steadicamjr Reviews

The Leopard Son (1996)

Wonderful and rare film!!

[9/10 · 28 July 2008]

I just watched an older VHS recording I had made of this movie when it debuted on The Discovery Channel. This is a marvelous film full of gorgeous, eye-popping cinematography and spot-on camera-work. The previous posts complaining of no music...what the hell were they watching? Stewart Copeland composed a great music score for this film that's over 74 minutes long!! How can you watch this film and not notice the music? I must go out of my way to ask anyone visiting this site to completely ignore the previous 2 posts and go out of your way to seek a copy of this movie and escape into the lush and savage beauty of Ngorongoro. This is easily one of the most masterful nature films ever made and I think it's sad that Discovery Channel didn't do more to promote this film and make it available on DVD--here's hoping for a Blu-Ray version. Hugo--God rest your soul--you are gone but not forgotten and this film is a true gem to remember you for!

John Brune Fort Wayne, IN

The Last Round (2005)

Masucci Brothers Score Knockout in The Last Round

[8/10 · 15 August 2006]

I just saw "The Last Round" the other day and I was profoundly impressed with its technical expertise, solid script, and overpowering performances. Featuring William B. Davis (Smoking Man) from the X-Files and a riveting cast of virtual unknowns Dan and Joe Masucci (aka The Masucci Brothers) prove they have the film-making chops to take on complicated production design, dark moody lighting, incredible camera-work, and star in and direct a REAL story. Rising far above any other independent filmmaker using digital video equipment the Masucci Brothers have produced their first feature length movie--a remake of one of their award-winning short films.

It's dark, depressing, intense, funny, emotional, and will have your heart pounding until the very end. Michael Hayes' performance will knock you out! This is a movie shot on video at the quality level of 35mm film. Being a cameraman and editor myself I can fully appreciate the professional skill that goes into a movie like this. This is no thrown-together, let's-meet-at-the-diner-and-make-movie-with-my -dad's-camcorder type of show...this is the real deal! It's bold and it's fun as hell to watch. The original music by David Bourgeois is everything Carter Burwell was to the Coen Brothers when they made Blood Simple. Joe Masucci's photography is equal to any work by any DP (that means Director of Photography, dumb-ass!) working in suspense films today. Dan's direction proves he's a dedicated artist waiting to explode onto the film scene. This is the best example of what low budget film-making can really be.

The Masucci Brothers are the cream of the crop in the independent film-making scene--hands down!! I've seen a lot of their stuff but this is better than all of their shorts and other projects put together. Anyone who likes suspense/drama type films owes it to themselves to acquire a copy of this movie and check it out for themselves. I can't wait to see what they'll do next and I know it won't be long until everyone else will be saying what I'm saying right now--the Coen Brothers, the Wachowski Brothers, the Masucci Brothers! Serious films deserve serious recognition. Seek this film out, watch it ; I guarantee it will make you want to go out and make a movie yourself!

John Brune Fort Wayne, IN