This film literally fell into my lap after reviewing another film, so I watched it and I was surprised that this film won as many awards as it did through some independent film festivals that obviously shell out an award so long as someone pays for it. This film is a train wreck that never left the station. As a matter of fact, there wasn't an engine to get the entire thing moving down the track. First, there is no arrangement with continuity and lacks required film formats associated with film productions. I know that this is an indie film, but at one glance the cinematography is unbalanced, the lighting is atrocious (if any was used) and the visual effects are very elementary, often seen in low budget amateur hour films. There was definitely no stylized screenplay and many of the actors just simply couldn't act. Aspect ratio was all over the place and the music, along with the myriad use of stock footage was just absurd at every level. Apparently there was some funny dialog that was presented, but I guess I missed the punchline to all of the jokes.
Next, there is some vivacious grandstanding by several obviously untrained actors, many of whom never took an acting class in their life. Either the Director wanted the actors to perform the way they did, or he just accepted what they brought to the production. Directors should always demand what they want and never just settle. And there was a lot of settling that was done in this film. In one series of scenes, the editing was horrific, especially where an important character is talking to several people, but the camera never pans back enough to show the entire setup of the scene. The camera pitch setups are also all over the place, set low, set to medium shots, and then some silly angles.
Finally, the money shot was so dull and very poorly constructed with bad practical effects that looked like some kindergarten class put it together. The plot and story are truly nothing to get excited or altered about, save to say the film concerns a conspiracy theory about aliens and the COVID vaccine shots. Where the film hinted that something big would have to present itself, this film just couldn't deliver. I reviewed this film just to review local films produced in Texas. If this is the best that San Antonio has to offer in award winning science fiction films, maybe there's a good reason why the real film industry is located in Austin, TX. I'm giving this train wreck a failing grade. I'd say, do a lot of reshoots with some real talent in the cast, write a better script, hire some real camera men and start all over. This film was done even before it started.
Next, there is some vivacious grandstanding by several obviously untrained actors, many of whom never took an acting class in their life. Either the Director wanted the actors to perform the way they did, or he just accepted what they brought to the production. Directors should always demand what they want and never just settle. And there was a lot of settling that was done in this film. In one series of scenes, the editing was horrific, especially where an important character is talking to several people, but the camera never pans back enough to show the entire setup of the scene. The camera pitch setups are also all over the place, set low, set to medium shots, and then some silly angles.
Finally, the money shot was so dull and very poorly constructed with bad practical effects that looked like some kindergarten class put it together. The plot and story are truly nothing to get excited or altered about, save to say the film concerns a conspiracy theory about aliens and the COVID vaccine shots. Where the film hinted that something big would have to present itself, this film just couldn't deliver. I reviewed this film just to review local films produced in Texas. If this is the best that San Antonio has to offer in award winning science fiction films, maybe there's a good reason why the real film industry is located in Austin, TX. I'm giving this train wreck a failing grade. I'd say, do a lot of reshoots with some real talent in the cast, write a better script, hire some real camera men and start all over. This film was done even before it started.
