Four Eyed Monsters (2005) User Reviews

Great idea, pretty good film

[BobMustgrave · 6/10 · 15 January 2009]

I liked this film fine, but I think I like their web episodes a lot better than the actual movie.

Maybe that speaks to short form content in the digital age; the movie itself is obviously building towards an ending, a payoff that was sort of a let down, where-as the web content had it's own loose narrative structure that lent itself more to their type of story.

Either way, I think the way they released and marketed it was genius.

I wish more independent films had the guts to go straight to their fans. I live in LA, and there's 100 new movies playing every weekend, yet I can never find a truly independent film unless I order it on Netflix. And that means I have to wait for months after hearing about it. I lose interest, and then when it comes, it sits on my microwave for a week before I get around to watching it.

Filmmakers should premiere at a festival, and then launch DVD, download, and theatrical screenings the following weekend.

Tender, too tender...

[buonanotte · 7/10 · 28 November 2008]

I think this movie deserves more than 6. I wouldn't be indulgent with this two independent filmmakers because, these days, they are in good company. I would rather underline the emotional state this movie is able to communicate. You see catchy animations and other graphic sequences that make you think "Yes, we are now dealing with a new school of film-making" but at the end of the day you carry on watching it because it a has got a cosy and delicate pace. Someone find it too auto-biographical but in my opinion they have been good enough to make it look as little auto-autobiographical as possible. I managed to watch it on youtube just before they removed it but I'd still suggest to a friend. Don't expect to be amazed but enjoy a soft and quirky story-telling with a background of snow and dazzling voice-overs.

Try to see this!

[boo_605 · 7/10 · 22 August 2005]

This film may not be easily accessible but should definitely be seen if you have the chance. A great story about young adults that will ring true for many people. Limited distribution will cause a problem for this film but don't let it stand in the way of you seeing it. Get in touch with the filmmakers if you have to. Nothing groundbreaking but it is so refreshing to see people using film to do more than sell tickets. This film has a real heart that rings true in the final product.

By the way, I have no affiliation with the filmmakers as many on these boards would like to suggest every time someone really likes something. I just got lucky enough to see this at a festival and I would hate for anyone to miss it if they have the chance to catch it.

Does anyone really care?

[badtz75 · 29 November 2006]

If this film wasn't about the self-indulgent filmmakers (who are the main "actors" in the film), does anyone really care? After seeing "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints", I think that format works much better, while acting as a biopic, the author/director keeps a safe distance, instead of (in the case of this film), using the ending to "surprise" the viewers with a "this really was our life" cliché ending. The big question that I couldn't answer was ... "Would I care about these characters if I knew they weren't the directors/actors?" I'm fairly certain I wouldn't.

The animation and pacing have merits, but the cinematography, done in HD, is spotty at best ... maybe a thumbs up for the first gen of filmmakers, but these days, amateur.

If you can Netflix it or see a free screening, it's worth checking out ... but for a fistful of dollars, I'm not sure it's worth the hype.

For more relationship/entanglement, I'd recommend The Puffy Chair (Duplass Brothers, 2005), while very Soderbergh/Tony Scott (yes, _that_ Tony Scott), in terms of hand-held, grainy visuals, the story of men, women, and the craziness when they come together, is compelling in a raw, honest, and unpretentious way.

That's ultimately the difference ... if this were a raw and honest film, I would recommend it, but it's ultimately pretentious and superfluous.

Inspiring, but a bit boring too...

[markloveslife73 · 6/10 · 28 April 2010]

Anyone who gets of their backside and makes a film should be applauded. The couple that made this obviously put their heart and soul into it. However, it's not always effort that breeds greatness. This film starts really well - the opening scenes suck you in and you want to know more - but after that it becomes banal quite quickly. 20 somethings worrying about their life, direction and relationships is a often used plot point.. but here it 'is' the plot. The film has the usual micro-budget tell tale signs. Some dodgy camera work, some 'not quite on the money' acting and some quality issues. But, overall, it works in the context of a slice of life in the myspace/facebook revolution.

I'd put money on Crumley and co making something big at some point in the future, but this is a public airing of their education really.

Well worth a watch, but don't expect a film with this kind of budget to compete with Hollywood.

Best of SXSW

[bdm56 · 9/10 · 16 March 2005]

I recently saw Four Eyed Monsters at the South by Southwest Film Festival and out of the nearly 30 films I have seen at the fest I believe this to be the best.

I was amazed at how emotionally honest this film was. It was able to really get to the core of human desire and its battle with reality in a way that few other films do (I'm sure the fact that the movie is extremely autobiographical helps in this matter).

Arin Crumly and Susan Buice really need to be commended not only for their amazing job at writing an incredibly touching an honest story but for making a film that was very experimental without ever being pretentious. They mix their fictional story with real-life interviews, animation, different filming and editing techniques, and a bold and fantastic ending that could have been a disaster but instead adds a whole new layer to the movie and makes an already moving film that much more so.

Hype!

[girlpuny · 2/10 · 9 September 2006]

All Hype! What better way to describe a movie about people who are upset because they can't release their film through a mainstream distributor? Consequently, they do it themselves. Otherwise, the hype of the film doesn't justify the content in the film. The story is absent and could easily be a short. The acting is poor, but the animation and music is pretty good. Otherwise don't waste your time - don't believe the hype! However, if you have the chance to see the film for free, do so. Then you won't have to waste money. Still, the filmmakers do a good job of pressing their story and creating cliffhangers with their self-indulgent mini-series. Otherwise, they're one hit wonders who never had a hit.

Great experimental love story/drama/comedy....

[BrianErzen · 8/10 · 31 January 2005]

I saw this film this year at the 2005 Slamdance film festival, in Park City Utah. Four-Eyed Monsters was a very enjoyable movie. This is a unique film about the relationship between 2 people and their coming together and what develops between them and it's so quirky and different that this slice of life narrative feature works, and it works well. With some introspective comments from both of our main characters as well as random interviews from strangers about relationships, love and sex. Done in way that you lean to understand what is going on inside the heads of our couple, and compliments the overall story. This is a digital film shot beautifully and has some creative edits, uses of animation, time lapse photography, and other techniques which gave this film the feeling that your are seeing something truly different and experimental. And has some amazing and dare I say original ideas within it, the ending left me speechless and makes the entire journey that much more entertaining. I highly recommend watching this film, you will not be disappointed.

Stylistic Navel-Gazing for the 20-Something Crowd

[rddj05 · 3/10 · 7 January 2010]

Definitely the product of young minds, this piece may very well appeal to the 20s crowd, who is still trying to find their place in the world, while obsessing over every neurosis. However, I can't imagine that the heavy amount of narcissistic navel-gazing, trite humor, or banal subject matter would be particularly engaging to anyone over 30. Another problem is that the peripheral characters, whom the filmmakers obviously have nothing but contempt for, are hyped up to such absurd caricatures for comic effect, that they fail to be relatable in any real way.

However, one has to give some style points to the filmmakers, who obviously grew up in the video generation, and use every conceivable editing trick in the book in order to spruce up an otherwise non-existent plot. There are 2 points to remember here. First, beware of festival darlings. Second, even though we live in the age of youtube, not everyone's account of their mundane lives deserves big- screen treatment. But these young filmmakers have every right to make their film, and if others 20-somethings can find something in it to identify with, then all the better. Yet I could not help but think at the end of this film how this latest generation, just now coming of age, will fare in the real world that presents so many challenges and complications. In the age when every child is constantly reassured of how special they are, and that they all deserve their 15 minutes of exposure, resiliency and the ability to deal with adversity does not exactly appear to be this generation's strong point.

Impressive independent film

[se7en187 · 8/10 · 14 June 2005]

I caught this film at the Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck, Michigan. Going into the film, I really knew nothing about it, but I felt I owed it to the filmmakers to go see it, since they interviewed me, a struggling college student, the day before. Well, I'm glad I saw it.

Four Eyed Monsters, Directed (along with a lot of other things) by Arin Crumley and Susan Buice is an experimental film that works on a lot of levels. It's about a couple that meet on an internet dating service and decide to continue their relationship using only artistic mediums so they don't fall into the trap of a traditional mundane relationship. Throughout the film they communicate through notepads, emails, video letters, and other things.

Watching the film I thought a lot of it was based on their own history together (and the filmmakers confirmed this, though I don't know how much). I really enjoyed the style of the film, they tried new things and experimented with different shots and things, sometimes it didn't work but a lot of the time it did.

I won't lie, I'm a dedicated festival goer, throughout the weekend I didn't get much sleep because I watched movies all day, and Four Eyed Monsters was one of the last movies I saw, so unfortunately their were moments I struggled to stay awake (not because the film wasn't good). The ending seemed a little out of place to me, and the directors mentioned that they continue to tinker with the film throughout the festival circuit, so it would be interesting to see what previous versions of the film are like.

So, to sum it up, I'm sure people that only go to mainstream films in theatres with huge budgets and huge stars won't appreciate this film. But anyone that knows what independent films are like should check this movie out if they can. It's a helpful film for aspiring filmmakers, and I congratulate Susan and Arin for that, and I'd love to see what they're working on in the future.

The end of film as we know it.

[earth-collapse · 4/10 · 17 June 2007]

Four Eyed Monsters follows the relationship of a shy, reclusive videographer and an equally estranged struggling artist, who, both living in the Big Apple, develop an unlikely romance with the help of an internet dating site. This in itself is not so unusual, but what is, is their method of communication. Foregoing the verbal, they take to writing notes and later communicating through video.

The film is based upon the creator's (Arin Crumley & Susan Buice) own relationship, who besides writing and directing, take to acting as the lead characters as well. With elements of avant-garde, anti-plot, and docudrama, the film scatters itself to the wind with an undecided structure nestled neatly between narcissism and self-indulgence.

As the movie wears on, a brief separation and deterioration of their once intriguing form of communication grow old as the couple face the hardship of reality. Focusing solely on inner conflict, or the woes of relationship, the film struggles through a stagnant narrative that is neither original, nor poignant. This could have been easily circumvented with the addition of subplot and external conflict, and a third act, to which there is none - just a montage of melodrama that leads nowhere.

What is even more aggravating is the film's descent from story into reality that abruptly concludes with an open ended and unsatisfying finish. This would have been all fine and dandy, but there is no question asked and no meaning to be discovered or pondered.

(On a side note, the film contains beautiful animation and a vivid and moving soundtrack, one of the more interesting aspects of the production.)

But as always, watch the film and decide for yourself.

I haven't seen anything like this since I discovered the French New Wave

[jamie-465 · 10/10 · 5 January 2006]

I've seen this film twice and I am convinced that it is one of the best things I have ever seen. Knowing a few things about the film-making process (I am an editor), I can say that this is not only a unique and well made film, but it is one that should define what a true independent film is. Its not too often you see a film that not only stars its makers but shares their story and illustrates their feelings so well and cleverly. Its as if the film was being shot as their real life story was unfolding- and maybe it was. There's no evidence of a script in this movie, no feeling that a screenwriter sat up all night thinking of the perfect line the boy would say to the girl to win her over. This is a relationship story as awkward and complicated as relationships are for all of us in real life. its great to see this on a screen unfolding to excellent and crafty editing and music. i almost get the feeling that these two met one day and said lets make a movie of our lives starting... now! Its such a great way to tell a story. Arin and Susan really made a film that a lot of us can make, maybe just not as well. They prove that you don't have to be Spielberg or whoever to make a film that is incredible. I recommend this film to anyone looking for a new style, a unique film about a unique love story. This is the type of film that might actually save us from the crap being sold to us on a regular basis. Why this film isn't being exploited and shown on a wide scale is crazy to me. A cult-type film for sure. Check it out.

Pretty creative!.... but still.... BORING!

[ianislavus · 3/10 · 11 December 2010]

What brought my attention to this movie, honestly? I read it got "some awards". I told to myself it's going to be good most probably... But it wasn't. Sorry.

I liked creativity in expressing of authors feelings (I mean it in using media, photos, drawings, etc. way). They told their story in an interesting way (that deserves some stars). They indeed had few interesting ideas. But... This story... it is, what every single teenager and growing-up person in the World goes through... and it's not interesting to anyone around, except a person who is in it! We all have those moments in life and once you're older - you smile at them, because you know it was just an "imaginary-pubertal-hormonal-bullshit" plus "wanting to get laid" (especially 1st part of a movie) and "feeling lonely in society".

Now, you may say. "Yes! but this is life! and this movie is about life!" but, please, remember about one thing: we're having now "internets" and millions of youngsters are expressing themselves online in a very similar way: you need to do much more to be original with your "arts" and self-expression.

It's also too long! It may be a tribute to your love, but a spectator doesn't necessary want to see your faces from many different angles for 40 minutes (each).

After a while I was more annoyed with personalities of those two, rather than interested, how it will follow. Truly a "four eyed monster" it was...

I would love to see instead a movie from an author, who has reach personality, uses it to do interesting, useful things in life... and shares great - maybe even Utopian - ideas. An "art for an art" itself is not working anymore...

P.S. American way of expressing feelings on every possible occasion is so annoying! You guys can talk for 30 minutes about a fact that you're nervous, because you have to visit a dentist. OMG!!!

P.P.S. Oh, one more thing: perhaps I am just a bit allergic lately when I see a picture about people, who tell a story (document?) ONLY about themselves: "me, me, me, me, me... I am... I would like... I wish for myself this and that...I, I, I..." Blehhh.....

The movie moved me to tears..

[Karl-Jacob · 10/10 · 27 March 2005]

.....both times I saw it in Austin. The film takes an approach at film-making that I have never seen before, with a topic so apt that you have to see it to understand. The style is somewhere in between faux documentary and fiction, and the editing and music are virtually seamless. Another thing that really stuck out for me in this film was the acting, they have this ensemble of something like 50 actors, all spot on with their performances. I recommend seeing this movie at one of it's upcoming screenings to check out all of the talent oozing from every pore of Susan, Arin and every actor involved in this film. I think their next screening is at Gen Art in NY, and I'm sure its making the festival circuit elsewhere. Don't miss it if you can help it!

Creative Mediums are an A+!!!

[greensandall · 8/10 · 1 September 2007]

I love this movie. Plain and simple. It's the story of two people and their lives and their story of finding one another. The trials and tribulations of their "Anti-dating" are pure enjoyment, as well as certain instances of hypochondria and the need to "create from your core". Two people set out to connect with each other but only through artistic mediums. This means strictly writing notes back and forth and communicating via their video cameras. And the great thing about this movie is that it's all real. The two directors are the main characters in the story, as well as the actors (who are, in affect, playing themselves). This entire film reads to me like an enormous art project, which I will rightfully grant a deserved A+!

Four Eyed Monsters. Everybody’s relevance, Mainstream’s Terror.

[PatrickQRS · 10/10 · 6 December 2007]

Everybody has been one. No one likes to watch them. Those four eyed monsters, two people who are completely aware of each other and completely unaware of their surroundings. Four eyes, two mouths, two heads, four ears, four arms, four legs, two souls. When you see these four eyed monsters what comes to mind? Sometimes jealously, disgust, envy, longing, loneliness. Everybody has been one, No one likes to watch them.

Four eyed monsters is no doubt a independent jewel. It is a movie that we all can relate with, we all have been there. A very unique look on relationships, and the love and companionship we all seek, fear, and love.

This film is incredibly underrated. Every negative thing I have seen is that the ending makes no sense. It makes complete sense, this story is not over yet. The film is what kept them together, and it shows from the point when they meet, get into their unorthodox relationship, to the current. This is almost a documentary about their own relationship and making this film is obviously a major reason why they stayed together, they could not just end this film. This tells a tale, and the ending, the film making is part of the story. This film does not end, because their story does not end. It is what it is, and what it is, is beautiful.

As far as composition, this film has a very unique style that can only be delivered by the independent film world. Four eyed monsters flowed exactly like their relationships, smooth at points, rough at points, sensual at some points, every scene was beautifully accentuated by the cinematography. The music as well fits perfectly, all of it by small time artists and fits perfectly. It sets a mood that only the passion of small time artists can, before the world of mainstream music has corrupted them.

This is not a movie for mainstream eyes however. It takes a certain kind of viewer to really appreciate this film. You have to watch it with a different eye, that is open to a fresh look in film. I would recommend this for anyone to see, however if you do see it remember independent film is a different world. Once you can understand that you will understand this film and see the beauty that so many people see.

Even if you did not enjoy this film, help these film makers out. This film has left them in incredible debt. Go to their website, http://www.foureyedmonsters.com/ , and do what they say because independent film is a tough business. It takes two seconds and is well worth it if it inspires them to put out more jewels like this.

Wow... Movie.. Sucks Hard

[quartking · 1 August 2011]

I managed to watch Fourteen minutes deep into this movie.

First and foremost...

I had a hard time distinguishing the ugly androgynous girl and boy.

Just because you slap a bunch of Lousy video clips together does not make it art. Probably somebody out there has no taste and will like this garbage, and for whatever reason manage to watch it longer than I have.

Taking a dump and eating a bagel was a lot more exciting than this movie.

I don't know how this movie ended up in my stack of bootlegs.

but..

IT SUCKED HARD.