Uncork’d Entertainment releases post-apocalyptic thriller ‘After The Pandemic’ , from filmmaker Richard Lowry (President Evil, Apocalypse Rising), on Digital and DVD March 1, 2022. A dark sci-fi thriller set around the Covid-19 pandemic, the film is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a global airborne pandemic has wiped out 90% of the Earth’s population and only the young and immune have endured as scavengers. For Ellie and Quinn, the daily challenges to stay alive are compounded when they become hunted by the merciless stalkers. Their perilous journey culminates with a sacrifice, death, and redemption. Eve James and Kannon Smith star.
The film takes influence from Sci-Fi classics Terminator, Mad Max, I Am Legend, and A Quiet Place, fusing it with a pinch of Thelma and Louise. Unfortunately, this cocktail of influences leaves an off-taste. Regretfully, the lackluster 100 minutes of wooden performances and a lack of suspense or thrill will leave you disappointed. Written and directed by Richard Lowry and produced by Francesca Zappitelli, the film will be released on digital and DVD March 1st 2022.
Movie Rating: 2 stars.
Movie Rating Guide
1 Star = Unwatchable
2 Stars = Cannot Recommend
3 Stars = Great for the Fans
4 Stars = A Solid Movie
5 Stars = Must Own (DVD/Stream Download)
About Author
What is no often released in these self opinionated reviews is little thing called, “the budget” .. Yes the budget. That stuff called filthy lucre or money… Why are Hollywood movies good? Lots of money. Why are small independent film not so… Lack of money… Its not the script the camera man or any of those thing is always the money and short film often depict the lack there of. After the Pandemic was good idea and place a few million up it arse and you got a half reasonable feature. It is simply amazing how these self confessed critics whose day job is sweeping toilets get some notoriety from their verbal diarrhea. Not having made film, written script they are the “experts” at jaw bashing those who have… Critics only get paid because of weak minded public who day job and imprisonment is like wise cleaning toilets.
The film itself… The idea that drives it is sound, rather unique and could certainly be a feature film. Location. St George district Utah and round about. Under utilised to a degree given the one of the prettiest places in the state. Local tourist authorities like seeing their name up in lights.
Cinematography / principal photography / lens selection. Now given that the film was not shot on an Arri 35XL and Panavision lenses, choosing instead a DSLR from this point it’s all down hill. The so called “cinematic look” is possible however you must work at it. Field of view (FOV) focal length and ‘T stop are critical. The scale of given from is determined via the above three. Changing T sop also changes scale and the reason audiences a re irritated by these subtle changes.
Casting; Kannon and Eve were well cast offsetting their opposing personalities on screen adding to story and in affect they made this low budget film rise out of the ashes of obscurity. I They gave life to the script having in may ways to carry the film without the aid of a million dollar production crew. So well done ladies.
Dialogue shooting; Contrary to popular misconception film is dialogue and to under estimate this aspect is to kill the film… This film jumps from wide to tight with very little in between. This error flows to the editing leaving the editor with very big head ache. If it’s not there in principal photography, then it is lost. The English (films and so forth) approach to dialogue shooting is very different than the American formalised. After the Pandemic and on a tight budget would have benefited greatly from the English approach.
The Frame; The most successful films ever always let the actors play the frame instead of restricting actors within the frame. The frame is the stage so let the actor breath in frame and don’t just decide this is the lens and squash it all up.
Editing; Editing is not an after thought, cutting claps and fitting this to that. Editing is the film and in general terms a “bad” can be saved by good editing, in as much as good film can be totally destroyed by bad editing. The rule is simple and has not changed in over 60 years… Shot to edit and don’t edit to shoot.
Sound design; The most powerful element of any film is the sound design… The human brain in fact hears the film more than the eye actually sees. The human brain is motivated to “hear” film more than it is to see the film. Close your eyes you hear the film… Block your ears all you see is pictures that make no sense. In After the Pandemic Eve’s voice was consistent however Kannon has a higher frequency and a some what more soft voice. This is the main reason her strong character is let down. Eve being much more “soft” over powers Kannon producing a paradox.
However a good idea needing some more production development and execution. The critics of the film basically would not have a clue as most comment on the story and not the elements of production. Never seen one of the “self confessed gurus” speak of the elements of the film. Just give it a rotten tomato and this tells you nothing. I like the film and perhaps I liked the potential for it to be a lot better than it was on screen. However, it is very watchable, the story is sound and rating it on potential 3-4. There is no reason this film, After the Pandemic” could not have been a 5. Having worked in film for 35 years this is my take. There’s nothing to be ashamed of here Richard.
RJ
Osprey Films