The Actor

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!

"The Actor" is a very indie independent film. I have worked on a short film where the writer was the director and producer, and I know how a film like this can be put together on a shoestring budget. It's fun, actually.

First, there are many things to like about "The Actor." I really like the initial film casting scene where the lead character, Hunter, is reading for a role in a movie. It quickly becomes clear that Hunter is reluctant to drop all the "f-bombs" that are in the script, despite the casting agent repeatedly encouraging him. This scene feels pretty real to me, and I enjoyed it. I also like that there are real actors who are reluctant to use rough language, even when there are big incentives on the line. Hunter has principles, and that shines through.

Then a big pile of money falls into Hunter's lap and he goes on the lam to keep a step ahead of the bad guys. This involves a lot of bad acting all around, but there are some moments of fun. Again, Hunter is a decent guy and he doesn't want to actually hurt anyone. The big action scene where the bad guys are dealt with is not as gory as it could be, and there is a dash of "Home Alone" mixed into the action. Then, unfortunately, the final scene is repeated from the beginning of the film, and it left me with a "Why did they do that?" feeling. Either show it at the beginning or show it at the end, but don't show it twice. And the ending was rather open-ended... but I won't say more.

I liked much of "The Actor," but it was definitely too long. There were multiple scenes where Hunter interacted with women (gym, restaurant, church) that were just too long, and these moments added nothing to the film. Cut 95% of each scene out and you'd never miss the rest. The intro credits were a marvelously edited montage that was nothing like the rest of the film -- cut that out and just get into the movie.

Overall, there were a few things I liked about "The Actor" and a few things I didn't like. But it was a good script that needed some tightening. It is refreshing to see a good guy who is forced to go on the run, who then handles himself with modesty and a sense of fairness. And I really like the initial lesson about language -- there are far too many f-bombs in films, and this one shows that others out there agree with me. That said, "The Actor" is rated for mature audiences (consider it an R-rating) because of rough language.

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.

I am grateful that I have been introduced to the captivating work of Richard Blake! Since this introduction, I became a fan of the movie The Actor! Upon first viewing, it was only natural that I was enchanted by it's likable author, lead actor and director, Mr. Blake! I was introduced to Mr Blake and this work as a long-term fan of the music featured in this film by the one and only Collective Soul. Do you dare to take the dive yourself? If you love movies that weave action, suspense, great music and adventure into a seamless whole, there's a good chance you'll become a fan, too!

I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Richard Blake!

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!