"We're not critics. We're professional fan-girls." --- This blog is dedicated to movies and the entertainment industry. We use random selection to bring into light the best and worst of streaming films and entertainment news.
We here at the Trust the Dice have noticed a spike in
viewership, and we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your
interest. As a result of this spike, we have decided to expand our site. There
will be new articles and, soon, new authors as well. We will be working up to
posting every day, though it may take a while.
You have likely already noticed our first new column: “This
Week In Crowdfunding.”
Trust the Dice is a big supporter of new, and indie,
writer/directors. We recognize that all our favorites started somewhere and we
can’t wait to find out who our next favorites will be. In our new crowdfunding
article, you’ll be introduced to our top 5 favorite entertainment projects
attempting to be funded that week.
We will be using Indiegogo and Kickstarter as sources to find the diamonds in the rough. We will also be doing our best to get
interviews with people associated with each project in the hopes to get some
exclusive information for you guys.
“This Week in Crowdfunding” will be posted by Selina every
Sunday.
We’re not leaving Cat out, though. She’s going to be
starting her own new column called, “But I Digress…”
In “But I Digress…” you will get to learn more about some miscellaneous
entertainment news. Interesting upcoming projects will be highlighted, with
only a few breaks to host articles or profiles of our favorite actors. It’s
something completely different and will veer away from reviews. Of course,
Netflix will almost certainly be featured at times, considering how often they
start something new.
“But I Digress…” is going to go live in a few weeks and will
be posted every Saturday.
Our usual reviews will be moving to Mondays and Wednesdays
in order to make room for another review day.
It’s come to our attention that we have a lot of fans in
France, Germany, Peru, and Iceland. To be honest, we’re not sure how that
happened, but we’re thrilled you guys enjoy our content. That’s why we added a
widget just below our popular posts that allows you to translate our page into
whatever language you speak.
Due to the fact that we have so many international readers,
we’ve decided to add “Foreign Film Fridays” to our site.
“Foreign Film Fridays” will be dedicated to all the
wonderful content on Netflix that is in any language other than English.
Unfortunately, we’ll have to stick to films that have English subtitles because
neither of us are fluent in anything else. These films have been added to the
same kind of list our usual films are on, and will be chosen randomly by a
100-sided die.
Obviously, that column will be on Fridays and it will begin
next week.
For now, we are still talking to prospective writers that
might have ideas to fill Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you are interested in
writing for Trust the Dice, please shoot us an e-mail using the “Contact” form
at the bottom of the right side of the page (below “Blog Archive”). We are not
currently offering pay, though the first two new writers we take on will earn a
percentage of the ad revenue we receive when/if we begin making enough to
support it.
Once again, we want to thank you for taking an interest in
our blog. We love writing, we love entertainment, and we love getting to put
our thoughts out there. Thank you for making it possible.
We hope you enjoy our new content and, as always, may the
dice be ever in your favor.
Movie Name/Year: True
Memoirs of an International Assassin (2016)
Tagline: The man.
The myth. The memoirs.
Genre: Action, Comedy
Length: 98
minutes
Rating: TV-14
Production Companies:
Global Film Group, Netflix (Distributor)
Producer: Justin
Begnaud, Candy Carlsen-Buffa, Raja Collins, Mark Fasano, Kevin Scott Frakes,
Todd Garner, Michael Garrity, Jack L. Murray, Guy Riedel, Ankur Rungta
Director: Jeff
Wadlow
Writer: Jeff
Wadlow, Jeff Morris
Actors: Kevin
James, Kim Coates, Maurice Compte, Zulay Henao, Andrew Howard, Ron Rifkin, Yul
Vazquez, P.J. Byrne, Kelen Coleman, Leonard Earl Howze, Rob Riggle, Andy
Garcia, Jeff Chase, Katie Couric, G-Rod, Al Hamacher, Lauren Shaw, Emilie
Ullerup, Daniel Zacapa
Blurb from Netflix:
After his publisher markets his crime novel as a memoir, a novice author finds
himself forcibly recruited into a deadly political plot in Venezuela.
Selina’s Point of View:
That movie was GOOD. No, it was INCREDIBLE.
Normally, when I watch a film for Trust the Dice, I’ve
always got little statements and points to make in the back of my mind for when
it’s over. Granted, this time was no different in that way. However, I can’t
remember any of it now. I got so sucked into the storyline, and the acting was
outstanding…
In fact, there was nothing that even remotely pulled me out
of the story. Not even for a second.
I gotta be honest. I knew Kevin James (Little Boy, Zookeeper, The King of Queens) had decent comedic
timing, but I had no fucking CLUE he had something like this in him. When I saw
the trailer, I was expecting some kind of slapsticky, action/parody thing. I
still wanted to see it (it made my top 20 for the month), but I wasn’t
expecting a project as huge as what I just saw.
True Memoirs of an
International Assassin is a hardcore action film. It’s also a hardcore
comedy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen those two genres as perfectly balanced in
any other movie.
After watching, I loaded up Rotten Tomatoes. I don’t
understand how the film I just watched got a 0%. I just don’t.
What does any of that mean, anyway? Calling a movie lazy, IS
lazy. Give a real reason for disliking it if you’re gonna call yourself a
critic. And what the fuck does “irrelevant” mean in this context? What’s this
film supposedly unconnected to? Cause if it’s the Super Bowl, I agree. And “typical
James,” this most certainly was not.
I don’t normally subscribe to conspiracy theories. I’ve
heard a LOT of them pitting big Hollywood against streaming sources like
Netflix and Amazon. Obviously, big Hollywood is scared of Netflix because their
success could mean a change in the way movies are made and watched. If that
change reaches a high point, it could lose a significant amount of money for mainstream
Hollywood in general.
I never really gave much thought to the conspiracy theories
surrounding that fact… but I may have to. I cannot think of any other logical
reason for this film to have scored a 0%. A few people disliking it, I would
understand. I expected to see something in the 70s. A 0%.... simply doesn’t
make sense.
I’m sorry this review turned into another rant about why I
hate critics, because True Memoirs of an
International Assassin deserves better. I would have liked to go more into
how amusing it was to watch this as a writer. We all wonder what would happen
to us if we got to interact with the characters we create, or become them.
I would recommend this film to anyone. In fact, my best
friend hates spy movies and I’m gonna go ahead and recommend it to him as well.
That being said, Trust the Dice is undergoing some changes. Tomorrow
we’ll be posting a notice explaining everything.
Cat’s Point of View:
Straight out of the gate, I must say that I loved this movie.
Loved it.
The performances were solid and the movie flowed smoothly. I
honestly lost track of the passage of time for a bit as I enjoyed myself.
Kevin James (Grown
Ups, Here Comes the Boom, Pixels) makes an unlikely action hero, but it
worked! He’s very relatable as an ‘everyman;’ and his charisma and comedic
timing always draws me in. His performance was a bit reminiscent of watching
Mr. Incredible, with his insurance day-job and heroic alter ego.
I also loved this peek into the mind of a writer. From the
visuals of his personal space to the level of research put into the various
aspects of the fictional character’s experience. There’s a meme circulating
around the internet somewhere about a writer’s browser history being a cause
for placement on watch lists, and such. This movie reminded me of it again. I
also got a big kick out of how the movie treats the characters of the fictional
story – especially when they’re not being focused on.
This recent batch of releases had me doing a happy dance for
seeing Kim Coates (Resident Evil:
Afterlife, Goon, Strange Weather) hitting the screen in multiple projects. I
think Coates was perfect for his role. I only wish there was more!
There are two actors that really grabbed my attention here,
also. I have seen some of their other projects but they really hadn’t stuck in
my mind very well. I’ll be looking out for them now. Who are they? Maurice
Compte (Echo Park, Search Party, Narcos)
playing Juan and Zulay Henao (Grizzly
Park, Fighting, Takers) playing Rosa Bolivar. I enjoyed that Compte brought
depth to his character so you could see that he was more than just a flunky.
I think Henao took the cake as a genuine badass. I wondered
if she had performed her own stunts in this movie – and I’m pretty sure she
did. This Columbian-born actress spent a few years in the US Army and even had
a Central America deployment, according to a few interviews I found.
Her action work was spot-on and proved that she’s not just
another bombshell used to add sexy backdrop to an action movie. She was great
in the non-action moments, as well, though. I really enjoyed her dynamic with
James.
I actually wouldn’t mind watching a sequel to this one, I
liked it so much. This is definitely at or near the top of my recommendations
currently.
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 0%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 47%
Netflix’s Prediction for Selina – 4.5/5
Selina’s Trust-the-Dice Score – 5/5
Netflix’s Prediction for Cat – 4.5/5
Cat’s Trust-the-Dice Score
– 5/5
P.S. The music
accompanying the second part of the credits is very amusing when taking the
plot into context.
Movie Name/Year: Gilmore
Girls: A Year in the Life (2016)
Tagline: Live
more. Laugh more. Eat more. Talk more. Gilmore.
Genre: Drama,
Comedy
Length: First ep –
91 minutes
Rating: TV-14
Production Companies:
Paragon Studios, Warner Bros. Television, Netflix (Distributor)
Producer: Dylan
K. Massin, Helen Pai, Daniel Palladino, Amy Sherman-Palladino
Director: Daniel
Palladino, Amy Sherman-Palladino
Writer: Amy
Sherman-Palladino, Daniel Palladino
Actors: Lauren
Graham, Alexis Bledel, Scott Patterson, Kelly Bishop, Rose Abdoo, Keiko Agena,
Matt Czuchry, Yanic Truesdale, Frank Gallegos, Sean Gunn, Todd Lowe, Michael
Winters, Ray Wise, Aris Alvarado, Sally Struthers, Liz Torres, Milo
Ventimiglia, Liza Weil, Alex Kingston, John Cabrera, Jackie Hoffman, Alex
Borstein, Danny Strong, Melissa McCarthy, Jared Padalecki, David Sutcliffe,
Emily Kuroda, Jackson Douglas, Carole King, Grant Lee Phillips, Roy Choi, Chris
Eigeman, Gregg Henry, Paul Anka, Rachel Ray
Blurb from Netflix:
First ep – Fresh from a career high, Rory pays a visit to Stars Hollow. Emily
copes with Richard’s death. The inn keeps Lorelai busy as she ponders her
future.
Selina’s Point of View:
I cannot even describe the amount of love I have for the
original Gilmore Girls (2000-2007) series.
I spent countless hours binge watching it and I still watch reruns whenever I
see them on TV. That last season though…
Ugh.
That’s why, when I heard they were making something new, I
squeed.
I followed the creation of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, very closely. Working for my
previous employer, I wrote numerous articles on what was going on: who was
signing on to play who, who was returning, etc. It was my favorite series of
articles that I got to write.
Knowing that all the actors playing Rory’s previous top
three love interests were returning, I began to speculate about which one she
would wind up with. I’m a hardcore Jess girl… and not just because I love Milo Ventimiglia
(The Whispers, Heroes, Rocky Balboa).
I have always felt his smart bad-boy persona perfectly complimented her slightly
neurotic good-girl personality. I know plenty of people ship her with Logan or
Dean… I just think they’re wrong.
Of course, I am the Jess in my relationship and my husband
is the Rory… so I might be biased.
Moving on.
This four-part event was absolutely amazing. I was glued to
the screen. The actors had NO problem jumping right back into the feel and
story that accompanied the original series. It was like no time had passed at
all. Sure, people looked a little older… but that was it.
By now, I’m sure you’ve heard there was a cliffhanger
ending. I heard the same thing before I watched. I pretty much thought everyone
was being over-dramatic and that when I got to the ending I would be able to go
back and figure out whatever the answer was.
To be fair, I do think I know the answer to the cliffhanger…
but it still caught me WAY off-guard.
We were told that this four-part event would give fans the
ending they deserved. I truly believe the creators of the Gilmore Girls delivered in spades.
Even saying that, I want MORE. I’m sure this is the end now,
but if they put out another one, I’d follow it just as closely as I followed
this one.
Cat’s Point of View:
I was excited when they first announced that this
mini-series was going to be created by Netflix. Their original content has thus
far been absolutely spectacular. I love the fact that they’re willing to develop
nostalgia projects as well as their newer material. Did the success of Fuller House (2016-?) have something to do with this? Maybe, but
who knows – I’m just glad for the chance to traipse through Stars Hollow again.
I do have a confession to make, though. I wasn’t a die-hard
fan of this show. Before you grab the torches and pitchforks – in my defense, I
have always liked it and enjoyed every episode that I watched… I just didn’t
catch the majority of them. Out of the
154 episodes occurring between 2000 and 2007, I probably caught a dozen or two
(ish).
My exposure might have been small, but that tiny picturesque
town in Connecticut left a lasting impression on me. I wish I’d seen more of
the original series – and that’s something that I do intend to correct in the
future.
It doesn’t matter what I’ve seen this cast in since then – I
always associate them with their roles in this show first and foremost. Lauren
Graham (Evan Almighty, Birds of America,
Max), Alexis Bledel (Sin City, The
Good Guy, Parts Per Billion), and Scott Patterson (Saw V, A Beer Tale, Other People's Children) will always be
Lorelai, Rory, and Luke in that split second of recognition before I filter
them into the new role I’m watching them in. I think that says a lot about the
relatability of this show.
Milo Ventimiglia (Pathology,
Chosen, This Is Us) and Jared Padalecki (Flight of the Phoenix, House of Wax, Phantom Boy) are the
exceptions to this. I associate them more with later iconic roles. I wanted a
lot more of both of them in this story arc. I was, however, pleased with the
time we did get to spend with them. They are busy men, and their schedules
likely played a factor.
Watching the town characters of Stars Hollow with all their
quirkiness felt like being wrapped in a warm comforting blanket. I loved the
funny situations as much as the maudlin ones. I laughed and cried and palmed my
forehead.
Even though he passed in 2014, Edward Herrmann (Factory Girl, The Good Wife, The Town That
Dreaded Sundown) was still very much a part of this reunion project. I
loved the way they respectfully wove his absence into the story – his presence
permeates the entire story arc.
When the 4 episode run of this mini-series ended, I wanted
more.
I’m pretty sure that I uttered the same aghast exclamation
that many did when it ended. (Shortly
before I wondered where a good chunk of my day had gone, since the episodes are
an hour and a half long, each.)
This just wasn’t enough. I am hoping that the cosmos can
come together for Netflix to put together a second season. Seriously.
This Week In Crowdfunding is a column dedicated to new
projects that need help from the public in order to reach their goal.
We here at Trust the Dice love to support indie creations.
The list of popular, mainstream, films that began labeled
‘indie’ is staggering. So before you start picturing a black and white short
film of a naked clown smoking a cigarette and flipping pancakes off a bulldog’s
back, remember that some of your favorite films may very well have started out
as indie.
Some indie films you may have heard of include: Pulp Fiction (1994), Clerks (1994), Requiem for a Dream (2000), Memento
(2000), and The Terminator (1984).
Keep in mind, that’s a very short list. A comprehensive list of indie movies
that have been essential to shaping the entertainment world would be too long
for anyone to want to read.
Hollywood doesn’t prefer to take risks and, as much as
artists don’t like to admit it, creativity is risky. That’s the reason we see
so many familiar tropes used over and over again. It’s safe. It makes money.
However, some of the best films in history have become legendary because they
took the risky route and shunned the tropes their genres are known for.
Indie films are a breeding ground for risky creativity.
In this column, you’ll find ten of the best projects Trust
the Dice found hosted on crowdfunding sights this week. These are Films/Web
Series’/Shows of varying lengths and genres that we believe in. If you like any
of the projects you see here, donate to them, tell your friends, and/or post their
information on social media.
These projects don’t just need money, they need people to
care and spread the word that they exist.
Support creativity. Support indie artists.
Remember that every actor, director, writer, and movie you
have ever fallen in love with had to start somewhere.
Trust the Dice does not, and will not, accept payment from project
creators for appearance on this list. Projects are chosen solely on the merit of the idea, proposal, and people involved.
When film makers delve into dementia, they enter into a
realm of reality that’s so harsh that it’s almost always a harrowing
experience. In this case, Elias Benavidez (April’s
Last, A Boy’s Life, A Note to Etienne), the writer/director of Silver Moon, actually watched his
grandmother deteriorate due to the disease. In his introduction video, he credits
that experience as the inspiration for this short film.
Benavidez has outlined an in depth proposal for the funds he
receives from backers for this film, with stretch goals that include improved
equipment, song licensing and compensating volunteers for their time. He has
also expressed desires to take the completed film to festivals.
Any proceeds Silver
Moon garners will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Between the intense heart of this film and the generosity of
those working on it, this is not just a film we believe might work out, but one
we genuinely hope succeeds.
EDIT -
I was able to speak to writer/director Elias Benavidez today (12/6). I asked him if there was anything he might want people to know about his project that wasn't on his Indiegogo page.
"Much of the inspiration is already on the page, but dementia
care has impacted me even prior to losing my grandma. My high school job was
working in a dining hall at a retirement home and I gained great friendships
with the residents (many of whom had dementia). "Many of us went to the University of Arizona together
and we wanted to collaborate on a project that can honor those who've been
impacted by Alzheimer's or dementia (which is why we want this film to support
the Alzheimer's Association). "On a creative note, I love movies that tackle this issue.
Movies like Away From Her (2006) and Still Alice (2014) -- and I wanted to create a project
that honors those themes while infusing genre and heightened surrealism,
staying true to my personal aesthetic."
Had I gotten to speak to Benavidez before finalizing this list, his project would have been listed higher up. When a writer/director touches on something as serious as Alzheimer's Disease, passion is absolutely everything.
Obviously, that passion is present here. That is going to shine through in the finished product.
Lowest Fund Reward:
$10 – Neptune – You are now a part of
our intergalactic team! As such, you will receive periodic updates about the
fundraising and the film production itself. To infinity…! (Anywhere in the
world)
Highest Fund Reward:
$1,000 – Sun – You’re the center of
this film’s solar system! In recognition, you are listed in the film credits as
CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER for helping bring SILVER MOON to LIFE! Also, YOU’RE
INVITED TO THE SET WHEN WE ARE SHOOTING (Los Angeles)! A VIP invite to the
premiere screening, plus downloads (movie and music) and shoutouts! PLUS you’ll
have a STAR adopted on your behalf, a TREE planted in your honor, AND ADMISSION
FOR 2 TO VISIT THE SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR and the IMAX film JOURNEY TO SPACE!
(Anywhere in the world)
9 – Barren
Crowdsource Platform:
KICKSTARTER
Director: Sarah
Hickey
Writer: Sarah
Hickey
Other Staff: Jessica
Pearce (Producer), Josh Mitchell Frey (Director of Photography), Jasmine
Jakulpi (Production Designer), Luke Bicevskis (VFX Supervisor), Phillip Klimek
(Composer), Lachlan Harris (Sound Designer), Vanessa Crouch (Cast), Tom
Beaurepaire (Cast), William Whyte (Cast), Verity Higgins (Cast),
Amount Requested:
$11,191
Current Standing (as
of Saturday night): $815 raised by 25 backers.
Type of Goal: All
or Nothing (This project will only be funded if it reaches its goal by the
deadline)
This short film is a very emotional drama based on the true
story of one woman seeking to escape a significant loss.
In reality, Sarah Hickey (Communion Day, Waiting on Sound, The Mole), writer/director of Barren, lost someone very near and dear
to her heart. As a way to deal with her grief, she carried a stuffed animal
belonging to that person on a nearly 500 mile walk from Melbourne to Adelaide
in Australia. It took her a grand total of 31 days.
The story is easy to relate to, heartbreaking, and
inspiring. In short, it’s the perfect subject for a crowdfunded campaign.
Furthermore, production has already started on this film. That means, one way
or the other, this short film will be made.
The people involved in this film will be putting their funds
toward the last days of filming and post-production. It will cover things like
music composition, VFX, and editing.
Lowest Fund Reward:
$0.75 ($1AU) – SHUFFLE – walk without lifing the feet – Thank you for joining
us on a little shuffle - every dollar counts! We appreciate your company and
that you’re being a part of the film. We will make sure we give you a big THANK
YOU and shout it to the mountains on our social media channels! (Only
Australia)
Highest Fund Reward:
$5,966.40 ($8000AU) – A JOURNEY – from one place to another – If you pledge
$8000AU or more, it’s safe to say you’ve made the full journey with us. And we
want to hear all about it! Come join us for a THREE-COURSE DINNER with the
Director and Producer to hear all about the story of the film (Travel not
included). And for your next journey, we are giving you a OSPREY AURA 50L
backpack (the same one Sarah used on her walk!) You also receive: Associate
Producer Credit, Coffee Table Book, Cast and Crew screening tickets, T-SHIRT A3
Poster Signed by the Director, Cap, Waterbottle, Enamel Camping Mug, 5 Pack of
BARREN Postcards, exclusive access to the full Behind the Scenes Diaries
including the Making of and Sarah’s video diaries from the original walk and a
big THANK YOU and SHOUT OUT on our social media channels. (Anywhere in the
world)
8 – Balloons: The
Movie
Crowdsource Platform:
INDIEGOGO
Director: Jeremy
Weiss
Writer: Jeremy
Weiss
Other Staff: Unknown
Amount Requested:
$40,000
Current Standing (as
of Saturday night): $2,140 raised by 13 backers.
Type of Goal: Fixed
(This campaign will only receive funds if amount requested is raised by
deadline)
I was absolutely charmed by the introduction video on the
Indiegogo page for Balloons: The Movie.
This is another film based on a true story, but there’s a
slight change of pace. Jeremy Weiss is not telling a drama or documentary-based
story, he’s introducing his project as a comedy. The story is based on his one
embarrassing day as a balloon salesman.
Judging from the video, I’m sure we’ll be able to expect
some physical comedy along with the cringe-based stuff.
We all know cringe isn’t really my thing. I have a very low
threshold for tolerating embarrassing scenes, but with the proper balance of
cringe, relate-ability, and physical comedy… it becomes something much better.
This film creator is another that has his eyes set on
putting good into the world. All leftover proceeds from what he raises will be donated
to the Lange Foundation – an animal rescue.
Lowest Fund Reward:
$20 – A Special Thank you! – A special thank you for your contribution! You’ll
get a special thank you shout out on social media! Items included: A Special
Thank You!
Highest Fund Reward:
$25,000 – Executive Producer – Holy cow! What an incredible donation! For this
one you’ll be an Executive Producer of Balloons. You’ll have your name in the
opening credits of the movie. Plus all of the Friends of Lange perks. You’ll
also receive the official T-Shirt, poster, and digital copy of the movie. Items
included: Executive Producer Credit, Friends of Lange.
7 – Dying: 101
Crowdsource Platform:
INDIEGOGO
Director: Unknown
Writer: Larry
Clarke
Other Staff: (All
cast members listed are possible, not necessarily confirmed) Leslie Ann Warren,
Brian Dennehy, Mike O’Malley, Sam Trammel, Kate Walsh, JK Simmons, Billy
Gardel, Chris Bauer, David Koechner, Jeffery Donovan
Amount Requested:
$200,000
Current Standing (as
of Saturday night): $7,791 raised by 45 backers.
Type of Goal: Flexible
(This campaign will receive all funds raised even if it does not reach its
goal.)
This is another film inspired by the death of the writer’s
loved one. The difference between the previously mentioned film and this one is
the method of storytelling. In this case, the writer, Larry Clarke (Road Hard, The Secret Life of the American
Teenager, Contagion), has decided to tell the story inspired by his
father’s passing through the use of dark comedy.
He’s described the film as a mix of Garden State (2004), Eternal
Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), Happiness
(1998), and Welcome to the Dollhouse
(1995). He says it’s told in the flashback style of a Charlie Kaufman (The Edge, Being John Malkovich, Confessions
of a Dangerous Mind) movie with a Todd Solondz (Storytelling, Dark Horse, Palindromes) tone.
That’s a mouthful right there and Clarke seems to be raising
expectations incredibly high. Of course, with a requested budget of $200k,
those expectations were already pretty up there.
With many crowdfunded films, investors are taking a risk on
new talent. However, Clarke is backing up his project with established and
respected cast members. Many of the people speaking on his behalf in the
introductory video are well-know, if not household name, actors.
Clarke did shop his film around, and there were no
mainstream takers. I urge you not to put too much stock in that fact. As I
mentioned above, Hollywood doesn’t like too much creativity.
They forget the audience does.
Lowest Fund Reward:
$10 – Honorary Club 101 – You have full access to the Dying 101 website
including my director’s video diary all through production. Items included:
Website Access/Film Diary.
Highest Fund Reward
(1): $5,000 – CoProducer Perk – We will have you as a part of the team.
Screen credit as a Co-Producer with carte blanche access to production. Our
producers will include you in all pre-production correspondence. VIP access to
all events. In short, you will be our best friend forever. Items Included:
Co-Producer Credit.
Highest Fund Reward
(2): $5,000 – Walk On Part – You will have a walk on part in one scene. You
will have a line. I guarantee you will be in the movie. You, of course, will be
listed with the cast. You also get all VIP perks. Items included: Walk On Part
with lines.
6 – HELLo tHERE
Crowdsource Platform:
INDIEGOGO
Director: Ashley
Eberbach
Writer: Dylan
Wayne Lawrence (also cast)
Other Staff: Sing
Howe Yam (Director of Photography), Reid Waterer (Producer), David T. Woodruff
(FX Artist), Marianna Von Fedak (Concept Artist), Tamika Katon Donegal (Cast),
Jessica Joan (Cast)
Amount Requested:
$30,000
Current Standing (as
of Saturday night): $1,375 raised by 6 backers
Type of Goal: Flexible
(This campaign will receive all funds raised even if it does not reach its
goal.)
This is one of the important films I found this week.
Aside from a very eye catching introduction video, this film
has an incredible message. The plot of a character seeing demons that may or
may not be real is not exactly unheard of. However, HELLo tHERE is not just a random ghost story. There is a really
purpose behind the demons they use.
This psychological thriller is based around the trauma
caused by inequality, racism, and homophobia.
More and more often I find myself seeing people argue that
the aforementioned issues are really not a big deal anymore. They don’t see the
hate, so it obviously isn’t there, right?
Every person walks a different path and, for many people,
that path is lined with thorn-bearing bushes. They can get to their goal, but
only after cutting themselves to bits on other people’s hate.
Inequality, racism, and homophobia are diseases that can
only be cured by reversing ignorance. The only way to do that is to flood the
world with information that combats the lies that cause such hate. Sometimes,
that information is easier to swallow when it’s in the form of some manner of
entertainment. In this case, you get a badass thriller that helps provoke some
thought when it’s over.
Ok, I’ll admit, the title of the film is… rough, but I’ve
been clear about this in the past: You cannot judge a film/TV show/web series
by its name. After all Reservoir Dogs
(1992) is a phenomenal film, yet people have been arguing over the terrible
name since it came out.
Lowest Fund Reward:
$10 – RUN, IT’S GONNA GET YOU! – Although we appreciate your donation, it
wasn’t enough to escape the monster’s grasp. Rest assured it was a quick
demise, but it’s hungry for more! Items Included: Special Thanks in Film
Credits, Shout-out on Social Media.
Highest Fund Reward:
$101 – CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON – Any donation over $100 (even by $1) earns you an
Executive Producer credit in the film. Your name will be seen worldwide as a
key player in the next iconic horror film! Items Included: Special Thanks in
Film Credits, Digital Poster Download, Stream the Film for Free, VIDEO
Shout-out on Social Media, HD Digital Download of Film, Behind the Scenes
Footage, Executive Producer Credit.
5 – Artemis One
Crowdsource Platform:
INDIEGOGO
Director: Brendan
O’Toole
Writer: Brendan
O’Toole
Other Staff: Unknown
Amount Requested:
$10,000
Current Standing (as
of Saturday night): $159 raised by 4 backers
Type of Goal: Flexible
(This campaign will receive all funds raised even if it does not reach its
goal.)
Artemis One is a
science-fiction film about two women going on a road trip with the intent to
steal a space ship in order to test an invention one of them created. The
creator describes his vision as a mix of Thelma
& Louise (1991) and Interstellar
(2014).
The plot seems interesting enough, but that’s not what drew
me to this project.
What drew me in was the sheer level of passion this creator
has for film and space. The introduction video on the Indiegogo page is simple.
Much simpler than the majority of the other videos that accompany the projects
on this list, but the monologue of the creator was so impassioned that it MADE
me care in a way that most of the projects I came across simply didn’t.
When it comes to crowdfunding and creative enterprise there
is nothing more important than passion. Passion for the art and passion for the
subject matter are equally important. Brendan O’Toole has both in spades.
I truly believe that, given the funding, O’Toole will be
able to make a film that accurately portrays his heightened level of devotion
to the subject and its vehicle.
Lowest Fund Reward:
$1 – Thank You! – I get it. You want to support us, but you don’t have much to
give. We thank you for your support. Every dollar helps. Items Included: Our
Thanks.
Highest Fund Reward:
$1,000,000 – Holy Crap!!! – Seriously, if you’ve got this much to give, just
contact us and we’ll work something awesome out for you. Items Included: Movie
Download, Have a Hoody, Signed Script, This will look good on a wall, Come
Visit the Set, Post Production Visit, Executive Producer.
4 – Slingshot
Prince
Crowdsource Platform:
INDIEGOGO
Director: Sixin
(Dandelion) Lin
Writer: Sixin
(Dandelion) Lin
Other Staff: Jana
Sue Memel (Executive Producer), Khoi Ly (Director Photography)
Amount Requested:
$25,000
Current Standing (as
of Saturday night): $1,445 raised by 11 backers.
Type of Goal: Flexible
(This campaign will receive all funds raised even if it does not reach its
goal.)
This film shines a significant light on the topic of
bullying.
Bullying is a subject that is very near and dear to my
heart. From elementary school until I grew so angry that I developed a violent
streak in High School, I was bullied mercilessly.
I was an absolute magnet for bullies. I was a poor, fat,
book-wormy, role-player girl. I had no father, wore glasses, and was confused
about my sexuality. To top it off, in order to try to tolerate my own
loneliness, I turned to lying in order to make myself look better. Literally
any quality that could trigger a bully to get cruel, people would find in me.
I was a one-stop victim shop.
Although Slingshot
Prince seems to focus mostly on bullying triggered by
homosexual/transgendered people, it still pokes at a subject that absolutely
NEEDS to be poked at.
A friend of mine killed himself when I was thirteen. After
high school, I started a group to help bullied children. When one of the kids
coming to the meetings walked off a building, I found it absolutely impossible
to continue.
It screwed me up for a long time.
Bullying is a HUGE problem. It inspires suicide, school
shootings, violence… at some point people need to stop pointing fingers and
start really looking for the source of the problem.
I had the absolute pleasure of talking to the
writer/director of this film, Dandelion Lin (Bifrost, 6915 Miles, The Screenwriter in the Restroom).
I asked Lin if there was anything the Slingshot Prince team would want to tell people about their project
that wasn’t already on the Indiegogo page.
“We hope more people can accept people who are different,”
Lin said. “…I used 26 years to identify and accept my gender. I want other kids
don't need to feel less and shame about themselves, they can dress whatever
they like, and be themselves. No one should take so long to accept themselves.”
The story of Slingshot
Prince is about a tomboy girl in 1995 living in the south of China. The
film explores the bullying she experiences from her classmates due to her
apparent sexuality. The story twists into one of revenge, but that does not
cheapen the meaning behind it all.
Children are being hurt every day because people can’t
handle what is not like them. Projects like this one could make more of a
difference than people realize.
Lowest Fund Reward:
$5 – STAND UP AND SHOUT! – Thank you so much for standing up and being with us!
There will be a big THANK YOU note for you on our social media and website.
Please share our site on social media and shout with us “People who are
different deserve to be treated equally!” Items Included: THANK YOU Note on Social
Media.
Highest Fund Reward:
$2,500 – CO-PRODUCER CREDIT – We sincerely appreciate for your contribution!
Your altruistic support will receive everything above. Plus, as our
Co-producer, your name will be showed on the end credit of this film as well as
on IMDb. You will get THE PRINCE’S SLINGSHOT which hands crafted by our
director. Moreover, you will get FOUR PREMIERE TICKETS as our BIG STAR! Items
Included: THANK YOU Note on Social Media, Collectible Movie Poster, Digital
Documentary Film, FOUR Premiere Tickets, Prince’s Slingshot, Co-Producer
Credit, Printed Storyboard Book, Printed Behind the Scenes Book, Slingshot
Prince DVD.
3 – Don’t Kill It
Crowdsource Platform:
INDIEGOGO
Director: Mike
Mendez
Writer: Unknown –
Script was delivered to Mendez by Robert Yocum according to an interview he
gave Movie in Focus
Other Staff: Scott
Martin, Michael Slifkin, Heather Brawley, Alex Scott-Webster, Dolph Lundgren,
Kristina Klebe
Amount Requested:
$100,000
Current Standing (as
of Saturday night): $2,483 raised by 28 backers
Type of Goal: Flexible
(This campaign will receive all funds raised even if it does not reach its
goal.)
As a reader of this blog, the name “Mike Mendez” (Lavalantula, Big Ass Spider!, The Convent)
should ring a bell. Mendez is one of those underestimated directors that can
turn a minor horror idea into a phenomenally memorable B-Flick. The last film
of his that we’ve mentioned on the blog was The
Last Heist (2016) starring Henry Rollins (Con Man, He Never Died, The Legend of Korra).
Any creator that’s smart enough to want to work with the
great Henry Rollins will always get my attention.
In this case, we have an entire Indiegogo page filled with
that awesome cheesy horror/action/comedy stuff that all of us at Trust the Dice
just love. Especially when you add in the part of the main character, played by
Dolph Lundgren (Shark Lake, The
Expendables 3, Army of One).
The last film we reviewed with Lundgren in it, didn’t quite
thrill us. Then again, Kindergarten Cop 2
(2016) was poorly handled. Marketing it as a sequel when it was actually a
reboot was the movie industry insulting our intelligence.
In Don’t Kill It,
Lundgren plays a demon hunter in Mississippi. He works with an FBI agent,
played by Kristina Klebe (The Last Heist,
Slay Belles, Free Fall), to figure out how to kill the demon they are
tracking through a series of deaths.
The Indiegogo site is very clear with nearly everything you
need to know about this film, but I was able ask the producer, Scott Martin (Time Rush, A Fighting Man, Battle Force),
a couple of questions, so I thought I might be able to get him to expand on the
plot and the demon used within it.
Trust the Dice:
Many of our readers tend to find interest in where the ideas for projects come
from. Were the demons utilized in the film unique creations or were they taken
from various legends/religions and adapted for your needs?
Scott Martin:
This is a single demon and it is entirely unique. How it changes bodies, if you
kill the demon, it jumps into your body and becomes you. Then someone kills you
and the demon jumps into their body. This obviously makes it very difficult to
stop, and creates opportunity for lots of Mayhem.
Trust the Dice:
Was there a specific inspiration for the storyline in general?
Scott Martin: We
wanted to take the familiar demon in a small town story and add a big twist too
it. It’s also fun to have Dolph be the one trying to stop the Mayhem, when in
most of his movies, he’s the one driving it.
Trust the Dice:
Also, would you classify this film as straight horror, horror/action,
horror/comedy, or another genre altogether?
Scott Martin: It
is definitely not a straight horror movie. We would classify it as
horror/action/comedy. There is a lot of fun moments and Dolph is very funny in
DON’T KILL IT. People are going to really enjoy his performance. We haven’t
seen him like this before.
When it comes down to it, this project has the potential to
become a great finished film.
Lowest Fund Reward:
$5 – THANK YOU – You are awesome! Our team will send you a digital “Thank You”
for your support! Items Included: THANK YOU.
Highest Fund Reward:
$10,000 – Executive Producer – Be an Executive Producer on “Don’t Kill It”!
Receive Screen Credit and IMDB Credit as an Executive Producer. Also receive
our team’s “Thank You”, the exclusive Sticker, a Digital Download & DVD of
the film, the exclusive T-Shirt AND Hoodie, lunch w/ the Producers and
Distributors, and the Screenplay signed by Mike Mendez and Dolph Lundgren.
Items Included: THANK YOU, EXCLUSIVE DON’T KILL IT STICKER, DIGITAL DOWNLOAD,
DVD, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, EXCLUSIVE DON’T KILL IT HOODIE, EXCLUSIVE DON’T KILL
IT TSHIRT, LUNCH W/ DISTRIBUTORS & PRODUCERS, SCREENPLAY SIGNED: DOLPH
& MENDEZ.
2 – Transhuman: A
Documentary
Crowdsource Platform:
INDIEGOGO
Director: Ford
Fischer
Writer: N/A
Other Staff: Alejandro
Alvarez (Outreach Producer), Zoltan Istvan (Advisor), Mike Ricciardi (Research
Assistant), Emily Bank (Production Assisstant)
Amount Requested:
$20,000
Current Standing (as
of Saturday night): $250 raised by 1 backer
Type of Goal: Flexible
(This campaign will receive all funds raised even if it does not reach its
goal.)
We don’t do many documentaries on Trust the Dice for one
simple reason.
They’re boring.
Ok, not all of them. You take an interesting subject and
give it to someone with a new perspective on it, and you have something very
much worth watching. That’s the reason we don’t completely rule out the genre.
For a documentary to not only be chosen for a Top 10 on this
site, but to be placed as high as second, you know there’s some substance
behind it that makes it intensely interesting.
I had never heard of transhumanism before.
That statement alone probably doesn’t mean much, I’m sure
there’s a ton of stuff I’ve never heard of. However, I questioned a great deal
of people out-and-about on Friday. Only two out of fifty knew what transhumanism
was… and I’m fairly certain one of them was lying.
For me, technology is life. Everything I do is based around
my computer, my phone or my gaming consoles. I work with technology, all my
hobbies involve technology… there’s never a moment when I don’t have a complex
machine touching my hand or my lap. Even when I sleep my phone is mere inches
from my head. And my husband is even more of a technophile.
Transhumanism seems to be the next step in that evolution.
According to the Indiegogo page, transhumanism is all about
using technology to enhance humanity in ways that are beyond what we currently
understand to be possible. The final goal of transhumanism seems to be using
technology to overcome death completely.
Due to the fact that no one involved with Trust the Dice
knew absolutely anything about transhumanism, we were thrilled to hear back
from the director, Ford Fischer.
I asked Fischer what triggered his interest in
transhumanism.
“…I actually heard about Zoltan Istvan's Transhumanist Party
Presidential run,” he explained. “I contacted him and did an interview … I
ended up becoming very interested in the topic and watched several news stories
about it and read Zoltan's book, Transhumanist
Wager. Before announcing the film, he also agreed to participate as an
advisor and be interviewed for it.”
What that means is that this all started with a politician
that had the future in mind (shocking, I know). It’s not uncommon for a
documentary film to take something small, like an unknown politician running
for president, and turn it into something worth learning about.
This is exactly the kind of documentary Trust the Dice is
willing and happy to support.
This will be the first full-length documentary that Fischer
directs, but he’s hardly a newbie to the genre. Three years ago, he co-founded
News2Share – an online news source. He has an eye for intriguing truths.
“I’m up to the challenge and believe the topic is perfectly
suited for a successful film,” he said. “Transhumanism is a relatively fringe
philosophy right now, but I anticipate it emerging and shaping our future both
socially and politically.”
I can’t claim to know what will happen in the future, but I
do know that technology seems to be leaning toward taking over the world… and
that make Transhumanism a fascinating subject.
Lowest Fund Reward:
$5 – The Mention – We will thank you by name on Facebook or Twitter, and
include you in a list of backer on our donor website.
Highest Fund Reward:
$2,500 – Executive Producer – You will be granted exclusive access to the film
in progress and be able to give feedback to help shape the film, and all perks
above. We will also include your name in marketing materials such as posters,
trailers, etc. Included: Social media shout-out, Inclusion on online donor
list, Digital copy of the film, DVD copy of the film, Signed poster, “Executive
Producer” in film credits, “Executive Producer” on IMDB, Inclusion in meetings
with film producers, Thank you video.
1 – The Lyosacks
Movie
Crowdsource Platform:
INDIEGOGO
Director: Alvaro Calmet
Writer: Alvaro
Calmet
Other Staff: N/A
Amount Requested:
$3,000
Current Standing (as
of Saturday night): $490
Type of Goal: Flexible
(This campaign will receive all funds raised even if it does not reach its
goal.)
I have always been and will always be a big fan and
supporter of YouTubers.
Alvaro Calmet began posting the Lyosacks series on YouTube in 2010. Like many, his channel started
slow. Sure, he doesn’t post as often as some of the really big names out there,
but he does post regularly and his Lyosacks
series is adorably hilarious.
I’ll be honest, I had never heard of the series when I first
came across this project on Indiegogo. My initial interest in the film stemmed
solely from the fact that it was based off a YouTube series.
I have a mild obsession with YouTube. Well, more than mild. I’ve actually been working on getting my own channel up and running.
On this blog, we’ve seen some interesting projects that were
created by YouTubers. Riley Rewind (2013),
SMOSH: the Movie (2015), Video Game High School (2012), etc. We
seem to always enjoy these kind of projects. I have a theory that the quality
is better because the sheer amount of passion and dedication necessary for a
YouTuber to stand out among the rest and force their work into existence is staggering.
Especially since YouTubers never start off getting paid for their work.
It’s a labor of love.
The audience can always tell when extra effort has been put
into a project and it DOES pay off.
In the case of the Lyosacks
Movie you have Alvaro Calmet, a YouTuber that animates and writes his
series alone. The only reason he intends to work with anyone for this film is
because he needs voice actors.
The film is about three friends trying to save the world.
From what? Well… everything. The movie will involve everything from zombies to
ninjas to aliens. It’s sure to be crazy fun.
Not only that, but Calmet has stated that, although it helps
to be a fan of the series beforehand, the story works just fine as a
stand-alone film for people unfamiliar with his previous work.
When I asked Calmet what he might want to tell people about
his project/channel, he explained that he wanted people to understand that
everyone has a chance to make their projects and dreams become a reality if
they put their minds to it and exert as much effort as possible.
I urge you to take a look at Calmet’s channel. Watch a few Lyosacks episodes. After an hour, you’ll
see exactly why this project landed our number one spot this week.
Lowest Fund Reward:
$5 – THANK YOU POSTCARD! – Thanks for pledging $5! Everything helps to reach
our goal! As a token of our gratitude, we would send you a postcard! This
includes a pictures of the Lysacks world and a phrase thanking you by name.
Highest Fund Reward:
$100 – PRODUCER ACCESS! - $100! You’re now officially a producer of the movie!
Of course, this comes with its own privileges: You get access to a closed
Facebook group with the voice actors where I’ll be updating the movie as it
progresses and discuss it! This means YOU’LL BE WATCHING THE MOVIE AS IT’S
BEING MADE all the way to the release date, and be able to help improve it! You’d
also get ALL the Lyosacks music from the show and movie! Finally, your name
would also be in a special category in the credits.
