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Reviews
Such Great Joy (2005)
Fun, sweet film
I think short films work best when they take a great core idea and explore it in an interesting way, and this film does just that. Saw this film at a film fest a while back and really enjoyed it. It is both a fun comedy of errors and a sweet little story about a relationship between two women, as well as a relationship between a family. The problems start when a daughter brings her girlfriend home to meet the family, but there is an understandable but troublesome misunderstanding with the family.
The main two actresses in the piece do a great job, both selling their relationship and their desire to not upset the family balance.
If you have a chance to see this film, definitely do so. It will leave you with a smile on your face.
Unwelcome (2004)
Very cool horror short
This film is a great example of how to make a short film. The concept is lean and well-executed, with well-timed scares and laughs.
The film tells the story of a woman who rents an apartment from a nasty old landlady, but she soon finds out that the landlady isn't the biggest threat in the old house.
The suspense is kept high, and when we finally see the creature, it's done in a really interesting and unique way. This film was a big hit at the festival I saw it at.
A very fun and original piece from writer-director Gentry Smith. If you can catch it at a film festival near you, I would recommend it.
Crushes (2003)
A lot of fun
This film is a very cute, enjoyable short. It's the story of Andrew, a man who decides to go re-visit all his old crushes before he settles down. Along the way he discovers that most of them were best left unrequited.
I saw this movie at the First Look festival in Los Angeles, and it got a great response from the audience. If you have a chance to check it out, do so!
Braveheart (1995)
My favorite film of all time
This film has won the Oscar for Best Picture, so I guess it really doesn't need my praise, but I'll give it anyways.
Braveheart has it all. The battle scenes are intense, the comic relief is actually very funny, the characters are sharply drawn, and it packs an emotional wallop that few films can equal. This is the kind of movie that makes you remember why you go to the movies.
From the opening shot through the mountains of Scotland, to the tear-jerking shot of Wallace's sword flying through the air, the movie is a triumph from beginning to end. If you haven't seen this film, you are doing yourself a disservice. Go out and rent it, turn the lights off, and enjoy Mel Gibson's masterpiece.
10 out of 10
The Dukes of Hazzard (1979)
A show unlike any other
There are some shows that never quite leave you, and this one is one of them. I watched it as a young child, and one of my first memories is of the theme song of the show, with Luke sliding across the bright orange hood of the General Lee. But even now, watching the reruns on TNN, there is something that is still exciting and fun about the show. Its not a big one on plot, and the acting is definitely over-the-top. But its good-natured, farm-boy fun that can always get me cheering when the General Lee goes flying over something, landing safely on the other side. Someday when I have a little extra money I'll buy an old 69 charger and fix it up, paint it orange and slap a "01" on the side. Because what kid didn't want the General Lee? Yeeeeeeeeeeehaw!
Smoke Signals (1998)
Wonderful adaptation, beautiful film
Wonderful film, especially after reading the short story collection. This film is taken mainly from the short story "So This is What It Means To Say Phoenix, Arizona" and several others from Alexie's collection, "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight In Heaven". I was afraid that my preconceptions about the characters and their appearances, mannerisms, etc, would cloud the story, but it was such a wonderful adaptation, so true to the tone of the book, that I was amazingly pleased. In fact, at one point during the film, a friend of mine turned to me and remarked; "Man, this just feels like an Alexie story, doesn't it?" Some of the aerial shots were breathtaking in their simplicity, and the transitions between time periods were simple but remarkably effective.
A very touching and human movie, the proof that a great story is what makes the film. Funny, sad, uplifting, exciting, and overall, beautiful. I recommend it to anyone. Now that's enough, enit?