Film Review

The Warden (2003)

Genre: Thriller
Director(s): Matthias Sundberg
Producer(s): Amanda J. Sollengberger, V. Joseph Spicer,
Matthias Sundberg, Harry M. Turner Jr.
Writer(s): JJ Eberly, Heath Hofmeister, Matthias Sundberg
Running Time: 1 hr 28 min
Release Date: 5/03
Production Budget: $4,988

Synopsis: Ben Jackson was a cursed soul. He was a parent in high school. He was an alcoholic. He was a murderer. But when he entered prison, he realized that his life had been a waste and that he had made some very poor decisions. After rehabilitating himself, he was granted early parole, and released back into the streets. Now as the costumed vigilante, "The Warden," Ben protects those that cannot protect themselves. But it's not the people he's trying to save...

REVIEW

THE WARDEN is an action thriller that follows the plight of Ben Jackson, a troubled soul who struggles throughout the story to find redemption for past sins. This 2003 Harvest Moon production is co-writer/director Matthias Sundberg's first feature length film. The film was based and shot in and around the Lancaster, PA area and was produced for approximately $2,500 (most of which went toward tapes, props, wardrobe, and food). It was produced by a crew of Millersville University film students as part of an internship through Aurora Films.

For a low-budget student production, the writing is good with only a few flaws and the film locations are innovative. Voice-over from the main character and the use of flashbacks is used creatively to advance the plot. However, being an action/thriller, some shots are held too long and are aesthetically bland at times. More camera movement would have helped to break up some of the shots.

With the exception of a few exterior evening scenes which were a bit too dark, lighting is done well. The homemade sound effects are also effective and cleverly done.

The pacing of the film is slow at times, which allows the viewer to pick up on some of the weaknesses of the film. When asked about his perceived weaknesses of the film, Sundberg commented "We didn't have a budget, so that hindered us a little with making an action film. There is also one big scene in the Chameleon Club in Lancaster (PA) that just sucks out loud and I wish it didn't. It could have been the coolest part of the movie… Some of the dialogue/monologue needs fixing too. We rushed the script and some of the swearing just isn't appropriate. Some of it is, but a lot of it isn't. I also don't feel that the score fit the feel of the film. I would have that re-done."

Being a student production, the supporting cast is comprised primarily of young actors which hindered the believability of some of the characters including the lead actor portrayed by David Ehrhart. The lead actress, played by Nicole Brewer, later went on to win Miss Pennsylvania 2005 and placed in the top ten at the Miss America pageant.

Notable quote: "I suppose the real success came from the fact that we started, and completed a feature length film. Not too many people have. And not only did we do it, but we wrote it, shot it, edited it, made our own sound effects, made our own make-up effects, did our own stunts, burned our own DVDs and made our own posters. That's a success by any means. We didn't get into any festivals. We didn't screen it anywhere but our college campus, and we probably never will again. But we made it. And that's a success." - Matthias Sundberg

If interested in obtaining a copy of THE WARDEN, please email Matthias Sundberg directly at masundbe@hotmail.com


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	Film Review The Warden (2003) Genre: Thriller Director(s): Matthias Sundberg Producer(s): Amanda J. Sollengberger, V. Joseph Spicer, Matthias Sundberg, Harry M. Turner Jr. Writer(s): JJ Eberly, Heath Hofmeister, Matthias Sundberg Running Time: 1 hr 28 min Release Date: 5/03 Production Budget: $4,988 Synopsis: Ben Jackson was a cursed soul. He was a parent in high school. He was an alcoholic. He was a murderer. But when he entered prison, he realized that his life had been a waste and that he had made some very poor decisions. After rehabilitating himself, he was granted early parole, and released back into the streets. Now as the costumed vigilante, "The Warden," Ben protects those that cannot protect themselves. But it's not the people he's trying to save... REVIEW THE WARDEN is an action thriller that follows the plight of Ben Jackson, a troubled soul who struggles throughout the story to find redemption for past sins. This 2003 Harvest Moon production is co-writer/director Matthias Sundberg's first feature length film. The film was based and shot in and around the Lancaster, PA area and was produced for approximately $2,500 (most of which went toward tapes, props, wardrobe, and food). It was produced by a crew of Millersville University film students as part of an internship through Aurora Films. For a low-budget student production, the writing is good with only a few flaws and the film locations are innovative. Voice-over from the main character and the use of flashbacks is used creatively to advance the plot. However, being an action/thriller, some shots are held too long and are aesthetically bland at times. More camera movement would have helped to break up some of the shots. With the exception of a few exterior evening scenes which were a bit too dark, lighting is done well. The homemade sound effects are also effective and cleverly done. The pacing of the film is slow at times, which allows the viewer to pick up on some of the weaknesses of the film. When asked about his perceived weaknesses of the film, Sundberg commented "We didn't have a budget, so that hindered us a little with making an action film. There is also one big scene in the Chameleon Club in Lancaster (PA) that just sucks out loud and I wish it didn't. It could have been the coolest part of the movie… Some of the dialogue/monologue needs fixing too. We rushed the script and some of the swearing just isn't appropriate. Some of it is, but a lot of it isn't. I also don't feel that the score fit the feel of the film. I would have that re-done." Being a student production, the supporting cast is comprised primarily of young actors which hindered the believability of some of the characters including the lead actor portrayed by David Ehrhart. The lead actress, played by Nicole Brewer, later went on to win Miss Pennsylvania 2005 and placed in the top ten at the Miss America pageant. Notable quote: "I suppose the real success came from the fact that we started, and completed a feature length film. Not too many people have. And not only did we do it, but we wrote it, shot it, edited it, made our own sound effects, made our own make-up effects, did our own stunts, burned our own DVDs and made our own posters. That's a success by any means. We didn't get into any festivals. We didn't screen it anywhere but our college campus, and we probably never will again. But we made it. And that's a success." - Matthias Sundberg If interested in obtaining a copy of THE WARDEN, please email Matthias Sundberg directly at masundbe@hotmail.com