The Freemason

My wife and I saw the synopsis online and thought we'd give this one a chance. We should have done some more homework! Folks, this one's a real stinker!

First, the production value is third rate at best. It looks as if it was filmed with a very cheap camera on very cheap film. There are also shots of buildings (inside and out) that don't do anything to tell the story or set the mood.

Second, the acting....Oh the acting! It's clear from the start that each and every actor in this movie needs to finish acting school BEFORE trying to act in a feature film! They have years to go before they will be even adequate. I expected a bit better of a performance from Sean Astin but alas, it wasn't meant to be. He was a crying emotional mess of a hobbit and that's where it should have ended.

Third, the dialog was the worst I've seen in a long time. And I just watched Sharknado!

Please don't see this movie! You will only give encouragement to everyone involved in it!

The film's opening scene had me glued to the screen, and I was pleasantly surprised to be so enthralled.

While much of the film is a slower, steadier pace, the filmmakers don't dumb down the finer details of Freemasonry. It's one of the more informative and specific portraits of Freemasonry that I've seen. (Rather than just saying "it's a secret society" and leaving it at that.)

The film is well-shot, and I appreciate the beautiful Salt Lake City location as I don't see many films set there.

The acting gets a bit stiff at times, and the plot becomes slightly choppy near the end, but overall I feel it was worth looking at.

What a great cast of Actors from Sean Astin (Leon Weed), Randy Wayne (Cryus Rothwell), and Alex Mckenna (Rana), to Richard Dutcher (Sheldon Lombard) making a return appearance, and Joseph James playing the voice of understanding (Jericho Beck) a 32nd Degree Freemason. You are taken along on a ride with Rana the wealth daughter and heiress, and Cryus the free-lance writer she has retained to help Leon Weed solve the mystery of her father's ritualistic murder. We learn more about them as they learn more about themselves and each other. Can they trust each other let alone anyone else? And what is this strange and cryptic group of men who are intertwined with this case? I truly enjoyed the story line. Directors turn a script into a movie; and Joseph James has done this artfully and with great skill. I enjoyed seeing his growth as a director since I first became a fan watching his last film Templar Nation. Directors work with actors; makeup artists; cinematographers; writers; and film, sound, and lighting technicians and in each film I like to see progress and a transformation over the one before. It is an ever growing process to achieve a higher level of understanding of their craft. In this film, you can see that this has happened I am looking forward to the next installment. IʘI

The Freemason is a film that surpassed my expectations. I had become accustomed to see Freemasonry mentioned or alluded to in dialogs and film plots before, but this time Freemasonry plays a leading role. I have the utmost respect for the timeless and mysterious fraternity of Freemasonry, which makes me critical of any time it is portrayed in films and documentary. However, I was pleasantly surprised and delighted that Freemasonry was portrayed with such eloquence and respect.

The film begins with a murder mystery, which initially caught my attention, but the subsequent twists and turns kept me guessing throughout the entire film.

I am somewhat knowledgeable about Freemasonry and I greatly appreciated that the scenes including "Masonic Ceremonies" revealed enough to peek someones interest, yet respected the privacy and discretion of the organization by not revealing too much.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable film and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good murder mystery or suspense film.

Great movie. Excellent suspense and a surprise ending. Couldn't ask for better entertainment.

Thank you so much for allowing the screening in Muskegon Michigan.

Sean Astin as always performed up to expectations - and my expectations for him are high due to his fine body of work, including Rudy.

Strong performances by Randy Wayne and particularly Alex McKenna. The screen comes alive when she is in the scene.

Probably one of the best Independent movies I have seen in some time. The scenes inside the Masonic Temple and the dialog develop and are true to the philosophical underpinnings of Freemasonry. The truth as to Freemasonry is far more interesting than the fiction and it was well portrayed.