REVIEW #2
by John Simpson of the AMDB

WARNING: Contains Spoilers!

I was prepared to write a review for TEWS Entertainment's new short, THREE ON A MATCH, several weeks ago. I was prepared to write the worst review I've ever written for an amateur movie. The reason? My copy of THREE ON A MATCH didn't even have THREE ON A MATCH on the tape. It was a junk tape with TV specials on it. It was the worst black and white amateur movie about a girl on the run from a killer that I had ever seen. Apparently, my copy was the only one of the preview copies that director Erik Woods didn't look over before it was sent out.

Now that I have my copy, and have watched the movie twice, I feel like I can review it. To give a bit more background, THREE ON A MATCH was awarded "Best Short" at the 2001 REwind Movie Awards held in South Dakota. TEWS took home the award for "Best Feature" (the biggie - they got the REwind "Kid" award. The only statuette awarded) last year for Of Fortune and Glory <../action/offortuneandglory.html> in the first annual awards. This was the first time "Best Short" was a catagory, but only "Best Feature" received the "Kid", so TEWS doesn't have a matching set.

THREE ON A MATCH stars Jen Woods (The Hunter, Of Fortune and Glory ), Kris Nichols, and REwind Award nominee Scott Harris in a story adapted from the play "Heat Lightning" by Robert F. Carrol, a play that I had never heard of before this movie was made.

THREE ON THE MATCH impressed me quite a bit in some points, and really disappointed me in others. Once again, Erik has proven to be really good at sound editing. His placement of scores from existing movies works perfectly. The picture quality is boosted from previous TEWS movies with the purchase of a new camera. Erik's eye for shots is also at its best with this movie. There are some really great-looking shots set up. My problems with this movie consist of the delivery of some lines, and one key action sequence that conveys completely the wrong message when it could have been easily corrected. *SPOILERS* Basically the whole killer/hooker scene. First, the blood coming off of the girls mouth was acceptable, even though it looked completely perfect... the problem was when she went to wipe it off. She completely misses the blood. If she truly wanted to get the blood off of her face, she would have wiped harder, and in the right spot. Also, when the killer attacks the hooker with the crowbar, the blow looks COMPLETELY fake. It took me right out of the scene. It made me say "That looked so fake!" out loud. Also, the identity of the killer. The whole intention of the movie seems like it's supposed to be that the audience doesn't know who the killer is, and so they identify with the girl. The climax of the movie is the revelation of the killer. I was never unsure of who the killer was... because you could see his face when he killed the Hooker... So, I'm left thinking that the intention of the director was to make us all shout at the screen that the girl is stupid for not realizing she's with the killer throughout the whole movie.

Scott Harris stands high above the rest of the cast with his acting (kudos to the REwind team for recognizing this performance with a Best Actor nomination), and Erik Woods once again turns to his sister, whom he knows by now can actually act, to be his leading lady. She pulls off some pretty difficult scenes. Kris Nichols is a questionable choice for the bad guy. He's never quite threatening, even when he's standing over people with a crowbar. His lines are slightly cheesy and awkwardly spoken at times.

Overall, if you're looking for an amateur movie that falls victim to the typical problems that occur when an amateur movie takes itself too seriously, THREE ON A MATCH is for you. I haven't seen the other nominated movies in the BEST SHORT catagory, but from the things I saw in this movie, I'm wondering what was wrong with the other nominated movies. Despite these feelings, I do think that THREE ON A MATCH is a great accomplishment in no-budget moviemaking, and definitely worth seeing to form your own opinions.



REVIEW #1
by C.C. Chapman of RANDOM FOO Pictures

Saturday as I was rushing out the door to drive 3 1/2 hours to the mountains of Vermont to film some scenes for our production After Midnight, I noticed that the mail had arrived. I grabbed it just to see if there was anything good. Damn was I happy to see a big old package from Tews Entertainment which contained a review copy of their latest film Three on a Match. Of course at the same time I was pissed because I wouldn't be able to watch it until I got back. Oh well, I had waited long enough to see this film, another couple of days wouldn't kill me.
 
The plot of this film (without giving anything away) centers around a girl (Jen Woods) who's car breaks down in the middle of a stormy night. After leaving her car on the road she walks to the train station to find a way home. Along the way she witnesses something she shouldn't have and her problems begin. I'd love to say more, but if I do I'll spoil the whole movie.
 
Shot on Digital Video and in black and white this film instantly sets the mood. Based on the play "Heat Lightning" by Robert Carroll and adapted for the screen by Erik Woods and Tim Sullivan, this film seemed to get going just as it ended.
 
Now, I'll be the first to say that Erik and Tim make a hell of a team. I honestly believe that Erik has one of the best eyes for the camera. His choice of shots, angles and cuts is right up there with the best in our amateur movie community. The biggest problem to date with projects from Tews in my mind has always been the acting. It pained me to watch past films like "The Hunter" which I thought had amazing promise, but the acting was just too distracting to enjoy the film.
 
When TOAM started out I was truly worried about this. But, Jen Woods has learned from her previous roles and is really turning into quite an actress. There were a few times that she didn't convince me of her terror, but she has definitely learned to act with her eyes which continuously saved her. Unfortunately, Kris Nichols as The Man just didn't work for me. He was less then convincing and I found him distracting throughout the film. Finally though, Scott Harris enters the film and things brightened right up. I don't know where Tews found Scott, but they should definitely bring him back for more. This fresh face and deranged performance left me wanting more and I truly hope that Tews cast him in more roles. He's definitely leading man material and in my mind up for an REwind Movie Award. If Tews doesn't want to use him, send him to Boston and I'll use him!
 
Overall I really enjoyed this film. It was a great story and Tews did a great job of bringing it to the screen. I'm glad they chose to shoot it in black and white because it definitely set the tone of the film. I had some minor problems with it from a technical standpoint, but these were all little things that only a fellow movie maker would even look for. The choice to use slow motion in a few crucial shots was definitely well done. I'm still creeped out from the slow motion blood dripping. That was awesome!!
 
Finally, one of the most crucial pieces of this film was the musical score. I'm not sure who is better at choosing music for their films, Erik or Jason Santo. Both have a vast library of tunes to choose from and they always seem to find just the right music. For some reason I thought this movie was going to have an original score. Perhaps this is just a temp track for the review copies. I'm hoping so because the music a few times was a little too over the top and it distracted from what was happening. I found this especially true right at the climax of the film. Music helps build these moments, but it was a little too much for my tastes.
 
TOAM starts off a bit slow, but instantly sucks you in. Unfortunately just as it's getting good it's all over. Once again Tews Entertainment shows that they know how to deliver an entertaining film. With each new project they seem to tackle something different and I can't wait to see what direction they go into next. Personally I'm hoping Tim will write a comedy!
 
Good job Tews and I definitely think others should check out this film if they get a chance.