Jason talks The Shelter

Regular readers know the connection Shawn and I have to our bro John Fallon and his directorial debut The Shelter. We've been mad supporters of the flick since it went into development and I, for a time, was going to work the shoot in New Orleans before life got in the way.

Stupid life!

But the show went on, Shawn was recruited to provide the score, and the flick completed. I've seen The Shelter a couple of times, but never provided an official review here in The Basement. Although not technically in the review business anymore, I figured I'd celebrate The Shelter's debut at London's Frightfest by (finally) putting a few words down.

Last year, on my Facebook profile, I called The Shelter a winner. Not a straight-up horror flick, but not a straight-up art film. "It's something in-between, and hauntingly beautiful." And I stick by that praise to this day. Once you've seen it, The Shelter is a hard film to forget. It's deep in emotion and angst and human suffering, but also carries with it a sense of hope, albeit a razor thin one.

The flick's success rests on the shoulder of two men - star Michael Pare and writer/director John Fallon. This is Pare's one-man show, and he just kills it. I can't remember the last time he's been this good. The guy digs deep into his soul to pull out a performance that lays bare every human emotion. I'm not quite sure where he went and what he did to be so raw, but my hats off to you sir.

As for Fallon, the brother knows how to make a fuckin' movie. John's been in the film industry for more than a decade, and he's clearly absorbed the filmmaking process like a sponge. This is an accomplished piece of writing and directing, delivered with the skill of a professional. Although John's debut feature, it feels like he's been doing this forever. The Shelter is a low-budget flick that looks like it was made with a lot more dough behind it. Great work, amigo!

The Shelter isn't a feel good movie. But it's got a lot to say about the human condition and our place in the world. It's dark with a little light shining through the cracks. I hope it's just the first great film we see from a man with a (knock on wood) long career in the director's chair ahead of him.

PS: Shawn's score is pretty fucking good too ;)

Comments

#CocktailHour: Slushtail

Summer approaches, inspiring thoughts of sunshine, backyard parties, and having a tip and sip with friends. With that in mind, I bring you this week sunny beverage. To make a slushtail, mix a can of frozen orange juice, a can of frozen lemonade (or limeade), a can of pineapple juice, a couple cups of black tea (or English Breakfast), and two cups of bourbon- such as Southern Comfort, in a pitcher. When it's all nicely mixed, put it in the freezer until it's a nice slushy consistency. Scoop the slush into a cocktail glass, and pour in some Sprite or 7-Up. Add a little umbrella for some frivolous fun, and a straw. Voila! Ready to enjoy. This is a very refreshing drink. The fruit juices, Sprite, and bourbon- when chilled makes for a great punch-like drink. The bourbon doesn't overwhelm juices. In fact, they are all nicely balanced in terms of flavors. The sourness of the citrus fruits contrasts well with the slightly sweeter Southern Comfort. It was refreshing enou

Unlock your fate with The Puzzle

When my dad wasn't working, building stuff or being my dad, he was making puzzles. It was a guaranteed way for him to unwind. So it was with great interest that I sat down to watch Italian filmmaker Davide Melini's award-winning short The Puzzle. You see, the mother in the five-minute film likes to relax with puzzles just like my dad. Unfortunately, her good-for-nothing son keeps harassing her for money. Losing herself in her favourite passtime, the mother soon discovers that completing this puzzle might unlock a nightmare. The Puzzle has been an official selection at more European film festivals than you can shake a stick at, and was voted Third Best Italian Film at the Rome International Film Festival in 2008. Having watched it, I'm not surprised. It's a tight little film that hits you hard in the final few seconds. You can tell Melini cut his teeth as an assistant director for legendary Italian filmmaker Dario Argento. But enough chit chat on my part. See if yo

The Animated Addict: "The Adventures of Tintin" (2011)

If you're a 40 + white dude, like myself, you may remember a comic series called " The Adventures of Tintin ". I know I remember them. This series, dating back to 1929, got turned into a animated feature film by Steven Spielberg in 2011. After buying a model of ship called The Unicorn, teenaged journalist Tintin finds himself on adventure that will take him from the high seas, to the low deserts, and from the distant past to the present. With his trusty dog, Snowy, by his side, Tintin uncovers a story connecting two men across the centuries.. . The story is really quite good. It's well crafted, and high paced- with just enough slow moments to build and develop the world and the characters. This is the sort of adventure story you'd find in the old serials of the 1930's and '40's. In fact, it felt like it was the sort of tale that you'd find Indiana Jones undertaking. I found myself swept up, and swept along as our hero swung from one e

Search This Blog