hide the pain for a short, stolen brightness. Rose is a prostitute and BLONDIE is her pimp, a crime lord and his empire, his realm of Hellville collapses over a few days, and the catalyst is one of his whores, Rose a seemingly insignificant single mother and junkie. Rose is the secret lover of Blondie's right-hand man (TONY) and the only man he trusts to call friend. Tony is Blondie's chief enforcer and helps run the Hellville Club, he is also a bare-knuckle boxer, the fading reminder of a missed opportunity as a professional fighter. Rose desperate for a fix turns a trick for cash not knowing that Blondie is having her watched. ELLIE, Rose's daughter is in tow, a silent presence in her mother's dark world. Rose, Ellie and Tony, the three of them an imperfect little family bonded through pain and suffering struggle to escape to find a better part of the imperfect world to live in together. Rose must find the inner strength to reclaim her life and escape the hell that is Hellville.

Summary written by Stephen Loveless

Official Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/rosethefilm

For Eileen Daly's facebook page go to https://www.facebook.com/eileendaly#!/pages/Eileen-Daly/114907398539446?sk=wall

Watch Dan's Movie Report for future interview with Eileen Daly!

Classic Exclusive Interview: David Carradine from 2004! By Danny Templegod Excusive!

David Carradine at the 2004 South Florida Sci-Fi Anime Comic Convention on June 5th, 2004. (Danny Templegod Photo)

Photo: Danny Templegod-- Copyright 2004-- All Rights reserved EXCLUSIVE!



INTERVIEW: David Carradine on 'Kung Fu' & beyond

In the past year, cult film and television star David Carradine has seen his career revived after starring in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill. However, many television viewers still remember Carradine most fondly as Kwai Chang Caine, humble student of Shaolin who wandered the Old West for four seasons in Kung Fu (1972-75).

Warner Brothers briefly revived the series in 1992-93 as Kung Fu: The Legend Continues. In addition to starring in both series, Carradine has appeared in a number of cult film classics including Death Race 2000 (1975), Circle of Iron (1978), and Lone Wolf McQuade (1983) opposite Chuck Norris.

After meeting Carradine in person at the 2004 South Florida Sci-Fi Anime Comic Convention, Danny Templegod  hooked up with him for this interview where he talks briefly about Kung Fu and several post-Kill Bill projects.

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KFC: What was the deciding factor in reviving the Kung Fu series in the 90s?

David Carradine: The success of the '86 movie with Brandon Lee demanded some kind of continuation. Plus, I had always contemplated a modern version.

KFC: In your opinion, have technological advances taken away from the nuances of character development in today’s TV shows?

DC: No, I don't think so, although I watch very little television.

KFC: Are there any plans to continue the Kung Fu series, possibly with a new cast?

DC: There is always talk. There are three scripts kicking around [Warner Brothers]: a continuation of the original series, a sequel to Kung Fu; The Legend Continues, and one that happens in the future. Also, there is talk of a feature [film]. Two ways that could go: continuing the wanderings of Caine with the original cast, or retelling the story of the original pilot movie with a new Caine.

KFC: Now that the first season of the original series is on DVD are there plans for The Legend Continues to be released on DVD?

DC: Not that I know of.

KFC: How were you approached with the Kill Bill project?

DC: Got a call from Quentin. Simple as that.

KFC: Did you see some of yourself in the character of Bill?

DC: Definitely. Since Quentin wrote it for me, that was bound to be so.

KFC: How about the presentation of the project, do you think that the movie should have been split up for a theatrical release?

DC: It was either that or cut out a lot of good stuff. Besides, this way we get your eight bucks twice [laughs].

KFC: Is it more enjoyable for you to play the villain, rather than the hero?

DC: No.

KFC: Do you enjoy the balance of strong female characters in action films like Kill Bill?

DC: Yes, I dig it.

KFC: Let's talk about your most recent films. A synopsis on IMDB.com makes Last Goodbye sound like a vampire film. What's your role in it?

DC: No, its got nothing to do with vampires. It follows the lives of a bunch of young people as their lives intertwine. I play an imaginary friend.

KFC: You did voice work for Hair High, the latest project from cult animator George Plymptom. Was that a fun experience?

DC: Yes, I always enjoy working on cartoons. This was another project with family. My niece, Martha Plympton talked us into it.

KFC: Have you ever been approached to work on an animated martial arts film?

DC: Yes, there's been some talk of that. I was involved in a web cartoon of Kung Fu with WB a few years back.

KFC: Can you talk about working with your other niece, Ever Carradine, on a film called Dead and Breakfast?

DC: Well, I worked just one or two days on that picture. I did it because I'd never worked with Ever before. I also [did] Long Goodbye in order to work with my daughter, Kansas. That was not my first time [working] with her. She did two episodes of Kung Fu: The Legend Continues and we worked together on a movie called Open Fire.

I have several projects in mind for the future, but it's too early to talk about them. I can tease you a little, though, concerning a Western that would involve the entire family. That would be Kansas, Keith, Robert, Mike, Bruce, Ever, Martha, Calista, maybe Mariah, Sienna, and Free.

KFC: Thank you for taking time to conduct the interview.

DC: Glad to be of service.

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A new generation of viewers can now join longtime fans in reliving the complete first season of Kung Fu on DVD as a box set from Warner Home Video. Danny Shamon is a regular Kung Fu Cinema contributor and freelance writer.

2004.07.12

David Blyth talks "Wound" Exclusive Interview (C) 2011 Danny Shamon

David Blyth in the studio. Image taken from his official website.

Dan's Movie Report is proud to present an exclusive interview inside the mind of New Zealand's legendary horror director David Blyth. Mr Blyth is currently screening his soul-shattering, mind-binding film "Wound" worldwide, and took time out of his busy schedule to talk in detail about his thoughts on the production and some of his influences. For further background on all of David's projects past projects, please visit his official site http://davidblyth.com/ Currently the film is available worldwide for purchase directly from David, through his official website! Support the underground!

For the Trailer of "Wound" on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PujhKOajpGI


How long did the filming and post production on "Wound" take?

Wound was shot over 12 days in January 2010. Post production was from February to May. We got acceptance into Fantasia Fest Montreal and Fright Fest London in May 2010.

What was the approximate budget of "Wound"?

The actual budget cost is a commercially sensitive secret, let’s just say it’s low budget below US $300,000.

If you had 10 times the budget what would you change about the movie?

Nothing, other than paying the actors and key crew the money they deserved.

Did you have the two lead actresses in mind after you wrote the story, or were there several auditions?  Describe a bit about the audition process.

I did not have anybody in mind when I wrote the early drafts of Wound. Along with Producer Andrew Beattie we held auditions for the two female leads. The Tanya character was cast first, Te Kaea Beri. Te Kaea was already known to me through South Seas Film School, where I had been a part time tutor. The role of Susan was much harder to cast and after several hiccups, Te Kaea suggested I meet with Kate O’Rourke. We met and I instantly recognized that Kate had the power and focus to bring this troubled character alive.

76 minutes is a bit short for a film including closing credits, did you shoot a longer cut or did it just feel organic make the film this length initially?


I’m happy with the length of the film. There was no longer cut of the film. Only a few brief scenes were cut to strengthen the films focus. For me the film is like a fever dream, pictorial with many layers of mystery and meaning. I personally get physically uncomfortable watching three hour plus films. It can be uncomfortable like long haul air travel.

Cutting to the chase, is it your intention to convey that the entire movie except the very beginning and end is played out in her subconscious mind?

It is my intention to convey a series of shards from Susan’s mind, which ones you relegate to reality or unconscious projection is up to the viewers own life experience.


What was the significance of Susan being forced to drink coffee? Even after a second viewing I was not able to fully grasp the concept.

The Master forcing Susan to drink many cups of coffee, is to test her obedience in a physical way by denying her permission to go to the toilet to relieve herself. Ever been stuck in a traffic jam and needed to go. You will know the pain.

Did you intend the S&M club scene where she was bound by saran wrap represent the bonds inside her mind allegorically?

Yes the S and M scenes are allegory, but they also represent a mental dimension where both Susan and Tanya can connect with Ruth. Susan’s dead Mother.

Do you feel that the line between Susan's reality and her unconscious mind is blurred throughout the whole movie or just in certain scenes?

I like to think that the personal interpretation of the viewer, of what is real and what is unconscious is all that matters. This film does not follow the “Hollywood convention”, and does not provide a happy ending, but takes you on a unique mad journey into the unconscious where mystery and transformation await.

Did you intend to show Susan trying to function as a normal person at the end with her sales call job, or was that merely the last straw in her life and she was sick anyway?

Even when you are mentally unwell, you still have to pay your bills and make a living. Susan working in telephone sales is her attempt to stay connected to the real world. Telemarketing is also my worst fear if I ended up having to change jobs!

What are your favorite scenes in "Wound"?

My favorite scene is the fathers grave burial scene outside in the garden. Where Susan unloads the packages from the recycle bin. I call it the “meat and potatoes” scene. Jed Town’s haunting trumpet here highlights the brilliant sound design in Wound. ( Jed Town was the composer and played most of the instruments in the film except for the Harp.)

Was it your intention to make "Wound" delve into an air of ambiguity to allow for individual interpretation?

Yes I wanted to explore the unconscious and how a woman can be haunted by events in her past that may or may not be real. Also do we really have free will? Or are we hard wired and can generational disconnects be passed down through the family generation after generation?

Have you ever screened "Wound" and had people walk out of the theater, while you were present or ever heard of it second hand?

Yes I have been present at screenings of Wound where there have been walkouts, including within ten minutes of the film starting due to the castration scene.
All my horror films have provoked mixed reactions over the years and certainly walk outs have occurred with every one of them. This is not as disheartening as a Distributor fast forwarding through your film in front of you.

What are some of your favorite films? Directors?

Lost Highway
The Devils
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Enter the Void (Films)
Rubbers Lover
Jacobs Ladder
Belle de Jour
Evil Dead

David Lynch
Luis Bunuel (Directors)
Ken Russell
Tobe Hooper

What is your next project?

I am working on a new script as yet untitled. It will continue my interest in sexual fables involving demonic possession and an imploding family.


Follow "Wound" on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/#!/WoundNZFilm


This film is amazing and is currently my favorite film in 2011. Hopefully it will land on US shores soon.