makestuff's movie Reviews on Newgrounds

[Interface | Episode 07]

I've enjoyed this series' striking visuals and originality. The strangeness of this world has a logic of its own.

[Food For Fraught]

Well done with the animation, music choices and the unexpected twists in the story.

RedMenace-96 responds:

Thanks!

[Omega: Episode 2]

I agree with another reviewer's comment on the potential of this piece. There's solid storytelling--the classic "Hero's Journey"--and imaginative concepts well illustrated, like the special abilities conferred on someone through mystic ritual. Alpha's abilities stand out, especially. I wonder what else Omega has in his arsenal.

The critique of the animation has already been covered. My main issue is with the audio. It would have been better to have more actors playing the male characters rather than recording them all with your voice. You're fine playing the young hero, but variety of timbre and reading is missing from the other parts. Also, in your recording, there are a bunch of mouth noises accompanying consonants, little clicks suggesting a dry tongue and gums, that needed to be ferreted out and removed for a cleaner sound. I'd have loved to have been an actor in this project.

[A Dream Come True]

It definitely has the feel of that odd state of consciousness before one's eyes blink open. I had to smile at that snatch of music near the end, Brumel's 12-part "Gloria"--I sang one of the bass parts of that piece back in college.

[HESTIA Mission: A voyage to the Moon]

This piece was visually appealing and as informative as promised. I agree with another reviewer about the music, which as cliched and cheesy. I'd have preferred something jazzy--cool music to match the cool content. Also, if Falmouth University has a theatre department and acting students, it would have been better to cast one of them, instead of leaving one of the writer/animators to do the narration. I'd love to have narrated this, myself.

Otherwise, good job, and congrats on making the Daily Picks.

Epic-Dave responds:

Thanks for the feedback.
I'm not too sure if Falmouth Uni has a theatre department, I don't work there but I help run these STEAM animations. It would have been great to have included a theatre department, maybe in the future?

A second animation was made for the conference which can be viewed here:
https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/712922

If you'd like to do a remix and include your own narration then please do let me know and I will send you the original files, I am happy for people to use these animations if they let me know beforehand.

Here's another link to some other animation that was made which may interest you
https://youtu.be/W1IMALXPppE?list=PLaqfIvgZlcuuGGFGq9Cs32CRgUulyIAry

[Escaping Emily]

Wow. This piece brought tears to this old cynic's eyes. Well done!

JoeliusNG responds:

Thanks for taking the time to watch it!

[Away Trailer]

This is outstanding work, thus far. It's visually stunning, well edited and the music scoring is not the same-old, same-old in d-minor one hears in too many movies, these days. The building suspense of a dominant minor seventh chord that doesn't get resolved at any time in the trailer turned out to be a brilliant call, as it screamed for resolution in some direction or other, like a key change with a cuing of brass and a splash of cymbals. Instead, the suspense lingers after the final image jumps to black. Bravo!

[Cafe Conspiracy]

This started out as meh, but once the guy got going with his spiel, it turned out to be hilarious. The writing is brilliant. The audio needs work, otherwise it would have gotten a higher rating.

pagetheatre responds:

Thanks! Trying to work on a less shitty audio setup.

[The Beast]

Great choreography, smoothly animated. Here's my character submission:

Name: Yim (female)

Power/Weapons: Wing-Chun based moves, good at getting inside & countering; leverage, timing, sticky hands/blades and powerful chi that can be unleashed in knockout blows; additional weaponry in the form of a pair of 12" broad bladed knives with hooked handles, good for a finishing move of scissoring decapitation.

Personality: Cool as a cucumber.

[Back to the Fuhrer]

I still laugh hard every time I see this cartoon. This is partly due to my being a fan of history and thus getting the references. It's also because it's a brilliant piece of comedy, expertly timed, smartly conveying a cautionary tale in under three minutes. Bravo!