InternationalMobileFilmFestival Reviews

Blue Moon (I) (2018)

This film packs a great story shot with the phone in your pocket!

[9/10 · 27 May 2019]

This film will inspire anyone with a dream to make movies--with a smartphone. A lot of filmmakers are looking at how smartphone filmmaking is advancing in the film industry by criticizing the aesthetics of films and comparing them to traditional cameras used by the industry. I think it's a missed opportunity for mobile filmmakers looking for inspiration. Filmmaking is storytelling. Part of storytelling in film brings everything to the forefront: aesthetics, cinematic value, locations, cinematography, sound, etc. The story in this film is king. The story in "storytelling" is king.

Don't watch this film to compare cameras but instead compare the story and the style of the director who made a film with great cinematic value on top of the fact that Stef Harris (writer and director) grabs you from the beginning and keeps you in suspension throughout the telling of this story. The acting from the main characters like Jed Brophy and Mark Hadlow help give this dialogue heavy film a character of it's own. Without having to re-create flashbacks, the film does a good job establishing the history between the characters through character development. It brings the viewer closer and closer with each scene.

The cinematography of this film is in many ways unique to what one who takes it seriously can accomplish only with a smartphone. The film was shot with an iPhone but you need not use a particular brand to shoot a feature film. A great accomplishment to have shot a great feature film of about 85 minutes using a small crew, limited time and one single main location.

By the way, I am a supporter of this crew after watching their film. I am not biased on the film. I base my review solely on the film itself after watching it and listening to Stef Harris and Jed Brophy share their backstory on my podcast.

Aquaman (2018)

Fun For The Kid Inside

[7/10 · 18 January 2019]

This film reminded me of almost all other action films including Transformers. It is definitely a blockbuster film aimed at getting us to the theater!

This is not a film to watch because the acting is good or the plot is great or because you are a serious film buff. This is the type of film you go to see when you just want pure entertainment with lots of special effects and visuals. Aquaman was not so great, in my opinion, as a comic.

The film's first scenes made me gag a bit at the over abundance of makeup on the actors to make them look younger. They almost looked like dolls and the acting was quite dull. It gets better once you are past that.

But again, it's a blockbuster film aimed to satisfy your eyes with big colorful visuals on a big screen. I gave it a decent rating because it was just what I expected when I went to see it. I really doubt anyone expects this film to be a masterpiece film worthy of filmmaking awards and great acting kudos. Good for the kid inside.

Memento (2000)

A Film for Filmmakers

[7/10 · 12 January 2019]

Memento is a classic film. You will need to pay attention and will probably need to watch it a few times. The story structure is a series of events from the main character's perspective.

All you need to know is that if you are into films and/or filmmaking, this is a film you just have to watch. You don't need to take vitamins but you need to watch this film.

Whether you like it or not, you will learn something important about filmmaking and storytelling: What captivates your audience is the hook that gets them at the onset and once you have the viewers' attention you need to reel them in slowly until the end. Stories all have a beginning, a middle and an end...but not exactly in that order.