The Watchers

A seemingly normal accountant becomes a marked man in the exciting new short thriller, The Watchers, from Two Man Crew Productions, which boasts an impressive debut from director Sy Cody White.

Shot on a shoestring budget in and around Manhattan, this incredibly well made drama that runs close to 30 minutes stars Jeff Moffitt as John Porter, the aforementioned accountant whose life is thrown upside down when he discovers that he's suddenly being followed by some rather unusual individuals. These "watchers" appear everywhere in John's life with no explanation, other than that they are always watching on the streets on the subways in his home...and it's driving John into a panic. Fearing that he's losing his mind, he turns to his shrink Dr. Orwell (Timothy J. Cox) for guidance, but things only get worse for John after his visit with the doctor. Certain now that his life is in eminent danger, he goes on the run, but as we the audience learn, we're in for a few surprises so make sure you pay close attention.

White and Moffitt, who co-wrote and co-produced the film, have crafted an intelligent, original thriller (Take note, Mr. Shamaylan) that kept me wanting more. This is a film for movie lovers, for fans of masters like Hitchcock and Preminger. If you're a film lover who favors story telling and acting, rather than 3-D (which is really starting to grate), then this is the film for you. The film is quite the puzzle (made me think of the 1973 feature film The Last of Sheila) and admittedly, it took me two viewings to piece it all together, but it was worth the time, with the second viewing proving just as exciting as the first.

From the look of the film, you'd never believe that The Watchers was shot on a very small budget, about $350, according to an online interview with Moffitt on Cinemaroll.com, but it was and everything about the look of director Sy Cody White's film is spot on composition, lighting, you name it. I enjoyed how Manhattan plays a central figure in The Watchers and how White shows it off beautifully to tell his story.

As for the performances, Moffitt leads the way, impressing as John Porter, saying volumes with a look. He receives great support from Timothy J. Cox, who managed to inject a bit of mystery to his performance as Dr,. Orwell, making me wonder if he himself was a "watcher". And speaking of the watchers, another stand out from the cast was Kathleen Boddington, who sent chills with her performance.

The film has been generating considerable buzz on the web, as well as film festival consideration. Let's hope that this film is seen by a wider audience and that more filmmakers like Sy Cody White start coming out of the woodwork.

The Watchers, produced by Two Man Crew Productions and Hocus Pocus Features; directed by Sy Cody White; written by Sy Cody White and Jeff Moffitt; producers Sy Cody White and Jeff Moffitt

Starring: Jeff Moffitt as John Porter, Timothy J. Cox as Dr, Orwell, Peter Francis Span as Mysterious Man, Kathleen Boddington as Watcher, Darrin Biss as Phil, Rich Sab as Watcher, Robert Nesi as Police Officer, James Konczyk as Tony, Mike Sgroi as Vic, Gerry Hoyile as Watcher, Matthew Biss as Watcher, and Guillermo B. Arguello as Watcher.

The trailer for The Watchers is available for viewing at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0Y0bLAsD9Q

For more information, please visit the films' official website at www.twomancrewproductions.com