Short Film Sundays: Is Punching a good replacement for your average comedy?
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*** The Short Answer is at the bottom of the review.
Hey guys, Happy Sunday! And you guys know what time it is! It’s #ShortFilmSunday with your host, Markley Denkoct! And boy do I have a film for you! Now here’s the bio:
Punching Prod. FND Films is a fantastic comedy telling the quirky story of a disabled boy, Tommy, who can’t stop punching and how he gets in the ring to save the life of his brother from an evil boss who wants to collect their debt. I know -- it’s ridiculous and the film works. Let’s take a look at it’s good side shall we?
To kick it off, FND Films is no stranger to comedy, and in this film it shows. Everyone got a funny vibe to them and they are able to pull off their comedic roles flawlessly even with it gets slightly serious. Props goes to Vinny DeGaetano as his hands must have fallen off after shooting the film. May his hands rest in peace. His Tommy is simple yet endearing, and seeing him punch people is hilarious as it is inspiring. Another thing about the film is its dark humor, FND Films kills it (no pun intended) with its darker parts of the comedic tone. It adds a level of shock and cringe that adds some tension to the story, and some heavier punchlines to the comedy. But the real kicker isn’t even in the comedy -- it’s in the design -- the production design.
For a film that cost $15,000, I am floored by how much they managed to make the set look like the actual place of Tommy and his inventor of a brother, Bill. Everyone’s got a costume, and the props really make it seem like Bill’s really an inventor. Not only that but even places like the stadium and the outside seem like the characters are in a boxing ring. It’s this change in the design that makes Punching work. But my favorite part ironically comes from when the story gets a little serious.
Don’t worry the story is comedy through and through, but there are small details that make you care for the characters a lot more than expected like Mike’s relationship with the mean boss, Ginger Hashbrowns, and Tommy’s relationship with a mentor, Nicky that end up making the story a lot more earnest than it initially seems. Another cheers goes to Brian King who added a small piece of menace to his bad guy Ginger Hashbrowns and honestly it works. The best part of these actors is that they are able to pull a somewhat serious vibe without their sense of comedy and that what makes this film a good comedy.
Overall, Punching’s a great refresher for someone who likes to watch short films I’m glad I got a good replacement for a comedy film, and it shows that there is potential in the short film market and I can’t wait to see wait these guys make next. If Punching’s ever on DVD, it wouldn’t be a bad buy. So stream this film if you can have a laugh. This is Markley Denkoct for #ShortFilmSundays signing out and have a nice night and I will catch you on the flick side.
The (Short) Answer: Yes.
Links to the film:
https://vimeo.com/68875994
Links to the company’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/Fronk2107
