there's no such thing as a low budget film anymore, so to see an actual independent film (without big names or fancy special effects) that doesn't look like it was shot on a camcorder in someone's basement is pretty refreshing. the acting is, at times, uncomfortably intimate (in a good way) and at times somewhat forced, but either way, you get the idea that you're watching actors who know what they're doing and who've actually thought their way through the process. most notably, travis schuldt, jay thames, and brandi howard. there was a sense of ease with them, that makes one feel as if they were totally unaware of the camera, which doesn't always happen when dealing with guerrilla style film making. watching this film made me long for the days of 'sex, lies, and videotape' and all the eric stoltz films of the 90's -- back when there was still such a thing as an art house film.
Review of Automatic
