Director:
William Johns
Studio/Production Company:
Cinevid
Genre:
Thriller
Length:
Feature
Website:
http://www.cinevidproductions.com/madness
Score:
2.5/5
From the “Oh so close…” department comes “Madness” a straight-up, old school psychological thriller/slasher film by Cleveland auteur William Johns. The Ohio city has a lot to be proud of because Johns really demonstrates an ability to put together a handsome production with a modest budget. The film is well shot, well lit, sounds good and is cut together well. Unfortunately, pretty pictures edited together smoothly with a crisp soundtrack is not all that it takes to make a good film. For all of its technical competency, the film ultimately disappoints with a severely underwritten screenplay.
Johns clearly knows what he’s doing and where he’s going, demonstrating a thorough understanding of genre conventions. It would be a lot to ask of any filmmaker that they should be an effective manager of actors, a stylish wizard with the camerawork and an inventive editor in addition to being able to write a good screenplay. Three out of four is more than a lot of indie filmmakers can claim so Johns has much to be proud of. Unfortunately, his screenplay is not amongst the areas where pride is deserved. The film, about a group of beautiful young women stranded inside a million-dollar home with a dangerously unbalanced young man, is so frustrating because, even though all of the elements are in place, they are not tied together with tight enough tension. From the start of the film, it is clear who the bad guy is, what he is doing and why. The rest of the film basically chronicles the execution of his plan with little conflict, few roadblocks, and, essentially, nothing unpredictable or, frankly interesting.
Johns will rise again. There is too much talent and drive evident in this labor of love, this impressive exercise in technical production to call it quits after one film. Hopefully Johns will approach the next screenplay with the same meticulous attention and creativity that he brings to the physical production of the film.
William Johns
Studio/Production Company:
Cinevid
Genre:
Thriller
Length:
Feature
Website:
http://www.cinevidproductions.com/madness
Score:
2.5/5
From the “Oh so close…” department comes “Madness” a straight-up, old school psychological thriller/slasher film by Cleveland auteur William Johns. The Ohio city has a lot to be proud of because Johns really demonstrates an ability to put together a handsome production with a modest budget. The film is well shot, well lit, sounds good and is cut together well. Unfortunately, pretty pictures edited together smoothly with a crisp soundtrack is not all that it takes to make a good film. For all of its technical competency, the film ultimately disappoints with a severely underwritten screenplay.
Johns clearly knows what he’s doing and where he’s going, demonstrating a thorough understanding of genre conventions. It would be a lot to ask of any filmmaker that they should be an effective manager of actors, a stylish wizard with the camerawork and an inventive editor in addition to being able to write a good screenplay. Three out of four is more than a lot of indie filmmakers can claim so Johns has much to be proud of. Unfortunately, his screenplay is not amongst the areas where pride is deserved. The film, about a group of beautiful young women stranded inside a million-dollar home with a dangerously unbalanced young man, is so frustrating because, even though all of the elements are in place, they are not tied together with tight enough tension. From the start of the film, it is clear who the bad guy is, what he is doing and why. The rest of the film basically chronicles the execution of his plan with little conflict, few roadblocks, and, essentially, nothing unpredictable or, frankly interesting.
Johns will rise again. There is too much talent and drive evident in this labor of love, this impressive exercise in technical production to call it quits after one film. Hopefully Johns will approach the next screenplay with the same meticulous attention and creativity that he brings to the physical production of the film.
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