October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

As always, we're spending October gearing up for the spooktacular day that is Halloween, both here and over at our sister blog, Terror Titans. But before we get too deep into the celebration of the creepy and fantastic, we want to pause for a moment to call attention to the fact that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Being trapped in an abusive relationship is an all-too-real horror that faces too many men, women, and helpless children. We hope that none of our readers and visitors find themselves in such situations, but if you do--or if you suspect you know someone who is--there are resources and information here. Don't suffer in silence.

 

Meanwhile, here's an extremely well-made short film that addresses the subject of domestic abuse with great creativity and effectiveness.

The Mime (aka "El Mimo") (2010)

Starring: Joja Heglez, Teresita Saad, and Ruben Ovideo

Director: Kive Guttman

Rating: Seven of Ten Stars

A titanic struggle for them... fun for us!

The Bench (2014)
Starring: Daniel Rock and Josh Tichauer
Director: Melody Rock
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars

A man's (Rock) relaxing moment on a lake-side bench is interrupted when a stranger (Tichauer) sits down next to him.

"The Bench" is a short silent movie pastiche that is far more effective at capturing the spirit of silent comedies than the vast majority of other efforts out there. The filmmakers didn't so much try to mimic the cliches of silent movie acting as they went for pacing and the physicality of the comedy. As such, they delivered a fun two minutes that should appeal equally to lovers of silent movies and all who appreciate well-crafted comedy.

Even more impressive: "The Bench" delivers a very timely message, and it does so in a gentle way that few filmmakers have the ability to do, or are unwilling to do. The core issue that causes conflict between the two characters in the film--and the simple way it's ultimately resolved--is a reflection of what's causing many social conflicts these days. The fact this film is almost ten years old, and still feels fresh in its message, is either a strong indictment of the state of American culture, or a strong indication of the film's high quality and timelessness. (However you choose to look at it, though, there is no doubt that "The Bench" is a superior piece of filmmaking.)

I invite you to take a couple minutes to check out this fine little film... and please let me know if you think I've steered you wrong with my praise for it. 

The Mime's Big Day

Attention Plzzz (2015)
Starring: Swetha, Ashul, Maheswar, and Roshan
Director: Arunachalam

Rating: Seven of Ten Stars

A street-performer mime gives up in the face of competition but ends up changing the life of a homeless drug addict.

Reportedly inspired by the films of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, I think "Attention Plzzz" is far cuter than anything on the very impressive resumes of either of those two gentleman. Another very strong element of this modern silent movie is that doesn't try to replicate the style of films made a century or more ago, nor is it just a film without sound, but the use of mimes gives a perfect in-story explanation for why not a single word is spoken.

I liked everything about this film--the actors all perform well, the pacing is spot-on, and the mime duels are very funny--and I probably would have given it Eight Stars if not for a couple flaws.

First, I think this film could have benefitted from being a little more focused. It almost feel like two films combined into one, with the first one being our Hero squaring off against a competing mime, and the second one where he distracts a homeless drug addict from shooting up. If the competition with the other mime had not been included in the film, I don't think it would have been missed, and we would have gotten to the really excellent part of the film sooner. All we needed in the initial part is the disinterested/confused onlookers to establish the mime's state of mind.
 

Second, a decision was made to include sound effects in the film's best moments, and I think it was a bad decision. They feel entirely out of place and they take away more from the action and mood of the scenes than they add. 

I could also criticize the film for not using enough medium two-shots during the mime's interactions with the homeless woman, but given that it claims to be inspired by old-time silent greats, I don't know that would be a fair criticism.

But why don't you take a few minutes and give your attention to "Attention Plzzz"? I promise it will brighten your day! (And if I steer you wrong, be sure to tell me off in the Comments section.)

The Shadows Know...

Chasing Shadows (2012)
Starring: Jose Rosete
Director: Armin Siljkovic
Rating: Eight of Ten Stars

A game of cat-and-mouse reaches its deadly conclusion in the shadow-filled back alleys of the Big City.

For a film that doesn't even run seven minutes, "Chasing Shadows" delivers a lot. Hell, it delivers more than many films that run seventy minutes!

First, if you are just looking for a taut mini-thriller where every second of run-time is put to good use, this is a film for you. Second, if you're a lover of the film noir esthetic and need a quite fix to satisfy a hunger, this is a film for you. Third, if are looking for a film that brilliantly presents all the fundamental elements of  film noir in a compact, high-quality package, then this is definitely a film for you.

Writer/director Armin Siljkovic has written that "Chasing Shadows" was made as an exercise in exploring all the elements of the film noir genre. As such, it is an unqualified success. It would have earned a Nine-star rating if not for a couple minor stumbles at the end (which, I have no doubt, were the result of both time and budgetary constraints)... and I might not even have noticed them if everything else here hadn't been so perfect.

Take some time out of your busy day to watch this excellent short film. Be sure to let me know in the comments section if you think there isn't an element of the film noir genre that isn't represented here.

'Widdershins' is a fun steampunk romance

Widdershins (2018)
Starring: Brian Cox and Jam Gray
Director: Simon Biggs

Rating: Seven of Ten Stars

A bored and lonely gentleman (voiced by Cox) living in a perfectly ordered world where humanity has subjugated themselves to clockwork automatons finds excitement when he crosses paths with a rebellious woman (voiced by Gray). 

For a short film set in a steampunk utopia-turned-dytopia, "Widdershins" is amazingly sweet and touching. Every character in it is appealing in its own way (even the robotic butler that occupies a space in the story that swings from comedic sidekick to borderline villain to mildly pitiable pet) and each is provided touches that economically communicate their strengths and weaknesses and desires. In short, even the robot character gets some humanizing touches over the 10-minute span of this film, and it makes it an absolute joy to watch.

The animation is simple--perhaps a little too simple at times--but it's all energetic and well-matched to the fast-moving story. The music is very effective as well. 

If you like steampunk and/or quirky romance tales, I think you'll find the minutes spent in the world of Mr. Widdershins and the Mystery Woman will be enjoyable ones. Click below to start watching!

This film was called to our attention by a reader of the blog. If YOU know of a film you think we need to watch and call attention to--so others can enjoy it--send us a link at stevemillermail@gmail.com!

Musical Monday with Coldplay

Magic (2014)
Starring: Ziyi Zhang, Chris Martin, and Peter Fonda
Director: Jonas Aakerlund
Rating: Nine of Ten Stars

The best music videos are those that are narrative short films, be they silent movies where the song they are made promote serves as the score, or mini-musicals. Beautifully shot and skillfully edited performance videos where someone is just standing around singing while the band plays are nice and all, but they are far less interesting and creatively worthwhile than something that tells a story.

And, boy, does this video tell a story.

In "Magic", a female illusionist in a traveling show (Zhang) is married to a vicious, abusive man (Fonda). Her assistant (Martin) is secretly in love with her, and, to not only become closer to her, but to also free her from her situation, he becomes not only a master illusionist but actually masters real magic. 

This is a well-acted little fantasy film (unsurprising, since both Zivi Zhang and Peter Fonda are talented, experienced actors) that blends seamlessly with the song it underscores as the narrative weaves its way around Chris Martin singing and practicing magic. If the plot had unfolded just a tiny bit different (in regards to the fate of the villainous Fonda--there's nothing necessarily wrong with it but I just wanted more) this would have gotten Ten of Ten Stars!

Check it out. I'm fairly certain you won't see anything more magical on this Musical Monday!

Musical Monday with will.i.am

Bang Bang (2013)
Starring: will.i.am and Shelby "Cobra" Spalione
Director: Igor Kovalik
Rating: Nine of Ten Stars

In 2012, a physicist threw 80 years worth of musical recordings into the Slaughter Valley Super-Collider and accelerated them to be speed of light. They emerged as a single, unified masterpiece that embodies the spirit of Shades of Gray. 

Click below to witness the Unifying Theme of Shades of Gray in moving pictures and music!

'The Session' is worth attending

The Session (2012)
Starring: Alice Bristow and Niloo Ravaei
Director: Emelie Claxton

Rating: Six of Ten Stars

A girl (Bristow) undergoes hypno-therapy with disturbing results.

 
"The Session" is another student film I came across while trawling through YouTube for things to watch and write about in this space. It was made primarily to show its creator's competency with three-point lighting--which she demonstrates that she had--but it is also a very interesting, very creepy silent film that's well worth the few minutes of your time it takes to watch. I hope she got a good grade for it!

I admit that I don't know what to make of the patient's mindscape... but she probably has many more therapy sessions in her future.



Note: The creator of this film graduated from film school in 2015, and she has gone onto be a working director-for-hire. You can visit her website by clicking here.

Musical Monday with Psychostick

If you're not in a romantic mood on this Valentine's Day, Psychostick is here for you. Even if you're bitter, angry, and heartbroken I think this song will put a smile on your face... ESPECIALLY if you're bitter, angry, and heartbroken!

A great effort with serious flaws

Killing Time (2010)
Starring: John Carlin and Zander Riggs
Director: Phil Baumhardt
Rating: Six of Ten Stars

A young man (Carlin) sits alone in a room, waiting...

"Killing Time" is a short film that resulted from a student project, but it's very impressive. I really like the lighting (even if it's a little on the dark side), the use of sound, the placement of the camera. All-in-all, it does a great job in capturing the film noir mood and style.

Except for a couple minor details.

Usually, when I post student films I come across during my trawling through YouTube, I don't get too critical of them--they're student films for crying out loud, so if I'm impressed or amused, I leave it at that! There's generally no point in nitpicking them: If I think they're worth the time of the visitors to the blog, they're good enough, period. 

In the specific case of "Killing Time", the flaws break the illusion Phil Baumhardt was going for with such force that it almost ruined the whole thing for me. Still, the overall effort is good enough that I think it's worth checking out... even if you have to click through to YouTube to do so. (And if you do... maybe you can spot the flaws that I did. If you do, let me know if you think I'm being too critical.)

Musical Monday with Head Cleaner

I can't understand a word when it comes to the lyrics of this song--they could literally be Greek, since Head Cleaner is a death metal band hailing from Greece--which is almost always the case when it comes to the growled/screamed vocals of this genre. I assume the lyrics carry a theme about wicked and corrupt people in power coming to brutal ends, because of the song's title and the music video that comes with it. It's a neat short film about a corrupt business executive or political bureaucrat who meets his end at the hands of an axe-wielding killer who may or not be a supernatural being acting in the service of Justice. Check it out; the music isn't to my liking, but the short film got my imagination going... and there may even be a NUELOW Games post with some roleplaying game stuff as a result.

Head Cleaner: Crime and Punishment (2012)

Starring: Anonymous actors

Director: Jim Evgenidis

Rating: Six of Ten Stars

For more music videos and photography from Jim Evgenidis (who was also the front man of Head Cleaner), visit his page at Icon Filmworx.

'Black & White': Fun take on the hardboiled genre

Black & White (2018)
Starring: Emily Inserra, Nick D'Ambrosia, Amber Walker, Tommy Barbara, Jaime Plitnick, Dave Cifelli, and Alex Luckenbaugh
Director: "Collective Brain"
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars

After getting black-out drunk at a party, college girl Rose (Inserra) wakes up to find that everything around her now appears in shades of gray. She sets out to reconstruct what happened the night before and to hopefully get some color back into her life!

"Black & White" is a well-crafted spoof of the hardboiled detective thrillers where the main character is trying to piece together a mystery that has deep and personal ramifications for his or her future, but which consists of clues and mysteries within mysteries that defy meaning until they are all uncovered and put together. In this case, the detective role is a party girl who has a bad habit of getting drunk and breaking up with her boyfriend, but her narration is hilariously hardboiled, as is a couple of the actions she takes while seeking out witnesses and gathering clues to solve the mystery.

Over its 9-minute running time, "Black & White" pokes fun at college campus stereotypes (especially as they manifest in romance fiction and dramas), detective fiction, the film noir movie genre, and perhaps even one or two other subjects that escaped my notice. The script is hilarious, with Rose's internal monologue causing me to have a near-constant smile on my face as the film unfolded, and the "what are going to do?" scene had me laughing out loud. I also loved the splashes of color that entered into the film as it reached its conclusion, effectively driving home the point that Rose has reached the end of her journey of discovery and that maybe better days are ahead. 

I also thought the film was nicely photographed, the soundtrack music was perfect, and the sound was always clear and well-balanced. That's actually a bigger deal than someone who doesn't watch a lot of these sorts of YouTube videos might realize. There have been many, many shorts that I've not bothered featuring here or at the "Terror Titans" blog, because the sound was so badly done that dialogue couldn't be heard clearly due to background noise or was drowned out by the soundtrack music due to bad mixing, or because the sound effects so badly integrated so as to be distracting. There are even some otherwise good films that are weakened by bad choice of soundtrack stock music.

I really only have one real complaint about "Black & White", and I don't know if I should be grateful for the filmmakers for giving me the opportunity to make it. There's a scene where Rose barges in on a guy sitting on the toilet, but he has his long-johns fully pulled up. Why? How? What could he have been doing there, dressed like that? It was such a weird moment that it pulled me out of the film. (There are some nitpicks, but I'm not going to call them out, because I understood and appreciated and was amused by what the filmmakers were going for, even if they didn't quite manage to pull it off.)

All in all, if you like film noir or college-based dramas or romantic comedies, I think you'll get a kick out of "Black & White". 

--

"Black & White" was made by a group of then-students at Ramapo College in New Jersey. They created films under the name Collective Brain, because, according, to the person monitoring their Facebook page, their films were true group efforts and there was no clear delineation between who wrote what and who directed it. Unfortunately, if the views, likes, and subscriptions visible on the Collective Brain YouTube Channel are any indication, their efforts have not gotten a whole lot of traction or attention. That's too bad, because, if "Black & White" is any indication, they were creating good stuff. (It's not all bad news, though; I found a smattering of credits at IMDB for several of the members of the Collective, and at least one has been performing with a Shakespearean theatre company in Massachusetts. It appears they on their way to success in the Real World, YouTube be damned!)

Musical Monday with Paloma Sridhar

We present a very appropriate song for the final Monday of 2021--"My Way".

 

We've had a soft spot for this song here at Shades of Gray since we were kids (which may mean were morbid kids...) and we rank this version from Mumbai-based singer Paloma Sridhar's version of it right up there with the great Frank Sinatra rendition.

Will there be Musical Mondays in 2022? Time will tell. (If you've enjoyed any of the music posts that have showed up here, feel free to let us know in the comments section.)

Musical Monday with Bryan Adams

With Christmas just around the corner, here's Bryan Adams with a straight-forward video and a pretty Christmas song... even if things seem to take a somewhat disturbing turn at the end. (Or so it seems to us. It's also a little funny, but still... What do you think?)

A Very Film Noir Christmas

Film Noel (2013)
Starring: Oskar Brown, Wenonah Wildblood, Jerry Kwarteng, and Philippe Linus Petit
Director: Sebastian Matthias Weissbach
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars

Winter's twin sister Snow (both Wildblood) has gone missing, and she hires hardboiled detective Claus (Brown) to bring her home before Christmas.

Part film-noir spoof, part Christmas movie, and all goofy, "Film Noel" is a lighthearted and pun-laden film that will have you alternatively chuckling and groaning at the jokes and gags that flow steadily across the screen. If you enjoy films like "Young Frankenstein", "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid", or anything from the second stage of Leslie Nielsen's career, I think you'll appreciate this fun little film... which is embedded below so you can check watch it right now!

Musical Monday with Atarashii Gakko!

Atarashii Gakko! is a Japanese rock girl band whose schtick is being weird and/or dancing in school uniforms. The topics of their song are school-related, pop-culture related, or horror/B-movie level sci-fi related; it some ways, it's what a girl band would be like if they originated in an anime/manga universe and their reality is now overlapping with ours. Their musical styles range from jazzy (as you'll see in the video below) to hip-hop to hard-rock edged pop.

Atrashii Gakko! formed in 2015 when its members were in their mid-teens. They are now all in their early 20s, so they'll either be breaking up for solo careers or re-inventing themselves any day now.

Meanwhile, here's a sample of what they offer via a video from 2019...

A fan posted the English translation of the song's lyrics to YouTube. Here they are for ease of reference:

--
Crossing Gate of Love 

The feeling of love that I can't tell anyone about 

Our eyes naturally meet 

The Desire Behind the Student Handbook 

You are the only one who I can consult. 

I said it many times to you... 

(Mizyu) "I can't help it, he confessed to me..." 

I like him so much. 

Why are you going out with him? 

I can't see anything. 

I don't need anything. 

I can meet him tomorrow again so I'm happy 

I almost forgot the light of love 

You are the only one who I can consult. 

I said it many times to you... 

(Mizyu) "I can't help it, he confessed to me..." 

I like him so much. 

Oh no! you're going out with him? 

I like him so much. 

I opened my heart and I told you my secret 

I like him so much. 

Why are you going out with him? 

I said many times to you... 

(Mizyu) "I can't help it, he confessed to me..." 

I like him so much. 

You are my Crossing Gate of Love.

--

If you're not afraid of color (and lots of strangeness), then you should click here and then here for a look at the music videos that first put these four young ladies on our radar.

Musical Monday with Kylie Minogue

There are worse ways to start the work week than enjoying some poppy electronica while watching Kylie Minogue dance around in very little clothing. Enjoy.

'Tip Jar' is a great homage to silent comedies

Tip Jar (2016)
Starring: Josh Blaylock, Ellary Porterfield, Amy Johnson, Robert Dill, Richie Stephens, Clinton Jones, and Matthew Arnold
Directors: Freddie Wong and Matthew Arnold
Rating: Eight of Ten Stars

It's World War II. A bartender (Blaylock) who just wants to close the bar and head to the Fun Fair, gets caught between a beautiful Allied spy (Porterfield) and the four Nazis (Dill, Johnson, Jones, and Stephens) charged with retrieving the course-of-history-altering military secrets she has stolen.

"Tip Jar" is a modern-day silent movie that attempts to capture and replicate the feel and frenetic pace of the greatest Buster Keaton or Harold Lloyd shorts. I think it does so mostly successfully, capturing the tone of a 1920s silent comedy via the acting, the general positioning of the camera, and the execution of the slapstick-style action during the second half of the film.

If I were to nitpick this film, I could say that there were a few too many close-ups for the director and cinematographer to have effectively emulated the sources that inspired this effort--and the thought did enter my head, but I immediately dismissed it as both a nitpick and stupid. This is a modern film, so it is entirely reasonable that it uses some elements of modern cinematic language to draw in viewers; especially since every shot in the film is well considered and spot on.

Another nitpick I had is that some of the stage-fighting in the slap-stick routine could have done with a little more practice, since it was obvious that some of the blows weren't connecting. However, as the film progressed and I discovered that the main character's fight against the Nazis was one single, long take, I became forgiving of a couple minor missteps. From time-code 9:40 and lasting until 12:40, there are three minutes of non-stop physical comedy and fighting--and it's at a very rapid pace and very funny. There are big-time filmmakers who could learn from watching this (just like they could learn from watching the films that inspired "Tip Jar".

I also need to mention that "Tip Jar" is a perfect example of why silent movies need to have scores written specifically for them, or the cues that were suggested for use by the original producers should be used, rather than the all-too-common practice of just adding random classical or jazz recordings to them. The action and humor in this film is greatly augmented by an original soundtrack by Igor Neirovsky, and I think I would have assigned the film at least one fewer stars without it.

If you have 15 minutes to spare, and if you want to add some cheer to your day, you need to check out "Tip Jar" by clicking below.

It's not Poe, but it's still poetic

Back: A Tale of Romance and Necromancy (2013)
Starring: Oskar Brown, Anna Juliana Jaenner, and Lara Hoffman
Director: Sebastian Matthias Weissbach
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars

A broken-hearted man (Brown) turns to dark magic to bring the love of his life back to life (Jeanner).

"Back" is a quiet little film that is more atmospheric and melancholy than scary, but as it reached its conclusion, I could see one of those hosts from the old-time horror comics anthologies (or the Cryptkeeper from "Tales of the Crypt") close the book from which he or she had been narrating the film. That sensation alone makes this more than suitable Halloween viewing. It's even more suitable, because as it unfolded, I thought more than once about certain poems and short stories from Edgar Allan Poe... and there is no higher praise that I can bestow upon a film like this than that.

On the technical front, "Back" is beautifully filmed and director Weissbach makes clever and impactful use of trick photography and splashes of color at a couple of points as the film unfolds. The only complaints I can mount is that he should have included a two-shots or some deeper focus in a couple of scenes, and the sound could be mixed a little better. I understand the impulse to have the reanimated lover speak very softly, but the sound of actress' Anna Juliana Jaenner's voice is so soft at a crucial moment at the film's climax that you can't hear what she's saying unless you crank the volume way up--and the narrator booms like the voice of God immediately afterwards if you do that.

Those are fairly minor problems though, and in the final analysis it's nice little film that's excellent Halloween viewing. 

Ice Cube Ain't Got No Haters (Well... actually...)

Ice Cube, shown here doing his world-famous Three Stooges impression, is notable for having enjoyed more than 30 years of creating music and raps that appeal to a huge audience--even those who aren't supposed to be listening to rap music if we are to believe the shrieks of the Wokies.

A few years ago, Ice Cube released a catchy, upbeat rap about how he has no haters--or at least doesn't acknowledge them, because his life is great, and he knows the haters hate because their lives aren't and they're jealous. He also further delivers the message, along with co-rapper Too Short, that he simply doesn't have time for haters, because he is too busy being successful.

Well, Ice Cube is, sadly, about to discover the loud and hysterical voices of the Covid Culists since he has recently walked away from a $9 million salary and a co-starring role in the comedy "Oh, HELL No" over the producers' desire to force him to become vaccinated against Covid-19.

We at Shades of Gray salute Ice Cube for standing up for his right to decide what medications and vaccinations he does and doesn't put in his body. He has more courage of his convictions than anyone around here.  We just hope he doesn't buckle under the cancel-happy mobs of Wokies, close allies of the Covid Cultists, when they come for him. (Although... as much as we salute Ice Cube and wish him the best, we will be watching with glee if the Wokies go on the warpath against him, because it will clearly show them to be the thought-policing, would-be totalitarian hypocrites that they have always been.)

Meanwhile, here's Ice Cube & Too Short performing "Ain't Got No Haters".