Hard Requitals

I haven’t the slightest idea how to prepare you for this short film. Let me just say there might be something said for karma. If anything, this shows what can done when the idea or premise is original and good, when the writing clicks and when the voice acting hits the mark. Oh, and when the filmmaker knows how to slam you with the unexpected.

You start to feel rather uneasy about 90 seconds into the film and it doesn’t stop until the end. Get nightmares easy? Don’t watch. By the way, this was done with Moviestorm.

I decided to place Mefune Akira’s “Hard Requitals” into the cinema because, well… uh… it is one of those films that I just keep thinking about. It deserves to be shown as an example of stories that can be told through machinima and with software such as Moviestorm.

Made by Scintilla Films in 2005-2006 and using iClone. One of the first iClone animations I ever saw. Actually, I am not sure what version of iClone it used, but I want to say it was probably 1.5x. Unfortunately, it is not in the highest of resolutions. It is still a good example of what can be done in iClone and it does give a rather… different spin to the history of a war and of music.

The 30 minute short is a glimpse inside the life of partially reformed outlaw John Marston as he journeys through the vanishing American west seeking out his former brothers in arms, all in the name of justice. A varied cast of characters and morally ambiguous situations greet John at every turn, continuously testing his resolve and commitment. Playing out against the modernizing frontier and the emergence of the federal government, John’s story takes him everywhere from the American west to south of the border in Mexico. Using only in-game assets and original camera work and editing, Hillcoat re-imagines the massive world of Red Dead Redemption and brings the story to a brand new audience.

I decided to make this even easier to find and place it in Hermit’s Online Cinema. It is entertaining, of course. However, I think there is a lot to be learned from watching what is a professional machinima production. Lighting. Blocking. Timing. Camera angles. Camera setups. Location selection. Watch this and learn while you also enjopy and are entertained by a well-made machinima.

There are two major motion pictures released this year about the legendary fashion designer, Coco Chanel. Yet neither of them tackles the most controversial, scandalous, part of her life. This one does.

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Based on the classic novel by George Orwell, Animal Farm tells the story of a group of farm animals who successfully revolt against their cruel human owner, only to be enslaved anew by the unscrupulous pig Napoleon, whose slogan is “all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

If you’ve never read the book, you should. If you’ve never viewed the film, you should… and here is your chance. The film shows it’s age, but is still very viewable. It is worth your time and effort.

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To introduce Clear Skies, I will quote James Egan from Massively.com as he put it far better than I could have:

“Clear Skies follows a trio of down-and-out misfits who’ve seen no end of bad luck. John Rourke is the obstinate captain of the Clear Skies, a Tempest class battleship manufactured by the downtrodden Minmatar race of New Eden. Rourke’s attitude toward his hazardous chosen lifestyle is cavalier, although this does not sit well with his friends among the crew. Solomon Burke is the pessimistic ship’s engineer, while Charlie Fodder — a gunner with an ironic name — does his best to keep the crew alive. Typical of life in New Eden, Fodder is doomed to remain a rather busy man.

These likeable dropouts from the entrenched corporate lifestyle of New Eden eke out a meager living on trade runs and the odd courier job here and there. Still, they manage to find humor in their grim lot as they narrowly avoid being blown out of the stars by pirates, hired thugs, or whatever threat awaits them on the other side of the next jump gate. This is life aboard the Clear Skies. It’s not a comfortable lifestyle by any means, but the crew is free to live and die by their own terms. Of course, their exploits do make for some good stories.”

Little more to add other than what was said for the original “Clear Skies.” An excellent and entertaining production. An excellent example of what can be done with this new medium called machinima. Action, drama and humor galore! If you loved “Clear Skies” you will love “Clear Skies 2.” I did!

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Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges lead a strong supporting cast in this offbeat crime caper about a colorful group of bank robbers determined to break in the fortress-like Montana Armored Depository.

I still consider this to be one of Clint Eastwood’s better films. Jeff Bridges and George Kennedy are great in supporting roles.

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Clear Skies

“Clear Skies follows a trio of down-and-out misfits who’ve seen no end of bad luck. John Rourke is the obstinate captain of the Clear Skies, a Tempest class battleship manufactured by the downtrodden Minmatar race of New Eden. Rourke’s attitude toward his hazardous chosen lifestyle is cavalier, although this does not sit well with his friends among the crew. Solomon Burke is the pessimistic ship’s engineer, while Charlie Fodder — a gunner with an ironic name — does his best to keep the crew alive. Typical of life in New Eden, Fodder is doomed to remain a rather busy man.

These likeable dropouts from the entrenched corporate lifestyle of New Eden eke out a meager living on trade runs and the odd courier job here and there. Still, they manage to find humor in their grim lot as they narrowly avoid being blown out of the stars by pirates, hired thugs, or whatever threat awaits them on the other side of the next jump gate. This is life aboard the Clear Skies. It’s not a comfortable lifestyle by any means, but the crew is free to live and die by their own terms. Of course, their exploits do make for some good stories.” – James Egan from Massively.com

This is the first machinima selected to play at Hermit’s Online Cinema. Hopefully, it will not be the last.

“Clear Skies” is one of the most ambitious, complete, well-acted, well-directed, well-executed, well-produced machinimas I have seen. Frame for frame this is one of the most entertaining shows I have seen… anywhere. On the web, on television, at the cinema, anywhere. Like humor? “Clear Skies” has it. Like drama? Got it. Action? Got it. If nothing else, “Clear Skies” shows the possibilities of the machinima medium. My advice is simple – if you like “Firefly,” “Red Dwarf,” “Tripping the Rift,” “Star Rangers,” and others of the more dirty and gritty science-fiction shows, give “Clear Skies” a watch. It is well worth your time and I can guarantee you will be entertained.

A small party set out to find a marooned World War I Naval hero lost on a tropical island north of the ice barrier in the arctic. They encounter prehistoric monsters, spouting volcanoes and menacing cavemen. Based on a novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

See how many of the actors you recognize from other movies… other movies with a budget… other movies with BIG budgets. This one does not live up to the “great cheesy movie” label of its predecessor, “The Land That Time Forgot,” but it does offer an ample share of eye candy.

Audrey Hepburn stars as Reggie, a woman targeted by ruthless killers for her murdered husband’s fortune. Cary Grant plays Peter Joshua, a charming bachelor trying to help. Together they try to unravel the secrets to Reggie’s husband’s hidden fortune.

Though not one of my favorite Cary Grant or Audrey Hepburn films, it is a pleasure to see these two together in a film. Add in Walter Matthau and even James Coburn and I am a fairly happy audience. Unfortunately, I must be upfront and admit that the quality of this video is not the best. I would recommend that you not try and watch it full screen… the pixelation is terrible.