Thursday, June 4, 2015

DOOMSDAYS Review- Jonesy's Take

Directed by Eddie Mullins
Written by Eddie Mullins
Starring: Leo Fitzpatrick, Justin Rice, Brian Charles Johnson, and Laura Campbell
Synopsis: A pair of drifters make their way from vacation house to vacation house and pick up two other like-minded people along the way.



DOOMSDAYS is available on VOD June 5th. 






In post-apocalyptic movies, the protagonists are normally run-of-the-mill people looking to just survive or make it back to their family. DOOMSDAYS is unlike any other post-apocalyptic movie you've seen. In fact, it's not a post, but rather a pre-apocalyptic film.

Bruho (Fitzpatrick) and Dirty Fred (Rice) are two friends who make their way and break into a series of vacation homes looking for food, booze, drugs, and a place to chill until resources run out or the home owners come home. They're slackers, in the most modern sense, who believe the world's petroleum sources will soon run out and will throw the world into chaos.

Bruno has a more pessimistic view; he destroys cars and slashes tires in hopes to save some gas. On the other hand, Dirty Fred is more blasé and would rather drink and be merry on this adventure.

Their group dynamic changes when a lonely yet jovial teenager, Jaidan (Johnson) forcibly joins their duo, and when Fred meets a young woman, Reyna (Campbell), who's a bit of a free spirit wonderer herself. Everyone has a set part to play in the group dynamic, yet all of the characters balance each other out in the best ways. When Jaidan get a little worked up about petroleum, Reyna is there with her optimistic views to bring him back down. Or when Bruho feels stressed and angry, Fred is there with his chill vibes and nonchalant attitude.

This film isn't for everyone. There's basically no plot, which many will not like, and it's just the wondering exploits of these four people. The characters could feel too "hipster" and a little grating with their ideals and views, but the film ends up being strangely charming, especially when all four are breaking into these houses and enjoying their time together.

Even though the plot is non-existent, the script is smart and witty. Rather than spelling everything out, the film lets the conversations between the characters and their choices fill in the blanks of their past and motivations.

Director Eddie Mullins uses almost no close ups during the whole film. Instead, he uses the gorgeous forest scenery and house to frame his actors and their scenes. In these shots, the camera doesn't move, which gives the audience a chance to focus on the characters and their words. Too often movies rely on quick shots and close ups to convey characters' emotions, but Mullins trusts his audience to see the nuances and take in the whole scene.

DOOMSDAYS shows a lifestyle many us would not particularly care for. There's not many who would preemptively start living the nomadic lifestyle just in case the petroleum runs out. However, this quaint film is makes this lifestyle strangely entertaining and interesting. The characters are enough to drive this film, and the script is smart enough not spell everything out, so it keeps the audience engaged in their adventures.

If you're looking of a chill and modern-slacker film, this is for you.

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