Rotten Produce Pictures - AfterThought Review
By David W. Keffer, Rotten Produce Pictures
Afterthought, by 30 Something Productions, is a chilling rollercoaster with so many turns it'll make your head spin and leave you reeling. There are multiple interweaving storylines within the film, which gives the viewer as many questions as answers. The stark contradictions between characters allows for a dynamic plot in which the characters themselves further the movie.
Christy Dawson has had some troubling visions that become far more troubling when they connect with the murder of a local student. As Dawson becomes more intrigued with both the ghost in her vision as well as the brutal slaying of more students after a hockey game, the tale of intrigue sucks a viewer in and leaves them wanting all the answers.
As a moderate low-budget film, Afterthought gives moviegoers a believable set, characters, and, at points, plot. Though high-school thrillers have been hits in the past, Afterthought offers something new in a Nancy Drew sort of way. The film ties in both a supernatural element with a murder mystery, on its way to an ending that could have and probably should have been better foreshadowed. Well-filmed and generally well-edited (save for an extraneous conversation with girl and mom, and girl ironically driving a Zamboni as well as an awkward flashback), Afterthought receives a high rating for its technical, lighting, and composition qualities.
The actual script and storyline, however, receive only a moderate rating, as there are several holes in plot jumps such as a sudden revelation that one suspect had a key to the school when it could have easily been revealed in an earlier establishing shot. Also, there is the use of a psychic/psychologist who just happens to help the girl explain what she is seeing. This is awfully convenient, and could have easily been solved in multiple other ways that didn't add to the already extensive list of characters. Most of the minor characters could have been done away with completely, or diminished with the same effect, (i.e., too many officers, too many hockey players, mom, Elliot's dad), and thus allowing for more time and better development of the main characters.
That being said, the acting was generally well done, again, save for the police staff. Dawson, played by Gwendolyn Garver, portrayed a convincing part as both a skeptic as well as a believer. Both Elliot Smithe and his nemesis Kyle Walker also did well with their parts. The ages of the characters, however, did not completely set the scene for a high school. All four of the main characters appeared well into their 20s, obliterating the suspension of disbelief. But again to the credit of 30 Something Productions, it is difficult for any company to find talented and available young people who can work for low-budget wages in multiple locations.
Afterthought is a movie that I would certainly recommend to my friends. Despite the sometimes chaotic feel of the film, the technical quality combined with above average acting paints a chilling tale of supernatural intrigue. With a movie of this caliber, 30 Something Productions is well on their way to establishing a name for themselves both domestically and abroad, and I certainly look forward to more productions in the future.
Afterthought, by 30 Something Productions, is a chilling rollercoaster with so many turns it'll make your head spin and leave you reeling. There are multiple interweaving storylines within the film, which gives the viewer as many questions as answers. The stark contradictions between characters allows for a dynamic plot in which the characters themselves further the movie.
Christy Dawson has had some troubling visions that become far more troubling when they connect with the murder of a local student. As Dawson becomes more intrigued with both the ghost in her vision as well as the brutal slaying of more students after a hockey game, the tale of intrigue sucks a viewer in and leaves them wanting all the answers.
As a moderate low-budget film, Afterthought gives moviegoers a believable set, characters, and, at points, plot. Though high-school thrillers have been hits in the past, Afterthought offers something new in a Nancy Drew sort of way. The film ties in both a supernatural element with a murder mystery, on its way to an ending that could have and probably should have been better foreshadowed. Well-filmed and generally well-edited (save for an extraneous conversation with girl and mom, and girl ironically driving a Zamboni as well as an awkward flashback), Afterthought receives a high rating for its technical, lighting, and composition qualities.
The actual script and storyline, however, receive only a moderate rating, as there are several holes in plot jumps such as a sudden revelation that one suspect had a key to the school when it could have easily been revealed in an earlier establishing shot. Also, there is the use of a psychic/psychologist who just happens to help the girl explain what she is seeing. This is awfully convenient, and could have easily been solved in multiple other ways that didn't add to the already extensive list of characters. Most of the minor characters could have been done away with completely, or diminished with the same effect, (i.e., too many officers, too many hockey players, mom, Elliot's dad), and thus allowing for more time and better development of the main characters.
That being said, the acting was generally well done, again, save for the police staff. Dawson, played by Gwendolyn Garver, portrayed a convincing part as both a skeptic as well as a believer. Both Elliot Smithe and his nemesis Kyle Walker also did well with their parts. The ages of the characters, however, did not completely set the scene for a high school. All four of the main characters appeared well into their 20s, obliterating the suspension of disbelief. But again to the credit of 30 Something Productions, it is difficult for any company to find talented and available young people who can work for low-budget wages in multiple locations.
Afterthought is a movie that I would certainly recommend to my friends. Despite the sometimes chaotic feel of the film, the technical quality combined with above average acting paints a chilling tale of supernatural intrigue. With a movie of this caliber, 30 Something Productions is well on their way to establishing a name for themselves both domestically and abroad, and I certainly look forward to more productions in the future.
posted by AfterThought - Movie at 10:47 AM
2 Comments:
one of the best low budget films i have seen this year
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