Equinox Knocks (1999)

User Rating:

5.0/10   

Director:

Francine Rzeznik

Writers:

Zinka Benton (writer)
Francine Rzeznik (writer)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Be careful what you wish for...

Plot:

17 year-old Allie Black's world looks pretty good: she's popular at her small town Texas high school...

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film

Cast

Guilford Adams	...	Caleb James
Debra Cassidy	...	Courtney Davis
Amber Lea Voiles	...	Lynette Larson
Katherine James	...	Allie Black
Sean Corrigan	...	Matt Saunders
Roxane Alexander	...	Rayette Ransom
Stephanie Woodyard	...	Donette Dawson
Heidi Howell	...	Duh'Ette Dunlap
Katie Fountain	...	Dinah / Dinette
Raymond L. Kohler	...	Coach Turner
Michael Stuart	...	Ray Hyde
Michael Miller	...	Mr. Benis
Victor Steele	...	Hannibal
Jane Braugh	...	Officer Peggy Black
George Poe	...	Mr. Hardin

MPAA:

Rated R for some crude sexual content.

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Foli Productions & Z Pictures

This is actually a really good film. I was surprised.

Last night I went to see "Equinox Knocks" at the Dobie Mall. This is actually a really good film. I was surprised. I was expecting to not be. I went because I know some of the people in the case, and I thought it would be a novel experience and a fun evening. But I was not expecting to find the characters believable, because I know most of the actors in "real life", and I was expecting to be pretty bad because most indie are pretty bad. Very much to my surprise, this is actually a really good film, very much on a par with a good studio production.

Far from being distracting, the few times I did even thought about knowing the actors, it was only to note what a great job they were doing. The movie kept reminding me of the John Hughes films from the 80's. The performances were easily on a par with these films. And, I was amazed at how such a young cast was able to get across some very subtle thoughts using nothing but body language and subtle expressions. I know many veteran actors who couldn't come close to that. Everyone (Amber Lea Voiles, Katherine James, Sean Corrigan, Brandon Howe, and the 'etts) did a great job. But, the performances of Guildford Adams and Debra Cassidy really stood-out in a film of really nice work. The comic side characters also did a great job. This was really a good movie. Debbie Haber deserves recognition for a fine job of casting.

The only indication that this was an independent film, was the film stock. At times, during night shots with low light, the grain drew attention to itself. But other than that, the production values where on a par with a studio film. Usually the sound on indie films is just terrible. It is the main reason I hate to watch most indie films. The sound on "Equinox…" never once hinted that this was a low budget film. The constant tape his that many of us associate with independent films was nowhere to be found. And, not once did the sound distort during a loud scene. It may not have been Dolby Digital Surround Sound, but it might just as well have been for all the difference you could tell.

Zinka Beton and Fran Rzezink have made a really nice film here. Is it "Gone With The Wind?" No. But it is a really nice movie. So, if your looking for a dark edged independent film, this is not that. But, if you are looking for a really good little film, in the John Hughes vein with a Wiccan twist, This is an excellent choice.