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Dawne_Kennedy
Reviews
The Dinner Party (2020)
Unpredictable and that's a good thing
Let me say this as clearly as I can: this movie is beautiful, terrifying, and reveals parallels to millennia-long classism. I can see notes of other stories, but that's where the writers excel. They've created stories within stories. As a horror fan, there's enough suspense, gore, and occult symbolism to satisfy. The setting is gorgeous, and the music evokes the proper emotions to set up the next scene. I want some of those costumes! Perfection! But the meat of it, for an indie film, is the cast. I've seen Doleac, Sage, Williams, Mayhall, and Montgomery in other films. I'm a fan. I was excited by Wilson's and Hart's characters. Really, this cast just works like pieces of a particularly intricate puzzle. I have to say this, without providing spoilers, if you think you know what's going on... you don't. You won't, until the last act. The epilogue is so far removed from what you think at the beginning, and that's a fun journey to take. I've already bought it on Amazon. I'll be watching again.
Jake's Road (2019)
Fun and Thrilling
This was not only a thriller, but it was fun to watch, too! Wow!!! Understandably, it was fiction, but there was enough truth in the characters that the audience could well relate to them.. a definite sign of good writing. It's not common in today's Hollywood market to see that, with all the reboots, and unoriginal stories and plots that are being greenlit for production.
The setting was gorgeous and reminded me home. The cinematography and effects were well done, which is difficult to do on a smaller budget. I'd love to see what this production company could do if they had a blank check!
Jake's Road entertains and provides a great story at the same time. Thoroughly recommend!
The Historian (2014)
The Historian
This script truly depicts the state of academia today - education is, unfortunately, a business - but the human element interspersed throughout several subplots, the writer (and subsequently the actors who brought the characters to life) have delivered a completely believable rendering of people doing what people do best: searching for peace, failing, and persevering with the hopes that life will one day make sense and happiness will be attained.
Veteran actors William Sadler, John Cullum, and Glynnis O'Connor added depth and maturity to the film, while Miles Doleac (who also wore the hats of director and writer) created the pace and choreography to which the characters danced. Colin Cunningham's manic take on his character brought levity to the group (everyone NEEDS that one friend...), and Jillian Taylor, Leticia Jimenez, and Lindsay Anne Williams rounded out the group as superb, and strong, female characters.
I may be biased, as I am part of the academic community, and Hollywood rarely offers a true depiction of what that world is like. Doleac's film does this with aplomb. But, you don't have to be in academia to enjoy this film - not at all... just have been part of your own human experience.