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Sunday, February 19, 2012

Short Cuts: Get Off My Porch!

Greetings and salutations!



Have you ever found yourself answering your doorbell and finding an adorable little girl in a organizational uniform selling cookies as a fundraiser?



Andrea Strickler and Katherine McNamara


Well, in this short from filmmaker Patrick Rea, average guy Neil finds an "Adventure Scout" named Mary on his front stoop, offering some tasty treats. But Neil just wants to watch the game and eat some chips, so he says no. Sticking her foot in front of his door, little Mary grins wider as she doesn't take no for an answer. As she points out - the cookies are delicious.

Neil has no idea how much his life is about to change.



Bradley Meehan



Here's the link to the film over at the Vimeo site:


http://vimeo.com/12166883





I thoroughly enjoyed this movie - I have no idea what the budget was, but every project I've seen Patrick Rea's company banner has looked like a nicely budgeted feature film. This is no different. It's gorgeously shot - by Hanuman Brown-Eagle - it's well edited, and it features a very nice musical score by Harry Manfredini - famed as the composer of most of the Friday the 13th movies!

In addition to a well realized production, Rea has cast some really terrific actors, with Bradley Meehan absolutely spot-on as the beleaguered Neil. Top marks, however, go to young Katherine McNamara as the bright, sunny, and incredibly sinister Mary. Younger actors - in any production, big or small - can sometimes be a little hit or miss - this young lady nails the part. The rest of the cast is up to the game as well, and this short is sharp, funny, and more than a little creepy. Well done all!

So far these filmmakers are two for two - what do you think?




Until next post, you Can Poke Me With A Fork, Cause I Am Outta Here!

7 comments:

  1. Yay, another great short from Rea! Get Off My Porch is absolutely hilarious, really love it.

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    1. Me too! The stylistic differences between Time's Up Eve and Get Off My Porch are huge - but Mr. Rea and his crew handle both extremely well! Later this week - I'll post something about his feature film Nailbiter! Cheers, MM!

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  2. This was wonderfully creepy! Funny and very well done. Love the zombie neighbors eating cookies. Kept me on my toes wondering how it was going to turn out. Great acting as well. Thanks for posting this, Craig.

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    1. I'm glad you liked it, Luana! Yes, I'm finding Mr. Rea's films a lot of fun to watch! May I recommend the other one I've reviewed in this new Short Cuts column? It's very different - but I think as a filmmaker you would like it too - it's called Time's Up Eve!

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  3. You're going to make me watch these shorts aren't you? :) I certainly hope we're talking a about a killer Girl Scout. I am so on board with that. This sounds good though and I'll have to check it out as soon as I can.

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    1. Well, it's twelve minutes and some seconds - which is a good length to watch on a computer - and of the two - I definitely think this one would be up your alley. One final word to tip you over: blowdarts!

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  4. Craig: I watched Time's Up, Eve, and you were right. It is incredible. I'm inspired to make my own film noir style movie. I love the lighting and camera work. Good story, too. Did he shoot in black and white or convert to black and white in editing? I've heard it's best to shoot digital in color first. Is that right?

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