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paulabernstein
Reviews
Personal Sergeant (2004)
True indie about real relationships
The premise could easily be simplistic - a curmudgeonly Korean War veteran ends up reluctantly babysitting his granddaughter when his daughter-in-law gets a job. Marital tension ensues. The acting can be a bit uneven, but the main characters of the grandpa and the kid are played by real pros. Victor Argo, in particular, as the grumpy grampa, is outstanding. He was a real gem of an actor, known for his work in films by Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese, among others, and this was one of his last films, if not the last. This is clearly a low-budget indie and you've got to applaud the filmmakers for going for it with this nuanced and original little film. It's a good family watch, though some prudish folks might take offense about a particularly word.
Hello from Nowhere (2021)
A fun romp in the woods!
I've written about indie film for years and I've seen it all. But I've never seen anything quite like this! Anthony Orkin has a vivid imagination and he puts it to good use here. Just when you think you can see where the plot is going, it surprises you. He's managed to play with genres and keep viewers on their toes. It's a little "Midsummer Night's Dream," a little "Portlandia" and a lot of fun! The scenery alone makes it a worthwhile watch. It was filmed on location in Mt. Hood National Forest and Anthony, who also edited the film, does a great job of highlighting the natural splendor. If you are looking for something truly indie and original (and light and fun) check out HELLO FROM NOWHERE.
Mehndi (2018)
Beautiful, sweet short film
I'm really impressed with this beautiful short film. MEHNDI manages to convey so much emotion and to tell such a compelling story in only four minutes. Quite an impressive accomplishment!
Love, Gilda (2018)
A beautiful portrait of a complex, talented woman
With "Love, Gilda," Lisa D'Apolito creates an intimate portrait that doesn't sensationalize or romanticize her subject. I love how the film interweaves Gilda's letters, diary entries, archival footage of her childhood and career, and filmed interviews. It's really a love letter to Gilda!