Blogcritics Category: Video: Original Fiction

Movie Review: The Strangers

Louis Boram — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:20:33 EST

Knock-Knock. Who's there...?
“Because you were home”—that’s the pragmatic explanation a masked psychotic butcher, one of a trio of aspiring coed murderers, softly and matter-of-factly provides when frantically asked by the captured Kristen McKay (Liv Tyler), and her boyfriend James Hoyt (Scott Speedman), why the trifecta is terrorizing the...

Movie Review: The Visitor(2008)

Louis Boram — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:57:58 EDT

Strange bedfellows...
On the stuck-up heels of Smart People comes another aloof-trumps-affected characterization, an allegedly edifying higher-learning chapter from Sideways (2004) producer Michael London—released one week after People—called The Visitor (2008). Again, the scholarly and indifferent college professor protagonist is an aimless widower with a...

Movie Review: W.

Dan Schneider — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:25:43 EDT

Oliver Stone's latest Presidential biopic fails to live up to its predecessors.
Oliver Stone’s latest film, W., a seeming semi-satire on only the first term of President George W. Bush (no Hurricane Katrina, no BS on "the Surge has worked," no economic disaster), is a hit and miss affair which, given Stone’s track record in film this decade, is possibly a slight improvement on those earlier films. Recall...

Movie Review: The Dark Knight

El Bicho — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:58:04 EDT

Batman returns in "The Dark Knight," a film that raises the bar not just on superhero movies, but all films in general.
Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight is a fantastic film that has raised the bar on what superhero movies can be, much the same way Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns and Alan Moore’s Watchmen did for comic books over twenty years ago. While the film has the familiar elements of a superhero movie (costumed characters,...

DVD Review: Millennium: The Complete Second Season

Glen Boyd — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:17:09 EDT

This is who we are. The time is near.
As weird and wonderful as the X-Files was -- particularly when it came to capturing the sort of weird conspiratorial paranoia of its time -- I've always felt that producer Chris Carter's real masterpiece was the "other" series" he produced for FOX, Millennium. And as pleased as I am that somehow they convinced David Duchovny...

Movie Review: Lars And The Real Girl

Cara de Pescado — Sun, 6 Jan 2008 14:45:13 EST

Amazingly a sex doll brings together an entire community in a touching way.
I enjoy subtle, sarcastic, and dark humor so seeing a preview for Lars And The Real Girl was all it took to garner my interest. Oddly enough, I had just watched a documentary on people who had “relationships” with the life-size sex dolls that made for another reason to see a movie about just that. While the idea of a movie centering...

My Boys Will Return for a Second Season

Mary K. Williams — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 15:16:44 EDT

The only problem fans now have is the question, who did P.J. bring to Italy?
On September 10th, TBS broadcast the hour-long season finale for the superb comedy My Boys, and on the 11th Variety reported that the show will return for Season Two. Excellent news, this. I didn’t realize that Season One had been divided into two parts; the pilot and subsequent 13 episodes aired in November and December of 2006, and the...

Announcement: Short-content feeds

Phillip Winn — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT

Sunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding.

gravida: The Uber-Indie Project Turns the Camera on Itself

Lucas McNelly — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 11:58:09 EDT

Starring: Rachel Shaw and Adam KukicCinematography by: David EgerWritten and directed by: Lucas McNelly[1]$2,000/25 min/Pittsburgh, PAWe come now to our biggest ever conflict of interest, Lucas McNelly's gravida (2007), a film made by the very person who does these reviews you've come to eagerly await. Naturally, I cannot review my own film. That would be weird and completely inappropriate, which is probably just as well because I'm at the point right now where I can't stand to look at it anymore. But does that mean gravida should be denied the rich experience that is the Uber-Indie Project? Of course not. So, I've asked ten of my fellow bloggers to review it for me and if any other reviews trickle in, I'll add those as well. They are under strict orders to not treat the film with kids gloves. Good, bad, indifferent. They're all here.And away we go..."The short film is a 'study in loneliness' from dedicated indie filmmaker Lucas McNelly, the creative mind behind the stark, French New Wave-inspired L'Attente (2006). Expressing an intangible concept like loneliness through the screen might seem problematic, but McNelly takes his best shot... The results are heartfelt and poetic. If McNelly is striving to craft an indie film masterwork gravida is a major step in the right direction." -- Thom Ryan, Film of the Year "Like the best films about intimacy, it draws you in close but leaves out enough that you can project your own hopes and fears onto the characters. This allows for conflicting sympathies and ensures that not everyone in the audience relates with the characters in the same way. Loneliness is a mysterious beast, hard to tame. Resisting the temptation to simplify, gravida invites us to ponder the complexity of the choices we make, the unreliability of human connections." -- Matt Riviera, Last Night with Riviera"Watching gravida, I gained a little more faith in ultra-low budget filmmaking; it's far from a perfect film, but it shows that you don't need a lot of money to make a smart, personal, interesting movie. To do this, Lucas McNelly's film utilizes the writer-director's ear for dialogue and some intriguing subtext in its look at a woman who's dealing with something very familiar: loneliness." -- Pacheco, Bohemian Cinema"gravida deals with a delicate subject matter, and could have lost the audience's interest and trust without a careful hand, but Lucas is certainly up to the task. Lucas' camera is never obtrusive, acting more as an invisible observer even when the story's emotions peak. Actors Rachel Shaw and Adam Kukic find their stride as the story builds and are able to sell the idea that their characters are facing troubling, adult decisions." -- Adam Ross, DVD Panache"gravida is an excellent short film. Beautifully photographed with a terrific lead performance by Rachel Shaw. Called 'A Study In Loneliness', the film effectively creates a very somber tone that it is able to sustain throughout. It almost works as a silent film, as the visuals are so strong." -- TalkingMoviezzz.com (plus an interview)"Filmmaking in general could use a little bit more of Lucas' talent because he uses the medium perfectly: revealing pieces about characters in matter-of-fact glimpses, letting the audience in on what the other characters don't know just yet... The camera work is also a perfect complement to the story. Long static shots and few edits help capture the stillness of Kristin's life. The camera rarely moves, instead it sits there often from a distance, letting us take in what we are seeing." -- Piper, LAZY EYE THEATRE"gravida fails to explore its subject matter in any great depth, but it undeniably represents a big step forward for its director... I merely feel that he could have penetrated deeper into the underlying causes and nature of his protagonist’s despair... That said, I definitely enjoyed the film (which, incidentally, holds up to repeat viewings), and it contains a number of moments that I like quite a bit." -- Andy Horbal, Mirror/Stage"Lucas McNelly has made a serenely confident short film, with which he shows a real facility as a director. He never tries to dazzle the audience with flashy technique or camera work, preferring his style to be dictated by his material. Despite his obvious budgetary constraints, he’s capable of some lovely low-key touches, like his use of colored lighting in the climactic revelation scene... gravida is small film in the best sense, one that’s exactly the right size for the story it tells. McNelly’s direction is subtle enough not to overwhelm the film, but strong enough to assure us that there’s a firm hand on the wheel." -- Paul Clark, Silly Hats Only"[McNelly] has produced a film of understated elegance and thoughtfulness that allows the viewer to glimpse, ever so briefly, a moment in time that will be burned for eternity in the heart and mind of its protagonist... He's the best kind of filmmaker there is, the kind driven by a love of the art, not a desire for a contract... gravida is not a perfect film but considering the budget and time limitations it is quite an achievement." -- Jonathan Lapper, Cinema Styles"[McNelly] and Shaw effortlessly illustrate the moment when she grasps the temporal fleetingness of this comfortable, familiar sort of pain and longing, which is about to become but a wistful memory. In the end, the movie slips through our fingers, like a memory itself, which is, as it turns out, its most impressionable, poetic quality. gravida marks the first sure steps in what one hopes will be a long and fruitful filmmaking career for its director." -- Dennis Cozzalio, Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule (plus an interview)[1] In addition to being your humble host and narrator, Lucas is a kind and generous soul, according to such impartial sources as his mom.You can check out gravida at the official web page, where there are all sorts of wonderful things for you to explore and a DVD to buy. You can also visit Lucas McNelly's MySpace page, his IndieFilmPedia page, and his blog, 100 films.Got a film you'd like to submit for the Uber-Indie Project? Go here for details.

Lucas McNelly runs the film collective d press Productions. Both his films and his writings about film are enjoyed by audiences worldwide.

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Sun, 19 Aug 2007 11:58:09 EDT

TV Review: Entourage Episode 35 - Less Than 30

Mary K. Williams — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:38:51 EDT

Last season we left off seeing Vince seriously unsure of Ari’s motives and when Ari messed things up with Bob Ryan (Martin Landau) and subsequently the Ramones project got sold to Warner's – things sink further. Turtle wasn’t fairing much better. His Saigon project died when Saigon signed with a different manager, but Vince assuaged his mood by scoring him a pair of very limited edition sneakers – only cost him $20,000. Now, that’s cheap money if Vince was going to do Aquaman 2, Medellin, or the aforementioned Ramones deal. But since all three projects went to shit – well, those are Damn Expensive Kicks that Turtle now owns.Drama however got a great part in an Ed Burns pilot, having real success in a scene with complicated blocking and a long monologue. The only buzz kill in this scenario is when Drama employed Turtle’s sure-fire relaxation technique (whacking off before shooting the scene); the crew outside his trailer could hear the moans and groans, via Drama’s live mike. Meanwhile, Vince and E had been taking meetings with other agencies, just to keep options open. They were excited, but are soon put off by the same kind of hard advertising campaigns that every agency proposes. Eventually they connected with Ari, who called them in to his office. Vince and E expected an apology from Ari, regarding the muck-ups with Warner's and Bob Ryan. Instead they were treated to a hard-sell campaign, exactly the same concept that they disliked from the other agencies. The boys rise and exit, but not before firing Ari. This was huge. Season Four begins with a finally employed Drama posing in front of a huge billboard advertising his new series Five Towns. Typical Drama, trying to act nonchalant, but anxiously hoping someone will recognize him. The guy is so full of himself, yet he’s likeable in his desperation-fringed maneuvering.We also see that things have moved along for Vince. He has new representation, the lovely Amanda (Carla Gugino). She takes him and the boys to the Lakers game for Vince’s birthday gift – they see Ari across the floor and it’s a little awkward.And then the whole thing seems like a study in the fallout after a breakup. Its uncanny how the conversations between Ari and Lloyd on one side and Vince and the guys on the other evoke the atmosphere of a failed romance. Yet these scenes, which could easily be played for laughs, instead resonate with real caring, real disappointments, and tangible jealousy.After Ari prank calls Vince – or actually just hung up because Vince answered the phone – Lloyd takes over. He calls Vince on a pretext of some other matter, and then puts Ari on the phone. Ari affects a bright and shiny ‘tude, but we can feel his heart beating like crazy. He and Vince agree to meet; he’s got a birthday gift for Vince, “just friends.”The other huge deal is Vince’s upcoming birthday party. Turtle isn’t happy with the chosen venue, since they only serve liquor till 2:00 AM. He wants the party to go all night. This brings up the question of inviting Ari. Drama is firmly against it: “That’s why it’s best after a breakup, professional or otherwise, to split the town into even territories.”But the boys keep planning, working with a guest list of 800 (really supposed to be 200) and he’s over budget by $50,000. (the whole budge was 50K, period). While they are out and about, Drama keeps seeing new ads for Five Towns, but no one recognizes him. Poor dear is going to need some Mylanta soon.E and Vince discuss the new project Amanda is proposing, a screenplay of an Edith Wharton novel, with Sam Mendes directing the deal. They love the screenplay and Vince is clearly in awe of Amanda, claiming that the two of them have "a sync.” They then meet Ari for lunch and are surprised that he has not even broached any sort of business talk. Later on, Vince opens his gift from Ari, it’s the script he’d been jonesing for – the Medellin/Paul Haggis project. E’s hackles are up, and he’s haranguing Ari on the phone shortly after. Ari tells him to check with “his girl” as to why she didn’t know anything about Medellin. Of course, his girl, Vince’s agent Amanda, is not happy about this offering. She feels like Ari’s crashing her turf. And we know he is.But what about the party? Turtle, with Drama’s help, found a way to hold the party at the venue of venues, The Queen Mary. He did this by using corporate sponsorship. Name brands are everywhere, it’s about a 6.5 on the crass scale – but it still kicks. Victoria’s Secret models and other beautiful people grace the party decks of the huge boat. But the size of the boat doesn’t help delay the skirmish between Ari and Amanda, who are both in attendance.For a second or two, both try to be gracious, but the scene turns into a tug-of-war over Vince. No, they don’t rip the arms out of his stylish jacket, but one insists that Medellin is off the table (due to Benicio del Toro having signed up for the lead); the other insists that there is a still a pulse. Vince spends one on one face time with Ari, who tries to convince him that he’d never steer him wrong, after being his agent for five years.In the end, Amanda feels the victor, and she raises her glass to celebrate that the Wharton adaptation dealio (The Glimpses of the Moon), isn’t requiring Vince to even audition. But Vince doesn’t care. He glibly tells Amanda that he wants to put Glimpses on the back burner, in case Ari is right about Medellin.And off he walks, escorted by two Victoria's Secret "Angels."Amanda, meet your new client – Vincent Chase.

Mary K. is a freelance entertainment writer living in the Greater Boston area. She pens CD reviews for Metronome Magazine and is a former Features Editor for Hot Psychology Magazine. Mary K. has also contributed to the anthology, Brewed Awakenings.

DVD Review: The Hunt Delivers Both Suspense and Intrigue

writnkitten — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 10:32:04 EDT

The Hunt, which could also be titled “What Happens in the Woods Stays in the Woods,” centers around bow-hunting enthusiast Jack Hamberg, his eight-year-old stepson Clint, and former news cameraman and current alcoholic Atticus Monroe, who are on a one-day mission to make a deer hunting video. As this film never played in any theatres in my neck of the woods (no pun intended), and what little I did know of it led me to believe it was low budget, I was expecting a crappy Blair Witch Project rip off. Instead, I was impressed by the quality of the film, the un-cheesy-ness of the special effects, the tight script, and the excellent acting from all involved. What could have easily been a poorly acted, boring or borderline ridiculous film was in fact suspenseful, well acted and, ironically, thought provoking. Joe Michael Burke, who had recurring roles in the CSI television franchise, plays hunter Jack, and newcomer Mitchell Burns plays his stepson Clint. Veteran actor Cliff De Young, whose penchant for Sci-Fi included roles in Threshold and Alias, as well as crime dramas CSI, Crossing Jordan and JAG, plays Clint’s father Jon. And Robert Rusler, whose television acting credits include Babylon 5, Robbery Homicide Division, Cold Case and 24, plays Atticus.As the end of the day draws near and “the kill shot” proves elusive, Jack and Atticus decide to trespass onto private property in the hopes of more abundant prey. But the men get more than they bargained for once they trespass, and in the end, only one of the three survive, along with video footage that captured the horrific events that transpired.The Hunt was directed by Fritz Kiersch, who also directed the Stephen King's horror classic Children of the Corn. This first feature film from Azisa Pictures LLP was an official selection and nominated by the Chicago Horror Film Festival for Best Picture (Jonathan de la Luz and Danny Martin, producers), Best Cinematography (Michael Goi, ASC), Best Special Effects (David Payne) and Best Actor (Robert Russler).The Hunt has a 90-minute run time, is presented in a 1.78:1 widescreen aspect ratio, and has been enhanced for 16:9 TVs. Sound is offered in both Dolby Digital 5.1 surround and 2.0 stereo. The DVD has the standard menu, including scene selections, audio set up, and special features. The last of these has the film’s theatrical trailer and a 20-minute film titled The Hunt Chronicles. The Chronicles include commentary from executive producer Gray Frederickson, who explains the intricacies of keeping the “small” $80,000 film on budget despite filming in the woods in Oklahoma in the winter — impressively, they were able to finish the picture on schedule.Co-writer and producer de la Luz explains trying to keep the budget to under $100,000 and utilizing digital technology and editing to do so. Danny Martin, co-writer and producer, explains more background and behind the scenes of the film, and all the main actors also give their two cents about the film and their experiences during the shoot.Part Sci-Fi, part thriller, part conspiracy theory, The Hunt delivers thrills and chills without relying on mega-star power and over-the-top special effects. And in its subtlety lies the beauty of The Hunt.

Juliet Farmer is a full-time freelance writer and a regular contributor to several websites and trade publications, as well as a self-proclaimed TV junkie with a penchant for books and movies. You can read her blogs at http://thatdogblog.com and http://dailyeatsonline.com.