Tirbeca Film Festival Shorts: The Dungeon Master reviewed by Maia

Newcomer filmmakers Shiloh and Rider Strong (of Boy meets World fame) first short film shows a lot of promise. It opens with a couple of friends Shane and Cooper chatting about how much they used to love the role playing game Dungeons and Dragons in high school. Cooper says he knows a guy who is totally into the game and can be their dungeon master. So one night, they get a few friends together to play D&D. Maximilian the Dungeon Master arrives totally in character and dressed for the part wearing a floor length cape and of course his multi-sided die. The guys are not into the game as much as Maximilian and are clearly amused about how excited a grown man is to play D&D. However, this film takes an unexpected turn when the tone suddenly changes and Shane starts belittling and humiliating Maximilian because of his love and dedication to Dungeons and Dragons. Without wanting to give too much away I will say that the guys don't expect Maximilian to be as authentic a Dungeon Master as he is and has a surprise in store for them.
I found this movie to be pretty good but not great. The pacing is done well; however, the change of tone towards the end is a little abrupt and not without a lot of explanation. The ending was too open for my taste with no real resolution or feeling of closure, but it does leave you wanting to see more. If this short film were a part of a series or perhaps a full length film then it would have been a lot better. So to the Strong Brothers I say make this film into a mini series.