Two of the reviews I've read so far are really bashing this gem to shreds. The first one I read said that there was no story. Not to demean this specific person's intellect, but there was definitely a story. One that I thought was very obvious, a bit cliché in a place or two, but definitely a story... that by the way had nothing to do with physical time travel. It was all a mind game.
Before the spoiler, this is an excellent first feature. Very good atmosphere. Good visuals, which actually made each scene "new". Even if you didn't "get" the story, the visuals kept you watching. One reviewer said something about dreams. I didn't see any dreams, I saw flashbacks into the main character's past. I thought the story and direction flowed well. As if time wasn't linear yet composing an arrow of thought. Which I think is a main point of the movie/story.
I was enchanted by the 3 minute-24 second steady cam one-shot toward the beginning of the film. I was enthralled from that point on. That was very well done. I don't know how many takes that took, but it was one of those "This is our best so far, let's use it." and a good judgement call.
I set this as being a spoiler review because of the reviewer that said this movie had no story. In order to prove him/her incorrect, I will need to nutshell the story (which is still a spoiler).
The story is about a young lad of extreme IQ. His mother is dying and he tries to discover a cure for her by learning what he reads in books. But, those books aren't a part of his scholastic curriculum thus his grades are poor. The teachers don't think he is paying attention in class, but he is thinking about more abstract and advanced topics than the school provides.
His mother dies and he is still obsessed with time. Trying to understand the true nature of time and how to manipulate it. He is diagnosed as a schizophrenic. He is let go when his mental hospital is shut down. He goes back there as a squatter because this is the home he knows.
He eventually realizes that his quest has failed. Boy: "We are going to fix time." Psychiatrist: "And why do you want to fix time, Jack?" Boy: "So I can see my mommy again." There's your story!!
Of course, there are more nuances to the story but I am presenting a nutshell version. Which states that... there is a story, some of you just cannot see it.
This is a great indie, first feature movie. I would put it up against most Hollywood productions. In fact, I would buy this DVD if I could find it.
Very well done, Tom Mattera and David Mazzoni!
Charles Bryan, Mind's Clay Productions
Before the spoiler, this is an excellent first feature. Very good atmosphere. Good visuals, which actually made each scene "new". Even if you didn't "get" the story, the visuals kept you watching. One reviewer said something about dreams. I didn't see any dreams, I saw flashbacks into the main character's past. I thought the story and direction flowed well. As if time wasn't linear yet composing an arrow of thought. Which I think is a main point of the movie/story.
I was enchanted by the 3 minute-24 second steady cam one-shot toward the beginning of the film. I was enthralled from that point on. That was very well done. I don't know how many takes that took, but it was one of those "This is our best so far, let's use it." and a good judgement call.
I set this as being a spoiler review because of the reviewer that said this movie had no story. In order to prove him/her incorrect, I will need to nutshell the story (which is still a spoiler).
The story is about a young lad of extreme IQ. His mother is dying and he tries to discover a cure for her by learning what he reads in books. But, those books aren't a part of his scholastic curriculum thus his grades are poor. The teachers don't think he is paying attention in class, but he is thinking about more abstract and advanced topics than the school provides.
His mother dies and he is still obsessed with time. Trying to understand the true nature of time and how to manipulate it. He is diagnosed as a schizophrenic. He is let go when his mental hospital is shut down. He goes back there as a squatter because this is the home he knows.
He eventually realizes that his quest has failed. Boy: "We are going to fix time." Psychiatrist: "And why do you want to fix time, Jack?" Boy: "So I can see my mommy again." There's your story!!
Of course, there are more nuances to the story but I am presenting a nutshell version. Which states that... there is a story, some of you just cannot see it.
This is a great indie, first feature movie. I would put it up against most Hollywood productions. In fact, I would buy this DVD if I could find it.
Very well done, Tom Mattera and David Mazzoni!
Charles Bryan, Mind's Clay Productions