I saw Road to Hell recently, on opening night of the Pollygrind Film Festival in Las Vegas. i really didn't know what to expect because I had seen several clips already, some of beautiful moments and some that looked pretty disturbing. There was one scene in particular that I was concerned about, which I won't spoil here, but I told myself I would just close my eyes and power through it. I'd remember my son telling me it is "only make-believe".
I could not have been more happily surprised. The story is engrossing and edgy. While it does take some very dark turns, you can see that there is more to Tom Cody than a man with nothing left. He seems to have lost all sense of compassion, but really, there is still a spark of human spirit in him that won't let him give it up completely. We are given a look at both deep despair and redemption.
Michael Paré creates a deeply touching and emotional persona for Tom Cody. This actor can give us more depth and understanding of a character in a brief glimpse on camera than many can muster in the entire length of a movie. He is fascinating. I feel a little silly now, but I admit, he brought tears to my eyes.
Clare Kramer and Courtney Peldon are gorgeous and terrifying. That was their intention and they definitely pulled it off! I would not like to meet either of their characters in a dark alley, but I hope to meet the actresses at the next Film Fest!
Roxy Gunn is breathtaking on the big screen. I was overwhelmed by her performance. She was perfect in the role of Ellen Dream, a talented and beautiful rock and roll legend-to-be; and in that sense, art imitates life.
The soundtrack, performed by the Roxy Gunn Project, was amazing. The in-studio videos and "radio-play" tied the whole movie together, building the anticipation for her performance at the end. Everything about her concert scene brought back the feeling of the original, with an updated and contemporary point of view of the fantasy. Every member of the band is so extremely talented. I know they are going to skyrocket!
I won't spoil the ending, but I will say that the entire audience was moved to give the movie, and the filmmakers, a standing ovation when the lights came up.
The script, the style, the pace, and the transitions kept me completely involved from the first moment to the last. The movie won nine awards, among them Best Picture, Best Actor for Michael Paré, Best Actress for Clare Kramer, Best Supporting Actress for Deborah Van Valkenburgh, Best Screenplay for Cynthia Curnan, and Best Newcomer for Roxy Gunn. Albert Pyun, the director, also received a Lifetime Achievement award.
I can't wait to see it again in San Francisco!
I could not have been more happily surprised. The story is engrossing and edgy. While it does take some very dark turns, you can see that there is more to Tom Cody than a man with nothing left. He seems to have lost all sense of compassion, but really, there is still a spark of human spirit in him that won't let him give it up completely. We are given a look at both deep despair and redemption.
Michael Paré creates a deeply touching and emotional persona for Tom Cody. This actor can give us more depth and understanding of a character in a brief glimpse on camera than many can muster in the entire length of a movie. He is fascinating. I feel a little silly now, but I admit, he brought tears to my eyes.
Clare Kramer and Courtney Peldon are gorgeous and terrifying. That was their intention and they definitely pulled it off! I would not like to meet either of their characters in a dark alley, but I hope to meet the actresses at the next Film Fest!
Roxy Gunn is breathtaking on the big screen. I was overwhelmed by her performance. She was perfect in the role of Ellen Dream, a talented and beautiful rock and roll legend-to-be; and in that sense, art imitates life.
The soundtrack, performed by the Roxy Gunn Project, was amazing. The in-studio videos and "radio-play" tied the whole movie together, building the anticipation for her performance at the end. Everything about her concert scene brought back the feeling of the original, with an updated and contemporary point of view of the fantasy. Every member of the band is so extremely talented. I know they are going to skyrocket!
I won't spoil the ending, but I will say that the entire audience was moved to give the movie, and the filmmakers, a standing ovation when the lights came up.
The script, the style, the pace, and the transitions kept me completely involved from the first moment to the last. The movie won nine awards, among them Best Picture, Best Actor for Michael Paré, Best Actress for Clare Kramer, Best Supporting Actress for Deborah Van Valkenburgh, Best Screenplay for Cynthia Curnan, and Best Newcomer for Roxy Gunn. Albert Pyun, the director, also received a Lifetime Achievement award.
I can't wait to see it again in San Francisco!