All Reviews

I usually like films/scripts more when I have no background on them. In this case I was well aware that a two-time previous test-movie-of-the-month winner had made this film (I've seen Sky Pirates and liked it, but haven't seen Myth of Modern Man yet). So let's just say if there was a big problem here, I wouldn't feel bad pointing it out...

But this guy is GOOD. Real good. Gary nails this genre, and the cast was really excellent - bringing out the best in a very good script. I was laughing, could identify with the scenarios, and actually really wanted the unlikely duos (i.e. the true masters of the art of break-ups and remaining detached) to get together.

I mention 'Hitch' in the title for two reasons. One, it did really well and had a good cast for the content. Two, it featured a primary couple engineered to gain popular interest, and had this secondary couple who were clearly the support crew. But the support crew was wayyy more engaging in terms of antics, chemistry and comedy in my opinion. And this is why I prefer 'The Breakup Artists' to 'Hitch', and think it's fresh enough as a romcom to also do very well as a major motion picture.

In "The Break-up Artists", it's really up to the viewer who they view as the primary couple. It probably says a lot about one's dating habits or at least past dating habits - depending on who you choose haha. For me, the lovestruck awkward couple were very good and very entertaining (excellent work Jason LeBorde and Vanessa Smythe) - but my interest was generally on the other two (brought to life incredibly well by James Shepley and a very multi-faceted Samantha Reimer). The difficult task of making them appealing as human beings, such that an audience member WANTS them to be happy, in love with one another - THAT is great writing.

I felt a little sense of of 'formula' at one moment - when the Mary character talks about 'Fairytale Land' growing up. But the funny thing was, it wasn't a romcom formula - I was simply brought back to Major Jack's story in 'Sky Pirates' about the flight school his dad ran as a child before he disappeared and Jack had to become a crop duster pilot. So that doesn't really count as being formulaic, I guess I'm just seeing a 'Milin-ism' at work - the touching personal anecdote which makes a hardened or otherwise on-the-fence potential mate fall all the way in love. Reminds me of Joss Whedon and some of the parallels between his great 'Firefly' and 'Doll-House' shows.

There were nice touches all over this test movie, right down to the 'too tight' note on the red dancing shoes his ex left behind. Ouch.

There is only one thing I can think of which could be a red flag here, and this just comes from me watching a little bit of everything - I'm no expert on this genre. The red flag is that there is a certain I-don't-know-what that a script like this needs in terms of production to make it actually take off as a film. There are two films I'm thinking of - both of which had clever premises and pretty good overall scripts - neither of which I recall getting a whole lot of hype. One is 'The Invention of Lying' and the other is 'Buying The Cow'. Oh and both had pretty good casts - one was Ricky Gervais/Jennifer Garner and the other had me at Alyssa Milano.

What 'The Break Up Artists' would need to avoid getting missed? I'm not sure. Maybe it's that extra cinematic touch that certain directors bring to the table. I'm not sure. I thought 'The Switch' was just as well directed as 'The Break-Up' and yet the latter caught on a lot more than the former, though both were offbeat and fun to watch I thought.

Anyway, I was just trying to give as comprehensive an analysis as possible. Great story, very well executed as a test movie - I would love to see it as a well cast, well directed major motion picture. I hope this competition gets Milin a development deal of some kind.

Not much to say about this test movie, other than it is well made, humorous, a true romance comedy. Artwork is great with well-defined lines and was surprisingly gentle on the eyes; not straining them with bright colors. May be a couple glitches, but for the most part sound is clear making every word of the actors heard. I think Gary is on the road to becoming a writer, director, and possibly filmmaker too. Cannot wait to see what he will do one day with live actors and crew. (That million may get him started) Best of luck cellar dweller.

I have to admit, Gary, that I didn't want to like this movie. And the reason, frankly, is because I'm jealous as hell that you keep winning every contest! But as I watched, I found myself laughing out loud at the many hilarious moments. I also think that your technique on this film is very effective in regard to the editing, pacing, and coverage, which are more fluid and consistent than your other two test movies. Well done, for sure. I do, however, have one similar criticism that I had with the others, and the reason I titled this review "mixed," (aside from my admitted envy). I feel there are two tones fighting each other in the story, as well as in the execution. This rated R comedy wants to be edgy and raw, but it's set in a soft, predictable rom-com. And even though the full color artwork and environments are terrific, the style has more of a Sat. morning cartoon feel to it -- and with your actors performances on the broad side -- it doesn't quite come off in a way I'd image a test movie for Get Him To The Greek or Wedding Crashers to be. All the same, this is one of the best test movies done so far and I truly enjoyed watching it. And I applaud you on all the great work you've done this year. Best of luck!

I love the test movie so far, I haven't finished it, but I really want to.
i think the premise is the best part, I love the Idea of these two break-up artists mixing up together, and it is really neat to see things that i hope don't happen to much in real life, but that's what the movies are for, right?
The actors (voices) were really great. I feel that the characters are a little shallow, though what can you expect from real Break-up artists.
The story does really relate to real life in some emotional ways, like that a break-up can be hard and really is an art, but hopefully not for those reasons.
I would like to comment on how the sound design was, because I have mostly highlighted characterization in my past reviews of various things. The sound design was very nice, though some soud effects didn't go as well as they could have. In the clubs and places I think the music could have been a little more strong and also a score that ran throughout the movie a little more.
his test movie/storyboard is great, though, and i will edit my review once I have finished it.
i hope that this project will go farther than this, and maybe even farther than it was made for. i can see this movie as a big hit with college age kids and adults. Best wishes for the project and all it's contributors!

Okay, I just watched "The Break-up Artists" to see what to think about the contest. I was mainly trying to understand the mindset of the judges. I think, in this case, the entire thing is weakened by the R-rated kinds of things that don't do much more than detract from character development and story. Much of the structure (beats, blocking, shots, etc) was well done.

About four glitches in the movie, times when it would repeat a little part. Otherwise the production values, with the sound and music, was high. Nothing really moving about the music. (Used lots of Bach piano, for example, at 1:10, for high-class parties.)

It is slow to start.Took more than 15 minutes before we understood what the main line of action was. And it wasn't the line of action for the character that started the movie. It had a number of quite implausible turns, like the big one toward the end, when the main fellow and his "girl" try to get their friends back together. Far fetched. So was the whole ending. Which includes the character development. It comes out of the blue, like the circumstances just happened to bring about this wonderful change. Most critics, like newspaper critics on Rotten Tomatoes, would be quite critical of these things. So I'm not thinking much of the judges evaluation of the film.

It does address an important, current topic about today's thinking on love and men and women. Again, real critics, though, would think it simply walked on the wild side and then settled for the traditional. It's the same criticism, for example, of Cecil B. DeMille's bible epics. It did start to verge on something interesting, the needed loyalty of the men to each other and the suggestion that something like that could exist between a man and a woman. That could have, and should have, been more developed.

Overall, It is topical and clever but not profound and moving. I don't believe a studio would pick it up. The judges, I would think, should be agents who have to pitch scripts to studios. They will know if a story has a chance or not.

I think most real critics, like those on newspapers for Rotten Tomatoes, would have big concerns about this movie.

I must say that I expected the story, characters and such to be worthy of consideration by Hollywood, but I was disappointed. Not even close. The story is shallow. Characters are unlikeable (esp. Jerry); and Chris is too mindless in the opening to be believable or generate any empathy. Dialogue is too often crude and unrealistic. Women are treated horribly. No depth of character or complexity except a bit with Mary, although even she talks harshly and unfeminine when she and Chris are together while Jerry's having sex with the woman in the bedroom (her mention of 'crotchless panties' would turn off any woman reader/actor). The notion of centerfolds and Cocksmen magazine are dated concepts, reminiscent of the 'Playboy' era.

Though, in my opinion, the script is a disaster (it's not a RomCom, unlike many reviewers have specified). It's a crude, youth-oriented comedy.

That said, the story board work is fantastic. Great images, color and such. I just wish it was in service of a saleable script.

I like the concept of Breakup Artist, but not as a club or other unreal format. Rather, an individual (male or female) who counsels people who want to get out of horrible relationships, while unable to get out of his/her own lousy relationship. That could be a Hollywood project, but the characterizations and dialogue would have to be substantially upgraded from what exists here.

Just giving my opinion. I didn't view Gary's other winning storyboards, but he's obviously found a good venue for his work. To go beyond Amazon, which I think he should aspire to, not just for the greater money to be made there, but for the self-satisfaction of attaining that level, would require Gary to focus more on the story than storyboard aspect, although he's terrific at that component. Not to mention making good bucks.

This story has been very well presented. The dialogue is humorous and the character development is superb. The voice acting is good and has been well synchronized with the storyboard. This is an initiative, which I would definitely recommend for further development, as it has good entertainment value.

The first part of the production was on the slow side, so if there is a way to add some action to this segment, it would greatly improve the capacity of a viewer to hold his or her interest. Secondly, although the humor element of the script is good, there is room for refinement. This would contribute to a version that would be more rounded and that would flow more smoothly.

There are characters in the story that almost everyone can identify with. Their interaction with each other, was brilliantly executed.

Full credit goes to the production team.

FUNNY, INTERESTING EVERYDAY STORY. I LOVE ITALTHOUGH I'M NOT IN A MOVIE BUSINESS. LIKE IT VERY MUCH. CONGRATS

First of all I just want to say that the overall quality of the story board and the voice actors were superb! The storyboard was timed well for the most part and the voice actors did a great job bringing life to the characters. Now moving on to the actual story, of which was really well executed. Major Kudos to the writer for establishing a raunchy romantic comedy, well at least I hope that I understood it right. The scripts timing was executed great, the three acts were well established and the characters where fitted well into the narrative. Much of the dialogue used in this script/screen test will be well received by adults from the ages of 18+. The dialogue is a crucial role in any romantic comedy and it also demonstrates that the script on it's own is funny without the gimmicks of visual jokes.
The movie was great and so much of the dialogue and events remind me of Sorority Boy's, not that the movie wasn't original, but the story has been present before in cinema. Knowing that, the reason why I gave Character a "Very Good" was because to me these characters were somewhat the same as those in Sorority Boy's even the nerds! The next lowest score I gave this movie was in the category of Emotion a "Good" because honestly I don't feel connected with the characters. They seem cliches on their own and aside from their goals of finding love and winning "maneaters/cocksmen" awards the characters seem very hollow which really didn't give me the emotional feel and that's ok because it's a comedy, I shouldn't feel anything else but the urge of laughter. Which brings me to my final point. All of these are not flaws because the movie is a comedy. I as a viewer couldn't care less of the characters because at the end of the day I go see a comedy so I can just laugh. Overall this movie is four stars on the merit that it delivers what it promises and does it well with top notch dialogue.

Wonderful! I just stopped by and was going to just watch for five minutes but the film caught me and I watched it all the way through. It was a completely unexpected ending surprisingly enough!

The primary couple were a bit too raw and a bit too fast to be sophisticated players ... I would like to see a bit of work on these two. If you get a sophisticated player to act these two, Will Smith, Charlie Sheen, Ashton Kutcher all spring to mind, then they will have their own spin on the main character adding bits which will make the characters more believable.

The secondary couple touched all the raw emotions that everyone hides beneath the surface be they "players" or "regular peeps."

Director-wise I think you'd do well to get someone like Rob Luketic - 21, The Ugly Truth - who would add his own twists and surprises making the movie more enjoyable. Katherine Heigel with her inserted "insta-orgasm" was hysterical.

I think animation lends itself to a certain "over-the-top" quality that regular film simply doesn't do such as the buffet table laid out with body parts and I think the reason is that real people bring a quality of wit and depth to film that animation is incapable of bringing in its two-dimensional state.

Having said that, I think you have used the tools of the trade that you have available exceptionally well and it's an impressive feat to put together a full length storyboard at such a high level of quality.

Congratulations on what must have been an exceptional amount of hard work!