Lost Phoenix

Fun movie. Too summarize, without spoilers, it is in the realm of "Bourne Identity", but with a little bit of "Total Recall" thrown in for good measure - the main character wakes up with memory loss. Who is he, where did he come from, how did he get here? And where does he go now? And it hits the ground running.

Great cinematography, good pacing, some solid performances. A few issues, but for a micro-budget, there is a lot packed into it. Also, it's not the standard action film - thoughtful, dark, but with a somewhat positive outlook.

Definitely worth watching, if you have any interest in indie films.

Very interesting concept, and original in many ways - even when compared to films covering similar territory.

Cinematography is first rate. Scene compositions, fight sequences, pacing, sound effects, editing - considering its indie status and budgetary restraints, all very strong. Impressive. A great team of filmmakers came together on this. That is very clear.

Director James Couche most certainly has his own style. Great cinematic choices. Transitions. He has a touch, and I will most definitely be keeping an eye out for him.

The writing, overall, is good, but there were a couple of holes in the logic, and a few scenes seemed a touch overwritten - but that's just me.

As for performance standouts: Wan Dral (assuming acting debut) did a great job. His character had a lot going on, and he gave every facet his full attention. David Norton is as slick and sinister as they come. Eliza Kelley, being tasked with an emotionally and physically complex, multidimensional role, knocks it out of the park.

I hope these filmmakers come together again and again because they have something going here that really works.

The movie offers a thrilling experience with its outstanding action sequences, stunning cinematography, and top-notch acting performances. The concept is intriguing and exceptionally well-executed, capturing the audience's attention from start to finish. Director James Couche has taken a unique approach, and I have immense respect for his vision and dedication. His distinctive style shines through, making the film stand out. The use of various locations adds depth to the narrative, while the music and sound effects enhance the overall atmosphere, making each scene more immersive and engaging. The combination of these elements creates a captivating and memorable cinematic experience.

Lost Phoenix has the look and feel of a low budget B movie, and that's not a criticism. There are a lot of people who like those kinds of movies, including me. I applaud the creators for going all in and making this film. It takes a lot of guts and is more than many people even attempt. That being said, there were some continuity issues that were pretty noticeable, such as the warehouse/garage fight scene, and why the mask kept going on and coming off, without a specific reason for doing so. At least one time, he was wearing the mask in one shot, and then in the next shot it was just gone, and there wasn't time for him to have removed it and put it away. There was A LOT of dialogue. But, overall it was a pretty good flick. I see it as a stepping stone with things to learn from for their next film.

This was a pretty good B-Movie action flick.. On the downside, story was a bit muddled and cliched. The caliber of the acting was also uneven, but not too bad.

On the positive side there is some decent humor in here. The cinematography is a cut above what you'd expect in a movie like this. Action choreography was also good, and the editing was also excellent keeping everything fast paced in the action sequences. A standout was the guy who plays the main villain. He had a bit of that James Bond-esque style of villainy, and he was also very good in the action scenes.

On the whole, although not winning any academy awards, this was an entertaining flick, and I enjoyed it.