Friday, January 23, 2015

Everly Movie Review

  
Ever since the sultry, Mexican Minx Salma Hayek was in the film 'Dusk To Dawn' as the salacious snake wielding stripper Satanico Pandemonium almost 20 years ago, every red blooded male has wanted her to do a full fledged action film. Trust me, whatever any of my valued readers are doing this moment, with the possible exception of giving birth or saving a life, nothing is more important than dropping what you are doing and watch 'Everly'. Be warned, this is the most violent twisted, sadistic, maniacal, unabashed, audacious, and crazy action film you will EVER see.

The film opens with Everly (Salma Hayek) in the bathroom, searching for her gun, which is in the water tank of the toilet. She is being hunted by her mob boss ex, and is told that she must die tonight. In fact the whole film is a series of events designed to torture and eventually kill her. Obviously she stole some money from the mob, and a series of ever more powerful bosses and killers are sent after her.

Photos Below: (C) 2014 Crime Scene Pictures used for film review only.

Salma, is in raw form, sexy, bloody, and aggressive. Everly oozes sexual energy without the sex acts. One by one, Everly is forced to combat a series of very bad people, starting with, whom else, maniacal prostitutes, hell bent on violence, pain, and very high heels! Serious, the first set of people sent to kill Everly are hired hooker assassins, complete with false eyelashes, hair, and dangerous weapons, including one crazy check with Sais! Then the movie really starts to get crazy, after the hooker army are dispatched, watch for a sadist, a masochist, and the neighbor from hell haha! etc...!

The torrid pace slows down a bit when Everly's daughter is introduced to the fray. The threats continue with her mother and daughter added in the mix. The action ramps up as does the body count.

Hayek really surprises here, even as Satanico Pandemonium, she never elevated more then a sex object, someone to get the men titillated. In 'Evelry' Hayek is an wild tiger, a hell cat, seething with boundless energy. I figured after Salma got married to a billionaire and had a child, her desire to have a celluloid impact would diminish, happy to report, that is definitely not the case.

Salma seems hungry, and ready to return to the acting field. 'Everly' represents a new start, and a career defining moment for her. I am sure she will return to do "regular" films, comedies, dramas etc... 'Everly' will stand alone, as her coming out party of action and rage, and sets a new standard for the younger action actresses to follow.

Shooting an entire film in one location can be quite tricky and have less than desired results. Director Joe Lynch makes sure that the apartment where Everly is trapped in has many nooks and crannies, and is shot from a wide variety of angles and perspectives. 'Everly' makes the viewer feel claustrophobic, but never trapped, as there always is an escape route, even if only being shown on cameras mounted throughout the apartment building. Everly wants to escape, she feels she has to, but cannot.



The use of a variety of lighting and sepia tones in 'Everly' sets the mood. This is a place where many will die tonight, and we the viewers sit and watch like voyeurs to the mayhem. Everly is a wicked and violent lady, however she has a caring heart for her family, to witness Salma's emotional roller coaster is obviously Oscar worthy, but hell, no member of the academy would have the balls to watch the film, much less give her a best actress nod.

The 92 minute film feels drawn out, a minor gripe, if that can be believed, many "false endings", keep watching, though, and your senses will be rewarded. 'Everly' is a force of nature film, a whirlwind of wildness, that makes 'Kill Bill' and 'Sin City' seem like romantic comedies. Get ready to take a walk on the wild side with Salma, and whoa that is one side I would steer clear of if I was a bad guy!



'Everly' rates a must buy on the brutal scale, a solid 8.5 out of 10. Word of warning, this is such a violent sadistic film, if you have children under 18, I suggest that best to leave them with a babysitter for the evening.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Hansel Vs. Gretel (2015) Movie Review

 Above Photo: DVD cover of Hansel Vs. Gretel (C) 2015 The Asylum

Have to hand it to the good folks at The Asylum, for daringly creating mock-busters of unusual proportions. Hansel Vs. Gretel is a bizarre take on the classic children's tale. Gretel falls under a spell from a wiches coven and Hansel has to stop them and break the spell.


'Hansel Vs. Gretel' actually has a decent idea, sadly once again the film fails to deliver the desired result. The movie has some action, some horror, and a bit of intrigue, but not enough of any one category to take it above the average Asylum movie fare.

Above Photo: Adinett in 'Hansel Vs Gretel' as Morai (C) 2015 The Asylum.


Obviously, the actress who plays Gretel (  tries to work with the source material and manages to turn in a decent performance, but the weak script really bogs the film down. My favorite actress in the film is definitely  she plays Morai. Her character is a high priestess, she is aggressive and lustful. Adinett   gave a full effort, and her short time on the screen was enjoyable.

The story in 'Handel Vs. Gretel' is somewhat disjointed, and the pacing is off. There is a bit of action and suspense, never enough of any one thing, i.e action, suspense or gore and creepy material to elevate Hansel Vs Gretel to a high entertainment level. In addition, unlike the theatrical 'Hansel and Gretel' film, The Asylum film had no fun factor, the characters were neither likable nor salacious enough to make for an enjoyable experience.

Sadly 'Hansel Vs. Gretel' fails to create the desired result for it's concept, it is tepid mockbuster, that is unlike any of the source material . Realistically the film would be a minimal rent only, and rates a 4.5 out of 10.





Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Upcoming on Dan's Movie Report: Gumi Ho! Action! Exclusive!


Above Poster: (C) 2015 Jeff Centuari exclusive for Dan's Movie Report!


Above Photo: (C) 2014 Mario Marin Pasamonte for Dan's Movie Report

Above Photo: Gumi Ho with a sword. (C) 2014 Jeff Centauri, a Dan's Movie Report Exclusive!


Below Photo: Gumi Ho in a red dress. (C) 2014 Jeff Centauri, a Dan's Movie Report Exclusive!




Greetings valued Dan's Movie Report readers. In the interest of bringing my readers new and exclusive material from around the world, I travel far and wide looking for fresh new talent. Today's up and coming action star is from the Philippines, and her name is Gumi Ho. Gumi, is a varsity Taekwondo student, and currently she is working on an upcoming competition.

Above Photo: Gumi Ho Martial Arts Training

Gumi first came to my attention from Jeff Centauri, as he hired her to be in his action short film 'Pinay Rival'.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whcODLDXSRs Gumi is a fresh, raw talent, still honing her skills, on her way up, and hungry for success. Gumi likes action, and is ready to mix it up on film in the near future.

Catch up with Gumi on these websites:

Facebook @  https://www.facebook.com/www.modelgumiho.com.ph
Official site @  www.modelgumiho.com


For all of Jeff Centauri's happenings check out his official Youtube page @ https://www.youtube.com/user/hollywoodninja

Keep reading Dan's Movie Report in 2015 for a feature interview with Gumi, and of course more exclusive photos!

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Eric Jacobus Interview For Rope A Dope 2 (Exclusive!) (C) 2015 Dan's Movie Report


Update January 29th 2015! New Eric Action Reel has arrived! https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-cl=85027636&x-yt-ts=1422503916&v=9AFMQcoGowY

Hard to believe it has been over a decade since I first wrote about Eric Jacobus and The Stunt People. Eric is a true innovator in short films, after out interview last year http://dansmoviereport.blogspot.com/2014/06/eric-jacobus-interview-c-2014-dans.html  I chatted with him and decided the time is right to complete a Rope A Dope 2 chat, and delve deep into the mind of madness, and travel down the rabbit hole of action it is time to grab a cane, a frying pan, and sit down and listen to the textual maleficence that is Eric!

Ok! Eric, let us get right into it, tell my audience what made you decide to revisit the Rope A Dope theme and do a second one?

After I made the first one, everyone would tell me, "Eric, it's so awesome that you just played a total idiot in a movie! It's so you! You should do a sequel!" I guess you do what works! Plus we alluded to a sequel at the end of Rope A Dope 1. My producer Clayton Barber knew we could make a killer short, and I set out to really improve upon the first installment in the action and comedy department. Clayton comes with a ton of experience in the professional stunt and producing world. We're building a brand with these films - action guys making action movies.

Three Photos Below: All (C) 2015 Andria Lo, exclusively for Dan's Movie Report.

 
I know there was an issue of the robbery, I realize equipment was stolen, how much of the footage was missing? Did you have to do re-shoots?

We shot maybe 3 hours that day, not a huge loss. But the worst part is there was footage of me doing a triple back-flip quadruple twisting corkscrew butterfly sideswipe while juggling 5 chainsaws and landing on an egg without breaking it, but the proof of that is long gone now. Sorry! And yes we had to re-shoot that scene, but we used a different actor and did it on Treasure Island. There were people on Treasure Island who wanted to steal our camera too, but we came armed with AK47s and rocket launchers so nobody messed with us.

Enough on that, ok I get it, BTW Michelle Lee has an AK47 and is adorable, I see you are well armed and well off kilter with humor. I noticed the addition of a lovely lady into the fray Ashley, was she a role that was auditioned for, or written into the script, with her in mind?

I've been waiting to put Ashley in something for a while, it was my pleasure. The guys got all flipped out when they found out Ashley wasn't wearing any pads for her falls. I forced her to wear some. Bridger Fox did a bang-up job too. The two of the know how to wreck hard, but they're in it for the films. That's what makes a great stuntman or stunt woman - doing the wrecks for the project, not for yourself.


Chat about having women in action films, not your films necessarily, I think the landscape is changing positively for female action stars to emerge.

 My favorite female action stars are from my childhood. I think Ripley in Alien and Aliens is the best female action heroine of all time because her motivations really made sense. I like rooting for the guy next door, the underdog. I feel the same way about female action heroes. I actually wish there was more of a focus on female underdog action stars these days, and they don't have to be funny, just underdogs. Julia did that really well with an alcoholic, overly-driven woman who suddenly has to take care of someone's kid. Even the girl in Pan's Labyrith was a throwback to Jennifer Connelly in Henson's Labyrinth, a small town girl in over her head. That kind of character really reaches across the aisle and could be made even better if she's physically capable. The question is whether a stunt woman would be willing to play a vulnerable character. If so, that'd be freaking awesome.

Rope A Dope 2 is almost 18 minutes, and has no dialogue, discuss the art of non communication, in the film. I am assuming the comedy and action tell the story,  I liken it to a silent film of the 20s, but yours has 80s themes.

I'm just funnier when I move around. I got bullied like everyone else and was never good at witty comebacks, so movement and physical comedy have always been my weapons. I was raised on Vaudeville comedies like The Three Stooges and Laurel and Hardy. Much of the dialog from that era is pretty dated, even Jackie's dialog is pretty forgettable, but the movement always stands the test of time. I want to make the same contribution.

I read your posts, are there possibilities for a feature length dialogue laden Rope A Dope film?

I'm gonna fall back on non-verbal communication for this one and just say "".

I know this is non Rope A Dope related, have you heard about the 3rd season of Mortal Kombat Legacy?

There's a 3rd Season of Mortal Kombat Legacy? Am I in it? Please tell me, I'd love to know.

Back to Rope A Dope, do you feel that the humor in the film is as important as the action, more important than the action, or it does not matter more of a an individual opinion?

The comedy is the centerpiece of the story for us. That's what we hang our hat (and cane) on. We serve the martial artists with the action and I put the same effort into that as the comedy, but we tell stories the same way Jackie Chan and Chaplin did - through set pieces and gags. Sometimes I use martial arts to solve puzzles, like the final move (the "jack-sweep") against Dennis, but that's still a comedic callback to when Ken was kicking him every day in the ring. I managed to convey a martial arts-based gag to non-martial artists. I considered that a major victory.


Speaking of other short film makers, who do you watch for, when you are not working on your own films?

I'm always watching the Facebook feed. The indie stunt world is so big now. Gui DaSilva, Tim Man, Brendan Huor, Xin Wuku, and Alvin Hsing are marvels to watch. Samantha Jo, Michelle Lee, and Mickey Facchinello are stars in the making I hope. Vlad Rimburg and Emmanuel Manzanares are really pushing the limits with their choreography. The Young Masters and Martial Club nail the traditional style, and EMC Monkeys and Mag Fighters do great modern work. I feel like I'm just rattling names off the top of my head and I'll think of ten more when this article is published, and there are so many other talented groups and players out there. Lee Golden's Film Combat Syndicate at filmcombatsyndicate. blogspot. com does weekly reports on all the latest videos and I encourage martial art movie fans to check it out. Each week there's always something spectacular.

How about feature films? Have you been approached to either be in one, or turn one of your films to be expanded?

There are some feature film projects in the pipeline right now, but if I told you more I'd have to kill you.


Chat about the changing landscape for distrubution for short films, seems like Youtube is the primary, and prospective to do a Rope A Dope DVD with both films and behind the scenes?

I think the dream of making a living off YouTube is fading for most martial art filmmakers because it's just not the right model, but it's been the best place for us to get exposure. Before YouTube came around we had to buy FTP space and pay for bandwidth overcharges and encode our videos at 320x240 15fps to conserve space. It was a nightmare. Back then, we got noticed because we had a short film on the Everyone Is Kung Fu Fighting compilation DVD made by Jeff Centauri. That's how I got my first gig, which led me to the investor for Contour, which put us on the map and got me to where I am now. So I owe a lot to that old model, but YouTube really saved us all.
 

It gets tricky now, though, because the technology that enabled YouTube is making hard media obsolete, and it's the same technology that's dropping the barriers to entry into the film making market, so monetization is only going to get harder. Film making will probably become more like painting and photography where it stops being a means to make a quick million and retire. Now it's a lifestyle, and the only people who can survive in this market are the ones who both commit to it and find their voice. Those are both very difficult.

As for Rope A Dope on DVD, you can buy a DVD of the first one at our online store here http://stuntpeoplestore.bigcartel.com and we'll probably do another DVD for Rope A Dope 2 before Comic-Con this summer.

Wrapping up, chat about the future goals of The Stunt People. Do you feel that feature films are the next step? Perhaps chat about some of the future projects in the works in The Stunt People?

The Stunt People will go on as the brand of the stunt team, not the production company, since it never really was a production company. Clayton and I have become that, so you'll see a lot of Barber Jacobus Productions in association with The Stunt People the way Rope A Dope 1 and 2 were. Barber Jacobus will push on with more short films, and I've got a few old SP projects on the backburner that just need to be edited, but all the shorts I do will go onto the /stuntpeople YouTube channel. And in 30 minutes I'm heading to gym to work more on The Kicktionary Volume 2.


Eric Jacobus Official Website: http://ericjacobus.com