Justin Wolters delivers a comedy that audiences will enjoy. PINNED capitalizes on the teenage angst and humor that graces movies like American PIE and THE BREAKFAST CLUB, but does so in a unique way by focusing on one wrestler's struggle to lose eleven pounds before his destined rematch against an opponent who embarrassed him the year prior. With the sidekicks taking on familiar archetypes, the cliché's work well for this film. There's the best-friend with girl issues, the ever-popular acquaintance who seems undeserving, and that bully we all had growing up who was always out for blood for reasons unknown. PINNED does a good job at tying together the trials and tribulations of the dynamic trio of main characters as they all live in their high school moment.
The humor in PINNED was well done, playing moments that we can all relate to. From the late night hookup gone wrong, to the final confrontation of the bully, these classic conflicts make one reflect on their own high school days. Intermixed we see true moments of best-friend breakups and get-togethers, and the journey that accompanies a coming-of-age tale. This film takes what one would expect from a high school comedy, but revisits it in a fresh new way.
Like any film, there are flaws. Some shots were out of focus and there were minor continuity issues, but that's expected in an independent flick that had a budget of $500.
The biggest thing this film did right was the way it meshed a sold out audience. It hit the emotional beats, slung crafty one-liners at the proper moments, which all aided the enjoyment from the crowd as they laughed collectively and cheered.
Having reviewed and critiqued several movies in my years as an educated filmmaker, I have come to realize that the most important connection is one made to the audience. Priding a handful of Audience Awards and Official Selection nominations for my own works, the value of making an audience feel the moments your film delivers is crucial, and from my vantage point looking down on a sold out AMC theater, I'd have to say PINNED was a success.
I look forward to more from Wolters. It will be fun to see his continued growth.
The humor in PINNED was well done, playing moments that we can all relate to. From the late night hookup gone wrong, to the final confrontation of the bully, these classic conflicts make one reflect on their own high school days. Intermixed we see true moments of best-friend breakups and get-togethers, and the journey that accompanies a coming-of-age tale. This film takes what one would expect from a high school comedy, but revisits it in a fresh new way.
Like any film, there are flaws. Some shots were out of focus and there were minor continuity issues, but that's expected in an independent flick that had a budget of $500.
The biggest thing this film did right was the way it meshed a sold out audience. It hit the emotional beats, slung crafty one-liners at the proper moments, which all aided the enjoyment from the crowd as they laughed collectively and cheered.
Having reviewed and critiqued several movies in my years as an educated filmmaker, I have come to realize that the most important connection is one made to the audience. Priding a handful of Audience Awards and Official Selection nominations for my own works, the value of making an audience feel the moments your film delivers is crucial, and from my vantage point looking down on a sold out AMC theater, I'd have to say PINNED was a success.
I look forward to more from Wolters. It will be fun to see his continued growth.
