Artsploitation - Do It Yourself Film Review

Do It Yourself  is available for streaming on Amazon. To rent or purchase the film go here

Do it yourself is a clever game of cat and mouse except this time the mouse has a trick up his sleeve. What would you do if you knew you were going to be killed off after finishing the task at hand? Would you accept your fate or would you fight? 

Our story follows Alkis Vidalis (Konstadinos Aspiotis). Alkis agrees to film a video to restore the public image of a prominent business man. Things don’t go according to plan and that’s where the story really heats up. Knowing he’s going to be permanently removed from society, Alkis does what any sane man would do. He turns into MacGyver. Using every tool in sight to find a way to set himself free, Alkis out wits each one of his worthy opponents. Quentin Tarantino would be proud. 

Do It Yourself is in a league of its own. There’s so much to love here that I had trouble picking my favorite scenes. One of my favorites is how the main character speaks directly to the viewer. It adds something special to the already fast paced plot. There are tricks I’ve never seen in film before and although they’re small they definitely add personality to the film. I love the camera work, the technique, and the attention to detail. If you like action packed films that have a life of their own I think you’ll love this one. It’s entertaining and keeps you at the edge of your seat. 

I give Do It Yourself a solid A. It’s a movie I’d watch again. I don’t say that lightly. Writer/Director Dimitris Tsilifonis did an incredible job here. I look forward to seeing more of his work. 

Film Information:

Studio: Artsploitation Films 

Writer: Dimitris Tsilifonis 

Director: Dimitris Tsilifonis 

Country: Greece 

Language: Greek with English Subtitles 

Run Time: 97 minutes  

Release Date: March 8, 2018 

Artsploitation - The Man With The Magic Box Film Review

The Man With The Magic Box is available for streaming on Amazon. To rent or purchase the film go here

It’s the year 2030. QR codes (Quick Response Codes) on your backs and Microchips imbedded in the flesh hold the key to your new identity. Every thought, every feeling isn’t your own. Everything you once were and everything you loved has been “erased”. Gone forever and replaced with the memories of someone you don’t know. Who are these people? How did you get here? Is this real? Am I real? The more questions you ask the less you know. You can’t run, you can’t hide. They’ll always find you. Be a good little soldier or you’ll be sent “back”. Welcome to Man In The Magic Box. 

I absolutely loved this film! The imagery, the color scheme, the camera angles. Everything is perfect! If you’re a fan of Blade Runner and Men In Black you will be a big fan of Man In The Magic Box as well. The music is hauntingly beautiful and adds to the films dark but airy tone. There’s a particular scene that I did not see coming. It changes the film completely and I think this was a smart decision. I’ve seen this type of flip done before but this film does it exceptionally well. It’s hard to pull of this type of story and I think Bodo Kox did a brilliant job. 

Whenever I hear the term Sci-Fi I always think of Avatar, Matrix, and a “stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf herder” who’s best friend is a giant dog that gargles. Man In The Magic Box is a breath of fresh air in the Sci-Fi genre. It takes inspiration from stories once told but lands on its own two feet. It takes you in one direction and just when you think you’ve figured it out it changes course. This is one of the best genre pieces I have seen in a very long time. It’s well written, well thought out, and is captured beautifully onscreen. I give Man In The Magic Box a solid A! Well done! I tip my hat to the brilliant Bodo Kox (Writer/Director). 

Film Information:

Studio: Artsploitation Films 

Writer: Bodo Kox 

Director: Bodo Kox 

Country: Poland 

Language: Polish with English Subtitles 

Run Time: 103 Minutes 

Release Date: October 20, 2017