Marcellous Cox offers up the 2025 film Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes. Despite the almost obvious foreshadowing, this dramatic short leaves the viewer breathless. Like a sucker punch to the solar plexus, we are winded at the audacity of it all. Mouth agape, wheezing in that painful air of disbelief; we have a Yogi Berra moment. Much like the “big brother” character in this 23 minute short, it really is very much Deja Vu all over again. We are left feeling as though history is painfully repeating itself.
Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes Story
Jamarcus is introduced to the “Big Brother” program by his grandmother. Esther can sense that her grandson is at a pivotal moment. She steps up to the plate, preparing to hit a metaphorical homerun. Big Brother Jasper also swings for the fences but fate (?) has other ideas.
The Cast
Ruthie Austin is Esther.
Stephen Cofield Jr. is Jasper.
Duane Ervin is Jamarcus Rose.
Eric McNair is Tank.
Let’s Talk Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes
Marcellous Cox has the knack of giving us characters that resonate. Once again, these are protagonists that we empathise with completely. Jamarcus Rose and his new “big brother” Jasper are trying to get out of their own personal rut. The baseball loving lad feels trapped and Jasper needs to pay something forward.
Jamarcus is also, to a degree, paying something off. His Grandpa loved baseball. Jamarcus discovered the game and his own love for it through the old man. Cox utilises the shorthand device that is the genre of short films and it works. He is a master who paints a clear abbreviated picture of both Jasper and Jamarcus.
As the story comes together, we feel hope for both the young man and his new big brother. We feel, however, that something must go wrong. The home plate is bound to be yanked out from under someone’s feet.
It Works
Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes works beautifully. Cinematographer Jamil Gooding and Editor Davian Engle work well together. They manage to make each scene meld flawlessly. The script does not disappoint. Once again, Cox allows his team to deliver a heart wrenching product. One where drama rules and heart strings are pulled.
We care, despite our short time spent with the two protagonists, where the tragic inclusion of “reality” almost physically hurts us; the viewer.
The Verdict
Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes earns an easy 5 stars. *This is another short film that begs for an additional star.* This 10K budgeted film feels like so much more. Funded via The Director’s Guild of America, the film will be sure to pull in some serious awards as it goes through the festival circuit. As soon as the movie becomes available to the general public, we will inform everyone. Catch this one as soon as you can. It will be well worth the wait.
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