'Freeze Out' - A Cool Movie

Published: Thursday, February 16, 2006 Online-Casinos.com

'FREEZE OUT' - A COOL MOVIE

Independent poker film is attracting critical acclaim

An independently financed and produced movie with a poker story as its central theme is attracting attention from both poker players and the general public - and it was mostly financed from poker winnings!

"Freeze Out" was filmed three years ago on a tight $20 000 budget, three quarters of which came from the producer's poker winnings. The movie is currently running in a festival at Cinequest (cinequestonline.org) and has received plaudits from viewers around the world. Some have even compared it to "Rounders" for good all-round gambling entertainment.

The plot revolves around a small town home game of "dealer's choice" poker between friends which escalates into a do-or-die "freeze out" tournament for higher stakes than most of the players can really afford, and examines the complex and often humorous human motives and reactions inherent in a competitive situation.

M. J. Loheed, a Los Angeles independent film maker and poker player who has hosted home games, wrote, directed and produced "Freeze Out", turning his passion for the game into an entertaining movie with crisp dialogue and all the excitement of the game of poker. Loheed selected actors of the calibre of comedian Greg Behrendt and actress Laura Silverman, both of whom worked on the movie without pay, having enjoyed reading the script.

Loheed is hoping that "Freeze Out" will gain more exposure from being featured on the Cinequest Online festival site, and feels that industry and public interest over the next six months will determine the firm's future, which might include availability from video stores or the larger independent film channels.

Readers interested in viewing and having their say on the film can do so until February 24 at Cinequest Viewers' Voice Online Festival, where the film can be downloaded.