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beesley81
Reviews
Avatar (2009)
Already Made... and somewhat racist
Okay, so, how is this movie any different from Battle for Terra? Both films are essentially the same in their plot and development. There are only a few minor differences. In the end, the only reason to watch the film is for the special effects. Not that that's a bad reason. Special effects are the only reason for watching a lot of movies, but it's certainly no reason to give it Oscar-worthy praise. It's almost the same story as Battle for Terra! Not to mention its similarities with so many other colonialist/imperialist films.
Second, doesn't it seem weird to anyone that the non-humans are predominantly played by non-whites? Okay, so it's another commentary on colonialism/imperialism, but why does this always have to pin evil on the white race and place non-whites in the category of Orientalism. Not to say that Edward Said was incorrect, but these stereotypes in films continue to subject races to categories of Otherness that we will never overcome.
Shadowheart (2009)
Not perfect... but entertaining
I found this movie to be very entertaining. Those who talk about problems in the set and costume are WAY too picky. First of all, it's an indie, so you can't expect perfection (you find the same mistakes in A-list films). These films have to be judged according to their script and acting. The script could have been better, but it wasn't bad. Anyone who watches westerns regularly knows that a good western typically is still pretty cheesy. What's important is that the storyline didn't go on and on and make me want to stab my eyes (like another indie western "Bounty"). It had the typical western story of a man out for revenge while fighting against becoming the kind of person his enemy is, but they did a good job with the acting. I felt like the inclusion of the Navajo siblings was a bit pointless, but overall I enjoyed the film.
Bounty (2009)
Bad acting, bad writing, bad taste in my mouth
After reading the other comments about this film, I couldn't help but write something. I'll have to admit that I didn't notice the power lines, modern fences, and satellite dish at first. I don't watch the scenes that closely. Those who said the actors did a good job, however... what are you smoking!?! First of all, they didn't have much to work with, because the script was horrible - way too wordy. Other than that, Steve Savage and Bruce Isham (who is probably the writer/director's dad) couldn't act worth a penny. Both overacted worse than you could imagine. The only possible reasons anyone would say that the acting was good is either because Jarret LeMaster didn't overact like the others or they thought Michelle Acuna was hot. The only reason I rented this was because I had just watched another independent western, "Shadowheart," which was pretty good. Of course, it's hard to find a western as good as The Searchers, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, etc... As an avid fan of westerns, though, I am always open to a good indie, and this one definitely fails.