izacdecastro

Oogabooga

A job well done to the filmmakers behind Oogabooga! From the lovable characters, line deliveries, jokes that isn't forced and to the wholesome ending really completes the film. Despite it being a comedy, Oogabooga touches on some real life issues of being there for someone which is a very nice touch.There are some technical issues and drastic lighting changes I noticed but it wasn't enough to bother me as much because of how invested I was to the story.

The Missing Engagement Ring

The ankle would've been okay if she wasn't wearing the crocs! Buddy is 100% correct - this is what 48 hours is all about!

MILK!

You indeed ended it on a BANG! That's Nice Milk!

Singularity

DUDE! Experiencing this in the venue was insane! *insert Absolute Cinema meme*

This team should be very proud. In a competition where a lot of the teams try to make their settings big and ambitious, this was by far the best way to do it by showing off the skill and talent. When I saw miniature as an element, I knew Luke was going to have a field day but I never expected it to be like this - he has outdone himself by presenting us his greatest piece so far. Instant classic.

Like Scott mentioned, this needs to be in the finals. I need to see this on the big screen. PERIOD!

LARVAE GIRL THE ROAD TO REVENGE PART 2

If a film between part one and two had to go to the city finals, part two should be the choice. I mean dude, whether it was intentional or not, part two touched some aspect of one that is enough for people to enjoy and understand part 2. There really was a careful process making this film and that's fucking impressive!

Misplaced Death

This was a pretty cool watch - comfortably in my top 3 in the heats. All my positive notes and feedback in the future has already been mentioned by the ones above so no need for me to echo it!

Cop Out

I lost count of how many times I have watched this! It is such a memorable piece of this year's 48 Hours. The jokes kept escalating which gives that hook. It even went on to have a dig at James Cook which was hilarious!

The Little German Boy and the Cave

One of the funnest film to start off the heats! This is one of the examples why I love the school teams in 48 hours.

Crimson Snow

This was a beautiful film to look at! From the amazing cinematography, stunning location, cool shootout and finally to that poor guy (if you know, you know).

I do wish the film answered the biggest question that primarily drives the whole story and each character's motive but I was left questioning myself, "Did the main character manage to find the girl?" up until the next day.

I would definitely watch a sequel or a more developed version of 'Crimson Sow' in a heartbeat as I enjoyed this very much! Well done to the Sons of the Broad Meadow!

Data Management and Security Training

Casey and I had a back and forth about the moment when the boom pole came into the frame - Casey says "What a silly mistake" and I was like "No, it's definitely an interesting creative choice - I know this team wouldn't make a silly mistake like that"... and then we both clocked it... It was THE ACCIDENT! How the fuck did I not think of it like that in the first place?!

Anyway, even though last year's entry was *cough* *cough*... robbed of a spot in the city finals - this was definitely more compelling and like what Luca has already covered, a refreshing concept that nails the mark both crew and cast side.

LARVAE GIRL THE ROAD TO REVENGE PART 1

Herms Heroes are the SHIT! It's a blockbuster event everytime these guys pull up and the audience think likewise!

This is very close to dethroning last year's "Shart Boy and Larvae Girl..." as my favourite as it had more story than just gags, but this is definitely up there!

A Helping Hand

Felix, maybe this is the prequel - the origin story of the monster in THE Reserve!

Stuck in Invercargill

I thought this was going to be an Invercargill propaganda... until it wasn't... and I am completely fine by that!

This was a funny one, definitely going off of your previous entry "The Haast and The Furious" and followed by "Stuck in Invercargill" which then teases our characters going to Bluff at the end. So... AM I THINKING WHAT YOU'RE THINKING?!

A Helping Hand

From what I can remember after speaking with Jae, the director, some layers of the film were cut out which then leaves a shallow story. I would like to see the fully cut version in the future to see the difference! Apart from that, everything else was great; cinematography, cast, sound, music and editing.

I think this would've done well in the competition but it also has a good chance at Best DQ Film!

One Star

This probably had the best reactions from the crowd in the Thursday heats and deservedly so! I was skeptical at first judging based on the thumbnail itself, worried it was going to be filled with brain rot, but it actually delivered one of the funniest and entertaining film of the heats. I know the team had fun making this.

Pop's Precious Pranks

It’s my team’s film so I’m gonna put my own shameless review. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t sting a little when we didn’t get to the finals this year, but I did lowkey expect it! Plus I always enjoy 48 hours and love the spirit of it - it’s not always about getting to the finals!

As much as I loved making this, I downplayed this film to a degree where I’ve told friends how much this film falls under the stock-standard 48 hours and how we didn’t get creative enough to stand out from everyone else.

In addition, I think the use of the “Holiday” genre really could be one of the reasons why we didn’t progress like Stu mentioned - it’s not a holiday but we rolled the dice and risked it!

I think story-wise, it’s pretty solid, but I think we failed to communicate how Pop’s, the master prankster, always has a contingency plan when someone else tries to prank him which the audience may have interpreted it differently. The “wash your makeup off” line was a victim of cutting an entire shot that gave its reasoning to be said plus it was never the line in the first place, but the team decided that her crying made her makeup messy lol.

Onto the good things: I was very happy with how the characters were performed, especially when one of them isn’t an actor nor a yeller. It stung more when one of the actors didn’t get at least a nomination compared to getting to the finals due to a lot of the praise from the reviewers above (not even sure if it’s possible to be nominated for that despite not making the finals).

Cinematography was acceptable despite going out of focus multiple times. Edit was water-tight, but maybe too tight. In the end, I did grow to love this film! The Monkey House will return next year!

2025 national 48 hours winner

Toot Toot has the greatest interpretations of the elements every single year and they always give the audience an amazing laugh! Toot Toot is a staple to the 48H Christchurch scene!

Saulé Has No Eyes But His Gaze is Piercing

Gutted this got DQ'd - but hey, at least we get to watch it early! I agree with what Buddy has already mention but this definitely stands out from the "polished" and the "stock standard" comedy films that 48 Hours get yearly. The experimental aspect to it and seeing a new location that I have not seen in my time competing in 48 hours is refreshing!

The performance, the way the location was framed, the underwater scene were all very well executed!