FILMMAKERSLAB Film Review Friday: #Victoria

Screening Room ATL is one of my favorite networking events.  Every Wednesday, indie film shorts, and trailers are shown on the upper level of the posh restaurant, Negril Village, which boasts a cathedral-style building complete with an outdoor patio and metered parking lot.  The two-tiered establishment serves up affordable authentic Caribbean eats, while the best of indie film shorts play on two screens.

FEATURE FILM REVIEW:  #VICTORIA

This week on the Filmmakers Lab roster is the action-filled drama #Victoria played by Vanessa Fant and written and directed by Mark Buddington.  This true-to-form tale tells the story of a daughter who moves from out of town, to live with her father, in a poor inner city of New York.  The story deals with Victoria's inheritance of her father's tainted legacy.  Victoria's father's shady reputation is littered with distrust, drugs and dirty money.

Fant did an awesome job of portraying a young woman, who is forced into the throws of an unfamiliar, dangerous world.  She makes you sympathize with Victoria and want her to get revenge.  Fant's performance pushes the audience to question how they would handle that kind of situation.  Fant's portrayal of Victoria was believable. We wanted her to win despite her tactics.

Click to see #Victoria trailer

Property of United Millions

Khalimah Gaston, who plays Victoria's friend, Kim, committed fully to her ride or die character.  Gaston said the hardest part was handling the gun, but without hesitation she pulls that hammer back with confidence, further showing her range.  Both Fant and Gaston's performances were spot on in their portrayal of naïve impressionable young women turned wanna be weight pushers.

All in all it was a solid, well-directed film.  #Victoria kept me engaged and unsuspecting. The action sequences were not overrun with beats and fluff.  I appreciate Buddington's straight-to-the-point writing style.  The subplots had loose ends, but for the most part, Buddington served us urban drama, raw and true.  Buddington has a solid handle on the art of storytelling.  Check out his website at unitedmillions.com.   Amongst Buddington's vast arsenal, I found a gem called Preto.  Look out for that review.  Check #Victoria on Amazon Movie and iTunes.

Thank you to all those that have been there to support Filmmakers Lab's quest to bring exposure to the independent artist.  Until my next post, write on!



Film Review Friday: The Wish & The Wisp is Sure to Please at Sundance

When my cohort in the business told me we were going to a film screening at AIU, I was ready. I did not know what to expect, but I remained completely open.

Well, I wasn't ready. I was not ready for The Wish & the Wisp, the film short written/ directed by the creative mastermind, Vashmere Valentine. I was blown away from beginning to end. I was fully engaged, amazed and entertained.

This is a movie for EVERYONE and trust me it has all the ingredients for a great film short. The poster alone is intriguing. Don't you want to know what a wisp is?

The clever storyline takes you through a gamut of emotions, will have you on the edge of your seat, and frustrate you to no end, in a good way, and literally, there is no end. I can easily see this short taking the form of a franchise film or television show.

The Wish & the Wisp intertwines genres seamlessly. The idea is stretched, but not to unbelief and the direction was superb giving endless angles and shots providing the most incredible character POVs. 

It has been said that working with kids can be challenging, but this perfectly put together cast makes this film a sure standout. The characters will draw you in immediately. They had me from the opening frame. Everything, from the way the main character wears her lovely afro to the set makeup, I was completely enthralled.  The young cast will make you feel their emotions.  I think it's safe to say, they have no idea how good they are and just how much their skills are going to change their lives.

UPDATE: 11/1/2018

Just like I said a year ago, the Wish and the Wisp has shown great at the film festivals.  Vashmere Valentine and I will have a sit down coming soon to talk about all the accolades the Wish and the Wisp have garnered.  I can't wait for the masses to see it!!