Change Your Image
charlesdeanpeters
Reviews
Split: A Divided America (2008)
Un-Biased and Non-Slanted...HURRAY FOR SPLIT!
Split isn't just a documentary but a retro-concept on documenting a topic: A non-slanted view of a subject matter.
What I enjoyed most about this film was the lack of a slant. I felt like liberals and conservatives, Democratic and Republican constituents were represented fairly and evenly.
I won't lie that it makes my blood boil when it comes down to people disagreeing with my point of view on so called "hot button issues" but that's really the point. We should get mad when people are against something we believe in so strongly but SPLIT's point is that we should be able to talk about it like civilized people and at least be able to walk away feeling like civilized beings.
When did we stop being able to talk to each other and respect others points of view? I disagree with the comments made that attack the style of the piece or it's so-called simplifying effect of a complex America but I respect it. That's the point. I recognize the other side, disagree completely, but I will not tear them down. Hurray to them for speaking up but, sadly, it is a statement that felt to me like it was made in vehement defense of a side, which is the underlying problem SPLIT is trying to make visible.
I think we've made a relatively simple idea too complex to talk about.
It's okay to disagree, as long as we can talk it through and keep the anger and defensiveness out of the conversation.
I enjoyed this film from beginning to end and would love to see what the future holds for it.
"It's hard to talk when your teeth are clenched."
~CDP~
Snakes on a Plane (2006)
This is NOT the reason we go see movies.
"Snakes on a Plane is the reason we go to see films."
No. Snakes On A Plane is the reason that audiences stopped showing interest in films in the early nineties and Hollywood had to start looking outside to independent film producers to get the audiences back. Because people, as a majority, got sick of the same formulaic, brainless formulas. Now this isn't to say they aren't still supplying these formulaic pieces of poo to audiences today but, if you've noticed, they've had to change up how they tell the story and bend to the needs of the audience. Look at films like "V For Vendetta", "Requiem For A Dream", "Nightwatch", "Batman Begins", "28 Days Later", "Shaun Of The Dead", and "Memento", etc.. These films are either recreations of the formula or styles that breakaway from formula all together. An interesting trend that has been really prevalent is the combining of multiple genres so that the film isn't entirely, easily classifiable and allows for an audience viewer to actually watch it instead of avoiding it because it's a "Sci-Fi" film or a "Romantic Comedy".
Snakes On A Plane bores you and makes you laugh only because of the ridiculousness. The CGI is not strong enough to base a film on and actually stating that Samuel L. Jackson is good in this is an insult to Samuel L. Jackson. He has done better, this film was just a paycheck for him.
Everything about this film blew Mary Kate bits all over my pants. I've seen a better plot in Fantastic Four and, with better acting and supporting cast. Supporting cast? Have of these people ran around being scared. They had not life as character, no faces. They were just screaming beings. They died and boy did I not care for them. I wanted the 3 G's dude to die. I wanted Tiffany to die. I was mad when Rick died because, hey, he was funny in Anchor Man! Good story, good plot and good characters, no matter how silly the premise may initially seem will always make a good movie.
Snakes On A Plane is an example when these components don't' come together. Put simply: It blows!
What Is Funny? (2004)
Amazing Vision!
This film is truly a joy to watch. It takes a simple phrase and spins it on its access and takes the viewer into a world of interpretation that is unexpected and welcomed. Strong sounds and visuals add to the effect of returning the audience to the age of silent films where the picture was everything and the words were nothing. Being one of the actors involved, it could be argued about myself having a certain level of bias but, watching the film come together and witnessing first hand the elite level of professionalism and artistic merit demonstrated by director and crew only enhanced my, already existing, tremendous enjoyment of the film.
Sammyville (1999)
The Film That Was Sammyville.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I sat in front of my TV with a DVD of Sammyville. I'd heard a couple of different things. Lyle is great. Poor acting, yadda, yadda, yadda.
My thought after watching it was the same way I felt after watching Lost Voyage(the one with Judd Nelson) and Cabin By The Lake(repeat Judd Nelson). It's a B movie. Maybe even a C movie but definitely a solid B. It's got your token action, attractive starlet, young rugged hero, a big bad, you name it, it was there.
Haven't seen the movie in a couple of years and I might screw up some points. If so, feel free to cut me down like the dork I am.
My biggest problem with it was the dialogue. Didn't flow very well. The story didn't interest me, even though I can't remember it now and would drown quickly in an argument to the contrary, I remember that being something that stuck in my craw. I remember it being about some boy disappearing and then we're in Sammyville and the starlett is in Hot Lakes Hotel in a bath tub in the middle of big room where a bath tub didn't belong. It was weird.
It's strong points were the fact that is was obviously playing to it's demographics, young males 18-35 who watched way to much deep space nine. (Said starlet's big show).
This was truly an indie film and my thought is if you are producing something that is indie, you're taking a big risk. A good way, and not a bad way mind you, is to go formulaic because that stuff sells. It will get picked up. Where Sammyville falls is they seem to try to be original within the formula and it doesn't work. A worthy gamble, it just doesn't work. The story doesn't have great enough risk and circumstances for the characters to pull us in, because it is a B movie and the originality to support the presence of artistic merit is not backed with enough poignant risk and need for us to care.
I thought it was shot pretty well. I did love the look of hot lakes in that bath tub scene and sound was solid. Things that usually affect the outcome of an indie. Scripting and Directing is where I think the energy needed to be a little more prevalent.