Reviews

Okay folks, Darrell is back and he's as much as a survivor as ever. You meet him in a toilet block sizing up against Ross & Richard "the twins". Ross is looking to become the "Top-Dog", but doesn't realise just how cunning Darrell is. He easily gains control of the situation by dividing and conquering the twins, by using the latent or hidden homosexuality of one of them to unhinge the confident stability of the other.

Just as an aside, whilst you're watching this film you'll never look at a toothbrush in the same way again.

You will encounter blatant uneducated homophobia, which if just a modicum of common sense was applied, would have avoided the entire situation from arising. To me as the viewer, this supremely highlighted to stupidity & futility of homophobia. But, it's all part of Darrell's plan to gain control of the situation, as two against one are not very good odds.

The thing that was highlighted by this film, was that violence is a "means to an end", a tool that depending upon its wielder, can be used like a heavy club or in Darrell's case, a skilled surgeon using a scalpel. It is this skill that triggers the violence between siblings.

Then enters the Wing Governor; Mizz Muncher. Who is equally as expert at using sexual degradation as a form of mental and physical control, her dominance reminded me of a very callous school principle. Darrell and the Governor looked like two tigers, circling each other, looking for a sign of weakness and an opening to attack. It's through their "Exercises of Vital Powers", that ultimately determines who is Top-Dog, with one scoring the heights of ecstasy whilst the other becomes a tragic casualty.

Ultimately, Boys Behind Bars 2 is most reminiscent of Ray Winston's, Scum, with Wade Radford most definitely being "The Daddy"!

For those of you old enough to remember VHS tapes, the way that this short film starts and the way it was shot, will feel very authentic and familiar to you.

You do not discover the names of the two individuals who feature, but "Mr Blonde" as I will call him, does a very novel piece to camera, where you see him looking at you, but from the reflection of a mirror, his back is actually to the camera. Mr Dark, also does the same thing and you quickly realise that this is when they are being totally honest about their feelings towards each other, about their current predicament and about what they want from the future. It's an excellent method of highlighting how people can live and love each other, but want totally different things out of life.

You will find our "Boys", quite often looking out of the window, pre-judging what the passers-by are like, the lives that they lead, just by the way that they look. Just the way we did when we were that age. It is through their discourse, that we start to learn what these guys want from life, you see and hear snippets of their hopes, fears and aspirations.

It's fascinating to listen to two people talk whilst they are distracted, observing others. It's almost as if all of our personal barriers are dropped and we start to honestly communicate with each other. Slowly, whilst you listen to them, you, the viewer seamlessly become the observer yourself as you start to make opinions and decisions about the two.

As the short film progresses, you see that the lives they have are not as happy as they could be. You watch them explore the differences that are keeping them where they are and explore their fears and anxieties that they both will have to overcome, before they can embark on life's great journey, together.

You quickly learn just how hard it is for anyone to overcome their fears and just how necessary is it for someone to understand and help them overcome those barriers.

For those of you who are fans of Wade Radford's films, you will enjoy this short film as is a wonderfully natural piece of writing and acting from two very talented individuals. It was lovely to watch and empathise with someone without cost to you or them. You will also recognise the room that most of it is filmed in. I can wholeheartedly recommend it for you to watch.

This tale starts off with the viewer observing the natural love that exists between two people, recording their everyday interaction on a mobile phone, something that we have all done and still do. Life is normal and happy! Then the scene changes abruptly, to the aftereffects of some apocalyptic catastrophe that causes all power to fail and bodies lying in the streets, leaving Kai and Toby (our main characters), holed up in Tobi's home, reviewing their life and slowly coming to terms with their current predicament and their future (if any).

As a sci-fi & fantasy fan, I have wondered on occasion, if the end for us all was imminent, what would I do? For me, I would want to spend my last days, hours or minutes, with the person / people that I love and meet my end with dignity and not be alone. I believe that the vast majority of us would like to do this and you see this reflected in 1 Last Chance at Paradise. There are wonderfully touching interactions between two people who love each other as they slowly deal with what has gone wrong in their lives, through descriptive dialogue and flashbacks. As for what exactly has gone wrong, you'll need to watch the film, no spoilers with this review.

It's fascinating to watch how two people work their way through their lives to how they have ended up where they are, with each other. It's a wonderfully engaging dialogue that makes you want to listen to the next word, sentence and in parts revelation. You'll experience a really well written example of Tobi's "coming out" journey. How he has to deal with the uneducated, ill-informed prejudices from his mother.

If you follow Wade Radford's films, this film and his character of Kai, is a real departure from his portrayals of the harsh reality of how people rationalise their actions to survive. 1 Last Chance at Paradise, gives you, the viewer, the opportunity to see sides of his character that you often don't see, a calm, loving, sensitive and fearful individual.

What did I take away from this film? Be with the one that you love, enjoy life with the one that you love, because that is the time you are alive as it can all end, so suddenly. Also, it's great to finish watching a film with a huge grin on your face. Thanks, Wade.

I've just watched The Three Musketeers (2011) and all the way through it I found myself having the biggest, most stupid grin on my face. A star like Milla Jovovich (as Milady de-Winter) sending up her Alice character from Resident Evil, was pure class. I never thought Alexander Dumas' story would transfer over to A Wachowski Brothers style action / adventure, but it did! With Pirates of the Caribbean styled music drifting in and out of the soundtrack, just added to the yarn. If you're a literary aficionado, then stay away from this film, as it will only wind you up. But if you're looking for something fun, enjoyable and a taster to a true literary great, then watch this, you wont be disappointed. By the way, Orlando Blooms' swagger as the Duke of Buckingham, really is something to behold. Enjoy!

The beginning of More Sex, Lies and Depravity starts with a series of flashbacks that remind the viewer of what happened in the previous film. One line stands out above all others, uttered by Ethan Price: "I've got a feeling that tonight is going to be life changing!". Never have truer words ever been said.

The story picks up roughly eight months after the events of Sex, Lies and Depravity and you quickly realise that everyone either directly or indirectly involved in events are having a hard time coming to terms with their part in the tragedy.

Ethan is clearly suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, to the point that he is starting to lose sight of what he has! Lisa, Hannah's friend from the first film, is campaigning for action against domestic violence of any sort. Even Anna, the social worker, shows that she is a human being with living, feeling emotions (which to be honest, here in the UK, is something that most people forget). One thing is certain, with the exception of Ethan, everyone is trying to justify their actions or inactions, which is something that we would all do during the aftermath of any tragedy, in some cases, even lying to yourself.

Okay, in some ways' we've dealt with the lies aspect of the films titles, let's look at the Sex angle. Here, we are introduced to a beautiful character who works to make a living and feed her habit, in the sex industry. You being to understand their reasons, the danger they face and just how vulnerable they are. The potential for violence is disturbing and when you debase a human being to become nothing more than a commodity, the less moral, unscrupulous and inhumane amongst us, cease to treat them as anything more than just a thing.

On the Depravity side of the title, we encounter two new, extremely vicious characters who pursue Ethan for "past actions". In many ways they are a comedy duo of sorts, only because of their complete lack of respect for other people and even each other. How Ethan deals with this situation is funny (albeit not fully thought through and conceived), that said, it is so Ethan Price in nature, it should be trademarked. Although this side story makes you wonder where the film is going, please stay with it, because it is instrumental to the finale.

Overall, this film is Ethan's journey to try and come to terms and "deal" with his past. You discover things about Ethan, uncomfortable facts relating to his childhood that make you understand and empathise why he behaves the way that he does. It can be very helpful and healing every once in a while to bring some of your issues out for a good airing and look at them in the stark daylight. But unfortunately Ethan does not allow this to happen. This time! In the end you are faced with a shocking, very surprising and emotional ending that leaves you as the viewer caring about the characters and wanting to know more, if anything just to find out what happens next. Anyone who is faced with any form of tragedy, reacts to and deals with it in different ways. As we follow Ethan doing just this, we discover what makes him tick, in doing this it gives you the opportunity as the viewer to examine what you would do and how you would deal with things.

I will say one last thing, if you are an Ethan Price fan, you will enjoy this film because it ends with a 100% Ethan Price style.

Twink, is a fly-on-the-wall documentary, loosely styled on ITV's 7 Up series, where you have the voice of the interviewer, the object of your attention, the interviewee (Kaden / Quinn) and you the viewer, the eyes of the camera. The opening sequence, shows the squalor that Quinn is currently living in, with lots of evidence of drink and drug abuse, which is confirmed later on in the film.

Kaden Daydream (the porn industry name of Quinn), shows a strong front that he has got his "shit together" as the interviewer starts to probe with questions exploring how he got into the Porn Industry and especially why he left. But even though Quinn, shows that he is strong, you can see the emotional pain in his eyes and face which hints at the abuse that he has suffered during this time.

One of Quinn's defence mechanisms is to shock the person who he sees as a threat. Particularly when he perceives them getting close to a truth that he is neither willing to face nor able to deal with. Particularly when you as the viewer can clearly see that abuse has taken place. You, as the viewer also find yourself wishing Quinn to open up and talk about it, just to start the healing process and it becomes almost painful to watch every time he brings the shutters down on you.

Quinn's description of how he was at the bottom of the food chain and everybody else was making money of the back of his "works" was hard and uncomfortable to listen to, as it shadowed a number of professions in life that do exactly the same thing, not just the sex industry.

Quinn's convincing and damning narrative on how poor the "actors" really are, as the "glamorous" lifestyle that they are provided for, which is paid for by "others" was the only real payment and the moment that you start to lose your "Twink" looks, is the moment that nobody wants to touch you. Quinn clearly feels hard done by, as everybody above him has made so much money off the back of his labours, whilst he has been left in the gutter.

It is at this point that you start to see another character appear, the character that is Kaden Daydream. Here, you start to feel that this heart-breaking young man actually has some deep-seated psychological problems. You see "Kaden" constantly trying to turn the tables on the interviewer, as the film starts to approach the root cause of his pain.

Again, you see "Kaden" reverting to type, doing his utmost to shock and manoeuvre the interviewer into a position so he can end the interview and therefore the self-revelations. You also see the true conflict as control of Quinn passes back and forth, just like an emotional tug of war and most shockingly of all to me as a viewer, was the total self-loathing that Kaden/Quinn has for himself.

The big reveal as to what happened to Quinn is when filming returns and they are sitting outside, next to a camp-fire and Quinn reads some poetry. The story that is being relayed in the poetry is clearly what has happened to Quinn. The "Twinky Long Legs" poem is upsetting to listen to, but of anything that Quinn says during this film, he is speaking from the heart when he reads that poem. Although, to me, it was shocking when he burned the pages afterwards.

The interviewer picks up on things that have happened during Quinn's childhood and when he starts to question him you see Kaden make an appearance again and you also see that Quinn's fall from grace in "that" industry has left him associating company / companionship with sex.

It is deeply upsetting to see the Kaden's character make a dominant return at the end, particularly when the body dimorphism facet of his personality appears and the resultant conflict between what he feels he should look like and what he actually looks like (bloody good looking and normal, in my opinion), result in so much blood.

(SPOILER ALERT) It is as this point that I, as a viewer have to state that the film was spoilt for me. Any real documentary maker would not stand there, keep filming and allow the person to effectively kill himself, particularly with a homo-erotic gush of blood. I feel it would have been far more believable if the camera was left with Kaden/Quinn to do his lead out, to film that sequence for himself or if it was a drug & alcohol fuelled fantasy, that Kaden imagines, but later is seen asleep in his bed. But this is only my opinion, others will probably be happy with the ending.

Overall though, we all deep down know that there is a dark and seedy element in the porn industry where people are used and abused, making other people rich, but when they have reached the end of their very short lived careers, they are abandoned as everyone has got what they want. Wade Radford's acting is very, very realistic in this film and very scary in parts. I feel that this is Wade's most important film to date and carries an important social message and commentary.

Sex, Lies and Depravity starts off with a reflective account of two friends enjoying happier times. This helps to set the foundation of the problems that are highlighted through this film by the main character of Jake. In many ways, this is true for all of us to some degree, as a person's deepest problems can be traced back to key points in their childhood.

It is with this in mind that you can begin to understand why Jake is suffering from repressed personality traits and depression and his unhappiness of where he is with his life situation and the longing for his old friendship with Aaran.

Once you understand why Jake is depressed, the domestic violence you encounter as the viewer becomes less shocking, but even more heart-breaking as you become involved as you watch, simply because you understand why. As part of Jake's story is told in "flashbacks" you can understand how physical and mental abuse can perpetuate, from one generation to another, even when you hope that it does not.

Is it any wonder that virtually all of the characters take solace from sex, drugs and alcohol, but these "highs" are only ever fleeting, shallow and ultimately self-destructive. But even here, there is a small, flickering light of hope, as one of the secondary characters, Kyle, had a beautifully, healthy and constructive escape. To find out what though, you're going to have to watch the film.

The other central character of Ethan, I found was the most honest and realistically grounded member of the cast. He "made do" to survive, as we all do and he knew how to survive. However, what made Ethan different, was that he knew how to communication and through all of the bravado you heard him come out with, he also actually cared about the people around him. You will, most definitely find Ethan's language, colourful.

I won't say any more about the film, as I would start top give things away. But after the first ten minutes you can see how this will end. It's just like being locked into a Roller-coaster, you can see where you are heading, but there is absolutely nothing that you can do about it.

In many ways, the style of this film, with the faded colour, gives you the impression that everything is filmed underneath a giant shadow. Depression can and does leave you feeling this way and the whole film captures that perfectly.

Overall, this film ends with hope and that life does indeed, carry on. If you like Indie films, that does not have the false, showbiz glitz of Hollywood, then this is the film for you.

Boys Behind Bars is a fantastic example of a low-budget, fantastic, quality content filled Indie film, with powerful social messages touching on all our deepest fears. So, what can be said about it?!?!?!? Quite a lot as it happens, I think I'll just say a little bit about the characters: Darrell: He is THE main character that this story revolves around. It is his cell and everything within it both possessions and people (whether wanted or not) are there for his personal amusement and potential gratification. He's happy (a relative term) with his situation and is totally comfortable with his social condition. For lack of a better phrase, he's conditioned and totally institutionalised.

Seth: A fellow inmate and "friend" of Darrell, Seth is constantly reminding himself (and those around him as justification of his stance), that he has a life outside of prison, with family and friends to look forward to seeing and being with. He's prepared to look after himself but no one else. It's through each act of "inaction", that under the surface, he has bit by bit lost his humanity and is as much institutionalised as Darrell. The fact that he "joins in" with what happens in the cell, to me proves this.

Lanks: He is a very tall and well-built man, who has totally accepted his situation and copes with it, through the familiarity of his surroundings and his possessions. Take that away from him and his coping mechanisms disappear he quickly reverts to aggression and intimidation to achieve domination/control of the people and situation around him. He too is totally conditioned and sees non-aggression and conformity to prison life as a sign of weakness.

Nico: He is a very quiet, non-conditioned inmate (a noobe). He is so new and so young, that he has yet the maturity to deal with the situation he finds himself in, nor has he had the time to develop coping mechanisms. Once he is literally thrown into the mix and he is faced with three very strong characters, he clearly cannot manage and easily succumbs.

With the four characters in place, one night in Darrell's cell whilst in "lock-down", you can quickly imagine how the situation develops, particularly without the controlling presence of the prison officers. It is a violent film, but it carries a social commentary that confronts your attitudes toward punishment. Please watch this film, be confronted and from that, form your own opinions and not adopt those of people who just "Shout the Loudest"! I hope you enjoy this film.