Panic

This film is riveting from the first scene. The cinematography is superb. Set at night at a gas station, the mood is established from the outset. Something bas is going to happen--you don't know when, and when it does, you don't know how it will all turn out.

Viva la short--this is why shorts can be so much fun. The acting is superb and the sound design is terrific.

This film sports the quality of a veteran, action director.

Tight script that lets the action breathe.

The movie was screened at the prestigious Edinburgh film festival and before a packed crowd had the audience gasping. Nooshin is a comer.

Mother and son had a blast at the fair. The fireworks finale was a smashing finish to a lovely evening. On the long drive home, they stop for a bit of gas at the local AM/PM. Too bad that's also where a slovenly pair of car thieves stake out their next hapless victim. Mom lets junior have the keys to pump the gas while she steps inside to buy a steaming hot cup of joe. When she takes a peek outside, she's shocked to see her SUV gone. Dashing outside, she's nearly run down by a truck that's speeding out of the lot. She jumps in the passenger seat, imploring him to please follow her son. Little does she know, the driver could be in on the whole scheme. Fast-paced, Hitchcockian, and with a load of suspenseful twists, Panic will make you sweat.

From the first frame, you'll be gripped. Panic is the kind of movie that launches impressive careers for everyone involved. Apparently, a number of behind-the-scenes folks are professionals who've worked on some very high-end films. It would take people of such caliber to pull off such stunning work. Writer/director Omid Nooshin also helps out in the composing department. This makes a lot of sense, since many directors think musically, picturing their films to musical beats. Extra kudos go to the cinematographer and editor for an impressive synergy that should've won awards, if it didn't. Where are you now, Omid?

This is a dandy short film from the UK about a real-life carjacking. The film begins with a mother going in to pay for gas at the station. Her son and the keys are in the car when one carjacker steals the car while his partner distracts the mother. When the car goes, the mom panics and makes the partner (who she doesn't realize is in on it) chase the other vehicle. After a while, it's obvious that the guy in the chase vehicle isn't trying to catch the car and the mother bails out and runs after the stolen car on foot--leading to one of the tensest moments I've seen in a very long time! Exceptionally realistic acting, great direction and a wonderful sense of suspense make this a dynamic film. The only negative is that when the film ended, I was left with a lot of questions about the real robbery this was based upon and wish I could talk to the director about this--but how? Brilliant!

A woman takes her young son to a firework display. On the way home she stops to buy petrol and leaves her top of the range Land Rover with the keys and her son in it. Two men are casing the petrol station and see this. The first, Ash, goes into the station to distract Maddie while the second, Charlie, starts the car and steals it. Things are complicated when Charlie realises he has the boy in the car and also when Maddie stops Ash and makes him chase the stolen car - not aware that he is one of the crooks himself.

As with many shorts that I watch, I had no idea what this was about before I sat down to watch it. The plot unfolds well and it is quite mysterious until the actual theft takes place. Once it does occur it loses a little of it's tension but it still works well. The chase and the climax are well done and I was gripped by it even if it lacked action in the Hollywood sense. The plot is a little weak if you looked at it on paper - it's unrealistic and has holes if you pick at it for a moment, but yet it remains quite thrilling in it's own way.

It is a credit to the direction that it gets past any plot holes and really held me for the whole running time. The direction is really good, giving the film a dark, suspenseful feel to proceedings. The music also made it feel quite sinister even though the onscreen action was quite normal. The cast are all pretty good. If you're like me then you balk at the idea of a cocky kid but Southworth was pretty good and Brydon as his mother was believably panicked - making it al that little bit more tense.

Overall this is only a little film with an OK story that had potential. What makes this an enjoyable little thriller is the skilful direction and production of the film (the direction even co-composing the music) and the solid performances of the cast.