I was looking forward to seeing this film after seeing one of Lucas's earlier short films entitled "Mad 2 the Max" which I thought was a really good film, what more could you want guys, a fast v8, hot chicks in black skin tight leather, guns, the whole works and perks :P haha. It was very well shot and cut together short film from start to finish.
With Dead Therapy on the other hand I went in and kept an open mind about the whole film after seeing the 'Official Trailer which looked absolutely Stunning! from head to toe, it really stood out to me in a big way! and hit me like a sledgehammer so to speak. I had nothing but high hopes for this film from the very beginning and expected nothing but what Lucas does best. He delivered yet another Amazing!, very visually impressive film. The film was shot on a REDONE Camera, lighting was Incredible, Editing was flawless with its use of quick cuts that don't drag the film out and make it boring to watch, Location/Set Design equally impressive. I really love how simple but highly effective the film's idea was, you can really establish a connection between the two main characters Paul and Amanda played by the very talented Julie Dickson and Maurice Mammoliti.
And the one thing that really sold this film was its Amazing Sound Design and Music/Score it really did set the mood and the overall pacing/structure of the film. A very cleaver use of Voice Overs in there to help tell the story and offers such a powerful emotional performance between the two characters. Lucas also threw in a lot of Practical Effects from dust and dirt to large explosions coming from the barrel of a loaded shotgun.
Overall I thought this film was really good, it is a very well put together piece and I highly recommend it to anyone.
The only things that didn't quite gel with me and this is coming directly from the same background as Lucas that being a filmmaker are I'm just not a huge fan of Australians trying to put on American Accents, for some unknown reason it just doesn't feel or sound right and the use of some camera shots that I didn't quite click with. But other than that nothing effects the overall film experience.
I give this film (7/10)
Thanks, Luke Launer (Writer/Producer/Director)
Shilling Entertainment