FanFilm Corner "ComicCon Edition": #DIRTYLAUNDRY

QUESTION: What's the difference between justice and punishment? #DIRTYLAUNDRY

At Comic-Con 2012 in San Diego, the actor Thomas Jane unveiled a short-film called "#DIRTYLAUNDRY". Besides Jane, the movie also stars Ron Pearlman which is unusual to have 2 popular Actors starring in a short-fan-film but stranger things have happened I guess. 

LOWDOWN:

Thomas Jane plays a hardened and seemingly tortured individual living out of his rusty old van and all he wants to do is mind his own business and do his dirty laundry. Problem is he's in the worst part of the wrong side of town. On his way to the coin laundry, he runs into a gang of thugs getting off on terrorizing the "working girls" and innocent bystanders. Can he avoid intervening? Has he done this before? Only one way to find out and so without further ado...

Warning: Violence. Gore, Strong Adult Content

REVIEW:
The 10 minute short does a fantastic job in conveying unspoken emotion. You can feel what Thomas Jane's character is going through without the need of dialogue and what little dialogue is in the film propels the story forward towards the climax. Well executed story, perfect build up, the violence in the film equaled the atrocities of the criminals and an ending worthy of the prior 9 minutes. #DIRTYLAUNDRY satisfies and at the last minute leaves you excited and wanting more.

Obviously the character Thomas Jane is playing is Frank Castle aka "The Punisher" but the filmmakers were really careful not to break copyright law as to avoid any potential lawsuits from Marvel/Disney. Just recently, Marvel acquired the rights to The Punisher which I'm sure means a proper Punisher reboot is in order. And who knows, maybe this little film could be the catalyst that convinces Marvel Studios to hire Jane for the role of The Punisher once more.

I'm a huge Punisher fan, I love his gritty, dark, real-world, ultra violent attitude he brings to the Marvel 'verse. He's definitely my favorite anti-hero. But unfortunately both The Punisher (2004) with Thomas Jane and Punisher: Warzone (2008) with Ray Stevenson movies were not worthy of the classic character. The Punisher (1989) a little known but great film with Dolph Lundgren was a much closer depiction of the violent Marvel character than the newer films. But with much respect to Jane and Stevenson, it was the stories that fell short. I think they did the best job they could with what was handed to them. 

I remember a while ago on Fanboy Radio, they interviewed Thomas Jane and I was pleased to hear that he's a big pulp/sci-fi comic fan (like myself) and even produces his own comics (RAW STUDIOS) and  explained how hard it was trying to make the Punsher sequel TRUE to the Punisher character, but unfortunately Jane and LionsGate couldn't see eye-to-eye and went their separate ways. However, I think this short proves who had the right idea. As an Indy filmmaker I'm a fan of Thomas Jane, he's a hero of sorts, he's a real rags to riches story (he was homeless in his 20's). He's a director, comic book creator, voice-actor, actor and just an all around amazing, not to mention, accomplished geek. I was happy to have met him at ComicCon 2010.

 There's a quote by Thomas Jane on the movies description section that I think says it all...

"I wanted to make a fan film for a character I've always loved and believed in - a love letter to Frank Castle & his fans. It was an incredible experience with everyone on the project throwing in their time just for the fun of it. It's been a blast to be a part of from start to finish -- we hope the friends of Frank enjoy watching it as much as we did making it."

   -Thomas Jane

ComicCon 2010, my brother Dennis Chacón handing in his portfolio to Thomas Jane at the RAW STUDIOS booth.
-Photographed by Eric Chacón

OVERALL:

††††† 5 templar crosses out of 5

MUST WATCH!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! (We hope Marvel/Disney is watching!)

CAST/CREW

Thomas Jane as Vigilante (Frank Castle/The Punisher)

Ron Pearlman as Liquor Store Clerk
Sammi Rotibi as GOLDTOOTH
Karlin Walker as the kid 'DESHAWN'

Directed by Phil Joanou

Produced by Adi Shankar

Written by Chad St. John

In collaboration with 

Tim Bradstreet

-Eric Chacón