hanfuzzy Reviews

The Unleashed (2011)

High production values for indy film

[7/10 · 22 July 2011]

I was quite impressed by the production values of this film, having seen an earlier production (Cycle of Fear) from the same creator which was abysmal in writing, acting, and production. This time, the writing was mostly good (see below), the acting was fine, and the filmwork was to a high standard, including effects. The only noticeable limitation was exterior locations.

The scripting was very good, with lots of suspense throughout, although the story gets a bit weak in the final reel. I think this could have been wrapped up better, as the characters who show up at the end are a bit contradictory in their supposed motivations. There are also some unresolved questions about the protagonist's troubled relationship with her father - several possibilities are hinted at, without it ever being clear which was actually the case.

Nevertheless, the rest of the rest of the film makes it worth watching, so see if this comes to a screening near you.

Neverlost (2010)

Good by indie standards

[7/10 · 22 June 2011]

This film is a good example of the better end of low-budget indie films. Largely character-driven, a gritty tragic romance/thriller which manages to avoid most of the clichés of the genre. Production values are fairly good; although the sound quality isn't quite up to Hollywood standards, the visuals hold their own. Worth the time to watch.

A nice surprise is that this film seems to show the director has talent in genres outside the slasher/horror direction of much of his other work. He also clearly cares about getting a script fully completed and solid before trying to put it on film, so you don't get a sense of rushed or weak writing.

This film is currently on Canadian tour with the writer/director (and sometimes some of the actors) rather than via a distributor, and appearing in some film festivals, so you may get a chance to see it locally. If so, I suggest you do, as you'll probably get the chance to discuss it with the writer/director afterwards.

Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage (2010)

Band-positive but comprehensive

[8/10 · 11 June 2010]

This film does a good job of presenting and explaining what Rush is all about, and how the group has earned respect from fans, producers, DJs and other musicians (just not critics). Not quite hagiography, as it quotes some of the negative reviews and the band's own dissatisfaction with some of their albums or directions or even wardrobe choices.

Unlike the filmmakers' heavy metal survey films (Headbanger's Journey and Global Metal), in this film Dunn is never on screen and is only heard once or twice asking questions of interview subjects. The spotlight (or limelight) is clearly placed on the band - this is a straight-up documentary, without dwelling on a fan's relationship to a band or genre. As in previous films by this team, the interviews with a surprisingly wide variety of subjects provide much of the meat of this film, giving a broad perspective and keeping it from having too much of a narrow viewpoint. Of course at least half the interviews are with Rush members themselves. You get a real sense of the men behind the music, including their relationships to each other, family, other musicians, and fans.

A special aspect is some great earlier footage, even from family discussions while they were still in high school. There are also some powerful landscape shots while exploring Peart's response to deaths in his immediate family. And the examination of the song-writing process, including shots of original hand-written lyrics drafts, provides good value for viewers.

Overall, a well-made film that does justice to the topic. Not as poignant or story-arced as Anvil: the Story of Anvil, this film has a more successful subject and didn't need to become a real-life Spinal Tap to make a interesting watch.

Dark Reprieve (2008)

Good film for low budget class

[6/10 · 17 May 2008]

I saw this film at a local film-fest sponsored screening last night. I was prepared to be disappointed, as I was by the last low-budget locally-filmed 'scary' movie I saw in the same situation, but was instead pleasantly surprised.

This film has fairly good acting & production values for something in this budget range. Most significantly, the director was willing to cut it down to 80 minutes to maintain pacing which shows a commitment to art over ego. The flashlight-lit scenes were particularly well done, compared to many scenes which I find too dark even in some Hollywood big-budget films, and the more active scenes didn't suffer from the ubiquitous modern trend of too-rapid cutting, although there was a bit too much use of 'recycled' shots and the forward-and-back jumps (non-linear plot) were sometimes unnecessarily confusing. The overall plot and theme, however, were fairly good and not predictable as one would usually see in this style of production. In fact, the final twist (and you know one will be coming) is essentially unpredictable yet not contrived.

The creepiness and scares build from setting (mostly shot on location in a real abandoned century-old jail) and plot, and there is little gore to speak of, unlike many films in this genre. This is a positive aspect, as the director is relying on story-telling instead of visceral or cringe-inducing effects. The extensive use of this location is one of the highlights of the film.

Overall I give it a only 6 out of 10 mainly because of the budget limitations. The score isn't bad, but I found the sound affects a bit lacking. The new, unknown actors give a good first feature film effort, and the plot and writing are very evocative of better Twilight Zone episodes.

Death of a President (2006)

Good, although not quite what I expected

[8/10 · 4 February 2007]

This movie handled the subject matter with dignity and balance. The archival footage, new scenes and hybrids were blended smoothly, and the use of different formats (film, TV cameras, video, hand-held, security cams) kept it visually interesting. The acting in the interviews was especially well done, based on excellent character design and scripting.

I was somewhat disappointed that the aftermath dealt more with the whodunit aspect than the wider social implications of the assassination, although they were addressed by implication in various subtle ways if you were watching closely. The most effective message is how politics warps the American justice system.

I recommend this film to anyone who likes political thrillers, speculative explorations, or movies dealing with the Presidency. I especially recommend it to all the knee-jerk nay-sayers, as it is in no way the distasteful anti-Bush film you imagine it to be, nor some kind of inspiration to terrorists. See a film before you judge it.

Come and See (1985)

Don't expect to be entertained

[2/10 · 10 February 2003]

I rented this based on the comments here, but was disappointed. Unless you live for foreign art films, stay away. This movie goes on far too long without getting to a point (if it ever does, besides war is bad for everyone), and I've seen way to much of that anguished kid staring shocked and dismayed at the camera (about half the movie). There isn't much war going on, just tragedy, atrocity, or pointless wandering around the edge of war. Lack of dialogue and explanation means that much of the time you don't know who people are or where they're going or what they hope to accomplish when they get there. Luckily I had ironing and sewing to do while watching this, or it would have been a total waste of time.

Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams (2002)

Good as the first, better than Bond

[9/10 · 18 December 2002]

I just saw a private screening of SK2 (okay, I was the only one in the matinee at this late date) and loved it. I find it easily comparable to the first - most people will love or hate both, unless you liked it once but don't want more of the same. As a kid, I'm sure this would have been among my favourite movies. As an adult, I'm surprised that I liked this at least as much as the latest Bond - in SK, the super-science is expected to be fantastical/over the top, while Bond's should have some basis in reality but doesn't anymore.

Fun gadgets, realistic character interaction (siblings, in-laws/grandparents, first crush, co-workers), big-names in great supporting roles and cameos, and best of all, a skeletal swordsmen scene right from Jason & the Argonauts - I haven't been in heaven like that since the Mummy! The LotR references were great, too, along with lots of other good ideas mined from classics and more recent films. I don't mind when a movie steals elements from other films as long as it does them right, which this one does.

Some people have complained about the gross-out humour, but there's not really that much, and it's totally in line with standard joke-fodder for kids that age, so if you can't accept that, you don't know kids. In fact, I thought the camel-stains showed better continuity than featured in most adult films, as it remained but was never mentioned.

I'm sure kids will love it, and adults still in touch with their "inner kids" will, too. Be sure to stay right to the end of the credits for all the great extras!

The Scorpion King (2002)

Missing epic scenes

[3/10 · 7 May 2002]

Well, I had to see this, just to see what is being done in the Sword & Sorcery genre these days, and because I loved the Mummy I & II. I think this movie had a lot of potential which it just did not live up to. (The movies I compare it to are Conan and the Mummys.) First of all, I didn't like the soundtrack, as it was too modern. I think a more ancient-style soundtrack, like in Conan, would have better served the mood. Not weak, just orchestral rather than electric guitars. Secondly, I think that in a series that previously had so much focus on magic, this movie was sadly lacking in magical events (spells, creatures, weapons, etc.). Although parts took place in a desert, there were not really any Egyptian-style cultural ties, which I missed. Finally, and most disappointingly, there was a lack of the kind of epic scale that could have made the story seem more important. Although Memnon is played as a kind of Alexander or Attila, we never see more than a few dozen soldiers. Did they not have the budget to even have one scene like the battle flashback in the Mummy II (or the one in Fellowship of the Ring)? The villain doesn't seem very threatening without an army, and the refugees don't garner much pity since we don't see much of the misery we assume has been inflicted on them. Much of what I was expecting to see in this film simply wasn't there.