rmarkgarrett The acting is not the problem. The kids are believable as the stereotypes they portray and we all know this couple if not many like them. This film isn't in any sense "chilling" or "apocalyptic", but it is more predictable that a teen slasher flick. Take any couple you know where the guy is an arrogant, controlling, self-centered idiot who's almost as annoying as he thinks he's charming, a low self-esteem and very naive, if not stupid girlfriend, take away the conveniences of civilization, and you have a pair of Darwin Award winners that you know wouldn't live long enough in the fantasy world for a short feature, let alone 1:22. There are several really glaring continuity errors that point out the questionable judgment of whoever did the editing while high, drunk, or running out of GAFF which you will find yourself doing as well, long before it's over.

leif-weston-andersen All stories, ultimately, are love stories. The vehicle used to tell this one is a catastrophic gas crisis that catches two lovers unaware as they exit the woods following a week-long camping trip in the throws of their own inter-emotional crisis. Empty overtly focuses its energy on the latter, personal crisis, and the title aptly reflects a romance at its terminal point. As an emotional race through the chaotic and damaging emotions attending the dissolution of a deeply felt relationship, the film works, and at times it works very well. I watched it through to its rather abrupt ending, and that says something. For a feature film made on 10 grand, this actually says a whole lot.However, great as the premise may be, and as sound as the fractured romance plays, this film's overall execution is touch and go.The gas crisis as plot vehicle is something of a jalopy riddled with holes (see others' reviews on this). Still, if one backs away from its rusty details, the conundrum does actually run and functions perfectly well as a foil for the drama to unfold.The script is hot and cold - on again, off again - yet it was on just enough to keep me engaged in the unfolding drama between Piper and Dell.Likewise for the acting. Williams' portrayal as Piper was strong and convincing. Carlo as Dell was less so, but I felt this had more to do with weaker scripting for his character. I actually found the leads' chemistry to be quite endearing. And McBrien did a great job as the spooked, neurotic hotelier.The essentials of the direction were solid, and I appreciated the choice of camera angles used throughout. Highlights take place in the hotel, and shots of Piper were always at their best. Yes, the fight scene was a little underwhelming, and there were a few further minor downers. However, Fangoria reports this film was made in just 10 days in the dead of winter, and when I consider this, I give it plenty of props.Editing: given the extreme constraints the editor had to work with, I'd say he did an admirable job. Overall production values were low, but this doesn't necessarily hurt the film. I loved the folksy guitar track; it provided an air of humility and compassion throughout, two qualities the story required to move forward.Could a better feature film have been made using this premise of gas crisis, but with only 10 days, and $10,000? Maybe. But I haven't seen it, and in the meantime, this film had the courage to try. The result is ultimately watchable and often satisfying. I'm impressed and immensely encouraged to know that this kind of project found wings.

RLuciano-OneClickFilms OK, let's get right down to it. Was it a low budget film? Yes. Were there technical issues throughout the film? Yes. The audio at times was indistinguishable, the lighting was off and on, technically in many ways it was a disaster.However, the script I felt was brilliant! It was so well written and acted, it compensated for the technical challenges. And there were a LOT of technical challenges. There was a few scenes where you could hear this low rumble. It had my wife extremely confused what those sounds were, until I told her it was the microphone. Either the wind, or someone bumping the camera or mic. Very "video 101" issues that anyone would realize taking on the challenge of filming.But again, it was so well written and acted, I found that 5 mins into the movie I was hooked! I actually HAD to watch it to see what would happen. I see a lot of independent films/videos, and barely 20% are worth actually sitting through. This was in that 20%! The characters were so well defined and acted, I found myself hating and loving either characters. I was not thrilled at all with the ending, because I just felt it contradicted that characters actions and morals. So for me I would have ended the story much different. I won't comment here as I don't want to write any spoilers to the film. You really should see this film and make your own judgement. But when you do watch the film, understand that there are technical challenges and you just have to accept that.If you can accept the technical challenges, you are definitely in for a great ride. I rarely, RARELY find a movie that has two lead characters that play off each other so well, that their relationship alone carries through the movie, very rare. Which is why I have to say, in many ways I absolutely LOVE this film! Specifically for the acting, writing, and direction I should say.I especially felt that there was a fantastic build from the beginning of the story, to the end. Wonderful character development. If it wasn't for the ending, I honestly can say I feel this movie would be damn near perfect from a story standpoint. I can't imagine if the director/producer had more funds to have a better camera, better audio option, better sound effects and supporting soundtrack, what this film would have been like.With all due respect to the people that have reviewed this feature, I think you have to just accept the fact that there are technical challenges that are apparent in the film. As far as I'm concerned, I give this an 8 specifically because of the story, acting, and even the direction wasn't bad with the challenges at hand. I think the shot choice could have been better, but we don't know what challenges the director had with time, etc.Personally for me and my wife, we think this story was very well done. I have watched it twice now, and will see it again definitely! I am an actor, writer, and director, and will be filming my first short next year. I understand the challenges with the filming process and can say this. For this director, producer, and actors, to dedicate themselves to a project with a shoe string budget and still come out making a movie that grabs your attention, gets you talking, and communicates like it does with so many variety of topics, I say "BRAVO!" to the cast and crew! Well done!

KyleBel I understand that this is an independent film with a small budget, but there is so many plot holes and unmotivated behaviors in this movie that it is so unpleasing to watch. I'm a big inde fan, but only when the acting and directing can compensate for the budget. The ending of this movie is probably the worst I've seen in years. All and all I would say if you're really bored and have run out of all other options give it a go, but this movie is an absolute waste of time and energy. Trust me I hate being hard on an inde film, but this has to be one of the worst films I've seen in the last ten years. AVOID AT ALL COSTS...As far as the plot holes.. well the idea is that America has depleted its gas supply and we follow one couples journey for survival in these semi-apocalyptic times. Here's where we run into the big problems. There are many alternative energy sources outside of Gas in America, people would be able to get around just fine with Bicycles and a Gas Depletion would be seen months if not years in advance. There would be conservation limits set into effect and certain non gas efficient vehicles would be outlawed. In the film Europe is stated as conserving their gas with the shortage and if this were true than Europe would be helping America out through this depletion. This film takes a great idea and rushes to chaos. There would be months and months of back story that should have been somehow included into this story that were left out. There is really to many plot holes to write here. The ending was the most ridiculous I've seen in years. If you can manage to sit through the horrid performance and unbelievable story all the way to the end you will know exactly what I'm talking about. If you want something that is an Inde Flick that is similar to this but is executed properly I might suggest, "Monsters" "Carriers" or even "Stakeland" these are all amazing inde Flicks that this movie can't even come close to competing with.