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BENT v. 2
Produced by Jason Santo and Sheri Carter
Written, Directed, Edited, and Shot by Jason SantoI beginning to think Jason Santo is a big ‘fraidy cat who's scared to venture into the land of full-length features. For years he's been in Boston making a name for himself with his short films, a few of which have even been up for awards. One can argue that a single nomination is just luck and that every filmmaker has at least one good movie in them, but anything more than that is skill, pure and simple.
So Jason, tell us, how many Rewind Award nominees and winners have your named stamped in the credits? Didn't you just rack up a Next Tuesday award? Anything else I'm forgetting?
Some of us reviewers have been clamoring for Jason to get off his ass, let his balls drop, and take the next leap and make a goddamned feature.
I'm calling you out, Jason, for everyone to hear. When the hell are you going to give us what we want? Progressive baby steps are nice when learning how to walk, but if you want to fly am I going to have to throw your ass out of the nest myself? It's a long drive to Boston, and my car is a gas-guzzling bitch, but if that's what it takes....
Christ man, your shorts are already pretty damned long. With all the talky characterization that you write all you need to do is add some linking plot structure and you'd have an instant feature. Granted, making movies is a wee bit harder than stirring a cup of Folger's in the morning, but you get my meaning.
Take, "In a Sky with No Angels", which is reviewed elsewhere on this site in its entirety. The back story is revealed as each plot twist unravels, but I want to know what happens to the characters afterwards? What happens the morning after? Is there a resolution to their story? Does everyone go back to their pathetically miserable lives?
There's a feature in there, trust me.
The silent short "The Dinner" might be as good as it's gonna get, and by far your strongest visual piece, but "Time Heals All Wounds" is in need of fleshing out with more action. Your characterization might be spot-on, but your exposition-filled dialogue hurts the peace. Early on the audience senses what the underlying relationships are so why tell them what they already know? Let us experience the environment and the character's exploration of their emotions. Give us more, show us don't tell us. I actually feel like you've sold me short on this one, literally.
Give us more, Santo, and stop your stalling. You make with the goods but it still feels like you're holding back. When other people pick up BENT v.2, which they should, I'm 100% positive they'll echo my sentiments.