Super Dark Times Movie Review - Pre-Columbine Times

Super Dark Times was first featured at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 20, 2017. It is Kevin Phillips’ first featured debut film; one which he directed, co-wrote, and produced. He was nominated by FiLM iNDEPENDENT for the Kiehl’s Someone to Watch Award. Before Super Dark Times, Phillips worked on many short films, along with a successful Cinematographer career. A few music videos like Childish Gambino’s 3005 and Sober, as well as Neon Indian’s Polish Girl, to name a few projects. He’s shown amazing skills in all departments of work, allowing them to reflect greatly in SDT. Something him and the Producers, Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski worked on and released back in 2015 was a short called Too Cool for School, set in the same Universe. With an idea in the making for 6 years, they wanted a proof of concept that the film would work the way they hoped, and needed a selling point for the big film.

The film is now nominated for Best Film Award for the Jury Prize, and WON the Best Film Award for the Narcisse Awards.

I don’t want to put any spoilers in my reviews, so I won’t. Ask me what I hate, and I’ll say spoilers. But, summaries are always appreciated.

Best friend’s Zach and Josh are regular teenagers trying to get through high school the best they can. But a terribly horrific accident leads them to darker times in their lives, with guilt eating them alive and a dying friendship. A high school crush helps Zach through this tormenting time, while Josh separates himself and tumbles down a dark hole of violence, tearing them even further apart.

Left to Right: Owen Campbell (Zach), Sawyer Barth (Charlie), Elizabeth Cappuccino (Allison), Max Talisman (Daryl), Charlie Tahan (Josh), Amy Hargreaves (Karen, Zach's Mom)

The story takes place in Upstate New York, pre-Columbine years, which was a huge reason why Phillips chose the cast he did. He stated in a recent interview, he did this to keep the authenticity of the New York feel. Owen Campbell (Zach) and Charlie Tahan (Josh) are alongside Phillips in this interview. It offers a very interesting look at how the main actors get along and similar personality traits to the characters they play. Along with more insight from Phillips. The cast he chose turned out great. Each character gave a different level of depth to the story. Owen Campbell (Zach) ended up winning Best Actor Award from the Jury Prize, which was probably helped by the amount of screen time he received. Which wasn’t bad! Owen keeps you connected to his character, and feeling the angst and paranoia Zach feels. But, I would have really enjoyed seeing more of the downfall of Josh (Charlie Tahan). It felt as if we only got glimpses throughout the second half, but needed to see his perspective of the situation more because he actually is the biggest character in the whole movie. If you were around during the Bill Clinton, pre-Columbine years, that you’ll relate to these characters. If you’re a nerd of any sorts, it goes double for you. The dialogue of the film seemed VERY thought out. For example, Zach’s pink cast was a must, for many reasons, and Josh’s brilliant idea.

“They ran out of blue.” -Alison

The cinematography part was handed over to Eli Born. Eli somehow made the film still seem like Kevin’s doing, but I’m sure he had some input on it all, because it still carries that dark eerie undertone to it. It can’t go unsaid that the music in SDT was phenomenal. There were even times in the movie where they use CD players (remember, (90’s era) with the beat of whatever song was playing. You’ll see what I mean. It’s great. This was all done by Colin Alexander, the sound designer. Colin won the award for Best Sound Design of a Feature Film, Internationally.

Everything considered, Super Dark Times was a very satisfying watch. It’s one Thriller/Drama I would recommend to anyone looking for this kind of movie.

8/10

Rating: NR
Release Date: Sep 29, 2017 Limited
Runtime: 102 minutes
Genre: Drama
Directed By: Kevin Phillips
Written By: Luke Piotrowski, Ben Collins
Box Office: $29,759
Studio: The Orchard

Other Links:
Producers, Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski Interview:
http://podcast.blumhouse.com/episode-66-super-dark-times-and-coming-of-age-horror

Watch the trailer here:
http://superdarktimes.film/

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