Indian Hill (2009) User Reviews

Bad, Barely Edited, Home Movie

[jimhill69 · 5 October 2009]

I rarely review anything, but I watch anything someone asks me to watch. In all fairness, to see this film listed on IMDb is a testament to the ease with which one can list a film.

The film, (actually a home video), includes unspectacular, unedited footage of landscape from a moving car, hand-held, a bunch of totally ordinary kids riding bikes up and down the streets. That's it. Honestly, I wouldn't have watched the entire film if it had not been my job.

I love shorts but I have no patience for someone doing something poorly even within its own context. There was little to no effort to shoot, edit or perform this piece well.

It would be impossible to write a spoiler, as there was no story or character development. Little more than practice on a newly bought, cheap, video cam. It does one thing well; demonstrates the lack of talent or diligence of the aspiring filmmakers.

A coming of age tale in small town CT in the 1970s...

[jaxscript · 9/10 · 20 June 2009]

"Indian Hill" tells the story of the title character Jack's quest to be the first among his friends to ride all the way to the top of Indian Hill, the toughest and steepest hill in their small Connecticut town. There's a nice back story about the clique of kids who were friends with Jack, the main character and the small town neighborhood near the Connecticut River where they all grew up. The movie is a throwback to a simpler time of late childhood where each child and neighborhood had their own challenge to overcome before you were no longer one of the "little kids." In this case beating the dreaded Indian Hill on your bicycle. Although the camera work and editing could have been better, the story is well told and supported by a surprisingly good selection of original music. You believe in the characters and find yourself pulling for them to succeed in their quest to become one of the "big kids."

Timeless

[ssings426 · 9/10 · 4 February 2010]

I found "Indian Hill" to be a story that transcends the time in which the plot is set. We can all put our faces on the characters in this short film. We had neighborhood kids that we rode our bikes with and had "hills" we had to climb and races we had to win. We all struggled with seemingly impossible goals as Jack and his friends faced; we did as kids and we do now as adults. I'd like to see it receive the proper attention and technical assistance it can get. I thought the filming was a little rough around the edges and obviously the filmmaker was under a tight budget, as new independent filmmakers tend to be, but it has such great potential. The story line was well considered and should have a chance to expand and develop even further. It warmed my heart and made me smile. I'd like to see more from this filmmaker! Okay, what else do you have in store for us?

A great story of a young boy setting and making a goal

[willholdermba · 9/10 · 25 January 2009]

This is an endearing story captured exquisitely in its innocence.

In this current entertainment era of bigger, louder, brighter special effects coupled with gratuitous sexual content and graphic violence, "Indian Hill" is a refreshing look at young people innocently playing.

This is my first IMDb review, after reading the spoiler alert warning, I want to let the world know this. There is no way you could spoil this short film. This is a film that you can watch again and again.

I especially appreciated the feeling of almost being inside the mind of Jack as he grew in both skill and confidence. Like every good film short or long, I felt myself celebrating with him and his friends.

"Indian Hill" should be shared with the world.

real reality

[rlang25 · 8/10 · 8 February 2010]

I recently re watched Indian Hill. I loved it. Kudos to a film that is great for any age without making anyone feel uncomfortable. It feels like everything is trying to sell sex and nastiness. This shows real kids doing what most kids do and because of that it is easy to connect with the characters and plot. The only problem is that it is too short. This film leaves my friends and I thinking, wondering and wanting more of these kids and there real lives. I loved seeing the kids eating watermelon on the fence by the river. what a great small town memory. I also liked that we were updated on where folks are now. I would love to see this short be given a budget and the time that a plot like this deserves.

Well though out, personal piece with a real life connection

[swimprincess68 · 9/10 · 9 February 2010]

I believe this movie was an excellent short film that happened to be produced on a low budget. Not only did the film have a personal connection to the director with a real life plot, it had young actors who looked like all the people they were portraying. It also took place in the same spot that the director, who was also the writer of the film, experienced the events told within the plot. Just like any English teacher or director would tell you, you start by writing what you know, and move on from there; and that is exactly what Jack did. The movie is a personal narrative with the main character, young Jack Kearney, learning the life lesson that all kids have to learn on their own, that to succeed, you must try, try and try again.