Main Topic - Tornado Film (May 30th, 2025) | Blog #6
Directed by John Maclean
Review Written by James Wreh
May 30th, 2025,
Screening
1. Initial Impressions
- This was a different type of film, a smaller, less-known film, and there
was not a lot of hype around this film, and that is okay. Early on in this movie, I had my doubts, didn’t think I would like it; however, things started to
turn around for me as the story progressed, and I started to care about
the main character, “Tornado”.
2. Setting and Genre
- The film is set in the year 1790, evoking a subtle Western aesthetic
but incorporating swords and pistols, and horses.
- The early pacing was a bit slow for me, but the film gains momentum
halfway through the second act.
3. Music and Sound Design
- The score is heavily string-driven (violins, cellos), contributing
significantly to the film’s atmosphere.
- Music intensifies both dramatic and lighter scenes, almost becoming a
character in itself.
·
The sound design and mixing, particularly during the fire sequences (burning carts
and carriages), stood out as highly effective, with layered effects and
balanced post-production mixing that enhanced the scene’s intensity.
·
As an outsider of the film industry and fan,
I’ve noticed the different parts of filmmaking and post-production processes, such as sound design, mixing, and layering during editing, which enhances my appreciation of
how these elements impact the overall viewing experience.
·
See
a short from Episode #67 discussing the score and sound design of this film:
Tornado
- The Score Was Better Than Expected 🎻 -YouTube
Spotify | https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/bjCr0b5bTWb
4. Cinematography and Visuals
- Cinematography is praised, especially during key scenes:
- The character of Tornado (Koki) embarks on a “revenge tour” for her
father.
- Notable shots include her silhouette against the sun and dynamic
sword fight finishes, holding her stances after some of those sword battles,
creating some great visuals with the sunlight as the backdrop to her
stances.
- The final scene features a classic “walking into the sunset” moment,
executed with notable visual flair. It was great timing for that shot.
5. Narrative Structure
- The film uses a non-linear timeline:
- Opens with a confusing sequence set after some critical events.
- Flashes back to earlier events (two days earlier) before returning to
real time, similar to certain TV procedural dramas.
- One actor I want to point out is Dennis Okwera; his character was the “Psychotic
Bandit. He did not have any lines of dialogue; his performance depended
on his facial expression, movement, and a few fighting scenes, which was
an interesting choice. Something I did not notice until the end of the
film.
6. Conclusion
I was
pleasantly surprised by the film, and I had no idea what to expect from it.
I
commend the director, cast, and crew for delivering a solid and unique film
experience.
See my spoiler review of the film below as I discuss the film in more detail from my point of view. This was a different type of film in a good way, in my opinion.
Companion Podcast & Video
Full episode #67 Tornado (2025) Spoiler Review | What Makes It Different is available to watch and listen to on YouTube | https://youtu.be/nKMrM6oz1Ww
Spotify 🎧🎬 Tornado: A Quiet Storm of Indie Cinema-EP#67
https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/ewIGtc5bTWb
Screening Attended on: May 30th, 2025
Written and recorded by James B. Wreh, creator, host, and producer of The
Silly, Nerdy & Wordy Podcast.
Enjoyed the review? Subscribe on YouTube(https://www.youtube.com/@KRUBOY-PRODUCTIONS ) or follow The Silly, Nerdy & Wordy Podcast on your favorite podcast platform for more film, production, and Broadway breakdowns. You can also find me on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Podbean, and other major podcast platforms.
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