Austin Action Fest & Market

Be where the Action Is!

Benjamin Redic

Kraven..Sony’s best? Or worse than Madame and Morbius?

· ·

Alright, so I went to watch “Kraven the Hunter,” and I gotta say, this movie tries to bring one of Spider-Man’s most iconic villains to life but ends up falling flat on its face. It’s set in this weird, Spider-Man-less universe, which already feels like a big miss because Kraven’s whole deal is hunting Spider-Man. The movie promises action and drama but gives us a disjointed mess with some uninspired acting.

Plot and Characters:

  • The plot is supposed to be about Kraven’s origin, but without Spider-Man, his motivation and character development just don’t land. They’ve tried to make him some kind of animal rights activist, which is like, dude, this ain’t Kraven; he’s supposed to be a hunter, not a PETA member.
  • Characters like Calypso and Rhino are there, but they’re about as flat as a pancake. The chemistry between Kraven and Calypso? Non-existent. It’s like watching two strangers who’ve been told to pretend they’re in love for the camera.

Action and Visuals:

  • Now, the action, that’s where the movie kinda shines. There are some cool fight scenes where Kraven goes all beast mode, but the CGI? It’s like they forgot they had a budget. The animal sequences look like they’re from a video game from 2005.
  • Visually, they were aiming for something grand, but the execution feels off. The tone is all over the place, and there are moments where the special effects make you cringe rather than immerse you in the story.

Acting and Dialogue:

  • Aaron Taylor-Johnson does what he can, but the script doesn’t help him out. The dialogue feels like it’s explaining everything to an audience they think is too dumb to follow along. And don’t get me started on the voiceovers; it’s like they couldn’t decide what to do, so they just slapped some dubbing over scenes.
  • The villains are more Saturday morning cartoon than menacing, and trying to make Kraven an anti-hero was a swing and a miss, taking away what makes him compelling in the comics.

Criticism:

  • My biggest gripe is how they handled the source material. Without Spider-Man, Kraven’s story just doesn’t hold up. It’s like trying to make a Batman movie without Gotham; it’s just not the same.
  • They threw a lot of money at this, but where did it go? Not into making the CGI believable or the plot coherent, that’s for sure.

Rating:

  • On my 5-blade scale, I’m giving “Kraven the Hunter” just 1.5 blades. The action was the only saving grace, but the rest? From the story to the character depth, it’s a disappointment.

Conclusion:

“Kraven the Hunter” was a chance to dive deep into one of Marvel’s more fascinating villains, but they dropped the ball. It’s watchable if you’re just there for the action, but don’t expect much else. Save your money for a matinee or wait until it’s on a streaming service.

Gladiator 2 – Perfect sequel or Severely missing the mark?

· ·


Welcome to another episode of Action Addicts by the Austin Action Fest and Market. It’s a podcast, pretty much action, and you know, we get into the business, the craft of filmmaking sometimes, but it’s mostly about that action. Here today, obviously, Ben Redic aka Lord Violence aka the Violence Conductor, and we have special guests, old school podcast partner, Ballistic Blade, partner of mine. Ladies and gentlemen, we’re drinking out of the chalice of truth. We’re not here to tear down “Gladiator”; we’re not here to gladiate “Gladiator.”

Plot and Characters: All my opinions are coming from not having seen the first movie, so let’s start with that. The plot of “Gladiator 2”? Well, the reviews are all over the place, but the movie’s not doing as well as you’d expect for a Denzel Washington film. People aren’t watching it, which is surprising. The narrative is supposed to continue the legacy of the first film, but it feels more like a cash grab than a worthy sequel. The characters lack the charisma, the inspiration, the leadership of the original. Denzel’s character, while fine, isn’t the highlight he could have been due to subpar writing and a lackluster script.

Acting: Denzel Washington is, as always, a fine actor, but even he can’t save this film from mediocrity. The dialogue is expository, uninspiring, and the characters feel like they’re more talking at you than telling a story. The supporting cast doesn’t have the same impact as the original, and the new characters introduced don’t capture the audience’s heart or imagination.

Action: The action sequences are the movie’s saving grace. They’re expansive, brutal, and somewhat entertaining. There’s a lot of spectacle, but it’s like they put all their effort into the CGI fights and forgot about the rest. The choreography is there, but it doesn’t feel integrated into the story or character development. It’s action for action’s sake.

Criticism: The movie suffers from what I call the “Jurassic Park Effect.” Everything that made the first “Gladiator” memorable is already shown, so the sequel feels like a rehash without the awe. There’s too much explanation, too many rats (literally), and not enough substance. The plot is predictable, and the emotional beats don’t land because there’s no connection to the characters.

Rating: On a scale of 5 blades, I’m giving “Gladiator 2” a 2 out of 5. That means you made a movie, but it’s got a bunch of technical issues and isn’t something I’d want to watch again. It’s not worth the price of admission unless you’re looking for a laugh at how it compares to the original.

Conclusion: “Gladiator 2” had the potential to be something special, with a cast like Denzel and a director like Ridley Scott, but it falls flat. It’s not a terrible movie, but it’s certainly not good. If you’re going to make a sequel, you need to either match or surpass the original’s energy and storytelling, and this one doesn’t even come close. It’s a lesson in what not to do when you’ve got a legacy to uphold.

If you’re a filmmaker, learn from this. Don’t make movies just to ride on past glories; bring something new, something impactful to the table. And remember, we’re here to help you grow, not just to mock. We love movies, and we want them to be great.

That’s all we’ve got for “Gladiator 2.” Check out our socials, support indie filmmakers, and we’ll catch you on the next one. The Violence Conductor, signing off.

The Fall Guy: Finally a movie made for fans of action!

· ·

The Fall Guy: Finally a movie made for action fans


We really enjoyed it. Ericka liked it and she Hates rom coms. Emily and Ryan did an excellent job, it was fun and the stunts were WILD. Hannah was hilarious. As was “Pietro Maximoff”.


The plot was fairly straight forward with a few somewhat predictable twists. As a stunt man myself I could completely empathize with the character. The action sequences are some of the best you’re going to see this year. Reminiscent of Mad Max. And that my friends was clearly the point. People putting their bodies on the line for your enjoyment. This is what I go to the movies to see. Action, Fun with a little heart sprinkled in. It was well worth the money.



If you like action and your heart is not COMPLETELY frozen over by the current dating scene you’ll prolly like it as well lol. Please watch this, rent it, buy it whatever. We gotta support the movies like this or we won’t get many more of them.
Plot -3/5
Action – 5/5
Camera – 4/5

Lord Benjamin N. Redic II aka

“The Violence Conductor”

Benjamin Nathaniel Redic II aka “The Violence Conductor” is a producer, writer, cinematographer and fight choreographer.  He has had a passion for media and entertainment ever since he was a child and often performed in school plays and competitions. 
 

Do you have a film you want us to review?

Contact us

Warrior Women Kings and The Blackest of Adams

· ·


Introduction: Hey everyone, it’s Ben, also known as The Violence Conductor. Tonight, I’m gonna dive into “The Woman King” and “Black Adam,” two films I’ve been itching to talk about. I’m trying to keep this spoiler-free, so bear with me. I’m here on Instagram and over on my other socials, looking to get interactive with you all – share your thoughts, tell me what you think!

The Woman King:

Plot: Listen, “The Woman King” has been getting some flak, but let’s set the record straight. The plot revolves around this kingdom with the Agojie, these elite warrior women led by Viola Davis. It’s not about historical accuracy; it’s about telling a compelling story. The narrative is about whether it’s right to engage in the slave trade – it’s deep, it’s well-acted, and it’s got a heart.

Acting: Viola Davis? She’s phenomenal, as always. The cast is stellar – John Boyega, Lashana Lynch, they all bring it. This film doesn’t make men look bad to make women look good; it shows strength in both genders, with real threats and complex characters.

Action: The fight scenes are well-crafted, not overly complex but executed with passion and skill. These women are fighting for freedom, respect, and identity. I give it four out of five blades for plot and action. The camera work beautifully captures the essence of Africa, showcasing its culture and beauty.

Criticism: There’s been some noise about not supporting this film because of its portrayal of slavery or its cast, but here’s the thing: if you want more diverse stories, you gotta support them. I’ve heard Viola Davis is also a producer on this, so it’s not just about watching; it’s about supporting black creatives.

Rating: I’m giving “The Woman King” a 9 out of 10. It’s a must-watch, not just for the action but for the storytelling. It’s probably the best movie of the year for me.

Black Adam:

Plot: Moving on to “Black Adam,” Dwayne Johnson’s getting some flak for comments he made, but let’s focus on the movie. It’s about an ancient protector who wakes up in modern times to find his homeland oppressed. The plot’s straightforward, but there’s too much narration at the start. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s fun.

Acting: The Rock is not just playing The Rock here; he’s got a dark edge to him. But the female lead? She’s a bit off for me, her character’s motivation seems forced. And the plot has some iffy moments, like sacrificing the world for personal gain – it’s a trope I’m not fond of.

Action: Now, the action, that’s where Black Adam shines. It’s brutal, it’s unapologetic. They’ve got some great choreography; it’s like watching Superman without the restraint. I’d give the fight scenes four out of five blades, but the overall plot? Maybe a three.

Criticism: The film feels like it’s trying too hard to set up future movies, and the power scaling is all over the place. But if you’re looking for action, it delivers.

Rating: Overall, I’m giving “Black Adam” a three out of five blades. It’s not a must-see in theaters, but it’s worth a watch when you’ve got some spare change.

Conclusion: Both movies have their merits. “The Woman King” is a storytelling triumph with strong action, while “Black Adam” offers straightforward superhero thrills. Support these films if you care about diversity in cinema, but do so because they’re good, not just for the politics. And keep supporting indie films – they need your love more than these big-budget ones.

If you’ve got movies you want me to review, old or new, or even your own projects, hit me up. I’m here for the action and the community.

This has been your host, The Violence Conductor, signing off. Catch you next time.

TVC Reviews #33: The Marvels….people HATE this movie…but should they?

· ·

So here I am, diving into “The Marvels,” and I’ve got some thoughts. Don’t tell me men don’t enjoy watching attractive women fight on screen, especially when they’re doing it well. If the action’s subpar, that’s where mud wrestling comes in, but that’s not what we’re here for.

Plot and Characters:There’s been a lot of flak thrown at this project, with accusations that it’s men who are mad because they’re losing their heroes, or that they’re just not ready for strong female leads. But “Kill Bill” was fantastic because it was well-written, had deep characters, and the fights? They were something else. 

“The Marvels” deals with the adventures of Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau, and Ms. Marvel, whose powers are linked, causing them to swap places when used. It’s meant to be a big team-up, but the villain doesn’t do much for me. She’s lackluster, trying to be sympathetic but coming off as just another baddie.

Marketing and Audience Perception:The marketing of this film has been a misstep, focusing on attacking the audience rather than promoting the movie’s strengths. It’s not about not wanting strong women on screen; it’s about execution and respect for the audience. Look at movies like “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” where the action was the star, not the gender of the fighter.

Action and Visuals:The action in “The Marvels” has some moments, like when Monica Rambeau does a move that feels straight out of Dragon Ball Z. But there’s inconsistency, especially with how Captain Marvel is portrayed in combat. She’s supposed to be all-powerful, yet she’s dodging like she’s human. 

Acting and Dialogue:The male characters, particularly Nick Fury, are portrayed in a way that undermines rather than complements the female leads. Making men look incompetent doesn’t elevate women; it just makes for bad storytelling. 

Criticism:

The tone of the movie feels aimed at a younger demographic, but then you’ve got heavy themes like genocide and war, which clash with the lighter moments, like a Bollywood-style dance number. It’s like they’re trying to make Captain Marvel into a Disney princess, which feels off-brand for her character.

Rating:

On my 5-blade scale, I’m giving “The Marvels” 3 blades. It’s watchable, but it’s not worth the full price of admission. It’s entertaining enough for a matinee or a rental, but don’t expect it to redefine the genre.

Conclusion:

“The Marvels” has some fun action sequences, but the narrative and character development could use some work. The backlash it’s receiving isn’t necessarily a reflection of its quality but more on how it’s been presented to the public. If you’re into Marvel’s universe, give it a watch, but don’t go in with high expectations.