The Lionshare (2009) User Reviews

okay. and that's good.

[halo_bone · 6/10 · 22 December 2009]

Watched 'The Lionshare' via it's release on Hexagon.cc and news via @Isohunt, and have to admit to it caught and held my attention the entire way through.

It felt really low budget, which it was of course, but low budget as in grab a camera and make a youtube video. Yet, there was definite structure to the film. It carries itself through it's 90 minutes, with an actual story arc; beginning, middle, end. Sounds simple, but indy films tend to miss this ALL THE TIME.

What I liked most is the realism of the film. I could relate to everything. Nothing was blown out of proportion (except maybe that Internet dating = hot dates and action in this film), nothing was hollywoodized or exaggerated to tell a better story. It felt like real people in a real apartment, friends living together, experiencing their lives, and you are in on their little jokes that grow out of control, their personalities, and their lives.

And it authentically attempts to portray WHY file sharing is a practical option, by showing what kind of time is wasted by going to FYI or Blockbuster to find what you're looking for. They don't have it--all too true, too often.

I didn't find it to be as laugh out loud funny as other comments I've seen about it, it wasn't entirely a comedy. At all, was it? In fact it was a very mellow drama that takes us through a few adventures of a few people's lives.

There are many-a-films, big budget and indy, that put me right to sleep. This one didn't. "The Lionshare" was an okay film. And that's a good thing.

A short film that went to long

[sdrogue · 5/10 · 23 December 2009]

I'm giving it a 5 out of ten on technical merit...the story however, and the execution of it fails on a lot of points. First, there is no drive behind the character...if this is the future of film-making, I think I'll stick to the classics...I want passion and drama, not stumbling about and making small talk. The story gave us nothing about the characters, what they wanted to do, why they wanted to do it, and what were the effects of their actions in the big picture. The film breaks down to this' 1. Boy meets girl 2. boy shares music of fav band 3. band becomes famous 4. girl connects with band/boy loses girl

and hour film for that? They could have excised the extended shots of the band playing music, after the first one, we KNOW they are good and the extended playing of the soundtrack...not every song needs to be heard in it's entirety

The opening scene was bad enough...it set (lowered) the tone for the whole film, a 7 minute opening scene of two people chatting over beers is interesting IF and only IF the people are interesting, what is going to happen next is interesting (and the audience knows it and they don't) or what JUST happened was interesting (they know it and the audience doesn't)...but outside of that, no, two people chatting over beers is not interesting...for all the content of the story we learn their occupation....and that's about it...for 7 minutes...they could have stared at each other for the whole time and it would have been as useful...

but in ALL that, yes, the filmmakers are talented...very...now do something with it that shows your talent...you have the resources and skills...don't let yourselves down by using an improvised script...dodgy camera angles...weak characters....

best of success on your next film.... Q

Propaganda

[rgcustomer · 6/10 · 31 January 2010]

Even though I'm actually in favor of the political message of the film, we have to be honest that the film itself is basic propaganda. It's like a product-placement movie where file sharing is the only product.

There isn't much plot or characterization to speak of, and in fact the film could easily have been better as a short.

And I don't really feel the need to have an extended joke with three people discussing the variable taste of cum. There's a reason some things only work in porn. Bear porn.

I felt the acting was actually quite good. I believe these people are who they appear to be. Of course, maybe it wasn't acting... Except, who smokes any more? Gah.

SO TRUE about the seniors, though. And we're only getting more of them. Some day, I may even be one. What is the world coming to?

It was a good first effort. But writers and directors should realize that the story has to be the story, not whatever political points they want to score. Subtlety and finesse count.

A young adult's life today

[Icaru's Dream · 8/10 · 29 December 2009]

This movie was the first time I have ever felt my moments, as a young adult at this point in time, faithfully represented on screen.

I have certainly seen it represented before, but never with the feeling of it.

Other than the going on of life, I'm strikingly different from the characters in the movie. So I'm not saying I felt my personal choices, my attitude towards life, my political views or anything like that represented there.

What is there are some of the little things that make up what it is to be alive now, and that is really something, because no other movie I've seen gets that right.

Other than this much, don't raise your expectations, and I'd recommend you read the review from halo_bone titled "okay. and that's good" and, for better, download and watch the movie.

pretty weak flick

[krun_105 · 2/10 · 22 December 2009]

The Lionshare can only share a sense of sheer disappointment from start to end. Recreating a Michael Cera inspired comedy prototype, and shooting with a handy cam does not equal good indie flick.

I really felt bored with the weak dialog as well, the script was more improv in a manner of speaking, or they really didn't decide to do re shoots. This really brought down the acting leg of the movie, and had just destroyed any interest i had in the movie.

On a positive note; The premise from which the movie was based upon was sort of new. I have not seen a movie based on file sharing yet. Despite that it is not a movie i would care to revisit.