Whatever Happened to Mason Reese

This "film" was produced while I was a student at NYU, a classmate of Ratner's in fact. Ratner was notorious around campus for his unbridled ambition -- and remarkable lack of talent. The final product is indicative not only of Ratner's blatant disregard for aesthetic (ie total ignorance of basic camera moves, set-ups, etc), but proof that he has succeeded (and quite brilliantly so) merely on the basis of a loud mouth, relentless drive, and an uncanny, almost puppy dog like ability to make friends with everyone.

When this film screened in class, Ratner was laughed out of the room... although it's clear who has the last laugh now. Way to go, Brett. You've affirmed all of our fears about Hollywood -- which is why most of us have stayed on the East Coast to make films of SUBSTANCE.

Directed by Brett Ratner, this piece of garbage was included on the "Rush Hour" DVD; apparently, he felt he needed to share this directorial debut with the world. I truly wish he hadn't. Whoever this Mason Reese guy is, he must have been something special when he was a kid actor. I guess he was famous on Broadway or something. All I know is, he's the ugliest man I've ever had the misfortune to lay my eyes upon, and his voice was even worse. He sounds like he swallowed a whole helium tank. The only pleasant little suprise was Rebecca Gayheart (you gotta start somewhere, I guess.)Oh, yeah, and the dancing midget from "Twin Peaks" was in it, too. That was a nice suprise. But what was most shocking was that Ratner had financial help from AMBLIN ENTERTAINMENT! Mr. Spielburg's company helped make this crap possible. Gee, thanks, Steven. Trust me, I had more fun watching M. Night Shamalan's home movie on the "Sixth Sense" DVD! Avoid, avoid, avoid!

This silly little movie made me laugh so hard, I had tears running down my face! I quoted the little guy so many times that my wife gets furious when I even begin to talk about it...

The movie is silly, but you just have to watch it!

I thought this was a great little short film. It was included on the Rush Hour DVD as an example of director Brett Ratner's work. Steven Spielberg paid him $1500 for it! Sure, he even admits that it's bad, and it is, but it's cute. Anthony Michael Hall as the voice of Mason Reese was a great decision; I'm sure Mason of the 1990s has a grown up voice and it just wouldn't be the same if he had used his own. I think the best song in the whole flick is Randy Newman's "Short People," which although derogatory (hey, I'm 5'10 but I know some short people myself) pretty much sums it up for short people, except the telling of lies :)

In summary, a good piece to put on the Rush Hour DVD, which is a GREAT movie in its own right.

Being a film student, watching other bigtime director's student films is VERY insightful. Granted, he aint no spielberg, but he's making the big benjamins! It shows where they first started out - and i gotta admit, VERY encouraging! Sure, it wasnt the best film - not even the best student film! BUT, good buddha! if he can do it! so can i! --so all u filmmakers in the making! check it out ~