Austin Action Fest & Market

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Benjamin Redic

Warrior Women Kings and The Blackest of Adams

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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?

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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. 

Dungeons and Dragons VS John Wick 4? Which is the top film right now?!?

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Film Overview:Hey everyone, it’s Ben, The Violence Conductor, here to talk about “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.” This movie had me prepping to hate-watch it because of all the buzz, but let’s dive into what really matters here.

Plot and Characters:The plot? It was fine, okay? A redemption story with a fun setup, introducing characters right off the bat. It’s got that classic “I gotta save my daughter” trope, but with a twist – the thief with a heart of gold. The narrative is very much a nod to fans of the franchise, with Easter eggs galore for those who know the lore. But, let me tell you, the villain? Forgettable. I forgot about this Voldemort-like character by the time I got home.

Acting:Acting was surprisingly good. Chris Pine, he’s got charm for days, and the dialogue was funny, hitting all the right nerd notes. But let’s talk about Michelle Rodriguez – she’s like a pallet swap in video games, always playing the same tough gal. I wish they’d give her more to chew on than just being “Letty from Fast and Furious.”

Action:The fight scenes are where this movie shines, or at least tries to. The Paladin’s fight was tight, intense, but man, some of it was too fast, too dark to really appreciate. I like seeing the moves, not just guessing them. There’s some good strategy in the fights, though, which I appreciated. But they borrowed a lot from Marvel movies, like straight-up Hulk ripoff scenes.

Camera Work:Camera work was decent, nothing spectacular. Some shots felt like they were trying too hard to be clever, with 360 spins and whatnot. I prefer when the camera serves the story, not the other way around. Transitions were sometimes abrupt, pulling you out of the moment.

Criticism:Now, about the press and how they marketed this movie – it’s killing it. Talking about emasculating men? That’s not political; that’s just bad marketing. It’s not about the message; it’s about how you deliver it. And the diversity? It’s there, but some of the creature designs looked like they belonged in a Chuck E. Cheese.

Rating:I’m giving this movie three out of five blades. It’s fun, sure, but don’t expect to drop big bucks on it. A matinee or a rental? Yeah, that’s worth it.

Conclusion:“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” is entertaining if you’re into the lore and don’t mind some predictable storytelling. It’s not better than “John Wick” in terms of action purity, but it’s got its charm. If you’ve got some indie films you want me to take a look at, hit me up. That’s what we do here at the Austin Action Fest.

Review of “The Matrix Resurrections” – A Violence Conductor Perspective

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Alright, welcome to another Violence Conductor Review. I’m Benjamin Nathaniel Redic II, aka The Violence Conductor, and joining me is Lady Ericka Redic, also known as Generally Irritable. Today, we’re diving deep into “The Matrix Resurrections,” and before we get into the nitty-gritty, we want to give a shout-out to Ming House Wing Chun for hooking us up with these awesome shirts.

So, “The Matrix Resurrections.” I came into this expecting top-tier kung fu action, a continuation of what made the original trilogy iconic. But, here’s my take:

Plot and Storytelling:

  • Coming from an action perspective, I was a fan of the original Matrix, but not for its philosophical depth; I was there for the fights. This movie starts off very meta, almost too self-aware, with a lot of awkward dialogue. It felt like a fan service gone wrong, constantly reminding us of the past without the same impact or innovation. 
  • The premise of resurrection was intriguing but executed in a way that felt confusing. Neo and Trinity are back, but the narrative around their return and the new characters replacing classics like Morpheus and Agent Smith felt off. It was like watching “The Force Awakens” where every cool moment was a callback, making the new stuff seem less impressive by comparison.

Characters and Acting:

  • The new actors did okay, but the shadow of Laurence Fishburne and Hugo Weaving looms large. The replacements didn’t capture the same charisma or menace. Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss did what they could, but the script didn’t give them much to work with in terms of development.

Action and Choreography:

  • This is where I was most disappointed. The action scenes, which should have been the highlight, were uninspired. The choreography lacked the crispness and innovation of the originals. Too much shaky cam, too many slow-motion shots of overused moves like wall-running, and not enough of the clean, martial arts-centric combat that defined the franchise. 
  • Also, everyone seemed bulletproof in this movie, which took away from the tension and immersion. The wire work was floaty, lacking the grounded feel of the previous films. It was like watching a less thrilling, less connected version of what we’ve seen before.

Visuals and Technical Aspects:

  • From a camera work standpoint, there were some cool shots, but nothing groundbreaking. The visual effects were passable but didn’t push boundaries the way the first films did.

Cultural Commentary and Reception:

  • The movie seemed to be trying to make some points about control and freedom, but it was heavy-handed and didn’t resonate with me. It felt like the creators were more focused on making a statement than telling a compelling story.

Rating:

  • I’m giving “The Matrix Resurrections” a solid 3 out of 5 blades. It’s watchable, especially if you’ve got HBO Max, but not something I’d rush to see in theaters. Ericka rates it a bit lower at 2 out of 5 blades, feeling it didn’t capture the essence or excitement of the original trilogy.

Conclusion:

  • In the end, “The Matrix Resurrections” was a missed opportunity. It could have revitalized the series with new energy, but instead, it felt like a rehashing of old themes without the flair. I’m willing to be convinced otherwise, but for now, this one didn’t do it for me.

If you’ve seen it, jump into the comments and let us know what you thought. Did you feel the callbacks were a tribute or a crutch? And for those looking forward to other movies, we’ve got our eyes on “The King’s Man” and “Spider-Man,” which, from what I hear, outshone “The Matrix” in the action department this holiday season.

That’s all from us, The Violence Conductor and Generally Irritable. Like, share, and comment below. Let’s keep the conversation going on what we want to see next in the world of action cinema. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and see you in the next review!

FREE CROWDFUNDING CLASS By Seed & Spark!

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We have the Privilege of Co-Hosting this Excellent virtual training from Seed & Spark on Crowdfunding! That will be 10/8th. Best part is….it’s totally Free!! *Cues John Cena Theme song* So there is no reason Not to attend and tell a friend. In a week we’ll do it all again….sorry. But seriously there will be a class 10/15th on the Art of The Pitch taught by the professionals at Seed & Spark. Also free. And remember, we will be having a pitch competition with an actual producer during next year’s Action Fest. You probably Hate selling so you might as well come by, get some training and take some notes! #AustinActionFest #Seedandspark

Presented by Columbia College Hollywood, Alliance of Women Directors, Blackbird Film Festival, Austin Film Society & Austin Action Fest.

About this Event

Thinking about making a movie or show? Great! We wanna watch it.

But first, how are you going to fund it, and when you’re finished, who’s going to watch it?

We’ve got answers.

Many are asking us: should I still crowdfund? Well, crowdfunding rose out of the ashes of the 2007–2008 financial crisis. It’s a testament to the indomitable spirit of creators. It also led audiences out of a very dark time — one great idea at a time. It was revitalizing for so many people’s spirits, and also revitalizing for the creative economy. As people further isolate (and they should! have we said that already?), we are losing essential social connections that keep up the human spirit. But we have virtual tools to continue to tell stories that connect people, and we should use them.

It’s a time to adjust the thinking about your campaign: this is not about you raising the money for your work, this is about you offering a unique chance for people to connect (safely!) around things that really matter to them. Your outreach strategy will have to adjust. Your goal may have to come down as you scale back the ambition of your production (or heck, make it an audio drama you can record in your basement!). We haven’t seen a dip in contribution volume or levels in the past month.

Most people think about crowdfunding simply as a fundraising tool, but we’re going to show you how it’s so much more than that: it’s a great way to start (or continue) developing a direct connection with your audience, which is essential for building a sustainable film career that leads to distribution and the opportunity to, you know, make more than one thing.

Join Seed&Spark’s film community manager, Bri Castellini, for this can’t-miss Crowdfunding to Build Independence workshop, completely online, to learn:

  • Why audience building is essential for a film career (and crowdfunding)
  • How to define, find, talk to and grow your audience
  • How to prepare for a successful crowdfunding campaign (including goal, incentives and communication plan)
  • Why staged financing might be right for you

About Blackbird Film Festival

The Blackbird Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in central New York state that celebrates and supports independent filmmakers from around the world. At the Blackbird Film Festival, we strive to curate an inclusive festival atmosphere – an environment where experienced professionals and first time filmmakers can strike up conversation and perhaps take something away from one another.

About Austin Film Society

Founded in 1985 by filmmaker Richard Linklater, AFS creates life-changing opportunities for filmmakers, catalyzes Austin and Texas as a creative hub, and brings the community together around great film. AFS supports filmmakers towards career leaps, encouraging exceptional artistic projects with grants and support services. AFS operates Austin Studios, a 20-acre production facility, to attract and grow the creative media ecosystem. Austin Public, a space for our city’s diverse mediamakers to train and collaborate, provides many points of access to filmmaking and film careers. The AFS Cinema is an ambitiously programmed repertory and first run arthouse with broad community engagement. By hosting premieres, local and international industry events, and the Texas Film Awards, AFS shines the national spotlight on Texas filmmakers while connecting Austin and Texas to the wider film community. AFS is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

About Austin Action Fest

Austin Action Fest is “Where The Action Is”. The Austin Action Fest & Market is dedicated to bringing you the best action and stunt heavy projects from around the world. There’s plenty of kickin, stabbin chasin and jabbin here! Whether you are an action fan, producer or distributor, this is the place to be.

About Alliance of Women Directors

Alliance of Women Directors is a non-profit, inclusive collective of professional women-identifying and gender non-conforming directors who have joined together for career advancement and to address the issues of inequality in the entertainment industry. Focused on education and professional support for members in the form of hands-on craft enrichment and mentorship, AWD is tireless in its advocacy efforts to increase opportunities for all.