Cedar Boys

If you read my earlier post about the Australian film industry, you know where I stand with it's commercial ability and how it is so sad to see films not able to recoup the cost of producing it. With this trend, it won't be long till what's left of the industry becomes extinct. We stole some pills that are tagged... but that's fine, we'll still make money from them, no one will know...Along comes Cedar Boys to give some spark to this heart beat that's near death. A big thanks to Luke from Cinetology for passing on a double pass to see the film! Or else I would've had to watch it alone or wait until the DVD comes out. 1. I think it's sad to watch a movie by yourself, movies should be enjoyed together and 2. My girlfriend does not watch movies at the cinema unless there's big names attached... she loves her Bradgelina Exclusive Sydney Clubs are such the rage now. There's not an Asian in sight!Anyway, onto the review.Cedar Boys is not your average sentimental Aussie comedy film fluff, at least, not the kind that most viewers are used to. It follows the journey of young Lebanese Tarek, portrayed by Les Chantery, trying to impress the girl (Rachael Taylor) and to raise enough money to obtain a retrial for his imprisoned brother, Jamal (Bren Foster). And as you know, he and some friends score some drugs and starts living the high life. Predictably, they get found out and the rest is pretty much text book crime doesn't pay storyline that is straight to the point.Some people might like this, however, with Hollywood and Pan-Asian crime genre films full of twists and turns and double crossing, Cedar Boys feels a bit toned down. From our fully sick faces, you can tell this movie is err... fully sick.I believe that Director and Writer, Serhat Caradee did a good job at getting the film together, but it just needed that bit more conflict to it. Some parts were quite tense and it's great that he showed what Tarek thought he'd do, but in the end, the opposite happens, just like how normal people think. The big reveal of Rachael Taylor's character was unexpected but really wasn't that necessary. If Caradee wanted a more powerful ending, she should've been to the end of the picture. Though, I wouldn't mind visiting a private session at 88 Pitt St Michael Bay didn't want me in T2:RotF, so I work at 88 Pitt St now.Even though this film wasn't as great as I'd hope for, I still want people to see it. Locally and Internationally, I was actually really surprised to see the film's trailer on Apple Trailers: Here any exposure that an Australian film can make is definitely a plus to our industry.This is a fantastic start for Caradee as features go in Aus and I hope he win some awards with this film on the festival circuit (if it's going that route), or at least some recognition. Hopefully the next project he does will be something with a bit more oomph to it. Maybe a prequel to Cedar Boys? I'm more interested in Jamal's story on how he got into prison than Tarek's journey of tears. Once I get out of the slammer, the prequel is mine.On a side note, watching Cedar Boys definitely makes me really want to push for my own crime genre film set in Sydney, White and Black. And coincidentally, the bouncer in Cedar Boys have sent me his headshot and CV earlier this year... If only I had more people backing me up... as in supporting you sickos!I feel kinda low, got any pilllllz?