midwestfilmbuff123 Reviews

The Appearing (2014)

Decent flick. Pretty good acting, but some amateur camera work.

[6/10 · 11 December 2014]

This film is a little better than so-so. I debated rating it either a 6 or a 7, but decided on a 6 because of some camera work and editing choices.

The acting is better than average. Swayze and Wallace are really pretty solid (arguably Swayze's best performance since I thought in the past that his brother was a much better actor). A few of the other actors could have done more with the characters, though….particularly the guy from "The Blind Side" (Quinton Aaron). I thought he did a great job in that film, but this one….not so much.

Fun to see Dean Cain because he is such a cool dude, but his acting is always a little sub par. No exception to that in this film.

Some of the edits seem a little amateur as did some of the camera work. Overall, I enjoyed it once over some good popcorn, but wouldn't watch it a second time.

Instructions Not Included (2013)

This one got me. Great film!

[9/10 · 11 December 2014]

Wow! What a great movie! Why didn't this do better than it did?

It is subtitled….maybe folks don't want to read subtitles, but if you can just decide to do it, I highly recommend this film! The film is in Spanish.

The acting is great…..such a suburb story. I really got into it and got choked up. I don't want to spoil it, but just see this film!!

I will watch this one again for sure. (I have a re-watch list).

Really touching bonding story. It is also really good for any parent.

Good camera work too. Super editing. The story is probably the best part of all. The pacing is just right also.

Short Term 12 (2013)

Pretty good low budget indie!

[8/10 · 11 December 2014]

Really good story…captures the foster care system well.

The acting is really good too. The film is almost entirely hand held, which gives it a real low budget feel, and it my eyes felt like they needed a rest from it, but you get lost in the characters enough to forgive it.

I do wish there were some bigger shots opening up the landscape. I felt a little closed in but I guess that might be the feel the director was trying to create. You will get invested in the story.

Good pacing. Actors really seemed to live the parts. I wondered if those were real foster kids or just actors.