This movie pulls off a new spin on the zombie genre which is being done to death. (Sorry) This is a very smart film by a smart director and a talented lead actor. This movie is creepy, gore laden and at times humorous. I would say say that this approaches "Romeroesque" in it's execution. It was being hyped that this movie cost only $70, but I think that was hype to get people to see it at the markets. It doesn't really matter how little it costs, COLIN is a tiny masterpiece that will end up a classic that will transcend the genre. I hope the this movie gets it's due. Right now, Independent Film is an orphan with so many distribution outlets drying up. Well done Mr. Price.
Reviews
8 Reviews
Woodpecker
(2008)
Fantastic
19 October 2008
I saw Woodpecker at the Flyway Film Festival in Pepin, Wisconsin. It is about a small depressed Arkansas town that is revitalized by the siting of a thought to be extinct Ivory-billed Woodpecker. A bird that strangely enough reminded me of Woody Woodpecker.(This thought occurred to at least one person in the town.) The town is overrun by ornithologists, birdwatchers and skeptics making it's economy boom. The movie follows a passionate bird spotter, Jonny, and his friend, Wes.
It is not until after the credits rolled and the house lights went up, that I began to register the masterpiece of film-making I just witnessed. Any details would spoil the fun. This guy Karpovsky... keep an eye on him. He was not at the festival but I wish he was. This guy is a genius.
This is an incredibly well realized piece and a future addition to my DVD collection once it is released.
It is not until after the credits rolled and the house lights went up, that I began to register the masterpiece of film-making I just witnessed. Any details would spoil the fun. This guy Karpovsky... keep an eye on him. He was not at the festival but I wish he was. This guy is a genius.
This is an incredibly well realized piece and a future addition to my DVD collection once it is released.
Tetsuo: The Iron Man
(1989)
A Huge Influence...
27 May 2008
Lloyd Kaufman of Troma turned me on to this movie while I worked for TROMA. They almost picked it up for distribution. This is perhaps the most visually impressive independent movies I have seen. I probably think about it once or twice a month. It is pretty surreal and esoteric, but if you can hang with this amazing example of Japanese Live Action animation/CyberPunk masterpiece, you will be pretty amazed. Not for the squeamish as it basically a harsh movie with a tremendous amount of angry energy. As a filmmaker, I can say that this is one of the top five movies that has influenced me the most. If you are fortunate enough to get a hold of this 16mm black & white gritty gem, keep in mind that it is nearly no-budget and that (I think) all of the tremendous Effects were done in camera.
Shinya Tsukamoto is a genius.
Shinya Tsukamoto is a genius.
Recount
(2008 TV Movie)
Where Was The 4th Network?
27 May 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I liked this movie and enjoyed the performances of all of the actors, especially Spacey and Laura Dern - who did a DEAD NUTZ portrayal of Katherine Harris - a performance which should flatter Harris.
But I was mystified as to the exclusion of the FOX network. It was actually the FOX networks that reversed the momentum of the election that night. There is a lot written about it and a considerable amount of controversy regarding FOX, but they were nowhere to be found. I probably would have given this movie an 8, but I am giving the filmmakers the benefit of the doubt thinking that FOX may have legally opted out. But if the filmmaker excluded FOX for some reason, I would have dropped it to a 5.
I think Roach did a great job directing and that the story was actually pretty balanced. As far as the assertion that this was from a democratic point of view, I feel as though that was correct. But the Republicans were not portrayed as evil, just absolutely sure that they had won.
As far as the chicanery involved... well I believe it all happened and I believe that the entire election was questionable. The final Supreme Court decision bizarre, but I am sure this will scrutinized by historians in years to come and perhaps one day we will know exactly how all of this went down.
But where was FOX?
But I was mystified as to the exclusion of the FOX network. It was actually the FOX networks that reversed the momentum of the election that night. There is a lot written about it and a considerable amount of controversy regarding FOX, but they were nowhere to be found. I probably would have given this movie an 8, but I am giving the filmmakers the benefit of the doubt thinking that FOX may have legally opted out. But if the filmmaker excluded FOX for some reason, I would have dropped it to a 5.
I think Roach did a great job directing and that the story was actually pretty balanced. As far as the assertion that this was from a democratic point of view, I feel as though that was correct. But the Republicans were not portrayed as evil, just absolutely sure that they had won.
As far as the chicanery involved... well I believe it all happened and I believe that the entire election was questionable. The final Supreme Court decision bizarre, but I am sure this will scrutinized by historians in years to come and perhaps one day we will know exactly how all of this went down.
But where was FOX?
The Craving Heart
(2006)
A True Auteur
22 May 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Stan Harrington is truly an outstanding filmmaker making great low-budget movies on the edges of Hollywood. The Craving Heart which has been lauded by festivals all over the world is by far a miracle. Harrington creates and amazingly solid world dealing with love and sincerity. John Saxon, who plays the Vietnam veteran father of Alexander Tom (Played by Harrington), turns in perhaps his most intense and emotional performance in his entire career.
I am fully against spoilers, but The Craving Heart which won best feature at the festival I saw it at (2006 FAIF) is the perfect date movie as it has elements that can be enjoyed on every level by every mature adult wanting a strong cinematic experience. Adrian Zmed also appears in this movie.
I am fully against spoilers, but The Craving Heart which won best feature at the festival I saw it at (2006 FAIF) is the perfect date movie as it has elements that can be enjoyed on every level by every mature adult wanting a strong cinematic experience. Adrian Zmed also appears in this movie.
Hunger
(I) (2001)
Tremendous!
26 January 2008
HUNGER was the crown jewel of the 2007 FAIF festival, where it won Best Underground Feature. With the precise direction of Maria Giese, a PERFECT performance by Joseph Culp, and a splendid score by Emmy Award-winner Trevor Morris (from none other than the studio of Hans Zimmer), "Hunger" transcended everything it had going against it. It is a true guerrilla masterpiece that can stand tall alongside anything made by a studio or a major independent. It's difficult to find words to express HOW MUCH I LOVE this movie, but I'll try:
Maria Giese had the inspiration and vision to adapt the towering 1890 novel, "Hunger", by Norwegian Nobel Prize-winner Knut Hamsun, and to contemporize it for modern-day Los Angeles. She then teamed up with actor Joseph Culp to star and co-produce the film. Culp portrays Charlie Pontus, a screenwriter with a good heart and mind, armed with kindness and talent, who is struggling desperately to get a job as well as something to eat.
Even though it was shot in modern day Los Angeles, Ms. Giese somehow achieved putting the city in a time capsule. It felt like and looked like a period piece. So well done and so "guerrilla." "Hunger" is truly a defining example of guerrilla film-making at its best. Ms. Giese brought back memories of Jarmusch, Hal Hartley and Nick Gomez, but better.
PERFECT!
Joseph Culp's portrayal of the screenwriter, Charlie, was perfectly nuanced and convincing. The audience shares his hilarious and heartbreaking dilemma. We feel deeply for him as he spirals downward. As we witness with frustration how he keeps naively missing opportunities, we still love him for his kind heart and often comical sincerity. Charlie's slow descent into homelessness and madness as he succumbs to starvation was so believable and absorbing that you began to smell the food in the restaurants and vendors he shambles past. The character's inner voice was delivered with such subtlety and credibility, it resounds long after watching the film.
Trevor Morris composed an amazing original score, full of humor and pathos, and which beautifully compliments the character's inner-life. The tone of the score rises and falls as poor Charlie waits to hear about a screenplay under consideration by the heartless, exploitative studio "Chief" played by Joseph Culp's father, actor Robert Culp.
This 2007 movie (which IMDb has incorrectly dated 2001 based on an early work-in-progress screening) took years of hard work by all involved. It should be noted (and corrected by IMDb) that it is in fact a 2007 release. It is making the festival rounds now and is not to be missed! With the writers guild strike in full swing, "Hunger" is especially poignant. I recommend Hunger with great confidence for anyone who wants an enjoyable, meaningful, magical cinematic experience.
I LOVED IT!
Maria Giese had the inspiration and vision to adapt the towering 1890 novel, "Hunger", by Norwegian Nobel Prize-winner Knut Hamsun, and to contemporize it for modern-day Los Angeles. She then teamed up with actor Joseph Culp to star and co-produce the film. Culp portrays Charlie Pontus, a screenwriter with a good heart and mind, armed with kindness and talent, who is struggling desperately to get a job as well as something to eat.
Even though it was shot in modern day Los Angeles, Ms. Giese somehow achieved putting the city in a time capsule. It felt like and looked like a period piece. So well done and so "guerrilla." "Hunger" is truly a defining example of guerrilla film-making at its best. Ms. Giese brought back memories of Jarmusch, Hal Hartley and Nick Gomez, but better.
PERFECT!
Joseph Culp's portrayal of the screenwriter, Charlie, was perfectly nuanced and convincing. The audience shares his hilarious and heartbreaking dilemma. We feel deeply for him as he spirals downward. As we witness with frustration how he keeps naively missing opportunities, we still love him for his kind heart and often comical sincerity. Charlie's slow descent into homelessness and madness as he succumbs to starvation was so believable and absorbing that you began to smell the food in the restaurants and vendors he shambles past. The character's inner voice was delivered with such subtlety and credibility, it resounds long after watching the film.
Trevor Morris composed an amazing original score, full of humor and pathos, and which beautifully compliments the character's inner-life. The tone of the score rises and falls as poor Charlie waits to hear about a screenplay under consideration by the heartless, exploitative studio "Chief" played by Joseph Culp's father, actor Robert Culp.
This 2007 movie (which IMDb has incorrectly dated 2001 based on an early work-in-progress screening) took years of hard work by all involved. It should be noted (and corrected by IMDb) that it is in fact a 2007 release. It is making the festival rounds now and is not to be missed! With the writers guild strike in full swing, "Hunger" is especially poignant. I recommend Hunger with great confidence for anyone who wants an enjoyable, meaningful, magical cinematic experience.
I LOVED IT!
Yellow Lights
(2007)
New England College Students Grapple With Relationships...
22 January 2008
When I met the filmmakers at the opening party of FAIF/Indiefest, they told me that Yellow Lights was a "relationship movie." I thought that odd as they looked very young and I always expect wacky shenanigans from "young'uns." So with my wife I went to their screening and was treated to a thoroughly entertaining movie that started slow and built up momentum as the story progressed.
The filmmakers did EVERYTHING themselves except play ALL of the main roles (They had some bit parts) and they used borrowed equipment. I think they put together a brilliant and compelling relationship movie. I don't like to summarize but I really have to say that the screenplay was well balanced with some wonderful character arcs. Think Zach Braff and Garden State in New England with no budget.
This is not a "chick flick" though. It has enough for the guys to have some fun and that's always good to know when your girlfriend or wife wants to see something without bullets flying.
These guys just decided to make a movie and they did it with great success and I believe it was their first attempt at anything. Keep an eye out for these two. Yellow Lights is brilliant and I am sure their future efforts will be more of the same... and by the way, there were some "wacky shenanigans." Is that your banana? ;)
The filmmakers did EVERYTHING themselves except play ALL of the main roles (They had some bit parts) and they used borrowed equipment. I think they put together a brilliant and compelling relationship movie. I don't like to summarize but I really have to say that the screenplay was well balanced with some wonderful character arcs. Think Zach Braff and Garden State in New England with no budget.
This is not a "chick flick" though. It has enough for the guys to have some fun and that's always good to know when your girlfriend or wife wants to see something without bullets flying.
These guys just decided to make a movie and they did it with great success and I believe it was their first attempt at anything. Keep an eye out for these two. Yellow Lights is brilliant and I am sure their future efforts will be more of the same... and by the way, there were some "wacky shenanigans." Is that your banana? ;)
Art of Suicide
(2007)
Bohemian Rhapsodic Profundity
22 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
This film was masterfully executed. Bent Brooks' excellent direction of five unknown actors from Athens, Georgia created a slowly unfolding story of idolism,idealism, and jealousy between five bohemians living by their wits and skills.
Tim Honigman's screenplay was nuanced and well structured, meshing perfectly with Brooks' directing style. The five main characters were solidly constructed and Honigman weaved fascinating relationships that would shift and tilt as the story progressed.
As the five friends come together to form the White Hall Studio, emotions become complicated as some of the group has more success than others in their chosen endeavour. One is a writer, another a painter, an actor and a filmmaker and a fifth is a wild card as she first come's on the scene straight out of Art School and becomes a bit of a muse.
What transpires is a beautifully composed film orchestrated by Brooks and bouyed by intense and incredible acting from his entire cast. The cinematography was stunning as Brooks chose to create a painterly look with muted tones and splashes of color which blended perfectly with the movie's theme and "vibe." The camera moves slowly and carefully with purpose, and the actors movement within those frames create some well composed sequences. Some of the frames seemed to be paintings themselves and if the frames were taken and blown up, I would happily hang them on my walls. This movie is a surprising little gem with a bold and satisfactory resolution.
Tim Honigman's screenplay was nuanced and well structured, meshing perfectly with Brooks' directing style. The five main characters were solidly constructed and Honigman weaved fascinating relationships that would shift and tilt as the story progressed.
As the five friends come together to form the White Hall Studio, emotions become complicated as some of the group has more success than others in their chosen endeavour. One is a writer, another a painter, an actor and a filmmaker and a fifth is a wild card as she first come's on the scene straight out of Art School and becomes a bit of a muse.
What transpires is a beautifully composed film orchestrated by Brooks and bouyed by intense and incredible acting from his entire cast. The cinematography was stunning as Brooks chose to create a painterly look with muted tones and splashes of color which blended perfectly with the movie's theme and "vibe." The camera moves slowly and carefully with purpose, and the actors movement within those frames create some well composed sequences. Some of the frames seemed to be paintings themselves and if the frames were taken and blown up, I would happily hang them on my walls. This movie is a surprising little gem with a bold and satisfactory resolution.
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