The Chronology Protection Case: Movie Review

Ever feels as though the universe is out to get you?  Well The Chronology Protection Case cleverly suggests that it actually might be!

Being that this is a low-budget student film by director and passionate actor Jay Kensinger, we don’t expect the sequences, frames and panning to be on the level of Spielberg’s production, however despite the lack of funding behind this project, the film still manages to pull of a highly amusing murder mystery with an intricate sci-fi plot indicating the unbelievable capabilities of the universe.   This 38 minute short film receives two thumbs up from the Maroudas Movie Review Household.

Dr. Philip D’Amato is a fictional NYPD forensic detective who finds himself sucked into a bizarre case about a vengeful universe that seeks to protect itself from time travel by killing any scientists who discover or even begin to understand how to do it.

The short film leads off with some quick cuts of random images paired with beat bopping feel good background music about matter, space, energy and time.  To someone unfamiliar with the genera, the rambling sci-fi banter initially creates a highly anxious state for a story to unravel in.  Thankfully even our narrator Dr. Philip D’Amato realizes this, and begins again, yet this time more calmly and directly to the point. 

Kensinger’s terrific performance and narration allows for what initially seems like a confusing story to unfold with ease and clarity, leaving you in total suspense throughout the first 29 minutes.  With the help of his co-stars, Breann Beal as the widow Laura Goldring, Evan Hunter as the reporter Jack Donovan, and Katie McGrew as one of the founding scientist Jennifer Fenwick, a fascinating plot is brought to life.  Overall, the acting was realistic and convincing.  They successfully combined speech, gestures, and facial expressions to convey a variety of emotions in their performances like, grief, frustration, confusion, anger, distress, nervousness, or anxiety.  Each emotional was clearly portrayed in their performances and made for an enthralling story. 

Another enjoyable aspect of the film was the unique detail to the soundtrack.  The strategic use of sound gave the film a thought provoking, artsy edge.  The happy-go-lucky intro music juxtaposed with the haunting alerts from the morning alarm clock is just one example of the variety of ways in which sound is used to not only to foreshadow unfortunate events, but also to simply enhance an other wise empty scene.

Lastly, it’s obvious to any viewer that the real talent behind this sci-fi film is in the writing.  The intricate plot leaves you unable to turn away, in fear that you’ll miss a crucial piece to the puzzle.  From the witty conversations, to the conclusive monologues each word choice was carefully chosen.  It’s no accident that word random was used over and over again in the beginning of the film to rationalizes the unexpected deaths.  All the dramatic irony comes to a head in the end when we discover how systematic and methodical the universe actually is despite everyone’s attempt to blame it all on randomness.  

After watching this short film you might not take the idea of the universe being against you as lightly as you did before.