137 reviews
quite refreshing film
The filmmaker has a great creativity. If I am asked what "revenge" is, I tend to imagine a typical situation such as murder and injuring. However, the way of revenge differs with each person according to the job, environment and characteristic, etc. In case of this short film "whacked!", it is the whole story of revenge from the viewpoint of a man working at a golf driving range. In the first few minutes, some people suddenly fall down one after another without showing any reason. This scene attracts audience, and it comes to question what is happening. The next scene seems to be irrelevant to the first scene. After the last scene, we find out the whole story. It is only about ten minutes, but has a concise composition which is easy for the audience to understand. But I think it is not good to injure people who is not relevant.
A Dangerous Man
Some person is just walking, and the other is taken pictures in New York. They suddenly fell down on the street, so ambulance runs around the big downtown.
This is one of the most amazing short movies I had ever seen. I was very excited from the beginning, because the pictures and sound of the ambulance attracts me a lots. I really excited to expect what will be happened to the next.
The movie's key person works earnest and looks gentle. However, he is a very dangerous man, because he has split personality. There for, it's really unusual for me.
If you are very smart, you can possible realize what's happened to the people in New York. The Hint and key are hidden the whole mystery, so you must be enjoy to expect the fact of this mystery.
This is one of the most amazing short movies I had ever seen. I was very excited from the beginning, because the pictures and sound of the ambulance attracts me a lots. I really excited to expect what will be happened to the next.
The movie's key person works earnest and looks gentle. However, he is a very dangerous man, because he has split personality. There for, it's really unusual for me.
If you are very smart, you can possible realize what's happened to the people in New York. The Hint and key are hidden the whole mystery, so you must be enjoy to expect the fact of this mystery.
- strawberry-jam-shake
- Jul 21, 2013
- Permalink
Good revenge
- daidai-11043
- Jul 30, 2024
- Permalink
stressful society
People fall down one after another on the street. They are not injured or ill. What is happening? Is this an accident? This strange situation makes us feel anxiety. In the next scene, there is a man who works hard in a golf link. He seems to be under great stress. We often suffer many kinds of stress in this society. However, he looks wrong. Though these two scenes are closely connected, we cannot realize it until we finish watching this movie. This kind of movie makes us excited, uneasy or impatient and want to know what happens next. In this movie, we feel anxiety in the first scene and in the next scene, we are left in confusion by the man. I really recommend this movie. Through watching this movie, we should think about how fearful the stressful society is!
a brilliant visually-driven short film
Whacked deserves to be far better known than it is. This 8-minute piece is a gem of visual storytelling. Cleverly shot, very well-acted, nicely cut and perfectly paced, Whacked is an object lesson for up-and-coming filmmakers on how to tell a story without dialog. I saw this around the same time as the vastly over-rated (and Oscar-nominated) The Lunch Date. Whacked is far superior. I have been screening it to film students here in Japan and it never fails to get a positive reaction. There is so much to learn about economy in film-making from this short - characterisation through images (the postcards and photos in the main character's golf buggy), using editing to tease the audience (why are these people dropping like flies?) and for dramatic effect (the sudden introduction of the protagonist in extreme close up), and pacing to an emotional pay-off at the end. I was disappointed to see the recent Cinema 16 American collection did not include Whacked. A DVD version with director commentary would be greatly appreciated.
- LunarPoise
- Nov 7, 2006
- Permalink
Notice the male insanity.
comical but super wise
- holton1225
- Dec 21, 2021
- Permalink
surprised
A successful short film.
Panic and bewilderment take over New York when people start collapsing in the middle of the street with no apparent reason, the stress and distress can be felt as the sound of the ambulances sirens fastly running through the city goes through the screen to put the viewer in tension. I found the ending really comic and quaint, which made me especially enjoy the short film.
The story gives an interesting view about what is happening on the streets, making the audience in the end even find funny or amusing the fact that people are dying in the middle of the crowd, something that is not usually related to the concept of death, surrounded most of the time for a more dramatic thematic. The way the plot is introduced does not make the film original in its form but it does not fail on its main purpose, to intrigue the audience about the reason that is causing all this sudden deaths. The sounds are so important in this film as they make you get into the stress that each situation present on the film brings on.
In conclusion, the film manages to create an interesting and funny story in less than 5 minutes, using sounds in a very suitable way combining them with original scenarios and good takes, all of it topped with a witty ending that leaves no one indifferent.
Feel refreshed
The short film 'Whacked' focuses on revenge through stress accumulation and entertains us for its brief running time. It begins with a depiction of New York City, where people suddenly collapse, and the sound of ambulances can be heard. The strangeness of the city adds to the mystery. In later scenes, however, the setting shifts to the countryside, explaining why the incident happened.
The film grabbed my attention by daring to show the results first, which my understanding could not keep up with. It was interesting to see the protagonist's frustration build up, with effective use of sound and image. I want people who are stressed to watch this, because the film itself is a great stress reliever. You can also see the madness that happens through a series of small irritations.
The film grabbed my attention by daring to show the results first, which my understanding could not keep up with. It was interesting to see the protagonist's frustration build up, with effective use of sound and image. I want people who are stressed to watch this, because the film itself is a great stress reliever. You can also see the madness that happens through a series of small irritations.
- fried-rice
- Jun 14, 2024
- Permalink
Shocking in both positive and negative way.
This is one of the most shocking movies I have ever seen. I especially like the editing. This short film consists of three sections; the description of people who are falling down on the bustling street one after another, the scene of man who is in charge of collecting the golf balls on the golf course, and followed by the section that tells the reason of weird circumstances happened to pedestrians. In my view, we find ourselves in a state of excitement because of this structure. In the beginning, we are quite uncertain what is likely to happen afterwards, being irritated by the unusual phenomenon. However, we are convinced about what makes people falling down and what the depiction of the beginning means. In short, this film should be highly evaluated in terms of filming techniques which excite the audience but as for the story itself, it doesn't fascinate me, making me feel rather unpleasant.
You will be filled with many questions, when you watch Whacked at first
You will be filled with many questions, when you watch Whacked at first!! This movie is set in a city. Some people who walk along the road or are taken picture one moment ago, suddenly fall down. You can not understand what is going on. Those victims seem to be chosen at rundom. But is it so? They have no injure. Are they attacked with the epidemic or by invisible assasins or shooted by magical alien's gun? You cannot even sure what kind of movie you watch now. Is it SF or suspence? Will amount of victims increase? The siren of ambulance drives you anxious.
And soon man who gathers around golf balls as a job appears. Then you got another question. Who is this guy? And how about victims and misterious attack? Don't worry you will learn what role this tired man plays. I laughed because the truth of this attack is too surprising. It is painful scene but it is really comical and rythmical. You should check it.
shocking film
- bigrealisekn
- Jul 8, 2024
- Permalink
A catching narrative
"Whacked!", a short movie directed by Rolf Gibbs, starts by portraying two different situations: firstly, pedestrians dropping to the ground of downtown streets because they are hit by objects falling from above. Next, a man driving a truck that collect golf balls on a driving range. Over the course of the short film, the viewers will be able to understand the connection between these two events. The editing of the film is intriguing: they make use of neither colors nor soundtrack. It is a black and white movie; and without music, the sounds produced by the actions held on the scene are highlighted. Moreover, another interesting feature is the suspense resulting from the fact that the first scenes raise questions that will only be answered at the end of the film. Camera positioning is also noticeable, the use of close-ups on the scenes with the driver not only portray his feelings and reactions, but also produce an atmosphere of mystery, since the audience, at the beginning, is unaware of both the source of his reactions and what attitude he is going to take next. Whacked! Is a production with unusual features and with a catching narrative.
The shocking film
stress society?
- kamamitochan
- Dec 23, 2021
- Permalink
Clever techniques
I'm not so sure, but in my opinion this title seems to have double meanings, to be exhausted and to hit something strongly.
The story is about a man tired with his job and life. What I think first is that I don't want to be like this man. I hope that I will not be awfully tired when I begin to work and that I will enjoy my life.
I think this film is well constructed. The audience first see something strange happening in a city. Therefore they get easily interested in this film. The siren of ambulance is the same effect. Our attention is quickly paid to the screen. In other words, the film itself lets us prepare for getting absorbed in it. It is a clever technique because this is a short film of only five minutes. Thanks to that, the audience are able to concentrate on the film as soon as it starts.
There's no music, but all the more the sound is strongly left in our ears and it help us feel as if we could be the man. Although there are no words, we can understand what is happening. I think this is an admirable short film.
The story is about a man tired with his job and life. What I think first is that I don't want to be like this man. I hope that I will not be awfully tired when I begin to work and that I will enjoy my life.
I think this film is well constructed. The audience first see something strange happening in a city. Therefore they get easily interested in this film. The siren of ambulance is the same effect. Our attention is quickly paid to the screen. In other words, the film itself lets us prepare for getting absorbed in it. It is a clever technique because this is a short film of only five minutes. Thanks to that, the audience are able to concentrate on the film as soon as it starts.
There's no music, but all the more the sound is strongly left in our ears and it help us feel as if we could be the man. Although there are no words, we can understand what is happening. I think this is an admirable short film.
Fragile life
People walking in the streets of a big city start collapsing for seemingly no reason, as if whacked by an invisible assailant. In another place, a man is having a bad day at work. What is the surprising link between these events?
Whacked! is an interesting short film that functions similar to a thriller. The initial setup -in which people and ambulances are rushing here and there as people are knocked unconscious, or worse- is simple, mysterious and rather scary. The rest of the film is about unravelling that initial setup and connecting it to the events taking place in a completely separate location. I found it difficult to immediately guess how they would be connected, but everything falls into place as we move towards the rather horrific conclusion. The only character in this film is the protagonist, who is silent and expresses himself via body language, and he's quite effective at conveying his state of mind and the reasons for doing what he does. Whacked! is filmed in black and white, something which considering what this film is somehow felt more adequate to me than using colour. Another thing to note is the element of sound; in a clever move, the filmmaker repeats the motif of his film (getting whacked) aurally by using a sound that can be best described as "whack!"
For me this film is about the fragility of human life in many different senses. It's a reminder that it's easy to emotionally break others, and that one's own life can easily be broken in the most unforeseen ways.
Whacked! is an interesting short film that functions similar to a thriller. The initial setup -in which people and ambulances are rushing here and there as people are knocked unconscious, or worse- is simple, mysterious and rather scary. The rest of the film is about unravelling that initial setup and connecting it to the events taking place in a completely separate location. I found it difficult to immediately guess how they would be connected, but everything falls into place as we move towards the rather horrific conclusion. The only character in this film is the protagonist, who is silent and expresses himself via body language, and he's quite effective at conveying his state of mind and the reasons for doing what he does. Whacked! is filmed in black and white, something which considering what this film is somehow felt more adequate to me than using colour. Another thing to note is the element of sound; in a clever move, the filmmaker repeats the motif of his film (getting whacked) aurally by using a sound that can be best described as "whack!"
For me this film is about the fragility of human life in many different senses. It's a reminder that it's easy to emotionally break others, and that one's own life can easily be broken in the most unforeseen ways.
Kill
I surprised at her idea. Usually, human don't want to do such an act. Why did him it? I can't overlook his conduct because we don't kill people. If a person get you angry, you don't have the right that kill him. In fact, convicts like him exist at present. If my dear is killed, I feel hard and have a grudge against the criminal absolutely. We don't know when we die at all. We can't escape accidental death and heavy disease. So I would like to live cheerfully not to regret. We often say, "I should have carried out it .". However it's too late after we died. Thus, I thought, watched this. Many people have this consciousness, and we have precious times, memories. Then, we feel happy more. In addition to, I thought that we can't waste time. Our lives are not limitless. I feel the important of life afresh.
Very Catchy
I really like the way this film reveals the whole story. I enjoyed it very much and never got bored. It attracted me immediately with the active questions. This film does not make any sense at first, but it effectively connects to the answer of the first curious questionable scene. I held my breath when I saw people are "whacked" towards the last scene, in which I found the answer of the active questions from the first half of the film and got super surprised. The last scene is quite funny and memorable, not only because it gives us the answer, but also because of the way it is edited. The cut of the man and other people on the streets appear on the screen alternately. The contrast of the way the film shows how lively the man stands on the top of the building and what he exactly does to others is very sarcastic and humorous. Moreover, how camera depicts the man and others is full of humor. The close-up shot of the man is very interesting, and how they cut and edit each person on the streets is quite funny. Also, it does not use any dialogue but other sounds such as the ambulance sirens very effectively, which makes the film even more unique and interesting.
- rosechocoberry
- Jul 10, 2018
- Permalink
Makes you realize the monster inside you
Living in a big city can be great stress. Streets full of cars honking every second, sidewalks where you challenge how many shoulders you can bump into, and all mixed up odors from gas, colons, and sweat.... And yet, everything that happens there is routine.
And again, you are in that routine at your office on a 10th floor; you look down at all the people from a window, thinking innocently that they are like working ants... You only need to put your foot down.
Don't you ever have an idea? In a monochrome picture, "Whacked" portrays the insanity of one man magnificently, making everyone who watched it thrilled. But the time you realized the true fear hidden in this film is when you find "you" in the man. You are one step into your insanity.
And again, you are in that routine at your office on a 10th floor; you look down at all the people from a window, thinking innocently that they are like working ants... You only need to put your foot down.
Don't you ever have an idea? In a monochrome picture, "Whacked" portrays the insanity of one man magnificently, making everyone who watched it thrilled. But the time you realized the true fear hidden in this film is when you find "you" in the man. You are one step into your insanity.
- dmitrykusanov
- Jun 23, 2014
- Permalink
i don't like this film so much.
This film begin with the scene that siren resounds. Then, people fall dawn on the street one after another. I thought that this film is a kind of mystery when I saw it the first time, but I noticed that this film is not a kind of mystery when I saw the scene with the golf links. This film is drawing people who live into stress society. The expression of the hero who is working on the golf links is irritated very much, and he seems to feel stress or something. Although the hero did the bad act, I felt refreshed. However, I do not like this movie so much, because there is a grotesque scene. I think that it will not be good to wreak one's anger without reason upon others indiscriminately even if people feel stress. I think that there is another method of refreshing stress.
Suspenseful and engaging
In New York, people are falling over in pain seemingly at random with no apparent cause. Why is this happening? This suspenseful short film engages you from the start and never lets go with that simple question. It is beautifully shot and edited to give the film the visceral and uncomfortable tone that it needs, adding greatly to the overall aesthetic of the film - the sounds of launched golf balls bludgeon us; the camera cuts and moves erratically. Meanwhile, our main character's performance is at once pitiful as it is menacing; his unkempt face filling the entire frame and staring into the souls of the audience. We wonder why he does the things he does - is it anger? Boredom? Disrespect? In the end, we leave with as many questions as we had when we entered. This is what short films should be: short, tight, and impactful.
I was scared
Incredibly unexpected story...
In New York, walking people falls down at random one after another mysteriously. A man, working at a driving range as a role of picking up golf balls, is stressed out on account of harassment. Seemingly, these two completely different stories have a relation in some way strangely...
This film becomes one of my non-verbal favorite films because no one can expect the end of the story until the very end. If you could imagine the end, your brain must be filled with fertile imagination. At first sight, I believe that this is a suspenseful film since the film starts with people who fall down and an ambulance siren. This first mysterious scene makes us feel to follow the story more and more. In addition, the film is related to a contemporary social issue of job. It was made in 1997, but this depicts our huge problem of present life as the title "Whacked" tells us.
This film becomes one of my non-verbal favorite films because no one can expect the end of the story until the very end. If you could imagine the end, your brain must be filled with fertile imagination. At first sight, I believe that this is a suspenseful film since the film starts with people who fall down and an ambulance siren. This first mysterious scene makes us feel to follow the story more and more. In addition, the film is related to a contemporary social issue of job. It was made in 1997, but this depicts our huge problem of present life as the title "Whacked" tells us.
- maoenjoyhappy
- Jun 19, 2017
- Permalink