Screener Review: THE BEAUTIFUL ONES (2016)

Coming into writer and director Jesse V. Johnson's latest movie, The Beautiful Ones, the earlier trailers hinted at something quite artful and unique in a way. If you don't necessarily have an eye for filmlore of yesteryear in some capacity, you might either disagree with this particular film or be entirely indifferent; My film background is a mix comprised mostly of films from the last three decades, so my exposure to movies before that leaves a lot to be desired if not for only a select few titles, filmmakers and stars. However, it's a history that well suits Johnson for this latest beaut, and much to our delight.

Billed as a modern day noir Romeo & Juliet, the movie is set in Los Angeles and centers on Gabriel Tancredi (Ross McCall), an enforcer for the Tancredi crime family under his aunt, Madame boss Caterina Tancredi (Julie Warner). Their distinct history shared with that of the Romano crime family led by Tony "The Shark" Romano (Anthony V. Pugliese III) has since led to a turf war between both sides, and at Caterina's behest, Gabriel moves in to infiltrate Tony's daughter, Eva (Fernanda Andrade), for leverage. As the story here goes, with the two families itching to pull triggers to see how many bodies will drop before the war is won, Gabriel finds himself falling in love with Eva, and must now come to terms with the family he bled for, and the life he wants away from it all.

Johnson's script and the overall production design do wonders for the film's adherance to 60's and 70's-era filmmaking with strong cinematography and great set pieces, music and costume design, and a tone that doesn't bore you until the action sequences begin. McCall's performance as Gabriel is one that commands with a lifestyle and a sense of coolness and swagger attributed to his character's favorite actor, Steve McQueen, in addition to a nuanced understanding of religious theology and an appreciation for Nippon crime classics. As a result, none of McCall's performance is overdone or misinterpreted in any way with solid acting and a workable approach to a cinematic image not retooled or rehashed, but echoed and otherwise respected.

The film's supporting cast contribute favorably here as well with brief appearances by actor Eric Roberts and actress Jessy Schram to name a few. Leading actress Andrade graces the screen with her presence in the role of Eva, and, like McCall, portrays her character maturely and genuinely, making the Gabriel and Eva story all the more watchable as time passes while the compelling details and ensuing conflict unfold.

The film is peppered with some truly engaging moments of intertwining drama that highlight Gabriel's relationships and withering friendships, as well as his past with respect to his employment under Caterina. Actor Brian Tee plays the hugely intergral role of Casper, the driving force behind much of the friction that lingers with Gabriel and the Tancredis'. Warner, as Caterina, lends a performance that builds off of its thematic environment enough to give a multi-dimensional understanding of what makes her tick, whilst briefly joined in one particular scene featuring a memorable final performance from late actor Ed Lauter as the disenfranchised and nostalgic father and former figurehead of the Tancredis'.

The film isn't loaded with action, but that isn't something to second-guess with Johnson as the director with up to twenty-five years of stunts and action on film under his belt. Tweaked and nurtured with pristine focus in the good company of action coordinator Luke LaFontaine, the action sequences take you right into the blunt-force trauma with every swing, stab and jerk of a trigger. The explosive finale, ornamented by an array of guns big and small, and a punishing knife fight to boot are stylishly coordinated and delivered with impressive camera positions and angles that do McCall justice as an action star, while servicing just the right dose of quality action rarely seen on film anymore. 

 
If you're a millenial reading this review and don't necessarily have the experience most people like Johnson have in filmlore, you might be forgiven for not entirely understanding all or even some of the tropes seen here. Thankfully, the film isn't difficult at all to watch and composes itself rightly so, with great pacing between scenes and character delivery and all the transitions therein, served piping-hot with a definitive male lead that conveys just the kind of hero the movie needed to work.

Alas, Johnson and his cast and crew present a crime thriller that not only welcomes all who are interested, but serves an homage to a standard of artistic interpretation representative of an era that still burns inspiration into some filmmakers today. In all its gorgeously-shot and bullet-ridden glory, we get a movie that reminds audiences of what going to the movies ought to feel like, as opposed to reimagining it. 

In that respect, there is plenty to love and appreciate about the The Beautiful Ones in all its gorgeously-shot and bullet-ridden glory. Because there is nothing deceiving about these looks.

Stay tuned for news on its release!

THE HIT LIST - June 8, 2015

This week's Hit List load is choc-filled with goodies; there was one that I absolutely LOVED and if you're a fan of Star Wars, Batman and Marvel, you're going to be absolutely fulfilled by what you're about to see. Ah, and there is music too!

That said, crack a bag of good eats open and put this playlist below on full screen, because it only gets more spectacular by the end. Team Cascade's own Ben Milord kicks things off with his newest stunt reel followed by that of Kendall Wells thereafter (more on him later), and other reels from Lauren Okadigbo, Lang Yip, Jayden Irving, Damien Buffard, Jerry T. Adams, Korey Fackler, Mike Needham and Geoff Samuels. The list completes itself with two solid fight choreography reels from Peter Berube and the one and only Philip Silvera!

Next up is a series of still, some of which have already gone public. The first is a small handful of shots from Bat In The Sun's next episode of Superpower Beatdown that pits Joker and Harley Quinn against Deadpool and Domino. The second batch comes from a shortfilm featuring action actress and stuntwoman Toy Lei and West Empire Production's own Lovel Johnson Jr. among the cast in Boxer, and there are no two ways about it...there will be some boxing!; Word is that Boxer is still being circulated in festivals so there won't be any open releases any time soon, but when it does, it will be a part of Hit List history yet!

Now that we've settled things above, it's about to get a lot more bloody and brutal. Several test fights are now online, and with the great pleasure of watching many of these filmed with impressive quality and creativity, starting with Fight Factory's latest, Five Directors with each performer directing a short action sequence between two of its members at a time. Other short videos featured beneath come from Jaze Phuaductions with Yan KayKay demonstrating a la Guy Ritchie how to stop a rapist, Wolf Stunts' own David Conk lending his own etiquette lesson in a Transporter-inspired fan fight, indie company West Empire Productions's new ensemble four-way fight, Rising Tiger's own Leroy Nguyen's latest attempt to goad Daniel Sim in a new test fight, stuntmen Taylor Tai and Yusuf Ahmed workin' it for the lens under Reel Deal Action's own Tanay Genco Ulgen, indie actioner Darren Holmquist's own upload of a key fight sequence in the 2014 webseries, Disavowed (series link in the description) and Leo Kei Angelos's latest get together with actress Bonnie von Duyke for vampire huntress concept, Fury.

Finally, we now get into some longer format items on the Hit List, and the first comes by way of a 2011 collaboration between Thousand Pounds and producer Jace Hall in a concept video that pits FCSyndicate familiar, action actress Amy Johnston against seven other performers. Johnston's performace caliber is widely known among netizens for a similar video that has gained sheer virility in the last few years and became the ultimate precursor amid a growing career in stunt performance that has since led to her forthcoming debut lead role in director Chris Nahon's upcoming Lady Bloodfight. In that respect, clearly this is one video that does Johnston justice! (To note, yes. That would also be her in the stills above as Harley Quinn)

The next video you're about to see features Kendall Wells (see above) in a hard-hitting hitman comedy short, Apt. 29. Some of that footage is in Wells's reel but is also available in full below with actress Sara Warner who plays the kind of girlfriend who will defend you with her life...even long after the break-up! Isn't that sweet?

Apt. 29 is the first of several projects to come from director and fight coordinator Luke LaFontaine's War Studios and it's Warner's action debut after two years of hard work and training leading up to what she hopes will be an open door toward more action-packed projects like it with fellow stunt professionals watching. It's well worth the view below, and the laughs that follow.

Alright, time to get musicky for just a little bit! Winding down this leg of the Hit List is more content from filmmaker Bryan Sloyer in yet another poetic testament to art in multiple forms. Joining Jerry Quill and actress and stuntwoman and musician, 2013 interview subject Michelle Jubilee Gonzalez, Music Man is the name of this latest gem, and hitting all the right notes...in the face. Hard. And speaking of Quill, he also joins a flurry of fellow fallguys in singer Lord Huron's music video, Fool For Love, which aired back in March.

And lastly, Hollywood stunt and fight coordinator Larnell Stovall is back and making the rounds with an interesting concept video surrounding Image Comics publication, Romp. It's a bit of a throwback to when Stovall's earlier time at 87Eleven granted him an opportunity to apply this concept and turn it into workable action choreography with stuntman Christopher Brewster on hand as the title character - an armless crimefighter. As you're about to see, the video speaks for itself, and this is something that could awesomely do well for a series or a film with the right people. Check it out and judge for yourself, oh, and CLICK HERE here to get to know Brewster while you're at it. He's a pretty big deal.

Last week's Hit List was pretty epic too, so if I were you, I'd make note of it. In the meantime, you're also better off subscribing to these channels above for more excellent goods to come, and if you happen to be a QUALITY content creator yourself and wish to host on the Hit List, email us at filmcombatsyndicate@gmail.com.