INDIE REPORT - IRA AND ALLISON'S MURDER MYSTERY

INDIE REPORT – IRA AND ALLISON’S MURDER MYSTERY

Ira and Allison’s Murder Mystery

***

Review by Justin T. Bowler
@IndyFilmTwittic

I just watched an early cut of the indie film “Ira and Allison’s Murder Mystery” from producers Joe Koch and Ryan Willer at Our Todd Productions and Nerdboy Media. This independent film utilizes an incredible amount of ingenuity and the outcome is a whirling ride in the vein of a live murder mystery stage show.

First, beyond the outrageous characters, the writing is kinetic in the beginning and flat-out frantic as it snowballs toward its climax.

Second, the humor is nonstop with constant throwaway lines. Actor Ryan Willer, who is a combination of Ray Romano and Woody Allen, mostly delivers them.

Third, the film uses royalty-free tracks that really enhance and define the style of the piece. Indie filmmakers could really learn a thing or two by paying attention this.

Finally, the follow focus shots are effective and plentiful. Not only do they add the energy of a live stage show, they are impressive. DP Stephen Orlow is very ambitious with these shots and deserves praise accordingly. However, I will admit, these ambitious shots posed a bit of a problem regarding lighting, as he sometimes switched from tungsten to daylight in the same shot (sometimes we all get too ambitious, but this is a problem that a more plentiful budget will solve on their next film). While sound issues reared their ugly heads at times, as I mentioned, I saw an early cut and I’m sure that will be rectified. All in all, I can say that audiences should look forward to seeing this film in festivals and the awards it will win. Well done. This is what independent filmmaking is all about.

3 out of 4 stars for indie films.
3 out of 4 stars for murder mystery stage shows.

Your indie reviewer,
Justin Bowler
@IndyFilmTwittic