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Reviews
I Died (2004)
Avoid At All Costs!
I just saw this film at the Phoenix Film Festival. Without much ado, I can only say it was, by far, the worst film accepted for competition in the festival. I promised out of respect for the filmmakers I wouldn't walk out of any films. I got about a half an hour through this garbage and stormed out. Completely amateurish, stupid, tedious and unlikeable. Good marketing hook though. The one tracking shot thing worked for "Russian Ark," and it got me to want to see this, but don't let it fool you like it did me. Even the director of the film said he was afraid it would never screen at a film festival b/c he thought no one would like it. He was half-right. It screened twice and literally everyone I talked to agreed it was the worst in the entire festival. How it managed to get picked amongst 600 films submitted is beyond me. If the main protagonist hadn't already been a ghost, I would have wanted all the characters to die horrible deaths so they would leave the screen, but even that was impossible. So, in a way, watching this film was a fate worse than death. Films like these are the reason I don't go to festivals much. If this film is somehow accepted into another festival and merges into one near you, take my advice and skip it. I feel sorry for anyone involved in this production or who had to sit through it. 0/10
Dying at Grace (2003)
Superb!
One of the heaviest films I've ever seen. Also one of the best documentaries. I saw this at the Phoenix Film Festival where it rightfully won Best Foreign Film and thought it was the most moving film I saw there. Completely shows a side of death that cinema usually ignores: banal reality. Five ordinary people die of cancer over the course of 14 weeks in an ordinary hospital. No characters. No interviews. No narration. No redemption. No plot-twists. Slow paced. That's what happens to people who get cancer. This film completely takes the physical and emotional reality and turns it into a cinematic emotional abyss. Really makes you wonder how you will die or if this is an oracle into your future. Absolutely amazing footage. This is no mere snuff film, mind you. This is a film that takes reality and shoves it into your face. All these poor people have is their dignity and even that is taken away. A tragedy even more in that it is reality. Such is life.
Clipping Adam (2004)
Breakthrough Performance
Just saw this at the Phoenix Film Festival where it won the prize for Best Breakthrough Performance. It was by the 14 year old star of this film who plays Adam. He is an amazing talent and everyone should expect to see great things from him in the future. The plot was a little predictable and the ending was a dissapointment. Another one of those the kid ain't all right kind of sagas film fests love. Good direction, decent editing. Cinematography was only so-so. All the acting is great, though. Esp by Lousie "Nurse Ratched" Flecher. Kevin Sorbo also did a decent job with his small role. Made me forget all about "Hercules," barely. If this hits a festival near you, see it! And that's all there is to it.
Laws of Attraction (2004)
Slight and Unmemorable
Just caught this as the closing night main attraction at the Phoenix Film Festival. I normally don't care for mainstream romantic comedies, but I gave this a shot since Indie goddess Julianne Moore was one of the stars. Suffice to say, that didn't help matters much. Julianne plays an insecure, uptight brilliant divorce lawyer with the last name of Woods (which, for some strange reason, is also Resse Witherspoon's last name in the "Legally Blonde" movies) and Pierce Brosman plays her impish mismatch/true love. You know exactly what's going to happen within five minutes of this film. However, I must give this film credit. It looks great. Plot and character-wise, it reminds one all too well of failed romantic films like "One Fine Day" and "Intolerable Cruelty" that were just complete trials to sit through. But this film actually has exaggerated situations, sensible humour and star chemistry that won't have you completely regretting seeing the film. It's kind of disturbing seeing Julianne finally the star of a big-budget formulatic romantic comedy, but since they predictably set 1/4 of the film in Ireland, it actually starts to make sense (if not just to accustomise a mainstream audience to the fair Julianne's skin tone and red hair). Ireland also suits Pierce well for different but obvious reasons. The romance is forced and too predictable but the two leads have enough charisma and demeanor to lull the audience into enjoying a road too often traveled. The supporting roles are rather dull and unimpressive, but, again, the swift acting manages to carry a heavy load. Hardly believable, hardly memorable, hardly resembles more than an Irish Spring commercial at times, but hardly a complete waste of time for romantic-comedy lovers...or lovers period. 6.5/10
Break a Leg (2005)
Not all that.
Just saw this at the Phoenix Film Festival where it won the coveted Best Film Award. Suffice to say, I'm not quite sure why it won this award. I saw much better films at the festival. This was nothing special. Basically, about a struggling Italian character actor who decides to take matters into his own enraged hands to achieve his big break after pilfering in the rediculous film industry for too long. I was impressed with the cast they managed to get, esp. all the celebrity cameos. However, I felt this film felt like an old episode of "Tales From the Crypt" where the actor kills his competition more than anything else. I loved the climatic scene with the actor and and undercover cop who, for some rediculous reason, also happens to be very talented, but that's about it. I found the humour and plot to be very predictable and lame. The symbolism was truly putrid (Jennifer Beals gets her big casting break, then breaks her leg, how quaint!) There have been plenty of great films about the rage of rejection in the film business, murder in the entertainment industry, and paranoid psychotics, but this ain't one of them. It's amusing enough with great acting, cinematography and editing. But nothing truly memorable. Mainstream-pandering if anything else. 6/10.
Noon Blue Apples (2002)
Scott Baio is the Anti-Christ...or is he?
I just saw this at the Phoenix Film Festival yesterday. It didn't win any awards and really isn't a traditional "award-winning" contender festival film. However, it ended up being by far my favorite film of the festival. The research and facts presented is among the most fascinating I've seen in literally any film I've ever seen. The story was incredibly suspensful and gripping. Very well-written script. Watching this film makes me angry b/c mainstream Hollywood is forcing dumbed down, moronic "horror" and "suspense" films down the masses' throats like it means anything while a truly scary and thought-provoking film such as this can't even get distribution. I would reccommend this over just about any horror or conspiracy film I've seen in the last ten years. This was also the first film that consciously delved into the "goth" underground scene that didn't have me in stitches laughing at the the film within a half an hour. If you have a chance to see this at any festival, I strongly urge you to see it, esp if you have literally any interest in the occult, conspiracy theories, biblical studies, or just a good suspensful film. This film has good acting, showy star cameos by Betty Buckley and George Takai that aren't irritating one bit, super editing, effective humor, a fascinating ending and a great script and direction to boot. Nothing disappointed me about. A complete refreshment from the feel-good mainstream hogwash that you usually see at festivals, and the terrible wannabe scary films that are sprinkled throughout. This is a film worthy of attention that probably won't get much. Would love to see a DVD release myself, at the very least. 9/10.
You Got Nothin' (2002)
A Crowd-Pleaser For Sure
Just saw this at the Phoenix Film Festival where it picked up the Best Director and Screenwriter Awards. While not my personal favorite of the entire festival, this was certainly the most likable film I saw at it. If this gets distribution, it could become a classic independent hit for sure, I think. Literally everyone I saw the film with loved it. All ages groups and races and everything. Just wonderfully acted and edited and scripted and the whole she-bang. Never dragged, never fell flat, all the humor worked effectively. Those who have never attended a film festival don't know how much of a relief it is when something like this film happens. Magnum energy all around. Just wish they could iron out the music rights so it could have a shot at distribution and the larger audience it deserves. A pure delight, if you don't mind superficial, far-fetched Gangster films...and many don't.