BLACK EVE

Years before the dawn of torture porn; years before horror was reduced  to dismissing the need for scares and reducing the genre to gross out masochistic blood fests, the slasher genre ruled.  From Halloween in 1978 on, tales of killers stalking the youth of a community dominated the box office.

Black Eve (dir by Ryan Andrews) brings this genre back with a vengeance.  He weaved a complicated tale about a killer running rampant through a party of teenagers.  While avoiding spoilers, all I can say is that the set up isn't the story and Andrews does an excellent job of taking us down a spiral of terror that is both physical and psychological.

Ryan Andrews weaves a narrative that is reminiscent of the slasher classics that came before while forging new ground in terror.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1594913/

http://www.facebook.com/BlackEveMovie

STARTED OUT DARK, ENDED UP TWITCHY

I started writing this blog in somewhat of a dark place. For the first time since doing this, I asked myself “what's the point?” Abram's Hand was denied for the first time in a festival. Not upset about not getting in necessarily, but bummed because I was again faced that this isn't always about talent or who's film is better. It's about connections. It's about names. It's about money. And then talent.

I didn't necessarily mind the idea of not playing the fest. It's one of those things. And in the past year, we had more than our share of successes. But the list of films comes out and you see remakes of TV shows and such...well, I went a little Vader after Padme died. “Nooooooo!” This isn't to say I felt that about every film that got in. Not at all. Ya'Ke's film WOLF is premiering there. I'm in awe of him as a director. I was his student at Texas and I think he's got a brilliant eye. It deserves the honor. And I saw Gayby at SlamDance as a short and am excited to see the full thing.

So, again, I was asking “what's the point?”

The point is to realize this: “They” want me to quit. So, the minute I do, it lets them win. Gives them one less obstacle too block their way. So, the key is to gut through the disappointment and set backs and find a new angle of positivity. New energy to work harder. So, while the point of the blog was originally to rail against the unfairness of the situation, I'm gonna go with a more positive tone. Focus on how I'm going to keep my energy and positivity.

1. My wife. I cannot say enough about what she means to me and what she's done to help us grow.  She's beautiful, genuine and the sweetest person I know.  Truly a better person than I.
2. The Twitchy owners: Chris Copple shoots a movie better than most people I know. And really helps keep me moving. Especially when I need my meds.  Or when our backs are against the wall.  And Nathan Bybee has a unique way of staying positive just when I need him to be.
3. The Twitchy Folks: People like: Stephanie Dunbar, Terissa Kelton, Natalie Wilemon, Richard Jones, Caitlin Sweeney, Brandi Blevins, Francis Casanova, Sonia Melendez, Aaron Gaudin, Will Cooper, Billy and Elizabeth Kring, Colby Wallingsford, Christen Holder, Derick Morris, Ashley Serrao, Vanessa Perry, Benjamin Jabe, Phillip Emmanuel, Conrad Gonzales, Allison Wood, Mark McCarver, Orion Gallagher, Jenn Nicole and so many others. Even Jimmy Donovan. These folks have worked so hard on past projects and touched me with their talents and really humbled me with their effort.
4. The cast of 3 References. Full of new faces. So many talents. I'm as excited as heck to get started. Those guys are really, really funny.
5. The CineMafia. Our word for the other filmmakers who are “like” us. Gary Warren is a brother to me (even though he'd prefer to read the more angry version of this blog). Carlo Rodriguez is one of the hardest working guys I know. Janet Mayson brings such infectious enthusiasm to everything she does. Mike Donis is the same, just more Canadian. Sharon Wright is like an old school Hollywood starlet. Full of grace (and sometimes a foul mouth, which I love :-) Ford Austin is a guy who is just motivating to be around. And Marc Wasserman brings shots! (and so much more. The guy can act. And I have genuine love for that dude.) Scott and Kandi Duns are this amazing husband and wife couple that have gone all in for eachother like Jess and I have. All of these folks, including Koran Dunbar our new friend we just met wow me with their work ethic and creativity that I'm inspired to try and keep up.

So, that's where I'm left . It's always darkest before the dawn. And I honestly feel that I will get back to it tomorrow and be full speed ahead. For those of you who sign on to work with us, better keep up or get off the train completely. Cause we won't slow down and we're not afraid to run folks over.

Thought I'd link you guys to the members of the "CineMafia" for some insight into their projects and such.

TWITCHY DOLPHIN FLIX:

www.twitchydolphin.com

facebook.com/twitchydolphin

GARY WARREN:

facebook.com/pages/The-Path-of-Torment/136011754134

facebook.com/pages/The-Best-Laid-Schemes/226571961031?ref=ts

CARLO RODRIGUEZ:

www.gothicfilms.biz/

www.underdogs.com

JANET MAYSON:

www.woofnow.com

MIKE DONIS:

http://www.facebook.com/PeteWinningAndThePirates

SHARON WRIGHT:

http://www.shesalwayswright.com/

MARC WASSERMAN:

http://www.resipsaproductions.com/

FORD AUSTIN:

http://angrybabymonkey.com/main.html

SCOT & KANDI DUNS:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wild-Heart-Productions-LLC/171283396258609

KORAN DUNBAR:

http://www.greencastlethefilm.com/index.html

GREENCASTLE review

Since our films Look At MeAgain and Snatch 'N'Grab began their festival runs a year ago, I've seen hundreds of independent films. Some were good. Some were great. Most of the films were covered with the blood, sweat and tears of their filmmakers who put everything into their project. Some not so much. A few of the films stuck with me after the screening. One such film was Greencastle.  We were fortunate to be at the premiere of this film at the Idyllwild International Festival Of Cinema.

Set in Greencastle, PA, this film takes on a number of heavy topics. It covers issues dealing with single fatherhood, moving on after the loss of a spouse and how to grab a hold of your life's dreams while struggling with racial identity. It handles these issues with subtlety and delicacy, couching the story in a tale of love and forgiveness.

The film features a great cast that really brought a human face to the difficult challenges the story presented. Writer/Director Koran Dunbar plays Poitier Dunning, a widower whose life is slowing passing by. He struggles with keeping the momentum of his life going while trying to raise his son Julian, played by real life son Aurelius. These two have great chemistry on screen with Julian providing an emotion touchtone for Poitier. Both Koran and Aurelius create vivid characters that really allow the audience to connect with their struggle. Nikki Estridge's Leslie enters the story as a wounded woman running from her past and becomes a glimmer of a hopeful future for Julian and Poitier. Her naked portrayal of a woman just trying to get a new start is frank and touching. The film benefits from an amazing cast of supporting actors as well. Ralph Mauriello as Rocco is a breath of fresh air, the hardened, tough talking boss who really wants the best for Poitier. Christopher James stole every scene he was in as the Bradley Cooper-esque Rick.

The cast, combined with the honest simplicity of the story created a film that was impossible not to connect with. I was honored to be in the audience and I look forward to watching the audience of Greencastle grow. Any one complaining about reboots or remakes in Hollywood need to check out this film and others like it. The originality and honesty of our film culture is out there. We just need to find it. And the journey can begin with films like Greencastle.  And it can continue with films from the likes of Gary C. Warren, Gothic Films, Sharon Wright, Mike Donis, Janet Mayson Marc Wasserman, Ford Austin and Underdogs.com.  They make movies with nothing but a love of film and desire to tell a story.  Or, all that you need.

James Christopher

President, Twitchy Dolphin Flix

www.twitchydolphin.com