Austin Action Fest & Market

Be where the Action Is!

Benjamin Redic

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.

“Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)” – A Violence Conductor Perspective

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Hey, it’s Benjamin Nathaniel Redic II, the Violence Conductor, here to give you my take on the new “Birds of Prey” movie. I’ve been hearing a lot about why it didn’t do well at the box office, so let’s dive in.

Plot and Theme:

  • This movie is loaded with girl power, and that’s cool, but the way it was marketed was a turn-off to some, particularly to dudes. The film’s narrative pretty much paints every male character as garbage, while all the female characters, even those who are morally ambiguous like Harley Quinn, are portrayed as heroes or at least in a very positive light. 
  • The plot focuses more on Harley Quinn rather than the team dynamic of the Birds of Prey, which was a bit misleading if you were expecting a team-up movie from the get-go.

Marketing and Audience Reception:

  • The marketing, coupled with some interviews, like Ewan McGregor’s, where he was using his Obi-Wan voice to promote the film, didn’t do it any favors. It almost made me decide not to watch it. 
  • Here’s the thing: if you’re going to make a film that’s all about empowering women, then women need to show up to support it. Just like how “Black Panther” saw black audiences come out in droves to support. If the female demographic doesn’t show up for female-led movies, you can’t blame the other half of the population for a lackluster box office.
  • Hollywood, it’s not the customer’s job to watch your movie; it’s your job to make a film that people want to see. If it fails, look at your marketing, your product, not the audience.

Action and Choreography:

  • As for the action, it was entertaining but not groundbreaking. It had its moments, especially with Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Black Canary. She had some cool Taekwondo moves, which I appreciated as someone who’s been training in martial arts. 
  • Huntress wasn’t as dark or serious as I expected from the comics, which was a bit of a letdown. The action was over-the-top, fitting for a Harley Quinn movie where physics takes a back seat to fun.

Camera Work and Technical Aspects:

  • There wasn’t anything about the camera work that blew me away. It was serviceable but didn’t stand out.

Rating:

  • On a scale of 1-5, I’d give “Birds of Prey” a 3, It’s not worth full price admission, but for a matinee or a rental, it’s fun enough. I wouldn’t be buying the DVD, though.

Final Thoughts:

  • The movie was cool in its own way, but it didn’t meet expectations for a team-up. It’s more of a Harley Quinn solo adventure with guest appearances. 
  • I’ve been slacking on reviews due to travel, but I’ll be back with more content soon, including gaming videos and movie reviews. And for the record, I’ve been doing the Black Panther thing before it was cool, so maybe someone in Hollywood’s keeping an eye on me.

Benjamin Nathaniel Redic II, the Violence Conductor, out. Catch you later.

Harriet Tubman – Worth the Watch?

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Hey everyone, it’s Benjamin Nathaniel Redic II, the Violence Conductor, back with another movie review. I got to see “Harriet” at an early screening, courtesy of Impact Outreach, and I want to give a massive thanks for that opportunity. 

Plot:

  • “Harriet” might just be the best movie of the year in my opinion. While not primarily an action film, it’s based on the true story of Harriet Tubman, which means there’s plenty of tension, chase sequences, and some moments of combat. The plot is compelling, following Tubman’s escape from slavery and her subsequent missions to free others.

Acting:

  • The acting is top-notch, with performances that genuinely moved me. There were several moments where I found myself getting teary-eyed. The portrayal of Harriet Tubman is not just about her courage but also her wit and humanity. She’s shown standing up to those who doubt her, which adds a layer of humor and strength to her character.

Characters and Dynamics:

  • One of the standout aspects is how the film balances the portrayal of characters. Not all white people are antagonists, and not all slaves are eager to escape, showcasing a spectrum of human responses to oppression. There’s even a black character who works with slave catchers, adding complexity to the narrative. 
  • The relationship dynamics, particularly with John, are handled with nuance, showing the consequences and personal sacrifices involved in the fight for freedom.

Action:

  • While not action-heavy, the sequences that involve action are well-executed. Harriet’s escapes, her confrontations, and even her strategic thinking during tense situations are depicted in a way that feels authentic and intense. There’s a scene where she jumps onto a horse and uses a musket with remarkable composure, which I really appreciated.

Camera Work:

  • The cinematography is beautiful, with precise and clean visuals. The color palette is particularly well-chosen, enhancing the storytelling without being overstated. I’d give this aspect a 5 out of 5.

Cultural Commentary:

  • Watching “Harriet” made me reflect on the importance of historical figures as role models. Harriet Tubman’s story is one of bravery, intelligence, and faith, qualities that transcend time and circumstance. Her story reminds us of the sacrifices made for freedom and equality, much like the tales of historical figures from various cultures.

Rating:

  • On my new 10-point scale, I’m giving “Harriet” a 9 out of 10. It’s an exceptional film that deserves support, not only for its portrayal of a significant historical figure but for its storytelling quality. This movie is worth every penny of that $14 ticket price. It’s good for adults and educational for kids, offering a visual and emotional journey into history.

Final Thoughts:

  • “Harriet” is a film that should be celebrated for its narrative strength and cultural significance. It’s a reminder of the power of one person’s determination and the impact of their legacy. Go see it, support films like this, and let’s hope for more stories that delve deep into the lives of those who shaped our history.

Catch you next time for more reviews. Benjamin Ethaniel Reichenberg II, the Violence Conductor, signing off. Happy Halloween, y’all!

Music

Review of “The Rise of Skywalker” – A First-Person Perspective

Hey there, it’s the Vodka Doctor, also known as Benjamin Ethaniel Reichenberg II, the Violence Conductor, stepping outside of my usual set to share some thoughts on a movie that’s been polarizing for fans: “The Rise of Skywalker”. Be warned, there will be spoilers here, so if you haven’t seen it yet, that’s on you.

Plot and Power Scaling:

  • From my perspective, which was shaped by entering the Star Wars universe around the time of “The Phantom Menace”, the Force was about elegant combat with lightsabers, magical push-and-pull abilities, and some impressive acrobatics. However, “The Rise of Skywalker” seemed to lose sight of this simplicity. 
  • Rey, despite being shown as incredibly powerful from the start – levitating like Yoda, manipulating objects with precision – her use of the Force in combat scenarios felt inconsistent and illogical. Why swing a lightsaber like a baseball bat against someone much stronger and better trained like Kylo Ren? Where was the finesse and strategy?

Action and Choreography:

  • The action in this movie was a letdown for me. The fight scenes lacked the intensity and tactical engagement that I expect from Star Wars. For example, the confrontation between Rey and Kylo should have been a masterclass in lightsaber combat, but instead, it felt like a power clash without much skill or thought behind the moves.
  • There were some ridiculous moments, like Leia surviving in space or characters using the Force for teleportation, which felt like a departure from established lore. The Force has always had its mystique, but these new applications seemed more like plot conveniences than thoughtful expansions of the Force’s capabilities.

Character and Story Arc:

  • The title “The Rise of Skywalker” felt misnamed to me. If anything, it should have been about Ben Solo’s redemption, not Rey declaring herself a Skywalker. The narrative around Rey’s lineage and her sudden mastery of all Force abilities just didn’t sit right with me. It’s like they forgot she was supposed to be learning, not just magically adept at everything.
  • The climax with Palpatine was confusing. What exactly happened in that fight? Was Rey absorbing and redirecting Force energy? It was hard to tell, and it left me unsatisfied with the resolution of such a pivotal moment.

Ratings:

  • On a 10-point scale, I’d give “The Rise of Skywalker” a 4 out of 10 for action. For an action movie within such an iconic franchise, this is unacceptable. If you strip away the Star Wars name, the combat and action choreography would be considered subpar.
  • Overall, as a Star Wars movie, I’ll give it a 7 out of 10. It was better than some of the other films involving Rey, but that’s not saying much.

Final Thoughts:

  • I love the Star Wars universe for its potential, its lore, and its universe. But when movies introduce powers or plot devices that contradict established rules or ignore character development for the sake of spectacle, it’s disappointing. 
  • The action sequences in other media like cartoons, books, or even older games often feel more true to the spirit of Star Wars than some of these recent films. It’s like trying to make Dragon Ball GT make sense when Dragon Ball was all about skill and not just escalating power levels.
  • Disney, if you’re listening, please remember what made the Force and lightsaber combat special. It’s not just about who has the highest power level; it’s about technique, strategy, and the journey of mastering these abilities.

I have spoken. The Violence Conductor, out.