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stotlebotl
Reviews
Public Enemies (2009)
HD format and shaky camera work makes a decent film almost disgraceful
What a profound disappointment. Good costumes + good acting + good music + lousy camera work and shitty HD equipment=large wasted looking home movie. I am ashamed to have paid $12.50 to see Johnny Depp running around with an all star cast filmed with what appears to be a cheap Canon XL 1 video camera. Mann should be ashamed to film so many great stars in a format that is only good for pornography and reality TV shows. I hope everyone does not end up going this way. How disappointing. I wonder if the all star Hollywood cast knew that the final product would look so cheap, and I wonder if audiences around the country are aware that they have been swindled. I am sure this film looks fine on your home TV, but it should never have been blown up onto 35mm and projected in theaters across the country. Especially a period piece set in the 1930's.
Windcroft (2007)
captivating, mysterious, powerful, nail biting suspense
Wow--this was really a great film. I saw it at the film anthology archive last week, and did not know what to expect. First time Director Evan Messaros hits us with a drama that gets into our dreams. The cinematography was beautiful, the tension riveting, and the story unnerving. Terrific job all around. The film was not unnecessarily gory or exploitive. I don't think it fits in the "horror" category, maybe independent suspense thriller--if there is such a category. The acting was really good and the tension built up from the very first shot until the very last shot. Also, if you like coyotes, Upstate landscapes, spooky country houses, and barns, this is the film for you...
My Name Is Alan, and I Paint Pictures (2007)
Compelling documentary tells the real story of a struggling Artist
I saw an early screener of this documentary and I really enjoyed it. Johnny Boston captures the heart and soul of a little understood street artist named Alan who suffers bouts of mental illness. Alan has been struggling to survive in NYC and paint abstract pictures that have been sold to art collectors around the world. The film follows his life over a twenty year period, and traces the roots of his strengths and weaknesses from early childhood. I found the story very compelling, the editing was brisk, the illustrations and animations that were in the scenes also beautifully melded with Alan's life. I was haunted by some of the imagery long after the film ended.
I don't know when the public will be able to see this film, but it is really worth watching!
Straight Into Darkness (2004)
War, horror and suspense blended masterfully in a unique way
Well I watched this film really not knowing what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised though, but I don't think the word "pleasant" best describes what I felt. The opening scene was powerful, several GI's in a jeep heading away from the front lines. Jeff Burr really knows where to place the camera--he gets great coverage and you really see a lot of the work that goes into every shot, it is visually very stunning. The actors and situations were very well done. The characters were very disturbing and the film bordered between horror and suspense. I don't want to reveal what happened, but while the middle of the film meandered from one situation to another, the end packed quite a punch, with a lot of shooting and explosions. The most controversial elements of the film involved Roumanian children in the movie--but if you watch the documentary on the making of the film--it will open eyes to how this picture was made, and the documentary is very honest and tells you things that you would never have known.
I was changed after watching this film! Highly recommend if you like war, mixed with horror and suspense.
Short Cut to Nirvana: Kumbh Mela (2004)
Breathtaking-a stunning film that affects the heart and mind
This is a must see film for those who are curious about how other people on this planet live and celebrate.
A spectacular assault on the mind, eyes and ears. Nick Day and Maurizio Benazzo take us on a personal journey where we meet yogis, gurus, charlatans and the millions who come out to celebrate a pilgrimage that takes place only once every seven years. Day and Benazzo bring us to the hearts and minds of this curious celebration and we are left both stunned, overwhelmed, and wanting more. I found the film profoundly moving in that it showed the daily ups and downs of people who we didn't dream existed, and I was able to connect to their stories in a most basic sense of terms.
Go see this film when it opens in a theater near you.
A Night at Sophie's (2004)
A touching, wonderful film...go see it!
I recently saw "Night at Sophie's" at the Big Bear International Film
festival. A heartfelt comedy with humor, pathos, and love. The film
picked up the "Best of Festival" award and deservedly so. The
story, characters and situation were so very unique and
entertaining. Scott Schofield's directing was superbly subtle and
understated. I could relate to every character's motives, conflicts
and desires. The editing was superb, and the story very interesting
and moving. The movie made me cry and laugh--and after it was
over--I wish that I could linger along with all the great characters.
Go see this film....you will have a great time!!!!