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Indie Movie Guide
Reviews of some of the independent film world's newest independent films
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Definitely Not Hollywood: Dark Comedy Edition Volume
1
by Chris Cooke
Short films are a favorite of independent moviemakers, partly because of obvious budget and manpower concerns, but also because they allow for a certain freedom unavailable in a longer format. Anyone itching for some offbeat shorts should check out Atom Films’ collection Definitely Not Hollywood: Dark Comedy Edition Volume 1.
In Scott Hudson’s Pact, a couple, having come to a drastic decision, has difficulty carrying it out. The result: dark slapstick at its finest. In Big Canyon, David Agosto tests the loyalty and perseverance of a con artist couple, who run into trouble selling phony phone cards from their wheelchairs. Alexander Rose’s mini-short Bill vs. The City shows us, through the eyes of a stepson, a man who, in his effort to chat up a cabby, tries to single-handedly make up for all the world’s socioeconomic inequality.
The collection starts and ends with its finest, most neurotic moments: the twin bookends of Grant Heslov’s Waiting for Woody and Jonah Kaplan’s Stalker Guilt Syndrome. Struggling actor Heslov tries in vain to cope with his inadequacies as a husband, until an audition with his Hollywood idol promises to shoot his career to new heights. Kaplan shows another side of the twisted, insecure male mind: a man discovers that the woman he’s been ogling on the train is walking along the same route, a few paces ahead. His interior monologue-can he claim to not be stalking her, simply because he’s headed for his girlfriend’s apartment-hits home right from the start and never lets up.
It’s always refreshing to see a film finish at a length appropriate to the subject matter, rather than meandering aimlessly just to make it to the 90-minute mark. Clocking in at under 80 minutes, there’s never a dull moment in Definitely Not Hollywood.
>> Buy a copy of it at BuyIndies.com
The Heck With Hollywood
by Anna Mitschele
Wanna make a movie? Watch this first. The Heck with Hollywood is a documentary about three first-time independent moviemakers and the trials and tribulations of making a film and getting it distributed-all just to make a buck or two…or none at all.
Interlacing interviews with the directors and independent film distribution companies, you get to see the dream and the reality, side by side. All the directors hope to be the next Spike Lee or Coen Brothers-their mugs on Newsweek, their bank accounts full again-and it is made clear how slim their chances really are. To be successful you need to be very clever; at least as far as this film shows, many of them aren’t.
In one scene, a hopeful director pulls up to his own premiere in his dingy, rusted car, several windows taped shut with plastic tarp, to be met by photographers, reporters and cameras. He steps out-his suit tacky and ill-fitting-and then hurries off to get the projector ready. It is a sharp contrast to the glamour and clean glitz of Hollywood.
This film was anything but a Hollywood story! The documentary stated at the end what had eventually happened to the three films. Sadly, it was very little. The amazing part being that, even after all the horror stories, each of the directors profiled is still at it-they were each giving it a second try. And who know, maybe one of them will be the next Spike Lee. Depressingly honest, The Heck with Hollywood captures the truth of independent moviemaking in a grin-and-bare-it way that was great to watch.
>> Buy a copy of it at BuyIndies.com
Chick Movie
by Chris Cooke
Barbie dolls always seem to get the worst of it. They’re
criticized by feminists who, with good reason, argue that they set
an unattainable body image goal. On a more personal scale, they
are attacked mercilessly by the hordes of mean older brothers all
across the country who pull off their heads, cut their hair and
play fetch with them with the dog. Yes, the plastic bimbos that
are Barbie have it rough. But what if there was some way of getting
even? In Holly Madden’s short film Chick Movie, revenge
is served in unexpected ways.
Little Charlotte’s nasty brother Maurice certainly has an excessive masculinity complex, and he takes out stray aggression on Charlotte’s twin Barbies. But one night, under the lax supervision of babysitter Mr. Johnson, Charlotte discovers a way of getting even. How are Maurice’s oppressive sexist ways mended? Well, sometimes dolls seem to have a life and will of their own. Chick Movie certainly has its share of laughs. At times a bit forced, it wins you over with its playful take on the gender war and its self-conscious borrowing from horror-film technique. You’ll never look at Barbie the same way again.
>> Buy a copy of it at BuyIndies.com
Sally and Angela
by Brooke Miller
One would naturally expect that when a stereotypical Italian-American brother and sister duo drive through the desert on the way to a "hit," all they would have to talk/argue about are their cronies back in New York. Wrong. Sally and Angela is an over-the-top action movie suggesting that a stereotypical Italian-American brother and sister should never be documented while driving through the desert again.
Driving a beat-up, green Cadillac, Sally and Angela discuss the stress associated with being a gangster, such as the consequences of not showing up to work on time. After a relatively civil conversation, Angela relentlessly criticizes the car that Sally has stolen for their trip-a 1970, metallic green, Cadillac Deville. In the midst of this argument, the car overheats. Sally looks under the hood and explains that he thinks he can fix the problem. Angela reminds him how stupid he is and that he "couldn’t even fix a game of ‘Go Fish.’" This is where the fight scene erupts.
It starts, modestly, with some light pushing and head butts, but then the jacket comes off and the Italian party music comes on. Angela pulls some very fancy martial arts moves on Sally, who is slow to respond until she pulls a gun on him. He retaliates by shooting at her as she ducks in and around the caddy. Both execute swift moves to dodge the stream of bullets. Sadly, the Deville suffers the most damage. During the most heated moment of the gunfight, Sally notices that the car isn’t smoking anymore and that they can continue their journey. Angela agrees and they get in the car. They start a fairly civil conversation again until they hear the tire blow out (which sounds like a gun being fired), which forces them to, naturally, pull their guns out again.
Sally and Angela is mildly amusing, at best, because of the over-the-top extensions of the stereotypes being used. The score is the perfect supplement to the fight scene, which greatly overshadows the dialogue. If a potential viewer is looking for a laugh with this movie, be advised that large quantities of alcohol should be consumed beforehand.
>> Buy a copy of it at BuyIndies.com
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Homedaddy
by Chris Cooke
With more and more women joining the professional workforce, it comes as no surprise that when the time comes, many men are choosing to stay at home with the diapers and formula. In Homedaddy, Kent Ayyildiz tells how he and his wife came to the same decision, and describes the unforeseen consequences that ensued.
Like most men of his generation, Ayyildiz remembers his father as the parent who was hardly ever around. In the house, his mother did the work. So when his higher-paid wife (an attorney to his film student) gets pregnant, they make the choice. Neither is prepared. Ayyildiz finds himself a lonely man, alienated from all that is not baby. And his wife Elizabeth regrets lost time with her child. Confronted with his own loss of self, Ayyildiz finds hope and companionship in groups of other stay-at-home dads.
Homedaddy explores Ayyildiz’ experience in an endearing and often amusing way. Admittedly, the film suffers a bit from extensive use of voiceover, as Ayyildiz tells us more than he shows, making it at times more informative than engaging. Regardless, Homedaddy is a must-see for any father-to-be, all current dads-at-home and, for good measure, anyone who knows a stay-at-home dad. Sounds like just about everyone. Best when watched during an infant’s afternoon nap.
>> Buy a copy of it at BuyIndies.com
Fusion One
by Jennifer M. Wood
The first in IndieDVD’s Fusion series, Fusion One offers viewers an eclectic viewing experience. With nine short films to choose from (including a music video), the disk offers something for everyone. Every Night and Twice on Sundays follows the story of Dorothy McHugh, the "world’s greatest undiscovered star" who made her acting breakthrough as the woman who uttered those seven famous words: "I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up," much to the amusement of easily entertained television viewers around the world. Dinner is the fantastical story of a family of fairies whose ties have been put to the test when Jill brings home a human, Jack, who will do anything he can to become part of their world. Tilt’s Animated Corpse provides a brief dose of musical entertainment while Zitlover dares to delve into the world of acne like no film has ever before - or should ever again. As part of the Fusion Series’ "Red Room," Zitlover is preceded by a caution, and it well should be. Dramatic, funny and fun, Fusion One makes a great diversion from the typical two-hour movie-and it’s got all the elements you’re looking for rolled up into one neat little package.
>> Buy a copy of it at BuyIndies.com
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Jaman Launches “Movie Channel for the World”
Jaman.com announced the availability of instantly streamed, HD-quality movies—for free.
With nothing more than a simple click, cineastes can watch one of 100 ad-supported titles from the online distributor's collection of more than 3,000 films at no cost. Alternatively, those viewers who are less inclined to "pay" for the free films by watching the ads can pay just $1.99 to watch them commercial-dree. “By offering a free streaming media service along with our current rental and ownership download options, we are anticipating the future of digital cinema," says Jaman founder and CEO, Gaurav Dhillon. "With streaming, we provide our community with a quality viewing experience that is free and for our advertisers, we deliver a unique audience and premium and targeted placement opportunities.”
Posted 05.15.08 | News/Commentary | 1 comment
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