REVIEWFLIX: The Exploding Girl (2010)

(Usual deal, reviewing a film I recently watched and the title links to it on netflix if you want to add it to your queue. Leading off with the DVD art instead of a poster this time because I love the look of it so much.)


Not sure how many of you have heard of this film, but I have been looking forward to seeing it for quite a while. First heard about it via a feature article in Filmmaker back in late 2009/early 2010 and really enjoyed the director's (Bradley Rust Gray) commentary on film-making, collaboration, and inspiration. That said, first thing I did after work Tuesday (day of its DVD release) was load it up on the Netflix Instant and enjoyed every minute of it.

The film centers on Ivy, played amazingly by Zoe Kazan, as she comes back home for spring break and deals with the transition from teen/child to being an adult. Dealing with everything from relationships to illness to friendships on a mature level, Ivy goes through a transition that we rarely see featured in a serious/dramatic film and that some us are not to far removed from. ;) While this simple story and brilliant performance were enough to satisfy me, the camera work brought the film to a higher level of greatness.

Shot with a long of long lenses and shots the film brings us in to Ivy's life without letting us in all the way, following in line with the film and how Zoe keeps people at a distance. These couple with suffocating close ups when she is alone in her room on the phone or waiting for it to ring, capturing her frustration precisely and keeping the viewer invested in her relationships. While all these things were great about the film the one shot you just barley see, as the camera respects her privacy, and have been expecting most of the film is one of the most memorable. Relating to the viewer that while we know her and are invested in her life, we don't really "know" her and aren't automatically privy to extreme situations.

A solid film that is going to stay with me for quite a while, I am giving it 4 out of 5 stars. I know its probably not for everyone but if anything in my review sparked your interest I highly recommend you check it out. Another solid film distributed by Oscilloscope Laboratories, and you have to love how all of their films are available on Netflix instant the day they are released.

REVIEWFLIX: 11 Minutes Ago (2007)

Once again found my self paroozing through the Netflix Instant options on my xbox 360 (this blog is wishfully sponsored by both) and came across this little indie gem. Saw the interesting poster, read the words time travel, and I dove right in.

This film follows the time traveling exploits of Pack, a man from 48 years in the future sent back to get a clean air sample, the catch being he can only remain in the past for 11 minutes and he keeps coming back to one particular night. To add to the confusion, his travels aren't occurring in sequential order but rather a purposeful one. Pulling time travel out of the sci-fi and more into the world of drama is handled expertly by Bob Gebert; who directed, wrote, produced, and co-starred in this film. Shot on a small budget, and amazingly in one day, this film embodies the aspect of indie films I love the most, making an awesome film with little means and a lot of determination.

Not to be just a one trick pony though the story and cinematography are likewise great. The story is beautifully cater to the shooting in one day or possibly the other way around depending on your point of view. Cinematography must have been a nightmare to coordinate but it came out great with each scene or time-tumble keeping the film moving and never losing step. Acting and great music choice also add to the allure of the film with out trying to stand out but sidle into your memory.

Overall giving this one a 4 out of 5, one hell of film. Looks like it is only on Netflix Instant for now (link in the title) since there is no official dvd, hopefully soon their will be. Watch the film, tell people about, and if you have access to a time machine go back in time and make me watch this film sooner.

REVIEWFLIX: The House of the Devil (2009)

(The latest film I checked out from Netflix, title links to it on there and this one is available for instant gratification.)

Was a little bored on Sunday night so I browsed the netflix instant queue (a process that takes a minimum of 15 minutes since I have to look at everything there and what is new) and found this little gem. It is one that had been sitting in the regular queue for a while so I kept putting it off but finally sat down and watched it after its move to the instant. WARNING: Reading the rest of this review, you will be willingly subjecting yourself to me gushing with delight over this horror film.

The plot is pretty basic as are a lot of horror films. A teenage girl is hired as a babysitter and the circumstances as well as the house she is in gets weirder and weirder. The true brilliance of the film lies in the homage it pays to the horror films of the 70s and 80s. Beginning with credits styled in the fashion of the time, freeze frames with colorful letters, the film takes you back to a simpler time, when a horror film stood for something ;) Props, costumes, buildings, hairstyles, and even food look spectacular in this period piece. Supplemented by the great compositions, song choices, and 16 mm film the movie leaves very little evidence of it being made in 2009. Not only does this film look the part, but it nails the feeling as well.

Suspense and pacing are perfect, getting the viewer to jump at every phone or doorbell ringing. Not to be totally predictable though, the film throws an early surprise or two in there to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat. Lighting was excellent, something a lot of current horror films seem to neglect entirely. Acting isn't the greatest but isn't the worst either, just adding more to the film's devilish charm.

Ti West wearing the director, writer, and editor's hats delivers a fully realized vision of an 80s horror film to a modern audience. 5 out 5 stars for me although if you don't enjoy horror films you probably won't like this one either. I recommend everyone old enough check it out anyway though, it is worth the price of admission to take a hop back in time to the early 80s.

REVIEWFLIX - Mystery Team (2009)

(My latest film from netflix, title links to it there if you are interested in adding it to your queue.)

"I'm getting too old for this s***!" - Sergeant Roger Murtaugh

This is the first feature film from Derrick Comedy, who acquired their fame from various internet videos, like this one:

And just like this short, laughs erupt in the first moments of Mystery Team and do not stop.

Mystery Team focuses on the coming of age of three kid detectives who maybe be a little old to be kids and a little young to be serious detectives. Long gone are the days when they were respected for solving the case of the missing lunch money and in a few short weeks they will be finishing high school. Right on the cusp of adult hood they are hired for the biggest case yet, an actual murder!

This independent comedy delivers on all fronts. Donald Glover, DC Pierson, and Dominic Dierkes all turn in great performances with Donald stealing just a bit more of the lime light. Other members of Derrick Comedy also appear in smaller roles with Bobby Moynihan being my personal favorite as a grocery store clerk. Technical aspects were also pretty outstanding for a smaller film.

Donald Glover pulls double duties as he also composed the impressive score for the film. It delivers the right amount of childlike-mystery nostalgia and compliments the humor nicely. The camera is wielded brilliantly, particularly in the baseball field scene. Instead of relying on just the comedy to hold the viewer in their seat, we are treated to some expert shots utilizing both spacing and movement.

While I know some are really hesitant to give indy comedies a chance and would much rather see the latest film being compared to The Hangover, but I implore you to give this one a chance. Another 4 stars out of 5 in my book, and hopefully yours as well when you watch it. If you decided not to watch it, well we could always hang out. Maybe you would like to play some Gamecube and enjoy a refreshing natty lite?

REVIEWFLIX - The Box (2009)

(Note: Reviewflix posts are going to be my attempts at reviewing my recent viewing exploits from netflix, whether they be viewed instantly through my 360 or delivered to my door. For those of you with a netlfix account the title of this post also links to this films entry on there. Also, this just in I sold out to netflix, now on with the review.)

“What’s in the box?” - Detective David Mills

When I first read the premise of “The Box” and saw the trailer for it I thought there goes another film I won’t check out in theaters but will someday check out in the comfort of my own home. Fast forward a short seven months later and here we are me just having completed the film and kicking myself for not having seen it in the theater. I let things like Cameron Diaz starring and the sub-par trailer push the film to the back burner while conveniently forgetting the items of note that should have forced me to see it day one, namely Richard Kelly writing and directing as well as it being based on a short story by Richard Matheson. (Kelly wrote and directed two other films I really enjoyed “Donnie Darko” and “Southland Tales” while Matheson wrote the novel version of “I Am Legend” and some other cool short stories.) But enough about when and why I checked out the film lets get to the heart of the matter.

The Box has a relatively simple premise. There is a husband and wife who are presented with a unique box containing a button. Should they push the button, someone they don’t know will die and they will receive 1 million dollars; Should they not push the button, nothing will happen. There you go, a premise almost as simple as pushing a button. (I somewhat specialize in lame jokes.) While it might not initially sound like the most thrilling film, consider for a moment two things, Reasons and Consequences. Why am I being given this choice? Who are the people making this offer? Will I be the same person whether I push the button, and am somewhat responsible for someone’s death, or don’t push the button, and now have the knowledge that this choice is available to other people? Ponder these questions while viewing and I think you might just be glued to your seat like I was. I don’t want to go much more into the story suffice to say that it is an enjoyable psychological thriller in the truest sense, which almost always means the less you know about it going in the better.

The technical aspects of the films also do not disappoint. The camera draws the eye right where it needs to be and leaves you distant and wondering at all the appropriate moments. Pacing is near perfect with not lingering to long any one scene with out a purpose behind it, and while the almost two hour length of the film sounds like to much for the story it ends up being just right. The effects may not be the greatest but are believable and suffice for the film. All of which are becoming staples in Kelly’s works, leaving me anxiously awaiting his next work. There were some flaws to the film however.

Most of the actors in this film were great in their roles, the only problem was that the two main actors were not. James Marsden as the Husband was just ok. Some of his emotional scenes were a bit weaker than I would have liked but he still held his, Cameron Diaz on the other hand did not. My pre-conceptions could be leaking in here but I haven’t thought Cameron Diaz was really good in any role since “The Mask”. Her emotions seemed so forced and her look and attempted accent really seemed to clash with other aspects of the film but even this could not lower the film to much.

If you get the chance I highly recommend checking out The Box, it might just surprise you. So add it your netflix queue, borrow it from that friend who has a ton of movies, or keep and eye out for it in the bargain bin. Overall I give it 4 out of 5 stars (going with the netflix system, since I am most used to it). Agree/Disagree? Leave a comment below with your thoughts. Constructive criticism on the blog in general is also welcomed and encouraged.