Analog Days (2006)

Director:

Mike Ott

Writer:

Mike Ott (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Real life doesn't always end like a movie.

Plot:

Newhall, California sits about thirty miles north of Los Angeles, not quite the middle of nowhere, but not exactly a real city either...

Plot Keywords:

Vandalism | Prejudice | Community College | Ethnic Hatred | Subculture

Cast

Chad Cunningham	...	Lloyd
Granger Green	...	Molly
Ryan Johnsen	...	Fenster
Ivy Khan	...	Tammy
Brett L. Tinnes	...	Jordon
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ronnie Alvarez	...	Adria
Nick Anderson	...	Poli Sci Student
Janelle Bauer	...	Party Goer #3
John Brotherton	...	Butler
Shaughn Buchholz	...	Derek
Jonathan Burbridge	...	Lawler
Jackie Buscarino	...	Melanie
Dimitri Cassini	...	Art Student #2
Aigars Ceplitis	...	Lundgren
Kate Clancy	...	Teagen
Eric Clarke	...	Video store customer
Jon Anthony Colarusso	...	Karaoke DJ
Chris Cunningham	...	Tucker
Ryan Dillon	...	Alex Laws
David Fenster	...	Kevin
Joseph Garza	...	Art Student
Nate Harrington	...	Party Goer #1
Jamie Hebert	...	Art Snob
Aaron Hemphill	...	Party Goer #4
Lee Lynch	...	Karaoke Singer
Tyson Mathias	...	Party Goer #2
Meyer	...	Speech Teacher
John Moskell Jr.	...	Art School Professor
Tyler Nelson	...	Dameco
David Nordstrom	...	Troy
Charles Pasternak	...	Charles
Alyssa Price	...	Bitchy Student
Carla Regina	...	Lawler Gang Girl
Tim Roberts	...	Resturant Boss
Nathan Rodriguez	...	Peter
Brian Roettinger	...	Vo-tech Guy
Roshni Sharma	...	Karen
Josh Simpson	...	Iguana
Breanna Startzel	...	Stephanie
David Tik-tin	...	Poli Sci Teacher (as David Tiktin)
Lizzie Wells	...	Lizzie
Savitri Young	...	Make out slut

Runtime:

USA:90 min | USA:82 min | Argentina:90 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Certification:

Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Newhall, California, USA

Company:

Sound Virus Media

Trivia:

The character of Jordan, played by Brett L. Tinnes, talks about turning down a scholarship at Cal Arts; stating that, "all the teachers there are assholes." Cal Arts is writer/director Mike Ott alma mater.

Quotes:

Fenster: So how do you guys know Garbo?
Melanie: Who's Garvo?
Fenster: Uhhh... It's his party.

Movie Connections:

References The Last American Virgin (1982)

Soundtrack:

Date and Time

Anchored by a tremendous leading performance, Analog Days soars!

I walked into Analog Days not knowing quite what to expect. Its trailer displayed it as an update of sorts of Eric Bogosian's SuBurbia, featuring a group of young, small town twentysomethings struggling to find their place in the world. Not exactly summer blockbuster material, I should say.

Having seen it, I am happy to report that this film provides welcome relief from the mindless summertime drivel that true cinema lovers have been suffering through as of late. This is the kind of intimate character study that will likely win many admirers in the festival circuit and develop a cult following. The film is anchored by a wonderful and (hopefully) star-making performance from Ivy Khan. As Tammy, a shy film student, Khan breaks your heart with her nuanced, understated acting. Every reaction, every gesture is filled with insight into Tammy's inner world. Khan's performance contains a depth that is not often found from an actress of her age. It's always great to discover a talented newcomer, and Khan is sure to go on to bigger, more high-profile roles. She is truly a master of her craft.

Another winning performance comes from Ryan Johnsen as Fenster, who provides much of the film's comic relief. Like Khan, Johnsen avoids one-dimensional clichés in his work; opting instead to paint his portrait in tiny brush strokes.

This film succeeds because it refuses to give into conventional popcorn movie devices. Tammy's angst isn't easily solved by some third act solution. This is because writer/director Mike Ott understands that LIFE ITSELF isn't divided into scenes and acts. Instead, he offers a wonderful finale which offers the audience to draw their own conclusions. Let the record show that THIS audience member appreciates Mr. Ott's willingness to trust his viewers as intelligent filmgoers.