It's hard to believe that "Self-Medicated" was created by a director with no prior experience other than film school. This story makes you pull out your hair rooting for the hero, Andrew, to "get his act together." Yet his personal pain is a bigger hurdle than any IQ test, school exam or police barricade. Watching it, I was taken on his ride and hoping for any resolution that would make him come clean; he does, thankfully, come around, through a 'Frank Capra-style' encounter with a stranger. Drug abuse, denial and repression is an important topic for parents and children; this film faces it with truth and tears. Watching what other stories Monty Lapica tells in his career will be exciting.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Off Screen
(2005)
A fantasy life inside of a confused man's head confuses audience until the end
13 March 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is made with mastery and excellent timing. It draws the audience in to the point where you may get completely lost.
A near 60 year old man loses everything in his life, his job and his family and is now losing his mind. The film is not told in an especially emotive way, which is why it may be difficult to follow. When this man, John V. takes it upon himself to crusade against a large company, his internal life runs away with him with imagined friendships and conversations, until he goes over the edge.
This film is extremely well made, from the art direction to the lighting to the costumes and especially the work of the actors, director and writer. The twist in the story will stay with you for a long time and will make you think about the characters, the director, the writer and about yourself.
A near 60 year old man loses everything in his life, his job and his family and is now losing his mind. The film is not told in an especially emotive way, which is why it may be difficult to follow. When this man, John V. takes it upon himself to crusade against a large company, his internal life runs away with him with imagined friendships and conversations, until he goes over the edge.
This film is extremely well made, from the art direction to the lighting to the costumes and especially the work of the actors, director and writer. The twist in the story will stay with you for a long time and will make you think about the characters, the director, the writer and about yourself.
Bashu, the Little Stranger
(1989)
When a displaced and scared boy has to survive, what does he have to rely on?
28 October 2005
"Bashu" is special, important, soulful, educational, touching and not to be missed by anyone who even mildly likes film.
Aside from the cinematography acting as a medium and taking the viewer into the world of rural Iran, director Bahram Beizai uses supernatural touches to move the audience. Sussan Taslimi is tough and beautiful; the children in the film are delicious; the elders of the village are real, hateful, human.
Very little dialogue moves the story along, another feature that makes this film watchable. The piece is shot with trust and slowness that you can bathe in the surroundings without having to feel that you are on a mystery hunt. There is mystery of course and not all of it is explained. It certainly is not a Hollywood movie. It is not even a European movie. it is simply, A MUST SEE MOVIE.
Aside from the cinematography acting as a medium and taking the viewer into the world of rural Iran, director Bahram Beizai uses supernatural touches to move the audience. Sussan Taslimi is tough and beautiful; the children in the film are delicious; the elders of the village are real, hateful, human.
Very little dialogue moves the story along, another feature that makes this film watchable. The piece is shot with trust and slowness that you can bathe in the surroundings without having to feel that you are on a mystery hunt. There is mystery of course and not all of it is explained. It certainly is not a Hollywood movie. It is not even a European movie. it is simply, A MUST SEE MOVIE.
Can She Bake a Cherry Pie?
(1983)
A romanticcomedic imperfect film about unlikely partners in NYC. Great reminiscent city location shots.
21 August 2001
If you want to see poetry in motion, STUDY the sequences of Michael Marogtta and his pigeon. An UNFORGETTABLE piece of filmography is about an hour into the film--it lasts under a minute...not a word is spoken...only the music which gives the film its name is heard while Margotta, Frances Fisher and a trained New York City pigeon struggle, dance and eventually part under magic hour light; in front of The Pierre Hotel on 5th Avenue. Breath-taking.
Tell Your Friends