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Reviews
The Kids Are All Right (2010)
Great movie, if a little sexist
I would highly recommend this family drama, with its flawed characters. It reminded me of Six Feet Under, American Beauty as it deals with flawed characters, relationships and coming of age. Unpredictable, enjoyable. My only gripe is with the shallow portrayal of men. The son's desire for a father figure is barely touched up, dispute bonding hints (playing basketball). The minor character teenage-friend douchebag is obviously created by someone who knows SO little about teenage boys that this stereotype was offensive. And then there's poor Paul (Ruffalo) who whose sexual escapades land him in trouble and branded an interloper while Jules (Moore) is let of scott-free despite the fact that its HER who committed adultery and not Paul. Maybe the film maker wants to do this on purpose to highlight traditionally sexist-towards-women movies, I don't know. But two wrongs don't make a right. Anyway, this was overall a wonderful movie.
Winter's Bone (2010)
Exceptionally Unexciting
Having read the reviews, seen the awards and noticed all the nines and tens on this site, how could I not want to watch this? Two awards at Sundance! Two thumbs up! "A noirish thriller!" - looks awesome. Based on that I was expecting something along the lines of Frozen River or Mean Creek (two excellent indies).
I have nothing but respect for film makers in general. The odds are stacked against them in so many ways, so writing a bad review of a low budget movie feels a little like criticizing David for not knocking out Goliath sooner.
BUT.
The cinematography, script, pacing, acting all meshed together in one long dull, clichéd mess. This is the kind of movie that gives indies a bad name. It's why your local art house cinema remains empty and its why people think indies are pretentious and boring. This is the end result of too much film school and not enough living; AFI and USC tutors all tell you to bring more emotion into the frame and students interpret this as meaning you have to have the most sour-faced, dismal characters, all lonely and doing drugs to create that emotion. Instead of bring excitement and tension to the frame with framing, juxtaposition, sound and quality performances that say "original character". The only scene that conveyed this was early on, with a great line "that's the last time I use my mouth to tell you".
I'm not saying you should go see Transformers instead, I'm saying that there are many more original compelling low budget films out there that deserve the kind of reception that this dull-fest has received.
Weather Girl (2009)
Funny, tight romantic comedy
I saw this at the LA Film Festival in Westwood. I can see this film having a very successful life on Netflix after it's theatrical run. While it is an easy romantic comedy with the usual emotional chaos and (occasionally) predictable but very entertaining story-line, this film is executed beautifully. The dialog is snappy, funny and has that contemporary indie feel like Juno. Within the romantic comedy genre it's right up there with the greats, but made on a much smaller budget. I'm sure the Director will stick around after this. Did well at Slamdance.
Wonderful set design, strong performances and the comedic timing of a pro, the audience laughed hard at all the right spots. The lead was perfectly cast and even the cliché ridden romantic male lead (the dude, looking like he's still in college) came across as lovable.
It doesn't take many risks because it doesn't need to. Good judgment on behalf of the team lead by Blayne Weaver has lead to a successful, well made comedy.
I would recommend this movie. Good comedy.
The Cool School (2008)
A Good Doc.
Like the older, polite cousin of "Dog Town & Z-Boyz", the film is constructed from an large pool of interviews with artists, actors and gallery owners who talk over some well discovered archival footage and photos. This nicely edited preamble delves into the special world of a unique group of pioneering artists in Los Angeles in the 50s and 60s including Ed Moses, Ed Kienholz, Ed Ruscha, Craig Kauffman, Wallace Berman, and Robert Irwin.
The names might be smaller than those in the mature NY scene or more-respected SF scene but this lively documentary gifts us an insight into how Venice beach beatniks and the hip gallery scene on La Cienega Blvd. influenced and created a small but unique social movement on the West Coast.
The young city of Los Angeles quickly rose from an unknown underdog to one of America's respected art cities, placing it within competitive reach of New York and San Francisco and therefore with Paris, London and Berlin.
Worth watching, perhaps more so for people who know about art and / or L.A.