The Monkey's Paw

Matthew B said:
Brandon and Hawk pretty commented on everything I would have. I will definitely note that the location and art department was nice, but the cinematography definitely detracted from it. An interesting take on an old legend. I couldn't help but feel as though this film had more to tell though. We seemed to finish on only two wishes. I kept waiting for the son to come back as an undead, kill the mother and then the father would wish for death, like the original story the soldier told.
Overall all a nice little story.
Click to expand...

The idea (though unclear, obviously!) was that he whispers/breathes his last wish, though we don't hear exactly what it is, and she opens the door to see: nothing at all. A flickering streetlamp perhaps, on an empty, desolate road.

Appreciate the feedback!!
 
Wow, congrats. This looked good and you did a fine job of cutting it to length. One of the only films that didn't feel too long. Great job!
 
Thanks so much Chris! So glad you enjoyed our cutting/telling of the classic - it sure was amazing (albeit chaotic) to work on!!
 
Wow. I really like it. It looked great. I wouldn't change a thing......ok, the ending did leave me wanting.

If I had heard him say something to resolve the third wish (as you mentioned) that would have done it.
 
Very nice! The biggest applaud about this is the fantastic art direction; the sets, the costumes, all that was great. Plus you got some very realistic performances from your actors, which helped tremendously!
Also, the story was interesting because I remember hearing the exact same story long time ago, and I wondered if this based on an urban myth? I'm interested in it’s origins.

I think the only part it lacked was it seemed to drag a bit in areas, the reveal at the end wasn’t as big of an impact as I had expected it to be.... and lastly (a nitpicky detail) the color was as little wonky.

Overall I say this was in my top 6!
 
Great costumes, art directing, casting, location.
Your actors were well cast and vert good too.
Nice staging and some really nicely framed shots that told the story well.


There’s so much good, credible work here I hope you’re quite proud.
The art direction, acting, angles are just so competent and not easy to do. The beats all make sense.
There’s so much good work I feel bad saying anything bad about it, but despite all of the above it doesn’t jump off the screen for me.


I think the only things keeping this from having real impact, memorability are:
  • Lack of a unique perspective on the material and familiarity with the tail where some other fest films may benefit by an indie-auteur by-the-seat-of-their pants risky energy, even though they may not be as competently executed as yours.. Soderbergh has this definition of Cinema lately that goes basically like this - if anyone else could have made it it’s not Cinema, it’s a movie. For better or worse. There’s lot of crappy cinema and some good movies. This was a faithful adaptation and everything made sense - the camera angles, the performances, all of it. But maybe it lacked a personal perspective to engage us and draw us in. That feeling that this couldn’t have been made by anyone else vs. several very competent filmmakers. I think maybe it lacks zing and synergy for that reason. Maybe. Just a hunch / opinion.
  • Some lighting and sound issues. Lighting is credible but with the familiar territory of the story maybe it has to be over the top great and more innovative with movement and angles. Some of the sound is off access and just doesn’t feel like a movie. With such solid period art direction, technical imperfections stand out.
  • Ending - I feel like there was an opportunity to draw out the suspense when the...


    SPOILERS...

    ...son comes to the door. Also the end, after he comes, seemed a bit abrupt.



I don't necessarily feel like it all translated to camera or a final, impactful cut and mix, but there's no question what was happening on set in front of the camera was very polished and put together and there's boat load of craft and talent here.
 
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