cynthia-ostrich

I caught a screening of Masque at a film festival recently and was taken back a bit by this film. It is a short, but does not have the feel of short film. It pulls you in like a feature film would with character development, makeup, camera movement and musical score, but is still just only like a half hour long. From all the shorts I have screened in my life, this was unlike any. It seemed like the filmmakers were wishing to raise the bar of a short film.

Without having too many spoilers, Masques tells the story of a prizefighter who is betrayed and left for dead. It tells a unique story of redemption in which even the anti-hero can change his ways. It takes place in the early 20th century and begins with an old-timey boxing match that pulls you in. I was not surprised to read in my festival flyer that Masque had won other festivals. It is refreshingly enjoyable and cinematic addition to the short film genre.

This hilarious film is a hidden gem. You can't get it on DVD (which is sad), and it will only be funny to those who are annoyed by everyone else. High Strung tells the story of Children's book writer and cynic Thayne Furrows, played by a young Steve Oedekerk. Poor Thayne is irritated by everyone and everything in his life and he breaks the fourth wall to tell you all about it. Although dated, because it was filmed around 1990, you will find that many of his daily annoyances are ones that we all share. A young Jim Carrey makes an appearance as 'Death', because apparently there is a limit on the amount of times you can wish or say "I'd rather be dead". Oedekerk is truly great in this rant of a film. You can see how his humor has evolved into becoming a very successful comedic screenwriter from this early work.

I can't give this movie a bunch of stars. It is just against my principles as a movie reviewer. The acting, the camera work, the sets, the sound is all truly terrible. That being said, if you are a movie enthusiast and must see all kinds and types of film, you have got to see this movie. It is so bad it accidentally becomes a masterpiece of humor. Writer/ Actor / Director Tommy Wiseau was trying to make a dramatic character piece I believe. It is an utter disaster. The best actor in the film is the 2 minute appearance of the drug dealer who merely has to play 'Angry'. It is a no star film, but a 10 star comedy; not by script, purely by the poor production.

I am not one for spoilers, but there is a scene when the men all show up in tuxedos to the apartment. The story does not explain why the occasion for tuxedos, or the two strange fellows who are now on camera you have never met before. I digress…They all go outside and play catch with a football in tuxedos!!! Conveniently standing exactly three feet apart from one another. Why??? That is just a snippet of what you have to look forward to when viewing 'The Room' for the first time. However, you must watch subsequent times to truly catch all the bad acting and terrible continuity of the film; To a movie enthusiast it will really make you laugh.