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Reviews
The Dead Kid (2013)
An Honest Film about Bullying and Peer Pressure
The Dead Kid is a wonderful half hour short that touches on the topics of bullying, racism and peer pressure without being heavy handed on any of the issues. Rather, the director/writer Goyins weaves elements of these social issues into the fabric of a place in time that we can all relate to.
The bullied kid in the piece is a target for many reasons, reasons that we can all remember when thinking back to our school aged years, and reasons that kids can still relate to today. The story further delves into a surprising direction when the bullied kid goes missing, and it takes us into all too familiar territory where peer pressure and the need to be liked play significant roles in the choices we make at a young age.
I would recommend this short for viewing by any middle school anti-bullying organization.
After the Denim (2010)
Poignant film short
After the Denim is a wonderful short that should resonate with any generation that had to deal with a generation gap. The acting is superb and subtle. I personally am not overly familiar with Raymond Carver's work, but the script allowed me to understand and sympathize with the old man of this piece.
The story deals with a retired man who is set in his ways. When he and his wife encounter young strangers at their weekly bingo game, it serves as the catalyst for him to be either compassionate or judgmental. The situations set up in the film give him the opportunity to be both.
This is a classy adaptation from writer/director Gregory Goyins, and co-director Scott Rosenfelt. Tom Bower and Karen Landry share a perfect chemistry as the older couple. And Jeff Newburg and Ceren Alkac play the young couple with a reckless abandon that reflects a perfect opposition to the older couple's settled ways.
Bottom line, I really enjoyed this film.
Unrest (2006)
Solid low budget horror
This is a solid little low budget horror film with enough tension, humor and gore to keep the horror movie fans entertained. There are strong performances from some recognizable up and comers, including the two leads.
The story is about a female med student who tries to uncover the past of her gross anatomy class cadaver as terror invades the halls of the school. The med student is an atheist, and yet she senses things about the cadaver that lead her to question her own beliefs about spirits, and drive her to find out the truth behind the woman's death.
As she closes in on the truth, the murders increase, making the audience wonder if the cause is really supernatural or if another student or staff member is behind it all.
There are some nice little "gotchya" moments that make you embarrassed that you jumped out of your seat. And some funny scenes when you understand why it's called "gross" anatomy.
Rat Race (2001)
Modern version of Mad Mad Mad Mad World
Considering how little advertising I saw of this film, I took a chance and saw it. It was surprisingly funny from beginning to end. The ending was a bit preposterous (well, okay A LOT of the plot was preposterous, but how can an entire concert going crowd overlook a bus crashing through back stage?), but the site gags where nonstop and funny.