Most of the time, you pay to see a movie first  and HOPE that you enjoy it.  With this special public re-release of our most unique film Blood! Sugar! Sid! Ace!, we’re letting you watch the movie for FREE FIRST  and, if so inclined, help us get our investment back by making a donation directly to Writer/Director/Producer  Mike Messier   through his paypal account after!

You can reach Mike’s paypal account by CLICKING on these words which take you direct to paypal!   or use this email address mikemessiermoviemaker@gmail.com

We’ll make a list of our generous benefactors and link any website or social media account you wish. Or remain “anonymous” if you prefer!

Beyond good ol’ money, you can really help out the cast and crew who put together our character driven, phycological  74 minute movie by SHARING this very webpage! Spread the word by just copying and pasting our website here to your favorite social media platform of choice ! BloodSugarSidAce.com

We appreciate your support!

– MIKE MESSIER

Writer/Director/Producer

Note: push the “Four Arrow” button in the lower right to expand your picture to full size!

synopsis from the review by Mike Haberfelner:  Sid (Lawrence O’Leary), a veteran professional writer still waiting for his one big (and above all profitable) breakthrough, does some soul-searching for his next big story – and as anybody would,

he likes to see himself as an infallible, god-like creature, projecting all of his shortcomings into his alter ego Ace (Adam Buxbaum), whom he at times sees as his younger self, at times as the son he has never had.

In this parallel world of his, there’s also Blood (Jami Tennille), the cynical woman who represents his past botched up relationships, a woman Sid tries to remove from the train of his thoughts, but not always successfully as Ace seems to be drawn to her at times, repulsed by her at others though,

and there’s Sugar (Stacy Forbes), who’s in a way Sid’s ideal woman, the soulmate type of girlfriend he might have never met in real life … 

2020 update from Producers Mike Messier and Tim Labonte  We weren’t satisfied. We, meaning myself and my producer/editor/DP collaborator and good friend Tim Labonte, felt that there were a few stones left unturned with our experimental art-house drama Blood! Sugar! Sid! Ace!

So, we’ve painstakingly – and lovingly – reedited , rebooted and remastered our vision, with previously unreleased footage and effects, for this special direct-to-audience release. We’ve also revamped our website, featuring highlighted scenes of each Actor on their character page and an updated press page. 

We had a great time , digging deep into our humanity, to discover these characters. We hope you find the results of interest as we make more films, individually and collectively. 

Very special thanks goes to photographer Stephanie Maiden Carey for her excellent captures of the cast as seen on this website and Nadine G. Messier for her help with the film poster design.

Thank you very much for your time and interest in this very personal story… and many thanks to the small but unbelievably determined and talented cast, good-natured and hard working crew members John Orlando, “Billy Boom” and our talented HMUAs, and all those that have supported, and continue to support –  this art-house , dramatic feature film! –

“MIKE AND TIM” 

Blood! Sugar! Sid! Ace! is a feature length, psychological drama.  The story follows SID! – a creator of words, films and visual art.  Sid reflects upon his life’s journey, painfully processing the mistakes he’s made and the potential he has not fulfilled with work and women.

To quantify his pain, Sid creates ACE! –a younger version of himself – and thus Ace is born unto this world of memories and frustration, who seeks to break free from Sid’s path into his own identity.

Ace’s main conflict is with BLOOD! – a manifestation of all the broken-doll females that have lead to Sid’s downfall.

From the debris of Ace’s ashes, rises SUGAR! – the empathetic spirit that is the light at the end of Sid/Ace’s dark tunnel. There is something about Ace that is more than meets the eye.

You must see the film with an open heart and an open mind to truly experience the phenomena that is and will be Blood! Sugar! Sid! Ace!

Blood! Sugar! Sid! Ace! film review By Andrew Buckner

Exert: “Blood! Sugar! Sid! Ace!, the exuberantly experimental seventy-three-minute debut feature from director Mike Messier, is a riveting example of cinema as an extension of the stage. It is also an exceptional exhibition of the power of minimalism on-screen.”

Full Review published on A Word of Dreams

BLOOD! SUGAR! SID! ACE! WHAT’S A WRITER TO DO WHEN HIS CHARACTERS COME ALIVE? by Court Fisk for Motif RI 

Exert: “…writer/director Mike Messier and camera operator/editor Tim Labonte keep the pacing quick and the lens moving. They spin us from one conversation to the next with ease, hitting chords that are vulgar, brooding, honest and heartfelt along the way.”

Full Article by Court Fisk

An Interview with Mike Messier, Director of Blood! Sugar! Sid! Ace! by Mike Haberfelner

Your new film Blood! Sugar! Sid! Ace! – in a few words, what is it about?

Sid! is a man who reflects on the mistakes he’s made with career and women. He creates an alter ego – Ace! – a younger version of himself, to retrace his own footsteps, to relive the journey that has been his life. There’s quite a bit of pain in that journey for Ace!, much of which from his relationship with Blood! – a dysfunctional broken doll of a lady, terribly sexy, a siren who represents three women (Catherine, Charlotte and Lisa) from Sid’s life. And then there’s Sugar! who represents the positive, the light of day, a sweet soul mate that many of us wish we have but never find.

Full Interview with Mike Messier by Mike Haberfelner

Sponsor A FILM Festival Entry!

As we send the remastered Blood! Sugar! Sid! Ace! out to the 2023-2024 film festival circuit, we  invite all supporters, “extended family” friends, local businesses and film fans to Sponsor A Festival Entry! 

Film Festivals help independent films like ours get seen by bigger audiences and potentially film industry professionals that can help the film find distribution and retrun a profit. There are about 10,000 film festivals throughout the world, and while we certainly won’t enter that many, we’d like to enter our film into as many as possible. Your donation helps up do just that! When you make a donation, we will send you a private link to the film as well as feature you here on this page! That’s right, we are NOT asking you to donate to a movie “in pre-production that might happen”; we ARE asking you to donate to help the cause of a movie that is already finished and that we will gladly share with you RIGHT NOW! 

The easiest way is to use paypal to make a donation to mikemessiermoviemaker@gmail.com  in any US dollar value that you wish (the average feature film festival entry is about $45.00, however ANY donation is greatly appreciated!) as a friend/family member with a note of “Blood Film”  and we will thank you with your name/business name/bio right here on our website (or keep your name as anonymous if you prefer).

If you do not use paypal, please contact mikemessiermoviemaker@gmail.com directly!

***WE THANK OUR FOLLOWING SPONSORS ***

LA ART HOUSE FESTIVAL – Paul O’ Brien

SOUTHERN TOUR OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS – Glenn Berthiaume Sr

JOHN HOPKINS FILM FESTIVAL (Baltimore, MD) – Maurice and Rita Messier

ROOFTOP FILMS  *Underground Films Outdoors* (New York City) – Rosemary Pacheco

DANCES WITH FILMS (CA)  – “Friend of the Cast”

PROVINCETOWN FILM FESTIVAL (MA) – Don Klein

Connecticut resident Don Klein is a cool cat with a sharp wit and a great sense of humor.  Don has been a great friend to Mike Messier and Tony Demings (owner of The Brooklyn Coffee and Tea House) over the last four years, supporting our events and film screenings such as Children of the Asylum, Tony Deming’s life story. Don was introduced to us through our mutual Pro Wrestler buddy Ox Baker.  Don has been confused with wrestling legend Hacksaw Jim Duggan (Ho!, tough guy), but in any event, we’re happy to have the one and only Don as our friend… if you happen to see him on his sweet ride on the open road, tell him we said “Thanks, Don!”

Born and raised in RI, Rosemary Pacheco is an actor, film news editor and a business owner. Upon returning to RI from Chicago, she thought her acting interests were fleeting until she found out about the very busy indie film scene here in New England. With one film in post, another in production and a film of her own in the works, it’s always a new adventure for her. She is also a committee member of the Rhode Island Film Collaborative, partly responsible for choosing scripts and cast/crew for this year’s short film production. Ever the networker, she likes to help others as well get where they like to go, and 2013 promises to be a banner year!

MASSACHUSETTS INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL – Mary Paolino

Mary Paolino is a RI-based actor who can be seen in principal roles in MOTHERLOVE, COST OF THE LIVING, and THE MAILBOX FAIRY. She had lead roles in the 48 Hour Film Project’s FRANKENSTEIN IN A WOMEN’S PRISON and DON’T ASK ALICE. She plays Sharon in the web series WORLD’S WORST DIRECTOR and Miriam in the L.A. WebFest award-winner RED CIRCLES. She was seen on Showtime’s BROTHERHOOD, and has studied with Actor’s Studio founding member Carlton Collyer, NEA Directing Fellow Wendy Chapin, actor/director/playwright Ricardo Pitts-Wiley, and none other than Blood! Sugar! Sid! Ace!’s Mike Messier. She is proud to be a “mature character actor”.

BRIDGE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (Vancouver, Canada) – Nadine G. Messier of tikiwahine.com

Nadine G. Messier is the designer of our official movie poster. Nadine is a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology, an Elvis Presley fan, and a supporter of Beatles cover bands. She currently lives in Venice, California after a previous residence in Brooklyn Heights, New York. 

Her company tikiwahine specializes in:
• promotional design
• marketing collateral
• sales material
• packaging design
• illustration & photography

Please visit tikiwahine.com to contact Nadine G. Messier for your graphic design needs.

RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL – Basler Chiropractic

Basler Chiropratic East Greenwich, Rhode Island

Basler Chiropractic
694 Main Street
East Greenwich, RI 02818

• Phone: 401-885-0260
• Fax: 401-885-6266

Dr. Steven Basler is a chiropractor serving East Greenwich and the surrounding communities. Our chiropractor and the rest of the friendly team at Basler Chiropractic are dedicated to chiropractic solutions to target your unique needs, whether you are suffering from back pain, neck pain, headaches, or even just plain old muscular tightness and tension. You may need pain relief after suffering an accident, experiencing an injury, or if you have a specific condition such as chronic back pain or a spinal condition; even if you just want to improve your overall health, Dr. Basler can help you achieve your wellness goals!

We thank Basler Chiropractic for their great support as Mike Messier’s personal chiropractor and our RIIFF Festival Sponsor.

OFF CAMERA PLUS FILM FESTIVAL SPONSOR (Poland) – George and Carlotta Kelley

Greenville, Rhode Island residents George Carlotta Kelley are life long friends of Phyllis Messier. The Kelleys quickly decided to Sponsor our OFF CAMERA PLUS entry after witnessing a preview of Blood! Sugar! Sid! Ace!

PENNINE FILM FESTIVAL (ACCRINGTON, UNITED KINGDOM) – Amanda Bard

Amanda Bard is a personal friend of co-producer Tim Labonte and a strong supporter of the arts. Amanda enjoys the music of Amanda Palmer, the poetry of ee cummings and vacations in Aruba with her close-knit family.

BOSTON UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL ENTRY SPONSOR – Gerry and Celeste Labonte

Gerry and Celeste Labonte of Millville, Massachusetts are the proud parents of two sons, Tim and Jeremy, and one daughter, Alicia. The Labonte family has a rich heritage in the arts as Celeste works as a music teacher at Rhode Island College and Barrington High School while Gerry is an award winning accordion player. Gerry also works in pharmaceuticals. Since 2003, the Labonte compound has been the central location of Tim’s editing for Man and a Camera Films and Stand Still Pictures. The Labontes support is greatly cherished by both Mike Messier and Tim Labonte.

Celeste Labonte is an avid supporter of entertainer Donny Osmond.

SENE- SOUTH EAST NEW ENGLAND MUSIC, ARTS and FILM FESTIVAL ENTRY SPONSOR – Tim Labonte

 Tim Labonte  is an award winning Filmmaker and the Co-Producer /Cinematographer/Editor of Blood! Sugar! Sid! Ace! Tim resides in Millville, MA and is a highly active member of the community.  Tim’s comedic forays in Don’t Laugh comedy shorts (with partner Ari Rosenberg) are edgy and timely parodies of pop-culture sensibilities. Tim’s projects have earned a Davey Award,  a New England Associated Press Award, a regional Emmy nomination (for a documentary about Haiti), a PEG Editing Award, and three awards for Wrestling With Sanity Short Film Trilogy. Tim has also contributed to several productions by award-winning Filmmaker Christian De Rezendes.  Tim’s influences include Wes Anderson, Don Bluth and Charles Nelson Reilly. Tim continues to amaze his collaborators with his work ethic, attention to detail and artistic insight. Please visit  Stand Still Pictures

SEATTLE’S TRUE INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL ENTRY SPONSOR – Phyllis Messier

Phyllis Messier is a University of Rhode Island graduate, a former English teacher, and the mother of two children Nadine and Michael Clark Messier. Phyllis grew up in Woonsocket, Rhode Island and currently resides in the Ocean State. Phyllis instilled a love of cinema in her son, bringing him to such films as Rocky IV, Flash Gordon and several reprises of Star Wars. Phyllis also encouraged Michael’s passion for Professional Wrestling,  bringing him to matches at such exotic locations as The Rocky Hill State Fair in Exter, RI, The Providence Civic Center, The Capital Center and The Baltimore Arena. Phyllis further infused Michael’s eclectic nature with such diverse events as a Rodeo, several Ice Capades performances, a Monster Truck show, a live Maury Povich Show taping, and a Washington Redskins SuperBowl Victory Parade. Over the years, Phyllis has invested two video cameras into her son’s work that he has used to make films, including a SONY VX-2000 that filmed the award winning Wrestling With Sanity Short Film Trilogy. Some of Phyllis’s favorite entertainers include Barbara Streisand, Cher, and Frank Sinatra.

TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL ENTRY SPONSOR – Lawrence O’ Leary

Actor. Musician. Martial Artist. Magician. Renaissance Man.” Lawrence O’ Leary, as Sid, a fierce and damaged tyrant, delivers a performance worthy of comparisons to Sir Anthony Hopkins”, according to writer/director Mike Messier. Lawrence, a lifelong entertainer, put his full focus into his embodiment of Sid, citing the work ethic of Tom Hanks (in films such as Forest Gump and CastAway) and Hopkins (in A Silence of The Lambs) as inspirations.

Please check out Larry’s acting talents in this video

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL SPONSOR – Rhodywood/Brooklyn Coffee and Tea House/  Tony Demings. 

Tony Demings is a long-time friend and adviser to filmmaker Mike Messier. Tony is the founder and original owner Brooklyn Coffee and Tea House, located in Providence, RI (not NYC) . Tony has since moved with his “Rhodywood” live event hosting business to a new location in Wilmington, North Carolina.  Both venues are great rental venues for filmmakers/musicians/actors and all types of artists of all types.  

Rhodywood is Tony’s trademark website and organization that lends itself to both the New England and North Carolina arts world and the arts WORLDWIDE.

Rhodywood website

We thank our Sponsor A Film Festival Entry friends and “extended family”! – MIKE

Jami Tennille as Blood! 

“Unstoppable.” – Mike Messier Writer/Director

Stacey Forbes as Sugar!

“The eyes are the window to the soul.  Ms. Forbes’ eyes see the vast meadows of good that await us on the other side of the ocean.” – Mike Messier Writer/Director

For a special interview with “Stacey Sugar”, click here:

Stacey Forbes interview

Lawrence O’Leary as Sid!

“O’Leary’s Sid! is a damaged tyrant, worthy of both pity and disdain, in a performance worthy of Hopkins”. – Writer/Director Mike Messier

For more about Lawrence R. O’Leary’s original art paintings, click on his website here

Lawrence R. O’Leary Jr.’s fine art website

Adam Buxbaum as Ace!

“A pure inhabitation of character by a driven, hungry Actor whose talent is leveled by hard-earned humanity and patience.” – Mike Messier Writer/Director