adam_vargas Reviews

The Receipt (2005)

Don't Forget The Receipt!!

[10/10 · 16 June 2006]

The first thing I thought of after seeing The Receipt was, "Wow, that was incredible!! What a great little film in just 15 minutes: The camera angles/movements, the story, the effects, the acting, the music, the humor and the vibrant colors!! My senses were in heaven!!"

I'm told it is an homage to a foreign film cult classic. I'll be honest, I've never seen Run Lola Run, which apparently The Receipt is a take off of. After seeing it, and laughing like the crazy person you always make fun of at the theater, my interest was peaked.

The lines in this movie, courtesy of Tim Garrick and Analisa Brouet are so funny and quick. One of my favorites, delivered by the beautiful Venus (Dina Meyer), "You have no idea what's up my ass!!" Who says that??? I need to see this again as I know I probably missed a few one liners. My favorite character however, as she delivers some of the funniest and most sarcastic lines, would have to be the Bitch Clerk portrayed by Elizabeth Keener. She is hysterical, and makes it look so effortless! The pulsing techno/electronica score keeps the energy of the film surging to the very end. Kudos to Brian Ralston for that! Also quite fun is the end credits song by Michael Mewborne, "I'm A Mess".

This is a great short!! The is no question as to why this film has won awards!! It Rocks!! A must see!! Now I gotta go rent, Run Lola Run!!

9/Tenths (2006)

9/TENTHS, a perfect 10!

[10/10 · 13 March 2006]

On Saturday, February 25th, 2006, in the beautiful city of Sedona, I had the privilege to view the film 9/TENTHS-a gripping story about the will to survive at whatever costs. They say any type of warfare is hell, including terrorist activity. You have everything, and before you know it, it gets taken away. How will you manage? As the tag line reads, "How far will you go to survive?" This is the premise of the film-the choices one makes, to survive.

Terrorist attacks on big cities cause the white collar, William (Henry Ian Cusick) and his wife, Jessica (Gabrielle Anwar) to relocate to their newly purchased ranch in the middle of nowhere. When they arrive, they find ranch hand, Elias (David L. Ortiz), already living there. As they battle over the property, massive attacks by terrorists destroy the outside world they once knew. What happens to necessities? What happens to class? What happens to law? What happens in the end...you decide.

All three actors, Anwar, Cusick and the extremely handsome, Ortiz, were exceptional in their roles. Writer Michele McGuire's well-written characters are dynamic and their arcs, very intriguing. The rest is left to be fleshed out by the director and actors. The characters are very much human. At times you love a certain character, other times you were disappointed and felt a little bit or pity or hatred towards him/her. The lovely and talented Anwar helps carry the film with her sincere and revealing portrayal of Jessica. Watching it, I kept thinking, "What would I do?"

The music of this film, composed by Brian Ralston, is a character as well. It is a driving force. Whether it is dramatic underscore, terrific flamenco arrangements or a beautiful recurring soprano voice, the music keeps the film's action moving and intense.

Unlike many films being made today, this film by director, Bob Degus, actually has a few things to say. What will you hear? It would be a mistake to miss this brutally honest and intriguing piece of work.

-B.K. Vargas