1
out of
1
people found the following review helpful:
The movie moves slowly then hops to surrealism, then back to reality.
1
out of
1
people found the following review helpful:
Children of Others title is fine and it works.
Children of Others Test Movie Review
This is a movie that could potentially become a haunting ongoing story for a TV series not unlike X-Files. As a feature film it would need to be edited and rewritten for it to be a suspenseful genre movie.
This version of Test Movie might be a victim of its own ambiguity as trying not to reveal too much too soon backfires.
The first ten minutes of the movie could be edited out as things don’t get rolling till the couple meets Dr. Z. A simple argument there before DR. Z shows up would be enough to tell the viewer what the struggling couple has been going through and this is their last ditch effort to get pregnant.
Dr. Z’s character could be fleshed out more to show us what he might be capable of good or bad, “…Are you walking away from this?”
The couple’s relationship needs more work as their communication seems off and minutes are wasted in useless dialogue where as they could be struggling to save their marriage.
By minute 32/126 nothing has happened here and the pace is very slow, which might possibly work for TV, but as a feature film it would be too slow to watch. Being ambiguous is fine, but the viewer needs something to be curious about. We need to see some of the children in action. I think the writer would be better off to make a decision whether the children are for good or for evil and make a commitment to one so to let the viewer in on it early as to what potential disasters might be pending.
Most of the scenes need to be more active and forward moving and that could mean you’d have to sacrifice minor characters’ potential secrets in order to heighten the overall suspense of the movie.
Some of the crucial information comes to the couple seemingly from nowhere whereas it would be more suspenseful to at least show a hint of a conspiracy.
Minutes 40-48/126 in the movie, we finally see a Homeland Security special agent show up to question them, but no one’s been in any danger. Some dialogue/sound missing possibly on purpose. The real threat is still way off and only potential of a threat is announced as opposed to shown. We need to see some example of something going wrong with some of the children in action to feel threatened and root for characters to get out of the situation.
Nick, the coworker, again brings news of a conspiracy threat? It should be the couple that searches for clues and tries to uncover any potential conspiracies to be suspenseful as viewers are not really invested in Nick.
Minutes 50-55/126, “subject not human” “…You need an army” are examples of scenes that could possibly be shown much sooner to hook the viewer.
Dillon’s crucial conversation with Skylar, minute 110/126, should be done with her present or at the very least on Skype or FaceTime for it to have any emotional impact. Driving around in the car on the phone takes away any potential impact and lessens the urgency of the situation they’re in.
Dillon and (name withheld, minute 117/126) the guy’s confrontation should have some precedence as Dillon can’t just accuse someone to be the culprit without showing the viewer any clues for his suspicions.
The ending scene, Skylar and baby, is good enough and works if ambiguity is the goal.
The movie could work after serious thoughts given in deciding which way to go. Ambiguity is fine, but there comes a time that everything and everyone we try to implicate, in order to create suspense early on, has to be accounted for. It is hard to try decide on whether we like the film or don’t because, well, we don’t know if this unborn “Hybrid” child is going to be good or evil.
Having too many suspicious characters instead of having a clear and developed opponent takes its toll on any potential impact and suspense of the movie. This is compounded by the fact we are not shown any good or bad characters and by the end of the movie we still don’t know who’s what and what’s what?
Characters need to be more developed, especially Skyalr and Dillon characters. Their reason for wanting a child should have a bearing on their relationship and the stress of their predicament should also be visited on the couple’s relationship.
Children of Others could possibly work in later versions by showing the viewer the threat of a possible impending doom early on, having the couple’s relationship struggling from the get-go that might bring them to Dr. Z, and giving us a consistent buildup of tension with the couple having decided to keep the unborn child no matter what. As for this version of Test Movie version ambiguity gets the better of it.
I’ll be looking forward to other version of Children of others.
This is a movie that could potentially become a haunting ongoing story for a TV series not unlike X-Files. As a feature film it would need to be edited and rewritten for it to be a suspenseful genre movie.
This version of Test Movie might be a victim of its own ambiguity as trying not to reveal too much too soon backfires.
The first ten minutes of the movie could be edited out as things don’t get rolling till the couple meets Dr. Z. A simple argument there before DR. Z shows up would be enough to tell the viewer what the struggling couple has been going through and this is their last ditch effort to get pregnant.
Dr. Z’s character could be fleshed out more to show us what he might be capable of good or bad, “…Are you walking away from this?”
The couple’s relationship needs more work as their communication seems off and minutes are wasted in useless dialogue where as they could be struggling to save their marriage.
By minute 32/126 nothing has happened here and the pace is very slow, which might possibly work for TV, but as a feature film it would be too slow to watch. Being ambiguous is fine, but the viewer needs something to be curious about. We need to see some of the children in action. I think the writer would be better off to make a decision whether the children are for good or for evil and make a commitment to one so to let the viewer in on it early as to what potential disasters might be pending.
Most of the scenes need to be more active and forward moving and that could mean you’d have to sacrifice minor characters’ potential secrets in order to heighten the overall suspense of the movie.
Some of the crucial information comes to the couple seemingly from nowhere whereas it would be more suspenseful to at least show a hint of a conspiracy.
Minutes 40-48/126 in the movie, we finally see a Homeland Security special agent show up to question them, but no one’s been in any danger. Some dialogue/sound missing possibly on purpose. The real threat is still way off and only potential of a threat is announced as opposed to shown. We need to see some example of something going wrong with some of the children in action to feel threatened and root for characters to get out of the situation.
Nick, the coworker, again brings news of a conspiracy threat? It should be the couple that searches for clues and tries to uncover any potential conspiracies to be suspenseful as viewers are not really invested in Nick.
Minutes 50-55/126, “subject not human” “…You need an army” are examples of scenes that could possibly be shown much sooner to hook the viewer.
Dillon’s crucial conversation with Skylar, minute 110/126, should be done with her present or at the very least on Skype or FaceTime for it to have any emotional impact. Driving around in the car on the phone takes away any potential impact and lessens the urgency of the situation they’re in.
Dillon and (name withheld, minute 117/126) the guy’s confrontation should have some precedence as Dillon can’t just accuse someone to be the culprit without showing the viewer any clues for his suspicions.
The ending scene, Skylar and baby, is good enough and works if ambiguity is the goal.
The movie could work after serious thoughts given in deciding which way to go. Ambiguity is fine, but there comes a time that everything and everyone we try to implicate, in order to create suspense early on, has to be accounted for. It is hard to try decide on whether we like the film or don’t because, well, we don’t know if this unborn “Hybrid” child is going to be good or evil.
Having too many suspicious characters instead of having a clear and developed opponent takes its toll on any potential impact and suspense of the movie. This is compounded by the fact we are not shown any good or bad characters and by the end of the movie we still don’t know who’s what and what’s what?
Characters need to be more developed, especially Skyalr and Dillon characters. Their reason for wanting a child should have a bearing on their relationship and the stress of their predicament should also be visited on the couple’s relationship.
Children of Others could possibly work in later versions by showing the viewer the threat of a possible impending doom early on, having the couple’s relationship struggling from the get-go that might bring them to Dr. Z, and giving us a consistent buildup of tension with the couple having decided to keep the unborn child no matter what. As for this version of Test Movie version ambiguity gets the better of it.
I’ll be looking forward to other version of Children of others.
2
out of
3
people found the following review helpful:
Story still needs work
(The remarks below were written in response to the Test Movie, not the script, which I hadn't read at the time of viewing. Now that I'm reading the script, I'm rather shocked to discover how well written it is. The Test Movie did not do it any justice. I've learned my lesson; I'll read the scripts first from now on and use that as the source to picture the movie. I'll offer some comments on the script elsewhere.)
I'm not sure about the Amazon concept of "Test Movies." We all know that bad movies can be made of good scripts; great movies can be made from minimalist scripts. There's a big difference between the two, the script being a written architectural inspiration for a visual medium.
That said, I thought the Test Movie was a pretty bad B-grade film destined to go straight to video. The premise is fair--a sort of X-Files meets Rosemary's Baby derivative--but could use work. I take it the Govt, in the form of Homeland Security, is the antagonist. Shouldn't wait until nearly the 3rd Act to boost the antagonist. (I first thought it was the doctor, but he never appeared very antagonistic. Then I thought perhaps the husband was a secret hybrid supporter....)
The movie dragged and had too many FX dream sequences, most which featured cars, trees, & sky. The Movie Science was kinda laughable, esp. when the Dr. was explaining some kind of impact at the cellular level. There were many redundant scenes. Tightened up, this film would run 40 minutes at most, which is a hint that more story development is needed.
Characters are undeveloped. The husband struck me as weak, pushed around by everybody, especially Skylar. I'm not sure who Nick was supposed to represent and Lisa existed only to get the infertile wife to her doctor, demonstrate the birth outcome, & put Skylar in the calamity. No one has any real depth.
I suggest renaming the movie, its current title too reminiscent of Children of Men. The third act is also similar in which the goal of getting to a protected location for raising the child is too much of a plot rip off.
To again voice my concern about Test Movies--if I were the writer hoping to get my script optioned, I'd be very concerned about putting out a bad visual array of my script. The images are everything, and I'd hate to see a movie that was on a quality par with a porn flick portraying the story. I'd rather have the visuals be depicted from the script to imagination or even to storyboard. Quality control is everything.
First act needs strengthening, sharpening. Why not start the film in the doctor's office where you can establish just about everything in a more interesting way?
I'm not sure about the Amazon concept of "Test Movies." We all know that bad movies can be made of good scripts; great movies can be made from minimalist scripts. There's a big difference between the two, the script being a written architectural inspiration for a visual medium.
That said, I thought the Test Movie was a pretty bad B-grade film destined to go straight to video. The premise is fair--a sort of X-Files meets Rosemary's Baby derivative--but could use work. I take it the Govt, in the form of Homeland Security, is the antagonist. Shouldn't wait until nearly the 3rd Act to boost the antagonist. (I first thought it was the doctor, but he never appeared very antagonistic. Then I thought perhaps the husband was a secret hybrid supporter....)
The movie dragged and had too many FX dream sequences, most which featured cars, trees, & sky. The Movie Science was kinda laughable, esp. when the Dr. was explaining some kind of impact at the cellular level. There were many redundant scenes. Tightened up, this film would run 40 minutes at most, which is a hint that more story development is needed.
Characters are undeveloped. The husband struck me as weak, pushed around by everybody, especially Skylar. I'm not sure who Nick was supposed to represent and Lisa existed only to get the infertile wife to her doctor, demonstrate the birth outcome, & put Skylar in the calamity. No one has any real depth.
I suggest renaming the movie, its current title too reminiscent of Children of Men. The third act is also similar in which the goal of getting to a protected location for raising the child is too much of a plot rip off.
To again voice my concern about Test Movies--if I were the writer hoping to get my script optioned, I'd be very concerned about putting out a bad visual array of my script. The images are everything, and I'd hate to see a movie that was on a quality par with a porn flick portraying the story. I'd rather have the visuals be depicted from the script to imagination or even to storyboard. Quality control is everything.
First act needs strengthening, sharpening. Why not start the film in the doctor's office where you can establish just about everything in a more interesting way?
0
out of
0
people found the following review helpful:
Needs Work
The concept might be good but the acting and direction are not equally as effective. The challenge for film making vs writing is sometimes in the collaborative process your vision can get lost in translation. It seems this is what happened here.
The camera work is weak. Often time you can see it moving in places where it should be steady. A tripod or make shift mounted stand should have been considered.
Continuity is also an issue. Was there milk in the cereal bowl. Didn't seem like it. Which made for a distraction.
The actors are delivering dialogue but don't really appear to be talking to each other. Time constraints and learning line quickly may have played a part. But skilled talent and direction would have gone a long way it helping to bring the story to life.
A short well done movie or film may have been a better promotion tool, than a full length film with so many weaknesses.
The camera work is weak. Often time you can see it moving in places where it should be steady. A tripod or make shift mounted stand should have been considered.
Continuity is also an issue. Was there milk in the cereal bowl. Didn't seem like it. Which made for a distraction.
The actors are delivering dialogue but don't really appear to be talking to each other. Time constraints and learning line quickly may have played a part. But skilled talent and direction would have gone a long way it helping to bring the story to life.
A short well done movie or film may have been a better promotion tool, than a full length film with so many weaknesses.
1
out of
2
people found the following review helpful:
Needs work - perhaps two more test movies before it can compete.
I read Barrington's script and found it to be a very good read, but I can see now just how difficult converting a script can be. It's hard to beat the movie inside one's mind as they read a script. Also I realize that this will become stronger with more test movies that include the suggestions given by the reviewers.
This is my first review of a movie so please accept my insights with that understanding. My first impressions are as follows-
- There were many lingering shots that could have been much shorter.
- The black and white seems more fit for mood effects and isn't really needed here.
- Other than the opening scene the shots in the woods and streets might have all played better in darker setting with the characters highlighted.
- Music would help the mood and to fill in during some lingering shots.
- Perhaps strange figures during The first x-ray shots would have been more interesting.
- The female lead was pretty strong, but the other characters seemed unconvincing and were not charismatic at all.
- more action and characters in the background of the outdoor scenes would have helped them to feel more real.
For a first test movie I feel it is a very good start from which Edgar can build.
This is my first review of a movie so please accept my insights with that understanding. My first impressions are as follows-
- There were many lingering shots that could have been much shorter.
- The black and white seems more fit for mood effects and isn't really needed here.
- Other than the opening scene the shots in the woods and streets might have all played better in darker setting with the characters highlighted.
- Music would help the mood and to fill in during some lingering shots.
- Perhaps strange figures during The first x-ray shots would have been more interesting.
- The female lead was pretty strong, but the other characters seemed unconvincing and were not charismatic at all.
- more action and characters in the background of the outdoor scenes would have helped them to feel more real.
For a first test movie I feel it is a very good start from which Edgar can build.
0
out of
1
people found the following review helpful:
Good Potential, If Better Paced
First, it's a plus to choose the unique name, Skylar. I like, and will remember, that name.
My instant reactions were to wonder why the black and white, why so many repetitive scenes, and why not more time spent on after the child is born.
Many curiosities are stirred, but there's a loooong pregnancy, cutting out seeing what the baby is like after birth. Its future is left unclear. The ending is weak and undeveloped.
This has enough exciting elements to make every scene build to full impact of the child.
My instant reactions were to wonder why the black and white, why so many repetitive scenes, and why not more time spent on after the child is born.
Many curiosities are stirred, but there's a loooong pregnancy, cutting out seeing what the baby is like after birth. Its future is left unclear. The ending is weak and undeveloped.
This has enough exciting elements to make every scene build to full impact of the child.
1
out of
4
people found the following review helpful:
Great acting!
Excellent, at times I forgot it was a test movie, good lighting, I liked the black and white. But what pleased me most were the convincing performances. Needs more action. Maybe the final movie should me 10 minutes shorter, liked the actress too.
1
out of
4
people found the following review helpful:
Worth watching
One of the few test movies that I watched to the end.
The script still needs some work, but overall this story has potential in the market.
If Edgar and his group had access to some of the $40K Amazon funding, this project might have been up to standards suitable for distribution.
Disclaimer: I'm still at a loss as to the purpose of making test movies, audio tracks and trailers as it is done in AS.
The script still needs some work, but overall this story has potential in the market.
If Edgar and his group had access to some of the $40K Amazon funding, this project might have been up to standards suitable for distribution.
Disclaimer: I'm still at a loss as to the purpose of making test movies, audio tracks and trailers as it is done in AS.
< Previous | Page: 1 | Next >
The set-up needs work, more intense emotion displays. Characters should be more definable.
Should be scenes of others in the doctor's examining room while our main characters wait for consultation.
More concise aspects of strangeness of the born children than is shown.
A government experimentation plot must be explicit in the action as well.
If there is a virus and there seems to be, you must show the effects of the virus on the population, slowly but surely.
Action must surround escape from government control.
The children of the experiment must be shown coming together and interacting with their parents.
I believe the premise is a good one, but action must be solid. A wow factor must be shown within the first 25 minutes as the hook to push the plot along.