Name: Death Row the Tournament
Genre: Action, Short, Sci-Fi
Duration: 12 min
Rating: 7.9
Cast: Dominique Vandenberg, David Sobel, Warren Draper

12 minute adrenaline ride of kinetic violence with a moral undertone that plays deftly with the shadow it casts

Over the last 20 years, there have been many attempts to satirise the current state of today's de-sensitised generation. Films based around the machinations of a corporate and society driven sickness are usually cast aside with humour that the possibility is too grotesque. Death Row the tournament is a featurette of sorts that re-iterates that we do live in an increasingly de-sensitised environment and breathes a pleasant hollywoodesque formula into the equation. As a short film, its a 12 minute adrenaline ride of kinetic violence with a moral undertone that plays deftly with the shadow it casts. The director's narrative and eye for detail (example - when guns are fired, the violence is re-iterated in the cannon like sound - not seen in much work since John Woo's early days and Ridley Scott's Bladerunner and Black Rain) work at a swift pace that works well with the genre. I look forward to seeing some higher budget longer features from Mr Johnson.

The camera work and editing are slick and are given a reality feel to them which works well with theme. The only drawback is the fact that it is only 12 mins long and the actors do not get a chance to shine. The lead looks to be a potential candidate for a new action hero on his abilities alone.

Please note that this is a short film - which is a shame, cos it has the makings and idea to be a big hit if people saw a longer product (all merits remaining equal).

Best indie short I've seen in a long time!

The action genre features fast-paced, thrilling, and intense sequences of physical feats, combat, and excitement. The characters of these stories are involved in daring and often dangerous situations, requiring them to rely on their physical prowess, skills, and quick thinking to overcome challenges and adversaries.

The sci-fi genre, short for science fiction, features imaginative and futuristic concepts that are often rooted in scientific principles, technology, and possibilities. These stories delve into "what if" questions and can serve as a platform to address contemporary social, political, and ethical issues by projecting them onto future or alternate settings.

James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

In the near future, Death Row Inmates are afforded the opportunity to fight in a televised tournament to the death.

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Death Row the Tournament

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