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Nitrogen_Film
Reviews
Blues Stop (2003)
Pure Cinema and the seeds of something great.
Blues Stop was screened for me shortly after it appeared in the festival circuit. I was not expecting much, having worked with student filmmakers for years and been inundated over the years by peoples first efforts. I was pretty damned impressed. This is no student film but a solid story with beautiful visuals and a definite cinematic voice. Alex appears to have learned a thing or two in the years since I saw his first (incredibly violent - yet impressive) short film. What struck me most was a sense of personal style and a deft handling of actors. I think this guy is going to go places and I am interested to see his next efforts. Well done - lets hope he gets a big film after this.
Dimmer (2005)
Talmage's work is exceptional -watch out there is a spoiler in this review
I saw Dimmer and Pol Pots Birthday separately at two different film festivals over 2 years. I noted down the name of the Director both times each time having no idea who Talmage was. I don't generally take the time to follow up such things but I was really seriously entertained by Pol Pots Birthday and then moved by Dimmer. Actually Dimmer shook me and really felt like a solid narrative doc by someone who was thinking seriously about the subject matter and was not just exploiting it. A general review of Dimmer from memory goes like this. We follow a group of blind or sight impaired kids around a US suburban neighborhood. They are normal kids with normal concerns, and needs. Including a problems with girls. One kid, the protagonist, I am not sure of his name, is breaking up with his girl. Who by the end of the piece he decides he is over anyway. It's pretty heart-wrenching but compelling at the same time. And what I like most is that there is hope and growth for all of the kids by the end. Not hopelessness. I really like Talmage's work and I look forward to seeing more of it! Shaun.