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Reviews
Echo 8 (2024)
Give it a shot!
ECHO 8 is definitely one of those independent action films that merits the attention of its target audience. Filmed extensively during one of the worst moments in this world's history, this film is an exemplary, spirited labor of dauntless DIY creativity and endurance. Maria Tran and Takashi Hara and their team on this project are proof of the potency of Australia's local indie film scene, having built up their momentum for some time now in the shortfilm arena, and through a series of global collaborations with other creatives, and with two more entries in toe for the ECHO 8 trilogy, I'm excited to see what they can cook after this year.
Layers of Lies (2022)
Ramin Sohrab's Official Calling Card To Action Stardom
Ramin Sohrab first landed on my radar when Screen Anarchy (branded Twitchfilm at the time) first broke a proof of concept he did titled "Malek". That right there, if nothing else, was proof that a star was in the making. LAYERS OF LIES is the result of a ten-year effort in that push to bring another name to the forefront of action movie fandom, and it's kind of surprising that a film like this would be met with any sort of dominantly negative criticism, let alone the exhausting hurdles and life-risking stakes to make an action film a reality.
Sohrab's debut, on both sides of the lens no less, deserves all the praise it can get. If you're a fan of modern action and regularly tout screen legends ranging from Jackie Chan and Jet Li to the likes of Johnny Yong Bosch and Marcus Shakesheff, then LAYERS OF LIES is undoubtedly worth the watch, and the fan chatter.
The 44th Chamber of Shaolin (2023)
This Is Only The Beginning
I've followed Jon Truei's work for years - namely since the early days of online indie martial arts action fandom - and this latest short stands to gain plentily from his creative ambition for an inspired audience craving Kung Fu movie concepts that more than surpass expectations. 44th Chamber Of Shaolin is an energetic, inspired and bold experiment in modern day martial arts comedy storytelling, and anyone with exponential taste in genre film can appreciate what Truei and his team are going for. Let's see what this story delivers in a feature framework with an even larger budget and bigger canvas for Truei to play on!
The Vigilante (2023)
A Propulsive Rescue Actioner Told Through A Raw, Chilling Lens
Lee Whittaker's decade-long effort into filmmaking now brings us THE VIGILANTE (f.k.a. AIMEE) his feature debut starring Jet Jandreau as a former soldier battling PTSD as she is forced to take up arms against America's human trafficking underground when her younger sister (played by Jamie Timmons) is violently kidnapped.
Through nimble writing, a shrewd and flexible approach to direction, and proven adaptability in multiple areas of his craft, Lee Whittaker's THE VIGILANTE quickly subdues any notion that he isn't ready to be taken seriously as a burgeoning filmmaker with stories to tell of his own. Clearly, he is.