The Actor

I'm not a movie critic. But, I do know a bad movie when I see it. This movie is BAD. It's one of the worst I've seen in a long time. Terrible writing, subpar acting, nonsensical pacing, etc. It's worse than a student film. How did this even get made?

Don't trust the other reviews. Believe in the overall rating (3.2/10 at the time of this writing). Save two hours of your life and go watch something else. Anything else. You'll thank me for it.

I know my review sounds harsh. But, I won't apologize for my honest thoughts. Viewers need to be made aware so they don't have to go through what I suffered through.

I do not know why so many gave this a ten, It's an interesting movie about an out of work actor who has a conscience about using foul language in his lines, who inadvertently gets a bag of cash from his neighbor who is murdered shortly thereafter. It is very odd how this guy is able to navigate his way around these criminals who are after the cash and it is not explained how they can track him so well. The criminals seem a bit over the top and no one seems to be around to witness them bumbling about rather violently. Lots of holes and just strange plot altogether, some humor and interesting twists, but found it a bit wanting. I gave it an 7 because it was creative and fun to watch especially the showdown at the end. Nothing questionable, no nudity and some foul language, violence is light. Enjoy!

I had the good fortune last weekend to attend the premiere of "The Actor" in downtown Forth Worth. It is a wonderfully entertaining independent film about the passion and frustration of being an artist as well as the negative consequences of losing one's moral compass. It is a character driven throwback to heist films of the 1990's, a decade of film that I grow fonder of with each passing year. If a tense chase movie is on the menu for the weekend, this definitely could tickle your itch.

Authenticity is "The Actor's" greatest strength. I spent a decade in LA and this film nails the vacuous narcissism of the Hollywood based film industry. They often look down on the good hearted and the opening audition scene uses that reality to pull us right into who Hunter is and what his frustrations are. This connection that allows the audience to understand and follow the unfortunate decisions he makes leading to the central conflict. All of this is brought to life by a dynamic cast who bring a soul to each character. (The villains, in particular, clearly love playing villains. They bring a simultaneous sense of threat and humor to the piece.)

On the production end, I enjoyed the way this film uses well thought out steady long shots to heighten the tension. It also does not over cut, which I really like as an editor. It also does a nice job utilizing both its LA and Texas locations to great effect. Add in some cool practical effects on top of that, the final product is an all around solid piece.

Do I recommend the film? Most definitely. In a world of corporate sludge, it is refreshing to watch material with a soul made by filmmakers who care. This independent sphere is where the solid stuff is going to come from today. "The Actor" can be seen on Apple TV and Vudu. Check it out.

4/5.

"Surprisingly funny and well written. Richard Blake (Hunter) and Major Dodge (Joe), kept me in a love - hate relationship with their characters throughout the movie. The budding relationship between Sheila Houlihan (Donna) and Hunter, left me wondering if there will ever be a kiss. This humorously and delightfully assembled cast and crew makes this a sequel worthy movie, full of well scouted locations and unbelievable scenery drawing the audience into the storyline and action." "The music selection, by Collective Soul, was superb." "There is no doubt that this movie should be added to your must see list."

I am not a film critic, but I think back on the days of Siskel and Ebert. In my opinion Siskel looked at movies from a critic's perspective, while Ebert viewed them as a lover of film, entertainment - and that's how I look at films.

In my opinion, "The Actor" is a very good film. Richard Blake is the writer/director and played the lead role (Hunter) - and did an amazing job!

The performances are on point as the story progresses, it pulls you in more and more, with each actor bringing their character to life in a compelling way. The storyline is rich and engaging, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The cinematography is stunning, capturing the essence of each scene beautifully. Overall, "The Actor" is a great film that leaves a lasting impression and is a must-watch for any cinema lover.

As a good film should it leaves you wanting and waiting for a sequel!