How to bungle a good concept....
A review of A Wind to Shake the Stars
by Drew Lindo

Some might wonder why I reserve such spirited, venomous loathing for this film. It’s not a bad film. In many ways, it’s better than some of Dastoli Digital’s recent efforts. But the fact that the film has been so well received by it’s makers, and some of their fans, boggles my mind, and sends me spiraling into a vicious outpour of criticism, befuddlement, and disbelief, due to the fact that in may areas, the newest offering from the Brothers Dastoli suffers from the same old inadequacies.

A Wind to Shake the Stars is a comedy attempting to juxtapose the monotony and insignificance of day-to-day suburbia, with incredible moments of human achievement.

Sounds great. Call me when that movie comes out. This result, instead, is a showcase of poor editing, non-communicated narrative, and the Dastoli Digital trademark: NO MOTHERFUCKING PAYOFF.

The editing in this film is poor. Comic momentum is halted repeatedly, as actors actually HOLD POSES after their lines before scenes cut back and forth.

The effects seem to inhibit the story instead of assisting it, such as when Diego Kontarovsky portrays a caveman, whose cave we never see. It’s a closeup, of Kontarovsky surrounded by darkness, with what looks like a grey rock in the background. Carl Fieler is purported to be battling some creature in an ancient temple, but all we see is him holding a rock, being hit with lens flares.

Oh I’m sorry, the lens flares are supposed to be eyes. Of some kind of creature. Saying some kind of line that is impossible to make out.

The cutaway stories themselves are robbed of comedic importance by not showing enough information. The space battle is visually impressive, but we get no understanding of the actual importance of the battle, because it’s just a brief long shot, with no actors or characters to populate the “important moment.” It’s just an effects shot. What’s worse, is the Adventurer scene is supposed to be depicting a hero vanquishing all evil from the universe (according to the filmmakers.)

This is not communicated at all. It’s an actor holding a rock pulsating with light, then the sound of the entire temple crumbling (cut to a wide shot of the actual temple still standing, not even shaking, just standing. Okay.)

This film does not succeed in being funny, or satirical, because the bases are not properly covered, and the point is sloppily articulated.

THE GOOD: “It looks good.” No shit, really? The Dastoli’s have used a Canon XL2 this time, hooray. Nice visuals do not a good film make. Jordyn Roberts does shine as the daughter. Perhaps the best lead female performance ever in a Dastoli Digital picture.

THE BAD: Editing, claustrophobic framing and effects, a sloppily executed story, cartoon performances, and that time-honored Dastoli Digital trademark: A COMPLETE LACK OF PAYOFF.

THE DASTOLI: 2 out of 5 Dastolis. I’d be harsher in the rating, but though longer than their recent crop of mini-shorts, this film is just as disappointing.