killerbeez Reviews

The Best of Youth (2003)

Magnificent

[10/10 · 3 October 2007]

Most films of this length feel profoundly cumbersome and overdone - after spending most of a day watching this, this engaging film left all of us wanting more.

Most films that aspire to capture epic, multi-generational stories have a great deal of difficulty with a cinematic form, but this film makes it seem effortless and natural.

The cinematography is understated and stunning, and the performances of the cast is astounding. It's surprisingly lean and and totally engaging, and the nearly-invisible direction is peerless.

There isn't much else to say, except see it!

Stephanie Daley (2006)

This is what indie films should aspire to

[18 September 2007]

It's funny, at the average video store, it's really a hit or miss game - you can't tell anything by the cover art. Picking up random titles is something of a habit, some hit, most miss, and with some you really have to wonder if the people who released the film have actually watched it. Every so often, however, you get a very pleasant surprise, and Stephanie Daley is one of the reasons I love the movies.

Hilary Brougher is an extraordinary talent, and experiencing the performances by some of the finest actors working today was inspiring.

Spending an evening with this film was a breath of fresh air and a treat - thank you!

Apocalypto (2006)

Mel's joined George on the Dark Side

[2/10 · 9 December 2006]

If this was a low budget indie put together by some young filmmakers, running around the jungles of Mexico with an HD cam, it would have been quite a coup. Howevah...

And man, it's weird! This VIDEO bore not the slightest resemblance to Passion or Braveheart in terms of (formerly) beautiful cinematography and good direction. Say what you want about Mel's disposition for portraying violence, he's a good director. And then there's this movie. Bizarre editing, schizoid story, wacky 'home-video' cinematography - I saw Dean Semler's name in the credits, but - am I missing something here? Thankfully, the cast, especially Youngblood and Trujillo, rocks, and makes the strangeness well worth watching.

I need a beer.