Reviews

Fits & Starts is one of those short films that makes you love the possibilities of film. It is an amazing piece of work that dabbles in the surrealist nature of David Lynch films and the strict rigid comedy of Wes Anderson movies. Hell there's even one part that could be a perfect parody of every Bergman film. But there really is no way of describing what this film is. All in all, while watching this movie, I could not keep my jaw closed. It was inspiring and breathtaking. If you can catch it at a festival, do so; you won't be disappointed.

Well, If you've seen the trailer for The Yards, you can see that it's nothing new. Same old story for the script, with one difference, an amazing cast. I have no idea how James Gray got all these people to be in the movie (the script could not have been convincing enough) but he did it. The acting really portrays real people in difficult situations. Surprisingly, this film shows vulnerable characters who always can't do "the right thing", or do what they're told. Joaquin Phoenix and James Caan are excellent. Faye Dunaway has a small but very well acted role. And Mark Wahlberg is really showing that he is one of the better young actors out there today.

While James Gray is no script man, he can definitely direct. You would think this film is fodder for lots of suspense, but Gray doesn't play it out that way. He uses the drama of the family to make the movie more interesting.

Like I said, I have no idea how he could have convinced this cast to come together. But they did, so we should appreciate the acting.

I first saw Knuckleface Jones at the Johns Hopkins film festival, and then at Microcinefest in Baltimore. I've met Todd Rohal a few times in Baltimore also, and he's a great guy. This film, while seeming totally random to some, is so funny. It is a well shot, well acted film, and now Piper Perabo (one of the co-stars) is making a name for herself in hollywood. See this, along with Todd's second film Single Spaced, to witness Piper's screen debut.

This film is short and sweet. It's to the point, no crap added.

A few months ago I caught Last Days of May at the Johns Hopkins film festival. This was a very good film. Done in a Cassavettes style of film making, George Spyros succeeds at bringing us up close and personal with all his characters. The acting is amazingly realistic, as is the writing. If this film is playing at a festival near you, I suggest you see it.