3-Star Review for Skateboard Bandits

On behalf of the very talented cast and crew of my short film, Skateboard Bandits, we’re excited to receive a 3-Star Review from the industry’s leading review platform, Short Films Matter. Here’s what they say:

* * * A laid-back thriller that delves into a father and daughter’s pursuit of revenge.

SYNOPSIS: A character-driven thriller about a band of skateboarders who conspire to take revenge into their own hands – the second time around – and risk life and limb to rob a bank.

REVIEW: Vengeance, grief, and the unbreakable bond between a daughter and her charismatic widower father take center stage in Rich Tola’s low-budget thriller. With Rich Tola himself leading the cast alongside Anna Christensen and an ensemble of supporting actors, this film takes viewers on a thrilling ride through the gritty streets of Los Angeles. The narrative centers around the preparation for a bank heist. One of the standout elements of this narrative is the inclusion of skateboarding, which adds a cool and edgy vibe to the story. The skateboarding sequences are well-executed and bring an exciting energy to the film. It’s a refreshing addition that sets this movie apart from others in the genre.

While the acting prowess of Rich Tola and Anna Christensen shines through, the supporting cast falls slightly short in comparison. However, their performances don’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the film. Technically, the film is crafted to a respectable standard, considering the limited budget. Although it lacks a cinematic quality, this can be forgiven, as the engaging storyline and well-choreographed sequences make up for it. The short film manages to entertain and keep viewers on the edge of their seats throughout.

However, it must be noted that the ending leaves us wanting more, as the narrative build-up to the bank robbery delivers an anti-climax. Nevertheless, Rich Tola’s low-budget thriller delivers an entertaining experience. With its engaging storyline, impressive skateboarding sequences, and solid performances, it is a film that showcases the director’s creativity and resourcefulness. While it may lack the polish of big-budget productions, it more than makes up for it with its raw energy and bohemia.

FILM: 12-minute drama (completed from start-to-finish in 90 days for $1000) starring Rich Tola, Anna Christensen, Jonny Haug, Jasmine Sim, Anthony Lazcano, Ben Thomas and Anthony Rajanayagam.

Thanks for watching everyone..and get your workout in ! Peace – R

“Skate like a bat outta hell”

Hey everyone, we just released Skateboard Bandits on YouTube and Vimeo.

It’s a 12 minute character-driven thriller about a band of skateboarders who conspire to take revenge into their own hands – the second time around – and risk life and limb to rob a bank. We filmed all 18 scenes in one day, throughout the streets of LA.

Looking forward to releasing my next short narrative, Zen Diaries: The Lockdown, coming this November.

Peace – R

Skateboard Bandits – Coming Soon!

Hey everyone, I just completed my first scripted narrative short, Skateboard Bandits, soon to be released in September.

It’s a 12 minute character-driven thriller about a band of skateboarders who take revenge into their own hands – the second time around – and risk life and limb to rob a bank.

Super excited to finish another film project on-time and on-budget. It took 90 days and cost $1000 from start to finish. For my next production, I look forward to releasing a “Boulevard Zen” short film spin-off, exactly ten years since the 2009 premiere of my first film.

For more information please contact me at: [email protected]

Have an awesome day and always remember…get your workout in! Peace – R

Tola Talks Rude Shoppers & The Theory of Everything

Tola Talks about Sarah Silverman, Bette Midler, Richard Pryor (RIP), Woody Allen, Cyber Monday, NFL Football, Sherlock Holmes and Michael Jackson’s best selling album of all-time, Thriller. On Movie Mondays, Rich reviews The Theory of Everything with Eddie Redmayne & Felicity Jones and talks about how anything is possible, plus gives the Get Your S#!T Together Award to all the rude and disrespectful holiday shoppers out there.

Weekdays on youtube.com/tolatalks.

Tola Talks Movie Mondays & McConaughey’s Interstellar

 

Tola Talks about Pizza Hut rebooting itself for a new generation of pizza eaters, cyber-hackers targeting the US Postal Service, comet chasing space craft aiming for a first-ever touchdown, fearless Frenchmen setting world records on a bicycle, and the three best 30 minute treks in Los Angeles. On Movie Mondays, Rich also reviews the Matthew McConaughey apocalyptic space thriller, Interstellar, plus gives the Get Your SH!T Together Award to a bovine rustler who purchased a 150 pound calf at a gas station in Southern California. 

Watch weekdays on youtube.com/tolatalks.

Movie Mondays Interstellar

Tola Talks Movie Mondays & Jake Gyllenhaal’s Nightcrawler

 

Tola Talks about Death with Dignity & physician assisted suicide, the $4 Billion spent on midterm elections & Dark Money Groups, the Windy City & blindfolded tightrope walks between Chicago skyscrapers, the new World Trade Center in NYC & America’s tallest building, plus the Get Your S#!T Together Award to a dead whale surfing idiot in Australia. On Movie Mondays, Rich also introduces a new segment called What’s Your ATA? (Ask Tola Anything), and reviews the new Jack Gyllenhaal psycho-thriller, Nightcrawler.

Watch weekdays on youtube.com/tolatalks.

Tola Talks' Rich Tola getting ready for Movie Mondays & Jack Gyllenhaal's new film, Nightcrawler.
Tola Talks’ Rich Tola getting ready for Movie Mondays & Jack Gyllenhaal’s new psycho-thriller, Nightcrawler.

Tola Talks Movie Mondays & Keanu Reeves’ John Wick


Tola Talks about High School students & terror in Washington, disappearing Dads & stadium searches, NFL rookies & stupid mistakes, plus new Alcoholism applications and simple mind tricks to get the most out of your workout. On Movie Mondays, Rich and guest co-host Troy Titus-Adams also review the new Keanu Reeves action-thriller, John Wick. 

Weekdays on youtube.com/tolatalks.

MovieMondays

Tola Talks w/ Author & Past Life Specialist Noreh Millar


Tola Talks past life flashbacks, deadly viruses, sex clubs in NYC and the new detective-mystery novel, Detour on the Road Home. On Throwback Thursdays, Rich interviews Author Noreh Millar…who also takes us back to her version of 1942 and her latest detective-mystery novel, Detour on the Road Home. Watch weekdays on youtube.com/tolatalks.

Tola Talks' Rich Tola with Author and Past Life Specialist, Noreh Millar.
Tola Talks’ Rich Tola with Author and Past Life Specialist, Noreh Millar.