Denizen (film)

Last updated

Denizen
Denizen movie poster.jpg
Theatrical poster
Directed by J.A. Steel
Written byJ.A. Steel
Produced by
  • J.A. Steel
  • Jessica M. Bair
  • Christian K. Koch
Starring
  • J.A. Steel
  • Julie Corgill
  • Ben Bayless
  • Glen Jensen
  • Dominique Storni
CinematographyHartley Powell
Edited by
  • Wayne Rawley
  • J.A. Steel
Production
companies
  • Tunis Productions
  • Warrior Entertainment
Distributed byIndieFlix
Release date
  • April 10, 2010 (2010-04-10)
Running time
83 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$20,000

Denizen is a 2010 low-budget sci-fi horror-action film written and directed by J.A. Steel (also known as Jacquelyn A. Ruffner). The film stars Steel, Julie Corgill, Glen Jensen, Ben Bayless, and Jody Mullins, and is Steel's third feature film.

Contents

Plot

A group of scientists must stop a mysterious creature from attacking a small town. Sierra Deacon's (J.A. Steel) team, consisting of Dexter Maines (Ben Bayless) and Dallas Murphy (Jody Mullins), must help the locals led by Callie Calhoun (Julie Lisandro) in saving the town from the creature that is killing the residents. After several deaths, a special Army Unit, led by General Jernigan (Glen Jensen), [1] is called in to contain the creature, and if necessary, destroy the town. It becomes a race against time to stop the creature and prevent the town from being destroyed.

Cast

Production

Production began in April 2008, [2] in Muskogee, Oklahoma [3] and filming was completed in nine days, with principle filming taking place primarily in Muskogee, [4] the Cenotes of Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and in Salt Lake City, Utah. [5] Steel brought back her tough motorcycle-riding character from The Third Society in the form of 'Sierra Deacon'. [5] [6] [7]

In her personal life, Steel races motorcycles, skydives, handles swords, competes in Muay Thai kickboxing, is a Master SCUBA Diver, and holds 22 marksmanship awards with various weapons, [8] so in several cave diving scenes, Steel did her own stunts as well as some camera work. [2]

The film includes a transgender supporting character of General 'Zeke' Deacon, the father of Sierra Deacon, played by trans woman actress and activist Dominique Storni. [9]

Recognition

A Denizen trailer screened at the Park City Music Film Festival in 2009, [10] and when the Denizen film premiered at the Bare Bones International Film Festival in April 2010, it received a nomination for the 'Best Sci-Fi Feature'. [11] Denizen also was the only film to screen at the LGBT 'Outlantacon Sci-Fi Convention'. [12]

Director and producer Jessica M. Bair won the 2009 Nevada Film Festival's 'Silver Screen Award' in the Short Film Competition, for the behind the scenes documentary Denizen: Special Access J.A. Steel. [13] The short film was shot during the post-production of the Denizen feature, with director J.A. Steel and sound editor Wayne Rawley providing a close-up view into the filmmaker who does her own stunts. [14]

In June 2010, Denizen was awarded the Bronze Medal for Excellence Award for the 'Best Impact of Music in a Feature Film', at the Park City Music Film Festival. [15]

Critical response

The film has received attention for genre reviewers. From the movie trailer in 2008, Cinema Fantastique (Belgium) noted that the cast is typical for a low-budget production, and that the effects for the creature may well make the viewer laugh. [16]

Mike Catalano of JoBlo wrote "We have ourselves another low-budget, fromage-fest of horror coming our way. (In case you didn’t know, fromage means “cheese” in French)", offering "at the very least, it could make for some check-your-brain-at-the-door fun", and summarized by writing "there is an abundance of hot ladies in the cast, including a special appearance by none other than horror’s #1 vixen, Tiffany Shepis." [17]

Nic Brown of B Movie Man wrote that [the film] "is a mix of action, horror and science fiction. It has plenty of gun play and a surprising array of stunts including deep water scuba shoots, sky diving, and some military fighter action," with "an array of interesting characters," and concluded that it was "a respectable independent action film with elements of sci-fi and horror thrown in." [18]

Nic Baisley of Film Snobbery wrote "The fairly wide variety of locations used in the movie also add that sense of realism to the story that is generally left out in some films. The use of multiple locations adds a lot of free production value to an otherwise obviously low-budget film. Other things in this film that should be given kudos are the action scenes, underwater filmed scenes, and even an unexpected aerial skydiving scene. J.A. Steel definitely knew how to take advantage of her limited budget on this shoot, and it certainly all ends up on the screen." and observed "All in all I can appreciate what Steel was trying to accomplish with 'Denizen'. I think that the overall broadness of a story like this is very hard to contain within a small-ish budget with an inexperienced cast and crew. With J.A.'s background as a martial artist you can definitely tell she shouldered a lot of the action scene burdens, as well as being in front of the camera for her role in the movie. When a director has to work in so many capacities, often the production suffers a little. At the end, 'Denizen' is a fun monster movie, despite any flaws that are inherent to it's[ sic ] production." [19]

Scott Shoyer of Anything Horror praised the film's ambitious scope, campy dialogue and for not taking itself to seriously, but criticized the sound quality. Shoyer compared Denizen to films used by the television show Mystery Science Theater 3000 due to its low-budget special effects and continuity errors. Shoyer concluded by saying that the film was not for everyone, but "if you're looking for some fun cinematic cheese done “indie-style” then you'll enjoy this one. This is perfect to watch with a group of people and a lot of beer." [20]

The horror film website Fatally Yours gave the film a negative review. While praising J.A. Steele's performance as the only pleasurable part of the movie it states that it is "atrocious" and "nigh unwatchable" due to poor acting and editing. [21]

DVD release

The Denizen film DVD was officially released via IndieFlix on April 6, 2010. [22] It was simultaneously released as streaming video on demand. On June 7, 2010, Denizen was released on Amazon.com, in both DVD and video on demand.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muskogee, Oklahoma</span> City in Oklahoma, United States

Muskogee is the 13th-largest city in Oklahoma and is the county seat of Muskogee County. Home to Bacone College, it lies approximately 48 miles (77 km) southeast of Tulsa. The population of the city was 36,878 as of the 2020 census, a 6.0% decrease from 39,223 in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renny Harlin</span> Finnish film director and film producer

Renny Harlin is a Finnish film director, producer, and screenwriter who has worked in Hollywood, Europe, and China. His best-known films include A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger, The Long Kiss Goodnight, and Deep Blue Sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cassandra Peterson</span> American actress

Cassandra Gay Peterson is an American actress best known for her portrayal of the horror hostess character Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Peterson gained fame on Los Angeles television station KHJ-TV in her stage persona as Elvira, hosting Elvira's Movie Macabre, a weekly B movie presentation. A member of the Los Angeles-based improvisational and sketch comedy troupe The Groundlings, Peterson based her Elvira persona in part on a "Valley girl"-type character she created while a member of the troupe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Wan</span> Australian filmmaker

James Wan is an Australian filmmaker. He has primarily worked in the horror genre as the co-creator of the Saw and Insidious franchises and the creator of The Conjuring Universe. The lattermost is the highest-grossing horror franchise at over $2 billion. Wan is also the founder of film and television production company Atomic Monster.

<i>The Descent</i> 2005 film directed by Neil Marshall

The Descent is a 2005 British horror film written and directed by Neil Marshall. The film follows six women who enter a cave system and struggle to survive against the humanoid creatures inside.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinema of Indonesia</span> Filmmaking industry in Indonesia

The cinema of Indonesia refers to films produced domestically in Indonesia. The statutory Indonesian Film Board, or BPI, defines Indonesian films as "movies that are made by or using Indonesian resources whose Intellectual Property Right is owned either entirely or partly by Indonesian citizen or Indonesian legal entity".

<i>Stupid Teenagers Must Die!</i> 2006 American film

Stupid Teenagers Must Die! is a 2006 spoof film directed by Jeff C. Smith and written by Smith and Curtis Andersen. During production and initial festival screenings, the film was originally titled Blood & Guts, but was changed before being sent for distribution.

Johannes Roberts is a British filmmaker, screenwriter and producer. He is known for directing horror films such as The Other Side of the Door, 47 Meters Down and its sequel, The Strangers: Prey at Night and Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.

<i>Splice</i> (film) 2009 film by Vincenzo Natali

Splice is a 2009 science fiction horror film directed by Vincenzo Natali and starring Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley, and Delphine Chanéac. The story concerns experiments in genetic engineering being done by a young scientific couple, who attempt to introduce human DNA into their work of splicing animal genes resulting in the creation of a human–animal hybrid. Guillermo del Toro, Don Murphy, and Joel Silver are credited as executive producers of this film. Theatrically released on June 4, 2010, the film received generally positive reviews from critics but was commercially unsuccessful, and grossed just $27.1 million against a $30 million production budget.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Wingard</span> American filmmaker (born 1982)

Adam Wingard is an American filmmaker. He has served as a film director, producer, screenwriter, editor, cinematographer, actor, and composer on numerous American films.

<i>Ninjas vs. Zombies</i> 2008 American film

Ninjas vs. Zombies is a 2008 American independent film written and directed by Justin Timpane. It parodies the science-fiction, horror, zombie and ninja genres. The rough cut of the film premiered as a "bootleg screening" on October 31, 2008, and later screened on November 1, 2008 in Leesburg, Virginia at the historic Tally Ho Theatre.

<i>Drag Me to Hell</i> 2009 film by Sam Raimi

Drag Me to Hell is a 2009 American supernatural horror film directed and co-written by Sam Raimi with Ivan Raimi, starring Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, Dileep Rao, David Paymer, and Adriana Barraza. The story focuses on a loan officer, who, because she has to prove to her boss that she can make the "hard decisions" at work, chooses not to extend an elderly woman's mortgage. The old woman secretly places a retaliatory curse on her that, after three days of escalating torment, will plunge her into the depths of Hell to burn for eternity.

<i>Summer School</i> (2006 film) 2006 American film

Summer School is a 2006 American independent anthology horror film created by Minnesota-based production company Random Creatureface Films.

J.A. Steel is an American writer, director, producer, editor, stunt person and actress best known for her role as C. Alexandra Jones in The Third Society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glen Jensen</span> American actor and stand-up comedian (born 1953)

Glen Jensen is an American actor and stand-up comedian.

<i>Fever Night aka Band of Satanic Outsiders</i> 2009 film

Fever Night aka Static Age Band of Satanic Outsiders is a 2009 American independent horror film written and directed by Jordan Harris and Andrew Schrader. The film was released on DVD and video-on-demand (VOD) through Bloody Disgusting Selects on May 15, 2012.

<i>Dead Fury</i> 2008 American film

Dead Fury is a 2008 American animated comedy horror parody film written and directed by Frank Sudol, with Sudol also doing all animation, music, and voice characterizations. The film debuted at the Philadelphia Film Festival April 9, 2008, and was released on DVD August 5, 2008, through Unearthed Films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Clarke (filmmaker)</span>

George Clarke is a film director from Northern Ireland and the founder of Yellow Fever Productions. He is known for creating low-budget horror films; his 2011 film The Last Light was filmed on a budget of £200.

<i>The Head Hunter</i> (2018 film) 2018 American fantasy horror film

The Head Hunter is a 2018 American fantasy horror film directed by Jordan Downey, who also co-wrote, produced, and edited the film. It stars Norwegian actor Christopher Rygh as the title character, Cora Kaufman, and Aisha Ricketts. The film centers on the title character, who works as a bounty hunter for a local kingdom, all the while he awaits the eventual return of the creature responsible for the murder of his daughter.

References

  1. ↑ "A Female Roger Corman?". FilmStew.com. May 1, 2008.
  2. 1 2 Disgusting, Mr. (March 26, 2008). "'Denizen' Creature-Feature Shoots in April". bloody-disgusting.com. pp.  Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on June 25, 2008. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  3. ↑ Purtell, Keith (April 22, 2009). "Movie crew to film in Muskogee and Tenkiller area". Muskogee Phoenix . Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  4. ↑ Shade, Karen (April 25, 2009). "Mob activity". Tulsa World . Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  5. 1 2 "J. A. Steel's Denizen completes post-production". fatally-yours.com. 2010. pp. Fatally–Yours. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Interview with J.A. Steel". Killing Boxx. December 1, 2008. Archived from the original on January 27, 2009. Retrieved December 23, 2009.
  7. ↑ "J.A. Steel's action/horror flick 'Denizen' complete, watch the teaser!". Pretty Scary. December 24, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  8. ↑ "DENIZEN: Special Access - JA Steel". CNN . ireport.com. August 26, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Kicking Off Transgender Awareness Month". Human Rights Campaign . November 5, 2009. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
  10. ↑ Marie, Cara (April 11, 2009). "J.A. Steel * Denizen * Sundance 2009". video interview. Dailymotion . Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  11. ↑ "'Denizen' premieres at Bare Bones Film Festival". Muskogee Phoenix News. April 21, 2010. Retrieved May 5, 2010.
  12. ↑ "J.A. Steel - Actress/Filmmaker - Denizen, The Third Society". Outlantacon. April 30, 2010. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Nevada Film Festival Silver Screen Awards". Denizen: Special Access J.A. Steel. Nevada Film Festival. November 21, 2009. Archived from the original on December 14, 2009. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
  14. ↑ "Denizen: Special Access J.A. Steel wins Nevada Film Festival Silver Screen Award". DoorQ. October 27, 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  15. ↑ "2010 Award Winners". Park City Music Film Festival. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  16. ↑ Nak, Mae (April 16, 2008). "Review of Denizen" (in French). Cinema Fantastique. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  17. ↑ Catalano, Mike (September 9, 2008). "Babes of Denizen". JoBlo . joblo.com. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  18. ↑ Brown, Nic. "Review: DENIZEN (2010)". B Movie Man. Archived from the original on January 24, 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  19. ↑ Baisley, Nic (April 30, 2010). "Review of Denizen". Film Snobbery. Retrieved June 18, 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  20. ↑ Shoyer, Scott (June 16, 2010). "Indie Horror Round-Up: The City (2009), Escape (2010), & Denizen (2010)". Anything Horror.com. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  21. ↑ Horror review fatally-yours.com [ dead link ]
  22. ↑ "J.A. Steel's Denizen now on IndiFlix". 28 Days Later Analysis. 28dayslateranalysis.com. April 14, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.