Rocking Oren

January 4th, 2011

Watch CONDEMNED Online!

Condemned is premiering online today. You can watch it for free by heading to the film’s page at:

http://condemned.rockingoren.com/

For maximum effects expand to full screen and watch in the dark!

CONDEMNED is a 14-minute Noir-infused tribute to the Women-in-Prison films of the 1950s, with a Spaghetti Western twist. Over the past year it has been screened in New York, Los Angeles, and Tel-Aviv, and covered in blogs and publications such as Moviefone, Shock Cinema Magazine, Liminal Vision, Mondo Digital.

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November 18th, 2010

Paracinema Reviews CONDEMNED

Condemned has been reviewed on the Paracinema Magazine website. Check out their review, as well as their great magazine.

A short excerpt below, and the full piece right here.

…The viewer is treated to a quiet film rife with good performances, atmosphere, and striking cinematography . . . Oren Shai is not a name I was familiar with before watching Condemned, but I’m convinced this filmmaker will gain more notoriety as his career progresses.

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October 26th, 2010

Mondo Digital Reviews CONDEMNED

Mondo Digital chose Condemned as one of their most recent Sick Picks.

Check out an excerpt below, and head over to Mondo Digital for the full piece.

Director Oren Shai is definitely one to watch and is working on his first feature, which should really be something else. Not everyone can pull off something that manages to simultaneously evoke Jack Hill, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, and Jess Franco, but somehow it all works.

Posted by Oren Shai in Condemned, Updates | No Comments »

September 11th, 2010

Liminal Vision Reviews CONDEMNED

A new review of Condemned was posted today on the Melbourne-based film blog, Liminal Vision. Written by Tara Judah.

Check out the excerpt below and visit Liminal Vision for the full review.

The narrative becomes secondary to the stunning visual style and incredibly affecting tone which afford the film with the surprising weight and substance that it holds . . . It is clear from the short fourteen minutes that Condemned runs for that Shai is an accomplished filmmaker who is adept at using the formal qualities of film to elucidate its content. Beautiful, thoughtful and hopefully a first look at what’s yet to come.

And head over to the cool fashion/retro blog, Blue Moon Dame, who recently wrote about Heavy Soul, and about our time in film school together!

E-mail me at oren[at]rockingoren.com for DVD screeners of Condemned.

Posted by Oren Shai in Condemned, Heavy Soul | No Comments »

September 5th, 2010

DVD Trash Reviews CONDEMNED

DVD Trash just posted a new review of Condemned. Head over to read the full review. Excerpt below.

A beautifully shot little homage to 70’s women in prison exploitation flicks although those b-movie classics of yesteryear were never this well put together. A sweaty, claustrophobic, noir-like feel is evoked throughout with an excellent performance from Margaret Anne Florence as the weary inmate . . . It is an all too short, paranoia filled meditation on the inevitability of death that is very much worth 14 minutes of your time.

Also, a few days ago, Nick Frame wrote about viewing Condemned in his blog, The Bleeding Tree. Check out what he has to say.

DVD Screeners are still available for press consideration. E-mail me at: oren @ rockingoren.com (no spaces).

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August 19th, 2010

Horror Squad Reviews CONDEMNED

A great new review of Condemned, by Alison Nastasi, was published yesterday at Horror Squad.

Read the excerpt below, and head over to the full review.

Shai has a keen eye and although Condemned relies heavily on its dialogue, there are some fantastic visuals that help us enter the prisoners’ world. Light, shadows, and framing are all spot on and compliment some decent acting chops. Actress Margaret Anne Florence (#1031) delivers a subtly sexy performance that is a cross between a Tennessee Williams play and 50’s melodrama . . . I look forward to seeing what this talented filmmaker has in store for us next.

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August 13th, 2010

HEAVY SOUL on It’s Just Movies

It’s Just Movies recently featured and reviewed my 2005 short film, Heavy Soul:

“Heavy Soul” is highly recommended for those who enjoy taking a cinematic walk on the wild side every now and again. A word of warning, though: You will likely find yourself deliriously tempted to make repeat journeys down this film’s twisted, spiralling rabbit hole. Just remember to proceed with caution, as this kicky head-trip boasts more unexpected turns than an ominous labyrinth of doom.

Check out the rest and watch the film at It’s Just Movies.

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August 11th, 2010

CONDEMNED Screening in NYC

Condemned will be having its first NYC screening on Friday the 13th, at the SVA Theater, as part of the SVA Film Society screening series. It will precede a feature horror film of their choice.

Admission is free!

Come join us if you’re around town:

CONDEMNED + TBA Feature
August 13th (Friday)
7:00PM.

The SVA Theater
333 West 23 Street (btw. 8th and 9th Ave.), New York, NY

More info on our Facebook event page.

Also mentioned on Aprella.com and Pulpmovies.

Posted by Oren Shai in Condemned | No Comments »

August 6th, 2010

How Errol Flynn Won the War

My review of TCM’s new Errol Flynn Adventures DVD set is now up at Films In Review. The set includes Desperate Journey, Edge of Darkness, Northern Pursuit, Uncertain Glory, and Objective, Burma!.