186 People
Ever Since the World Ended
Review by Ross Anthony

Wow! The acting is fantastic. I was mesmerized by these performances. And not just one or two of these people convinced me – they all did. The director must be very gifted with working with actors as well.

It’s shot like a documentary – 95% of which is told through interviews with a handful of the handful of people left in the bay area. Since it’s shot so believably, I feel I must remind the viewer that this is fiction. I had to keep reminding myself. Actually, the first 5-10 minutes I sat there asking myself what disease is this that they are talking about – I didn’t remember hearing about it on the news.

In the future, a virus wipes out almost the entire population. One hundred and eighty-six people are left in San Francisco’s bay area. This film is a supposed documentary twelve years after the devastation. Two of the 186, fire up some old video gear and interview some of the other survivors. In a somewhat detached way, the survivors talk about building a new life, with new community rules and interactions. They also reflect on the good and bad of the last life so filled with stimuli from all directions vs. this quiet life.

While I praise the performances, direction and idea – I don’t think they add up well in the format of a feature length film. For one, the few incidents of “action” are weaker than the interviews. Secondly, the entire piece lacks a strong emotional connection and a dramatic resonance. But, the curiosity factor is achingly high, and those performances, improv/scripting are stellar. It would play better as a mock-reality show in ˝ hour episodes. Or even better yet, in daily 3-minute bites on the internet. If the filmmakers haven’t done so already – I highly suggest that. Hook the viewer on 60 episodes, then sell the entire DVD on the site.

Either way, I expect good things from these creative people in the future.

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  • Ever Since the World Ended. Copyright © 2001.
  • Starring Mark Routhier, Calum Grant, Mary Rutherford, James Curry, Angie Thierrot, Greg Lucey and Linda Noveroske.
  • Written by Calum Grant.
  • Directed and Produced by Calum Grant and Joshua Atesh Litle at Epidemic Films.

Grade..........................B (2/4)


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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.


Last Modified: Monday, 27-Nov-2006 11:02:48 PST