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Friends Don't Let Friends Date Friends (2014)
Delightful first feature from writer/director Rhonda Parker
FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS DATE FRIENDS is one of my favorite films made by an independent WNY filmmaker
FDLFDF is the first feature written and directed by Rhonda Parker, with husband Mark Parker as director of photography and editor. The film is delightful, has strong performances from the three leads (Adam S. Dixson, Erin Stamp, and especially Rhonda's cinematic alter-ego, Amelia Favata) and a solid ensemble cast supporting them. But, most importantly, the film is personal, wearing its John Hughes inspirations unabashedly on its sleeve, but not in a derivative way. Rhonda tells her story in her own fashion, citing Hughes' past films as part homage and part affectionate template to carve out her own storytelling path. Okay, some of the jokes are corny, and a scene or two perhaps could have been shot more effectively (a sign of the low-budget strain on a tiny crew wearing multiple hats simultaneously). But Rhonda's empathy for the characters is genuine, and the ending is affectingly told, managing to be both sentimental, yet not saccharine, and cautiously optimistic.
Johnny Gruesome (2018)
You can't keep JOHNNY GRUESOME down!
Writer/director Greg Lamberson (SLIME CITY, SLIME CITY MASSACRE, DRY BONES) originally wrote the screenplay JOHNNY GRUESOME in 1984 when he was 19. When he began his career as a filmmaker, he didn't have enough money to properly make GRUESOME. Almost 25 years later, he finally adapted the screenplay into a book. But 10 years after that, Lamberson finally secured the funds to realize his first screenplay.
JOHNNY GRUESOME is a simple but effective tale of vengeance come back from the grave. The ensemble cast is solid from the leads to the smaller roles. For instance, Michael DeLorenzo plays Johnny's alcoholic dad and is only in a few brief scenes, but his intensity is immediately felt.
The production values of the film show in the make-up for the undead title character, which is great. Also, there are neat production details like Johnny Grissom's (Johnny's actual last name) awesome looking car. The soundtrack also rocks and the title song features vocals by Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls. In the book, Grissom's character was more wise-cracking, but as Lamberson explains in the making-of supplement on the DVD, he originally wrote the character before A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET was released. When Lamberson updated the script he wisely took out Johnny's wisecracks to avoid the comparisons to Freddy, but still there's enjoyable moments of unexpected humor to be found, like Johnny awkwardly trying to walk the first time out of the grave. What's refreshing is that this is not a zombie tale, but actually a ghost story of a sort.
And, as usual in a Greg Lamberson film, it has a strong finish.