Monday, July 19, 2010

Sensored and Imagination: A Movie Review


*Here be spoilers.

Director: Ryan Todd.

Writer: Kevin Haskin.

Producer: Jo Haskin.

Sensored
is a film from Kejo Productions, which had a DVD release April 6th, 2010. The film is being distributed by Hannover House and this is director Ryan Todd's first time behind the camera. Written by Kevin Haskin and produced by wife Jo, Sensored is a character study of a writer and the imaginary processes of writing. The addition of interesting characters, horrifying, tortuous scenes, and a plot device involving a CIA interrogation agent are all a device to show the infinite possibilities of creativity.

The film begins with the introduction of a well dressed Robert Picardo as Wade Mixon. The next several characters introduced are figments of the mind and, really, characters of Mixon's, or writer Kevin Haskin's, imagination. This insight will come for most viewers in the middle as secondary character's seem to be too much alike to the central character, Mixon. For others, this realization will come near the final scenes as Mixon relates his legacy of writing children's books to be his passion.

The characters in Sensored, on a surface level, are meant to be parts of Mixon's schizophrenic delusions, but on a deeper level they are creations of a writer's mind. One actor who also creates something exceptional and the potential of imagination, besides the writer, is Picardo who shows himself to be an intricate performer, who can cover the role of villain with a sly smile and ease of movement. Picardo uses an imaginative interpretation of his role to create versatility in a character performance that involves becoming a serial killer, torturer, abandoned soul and children's writer all in one film. Picardo has come along since this reviewer saw him in the "Star Trek: Voyager" and "Stargate SG-1" series to display the film's central message of creativity and imagination.

Other hints of the film's message involve Mixon writing children's books, while hoping to be seen as an accomplished author. A patriarchal figure holds him back from his passion, but character Mixon continues to use his creativity to set himself free within his mind. Is Mixon really schizophrenic? The answer to this question is irrelevant, as the story encourages viewers to use their own imagination to leave a legacy and to interpret the film.

Sensored was likely made for approximately $100k-$200k and writer Kevin Haskin's fifth film as a writer shows his maturity and ability to focus on a single topic - imagination. The addition of secondary elements are almost a diversion, or a slight misdirection, from the film's message of pursuing one's own creativity. This diversion is what makes the film entertaining and the film's message of imagination is what makes the film important.

Overall: 7.75 out of 10 (-1 for a continuity error involving torture and feet, -1.25 for not incorporating the film's central message more strongly in to the body of the story, the message seems slightly tacked on).

The film's trailer can be seen here:

Sensored Trailer

A review of the film can be found here at Horror Society:

Sensored Reviewed at Horror Society

The Sensored Blog:

The Sensored Blog

Sensored's homepage:

The Sensored Homepage

Available since April 6th:



*DVD extras include a director's commentary, trailer and behind the scenes featurette.

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