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Bellflower (2011)
This is a 3 million dollar film, almost assuredly...
The whole marketing scheme behind this film was to say a million times and pay every big critic to review the film and say "$17,000 film makes it big!" All the while sticking up for Sundance, pretending like Sundance lets in true indy filmmakers. I will tell you the truth, as a grad. student I made a feature film in L.A. that cost $80,000. This is NOTHING compared to the films they let in Sundance, compared to the vast immense wealth and where this film comes from. That film I made would never have a chance at getting into Sundance. To compete with those films you need a budget of at least a million and to have some inside connections as well and be from an extraordinarily wealthy family, and we are not talking 5 million dollars here. When you film in L.A. it costs serious money. And that $80,000 film I made simply does not look like a million dollar film like this one does, and I will tell you that it is physically impossible to make it look that way by shooting in L.A. I am a smart, extraordinarily high I.Q., educated and talented person, and I have worked as hard as a human being can work on movies, 12-20 hour days. It has nothing to do with my ability as a filmmaker or lack thereof. I am perfectly capable and very hardworking. I even have some money to work with, in the public's eye. But this is real movies we are talking about, where people spend $200 million on a movie. How can I compete with that, no matter how brilliant my script is, no one is really gonna care unless it looks like the types of films they are used to seeing, which IN FACT COST MONEY, there is no way around it, and we are talking in the millions of dollars, that is just how it is I have poured my life and soul into it working for years to make it in film, and I will tell you that if you give any talented filmmaker like myself $100,000 (forget $17k, let's just round it to $100k) to make a movie legitimately, with proper permits and everything, in L.A., the film could not possibly, could not physically possibly look this good and this high production value. It costs millions, it just costs millions. You have to pay $700/day for the cheapest locations in L.A., not to mention them making you have a trailer with a bathroom and feeding everyone, then getting the movie cameras and lights themselves, actual location permits, insurance for the equipment, not to mention the major major stunts and explosions and stuff these people had.. IN L.A.? Come on. I am trying to bring the truth to light here. I have been a filmmaker for more than 14 years and worked on all levels of movies and I can honestly look at the marketing they must have spent on this film to even have a chance at Sundance, the literal budget of the film, and then to add in the payolas that the big magazines and critics must have received which was probably inclusive in the promotional costs, and the promotional budget of this film must have been millions to have gotten as big. It is simply impossible to do on a grassroots level, it just doesn't happen the way they trump it up and tell the success stories of, which I am almost convinced cannot be true. I still hold out though that I could be wrong, but I am telling you, I am a very intelligent hard working person who has put in 14 years and I am telling you this movie was made by the rich elite, I am sorry, just the way it is. They sell the story to simply make it more relatable to an audience and to better sell the movie. In my 14 years working on movies I will honestly say the MINIMUM of this budget, including promotions and advertising that got it into Sundance and I am not talking about the typical fake story that some big company bought it THEN spent that money, I am talking on what the actual filmmakers spent, and I would pretty much guarantee that they come from vastly wealthy families, of at least $50 million we are talking about, maybe much, much more... I estimate the real budget of this film at AT LEAST $3,000,000, maybe much, much more. In fact, may have been backed by a studio from the get go, we may never know the truth. And I can't believe I am saying this, because like I said, I am from a family that has some money and some success, but we have no chance in Hollywood without the megalomillions it seems. Yet I still hold out. Again, I could be totally, totally wrong here, but this is a very deep and strong natural inclination.
The Vampires of Zanzibar (2010)
Great movie, and there is NO nudity...
It is on Youtube to see for free currently, so watch it for free while you can. Great film that is actually hilarious, Brandon DiCamillo is hilarious, unfortunately Chris Raab didn't get more screen time as the director didn't have the budget to get them for more than a day. Also, check out the music of Sister who sing "Ain't Going Home," "Faster" and other tracks. After they had their music in this movie they got signed by Metal Blade records. They are out of Stockholm, Sweden. By the way, The last user on here who reviewed the film did not even see the movie, or else he would have known that there is absolutely no nudity in the film. Also, there area lot of funny outtakes on Youtube at this time, and Bjarni Gautur is hilarious in this, Royce Hobson plays an awesome serious character, really unique, not to mention about a dozen other amazingly talented actors and actresses.
Arkusan Martinsson (2009)
Wow, unbelievable writing and film-making all around for a 22 year old filmmaker...
Truly a great film. Much like Kevin Smith's Clerks, but with Johansson's unique take. Excellent, excellent writing, kept my attention, really well made all around. It is embarrassing to me but unbelievable that the film was made for like $100, it looks more like it was made by veteran filmmakers as a fun project for a teenie budget of $5000 to $10,000. I am honestly and truly, really awaiting to see ANYTHING this filmmaker puts out, any feature film especially. He is really gonna do it, make his mark as an indy filmmaker... I'm rooting for him all the way at least, and I've been in this film-making game for more than 12 years full time. He's really just a true talent all around as a filmmaker. Words to the filmmaker: hang in there. Film-making is the only easy thing, life all around the film-making, jobs, money, relationships, etc., they can get really, REALLY crazy. Just don't let them and as long as you are NOT thinking of suicide as an option and you know that film-making is your main or one of your top two priorities, you will succeed in WHATEVER WAY YOU DESIRE. You are already proving yourself with Arkusan. Everybody, no joke, the film is good. Period. No contest. Well made all around, well done cinematography (especially for not having a lighting budget), top notch editing and post production while still kept simple with an indy feel. I can't wait to see what else this guy writes first and foremost, I think he is a brilliant writer who may turn into something really amazing if he keeps it up as a writer foremost.
Stitches (2001)
The director and the cast/crew...
I believe, yes, this movie turned out a little slow. However, it still got shot and completed and on shelves, which is a much more difficult task than it may seem to all you non-filmmakers. I don't know, I worked my best on it, but I had some difficulties. I was the Production Designer. I was simply overworked. I was working for peanuts for J.R. Bookwalter, straight out of Screen writing school at LMU, and I lucked out getting a Production Design position on two feature films for Full Moon and J.R. Bookwalter. But I was simply overworked and overloaded. I think I did an amazing job on getting a huge load of props for the film, nearly every prop seen on camera besides the special effects make-up. It was a difficult task within the time constraints, and it was a great learning experience for everyone on board. I have no qualms with the director of this movie, I would just like to apologize if there were any differences. These tiny budget movies get crazy sometimes, I think it is amazing this film got done, and I think J.R. Bookwalter is to thank, and also a dedicated crew. I wish who worked on and acted in this movie the BEST of success. And check out my two new feature films, Crazy Animal and The Vampires of Zanzibar. The latter will blow you away, it is hilarious. Just go to Crazyanimalmovie.com or zanzibarmovie.com or Johnbirmingham.com.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
No STARS, my ass.
This movie has one of the biggest stars of today, Steve Carrell and Greg Kinnear. Are you JOKING when you say this is the freaking little film that could. This is an 8 MILLION dollar movie. 8 MILLION. That is freaking huge to me. I am a film,aker. And it ticks me off to see Sundance giving all their awards to movies like this that are obviously made by the elite group of people, the inner circle that they only award. Its not fair this film-making game sometimes, when people like me are trying to break into the industry and these conglomerate main stream movies are our competition. I mean, don't get me wrong, this script and movie could be amazing, but from what I read about it, this is basically a studio movie with huge actors.
Super Badass (1999)
Great movie, but will Charles Cullen ever achieve fame??
I will not say where I saw this film, because I don't want Charles Cullen to read this and figure out who I am, but I will say that the movie is a pretty good effort... the sad thing, is the guy is in his early 40s by the time this movie is done, maybe 40/41 or so... if it took him this long to pull off a decent no budget movie, then what is he going to be doing ten years from now... I am a filmmaker, I would put it, a much younger filmmaker than Cullen, and I made a film that I can honestly step back and believe for myself and I have had two other viewers who saw both movies tell me that my movie is by far better. But I am in my 20s. I want to become famous, almost so much so that I do not want to live if I am not... and not just "famous" but famous for creating timeless works of art and pulling off amazing comedy and all aspects of film-making maxed out... this is STLIL POSSIBLE for me. But the sad thing is... is it possible for Cullen? I have tried contacting him before to see if he would want to collaborate on future projects, but the dude is very unpersonable... he will never make the connections necessary to achieve real fame in my book... instead he broadcasts his work over local access stations and really things he can pull a decent audience off of just that... maybe I'll understand when I am older that his level of success is pretty good, but if I do understand by then, shoot me. Still, I would cast him in a future film to be nice to him, because the guy does make an effort and manages to live the life of an artist/filmmaker/actor, without having to live the hell of another job like most people are forced to and convince themselves because of no other option that their lives really aren't that bad, when it is clear that the majority of their waking days go to a profession that they hate. I don't get them/you sometimes!!! Sorry!!! I love all you human beings, but I just don't get how you can go on with life not killing yourselves when you know that you have to WORK at stuff you don't really like most of your waking days. Convince me wrong, please. Casue I just don't get it. HAhahahahaaaaaa.... this comment is so insane...
The Station Agent (2003)
Totally Boring.
This movie was so boring. I actually thought about leaving and trying to get my money back. There was no point to it at all. During the whole thing, people would stare at the little guy, say things, or take pictures. I am sorry...but I have seen numerous little people out in public and have never seen people react this way. Who knows, maybe people in that small town never saw a little person before.
Anyway, I think that there should have been more things happening in this story because nothing kept my interest. The characters weren't very believable either.
The actors were good, though. I have to give it a couple of points for the acting. 2/10.
Gothika (2003)
Should have been a straight to video horror flick.
The script for this movie was bad. It was the kind of script that straight to video B horror movies strive for. The talents of the director and actors were wasted on this movie. This should have been shot on DV for $50,000 and distributed straight to video stores with a cheesy cover. Halle Berry...you are an oscar winning actress. Read the script before you decide to do the movie. You are a freakin' superstar, and you can do better than this.
Uptown Girls (2003)
This was a really good movie!
I really don't know why this movie got negative reviews, because it was really good! First of all, it had a good script, which is what most movies these days lack. Second of all, Britney Murphy and Dakota Fanning were fantastic.
I liked the story because while it was funny at times, it was also very moving. This story was about life and the hard times we go through and how we can help one another out. So, don't be fooled by the bad reviews. If you want to see a really good movie, go see Uptown Girls!
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Best movie of the summer
This film is entertaining and well done. Johnny Depp is great. I think this is the best I have ever seen him act. He is so believable as a pirate in this and I hope he wins an oscar. The costumes and effects are wonderful. Stay in the theater after the credits to see the monkey again.
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003)
Don't see it!!! It's really bad!
The first movie was great. This sequel was horrible. The story was boring and had very few funny moments. The script was terrible. I can't believe that Reese Witherspoon would agree to do such a bad movie. Was the 15 million too good to pass up? She should have demanded a new script along with her paycheck. Seriously. You know the worst thing about movies? When you buy your ticket and go see the movie,if you hate it you still have to pay for it. The studios just want to get you in the theater, and after you pay for your ticket you're screwed. They show you Reese Witherspoon in a sequel to a great movie, and you go in thinking its going to be just as good as the first one. WRONG! The execs don't care if the actual movie is good, as long as the previews are good and make you want to see it. But you know what they say, you are only as good as your last picture...and Reese honey, this movie was BAD.
The Time Machine (2002)
I don't get it!
I thought this movie started out good...but then Jeremy Irons showed up looking like a has been 80's rocker and it all fell apart. It got confusing. It was like the writers spent a lot of time writing the first 3/4 of the script...and then all the sudden they said..."Lets hurry up and finish it!" There are a lot of hyped up movies that come out today that really SUCK...and this is one of them. I guess they have to hype it up to make up for its suckiness. I gave thise movie a 2 out of 10 starts.
Chocolat (2000)
What is so great about it???
I don't understand what is so great about this movie. There is nothing really special about it. Why did it get nominated for an Oscar? Is it just because Juliette Binoche and Judi Dench are in it? Is it because THEY always get nominated for Oscars and the academy people were like..." Well...if Juliette and Judi are in it, we better nominate it." The movie was boring at times and I didn't think that the main antagonist count, mayor guy, or whoever he was, was very believable at all. He didn't have any really strong reasons for being so against chocolate. He just thought it was evil or something for no reason. It was like a really bad cartoon acted out with real people.
New York Stories (1989)
I liked it.
Some of the comments I have read have stated that "Life Without Zoe" wasn't as good as the other two. I disagree. I really liked it. Maybe it was because I was 12 years old when I saw it. I enjoyed it. I thought it was very beautiful and artistic. I loved the princess and the jewel. Its always the fantasy of little girls to meet a princess or to be a princess and I liked the story a lot.
Cruel Intentions (1999)
It was ok
I thought "Cruel Intentions" was ok. The scene I liked best was the first scene when Sebastian was with his therapist. I thought the movie was a bit too long and it sort of moved slowly. Selma Blair gave the best performance out of all the actors. She was really funny. Sarah Michelle Gellar was acting too much like a 40 year old. It was really weird because she looked so young but acted so old. She acted way too mature to be a teen...but I am not saying that's her fault, it was just that the part she played was written that way. I don't think this movie is appropriate for younger teens. I think only mature teens should see it or college aged people. I don't really think people over 35 would like it either. The ones in the theater seemed to find it funny whenever Sarah was being seductive since she is young.
Dawson's Creek (1998)
great season
I like this new season of Dawson's creek. I like the new characters that were added. I especially like Andie McPhee. I thinks it's about time Pacey got a love interest his own age. Anyway, it's a really cool show and I never miss it. Sometimes I even watch it twice because I can watch it on that Chicago channel before it comes on in the West coast. Anyway, I really like it a lot.
Johnnie Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet (1946)
In the window of the department store
Johnny Fedora and Alice Blue Bonnet are two hats that meet in the window of a department store and fall in love. They both get bought by different customers and spend the rest of their little hat lives trying to find each other. This cartoon is truly romantic and sweet. I have loved it since I was a little kid, and sometimes I still walk around singing the Johnny Fedora and Alice Blue Bonnet song. This is one of my favorite cartoons.
Heavenly Creatures (1994)
My favorite!
This is my favorite movie in the world! I saw it when it first came out at Blockbuster and I absolutely loved it. This is the movie that made Kate Winslet my favorite actress. Kate and Melanie are both terrific in this film. The thing I liked most about this movie, is how it went inside the characters' minds and into their imaginations. If you haven't seen it yet, you better.