Magnetic is a 2015 science fiction psychological film written, produced, edited and directed by Sophia Cacciola and Michael J. Epstein, featuring Allix Mortis as the only cast member.[1][2][3] Funding for the film was partially raised through a successful Kickstarter campaign.[4] The film is distributed in North America on VOD by Devolver Digital via Indie Rights and in North America on DVD by Wild Eye Releasing.
| Magnetic | |
|---|---|
 Allix Mortis as Alice in Magnetic | |
| Directed by | Sophia Cacciola, Michael J. Epstein |
| Written by | Sophia Cacciola, Michael J. Epstein |
| Produced by | Sophia Cacciola, Michael J. Epstein |
| Starring | Allix Mortis |
| Cinematography | Kelly Davidson |
| Edited by | Sophia Cacciola, Michael J. Epstein |
| Music by | Night Kisses, Catherine Capozzi, Sophia Cacciola, Michael J. Epstein |
Production company | Launch Over |
| Distributed by | Devolver Digital, Wild Eye Releasing |
Release date |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Cast
edit- Allix Mortis as Alice
Production
editFilming took place around the Western New York and Massachusetts area from December 2013 through November 2014.[5]
Release
editThe film had its world premiere on March 29, 2015 at the Boston Underground Film Festival[6][7]
Critical response
editMagnetic has received primarily mixed-to-positive reviews, with most finding the movie challenging and noting the narrative ambiguity and complexity.
Daniel XIII of Famous Monsters of Filmland wrote, “The best way I can get you into the mindset of MAGNETIC is to say, what if instead of Lewis Carroll, 80s-era Gary Numan wrote Alice in Wonderland on an absinthe binge while covered in magnetic tape surrounded by a complete run of Jack Kirby’s 2001 comics. Sounds strange, right? Well, the movie is 100 times more insane, in the most f’n glorious way possible!”[8] Wicked Channel rated the movie 8/10 stating, "The best way to describe this film is, a controlled insanity. I love when people do not follow convention, and these two seem to diving in that deep pool a lot."[9] Mike Snoonian of Film Thrills also praised the film, saying, "...managed to harness a phenomenal performance out of their lead and turn in a thought provoking and reflective examination on our need for intimacy. It’s a challenging work, but a rewarding one for the viewer that sticks with it."[2]
Jeff Berkwits of Sci Fi magazine wrote, “…as with The Prisoner, those who stick with the tale will be richly rewarded.”[10]
Peter Wong of Beyond Chron found some positive elements, but in an overall mixed response, noted, "some viewers’ heads will understandably explode in confusion."[11]
Way Too Indie also gave a mixed response, "There’s no question the filmmakers recognize catchy beats, or that they can create a stylish, moody atmosphere. But constructing complex sci-fi ideas into an engaging low-budget thriller may have been a little too ambitious."[12]
The most negative review came from Next Projection, "The story is too complicated to rely on so little structure, bringing in a mishmash of elements that struggle to communicate with one another."[13]
Other media
editThe film is one of the main subjects of the book, Indie Science Fiction Cinema Today: Conversations with 21st Century Filmmakers[14] and an image from the film is on the cover of the book. The authors further analyze the film: "Using a single lead character to stand in as every individual human being in the world, Magnetic is an audacious and surreal journey. Extrapolating long-held fears of societal breakdown and imminent destruction that surface in times of rapid human advancement or global tragedy, the film's visual flair and stream-of-consciousness narrative turn these fears into intensely personal elements."
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Indiewire (8 October 2013). "Project of the Day: The Earth Will Be Destroyed on December 31". indiewire.com. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ^ a b "BUFF17: MAGNETIC Offers Smart, Contemplative Sci-Fi – Film Thrills". filmthrills.com. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ^ "PREVIEW: CACCIOLA & EPSTEIN'S "MAGNETIC" - DigBoston". 11 July 2014. Archived from the original on 11 July 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ^ "MAGNETIC – A psychological sci-fi feature film". www.kickstarter.com. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
- ^ "Magnetic Production – Sophia Cacciola & Michael J. Epstein". blog.mikeandsophia.com. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ^ Jenson, Kristofer. "SPRING SCREENING: Boston Underground Film Festival - Scout Cambridge". scoutcambridge.com. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ^ "2015 Boston Underground Film Festival: Official Lineup". undergroundfilmjournal.com. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ^ "The Outre Eye of Daniel XIii Featuring: Magnetic, Kung Fu Trailers of Fury, The Bees, From Parts Unknown and more!". www.famousmonsters.com. Archived from the original on 2018-04-05. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
- ^ "Movie Review-Magnetic (DVD) - WickedChannel.com". wickedchannel.com. Archived from the original on 2019-10-19. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ^ "Magnetic in October 2015 issue of Sci Fi Magazine". www.magneticthemovie.com. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
- ^ "Another Hole In The Head Film Festival Reviews - Beyond Chron". beyondchron.org. 5 November 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
- ^ "Another Hole in the Head 2015: Magnetic Film Festival, News - Way Too Indie". waytooindie.com. 10 November 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ^ "BUFF: Magnetic Review - Next Projection". nextprojection.com. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ^ Fernandez-Vander Kaay, Vander Kaay (30 January 2018). Indie Science Fiction Cinema Today. McFarland & Company. ISBN 9781476669335.
