Delrvich

I just caught the YouTube debut of The Ties That Bind, and I am rating it a 9 for noir. And it was a good one, too. Not because I am a big Heather Jokiel fan. Of course, she had me locked into the movie at first sight. But then, the movie quickly creeps from a simple crime drama into a full-blown mystery shocker deserving of a miniseries treatment. I was hoping it would continue when it ended.

A most impressive work of art by the crew at Cheevies Film Production. This was on par with a classic Twilight Zone episode about the dangers of abuse, psychiatric disorders, and how society has failed and exploits the victims. Bravissimo!

No it wasn't as good as the first but I didn't find the original that great either. Nor where in the hell am I going to come up with 545 or so more characters that need to be written in order for my short and sweet review can be accepted.... Gladiator was a bit slow ... Heat or Collateral were better. But, now Gladiator 2 did well on it's own. Yeah the flashbacks were annoying and unnecessary. If you are watching this sequel, then you probably watched the first when it debuted or did so before viewing this. Its the internet age. The pool in the Colosseum and CGI monkey scenes were a bit too much.

I'm not familiar with the local Chicago social scene or the works of C. H. U. D. (Chicago Hardcore Underground Directors). So, I can't tell if this was parody or black comedy by experienced professionals, a film school graduate project, an indie film festival entry, or a fundraising film short.

And, the plot is simple ... too simple.

It is something to do about a stolen pillowcase belonging to Mike Vanderbilt, Chicago's Best Bartender voted by The Chicago Reader, who happens to be wearing a gorilla costume. And some characters are bizarre and action scenes are cartoonish.

There has to be an inside joke or behind the scenes story explaining the plot.

Good acting. And the gorgeous Heather Jokiel is in this. Mercy!