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Reviews
Ready? OK! (2008)
Short, Sweet Truth
I stumbled across this short film and was blown away by a perfect, simple story that is able to cut so deep. Ready? OK! is about a boy learning to deal with the often cruel actions of his peers while both finding himself and remaining true to who he is. I really liked the honest feel of the characters and the situations. The humor, pain, joy and love are all portrayed in a realistic way - so unHollywood and so appreciated. As I watched this short I thought about my own son and the trials he faces in his own school for similar and different reasons but by the end of the film it made me focus my thoughts in another direction, in much the same way the characters did themselves. It is very difficult to capture fully developed characters and story in a short film but when it is done right it is very thought provoking. Ready? OK! got it more than right.
Greeley's Field (2006)
B Movies are better than Hollywood remakes
Take your typical teen camping experience and add unexpected diversions from the normal popcorn fare. It is refreshing to see filming returning to this part of California and done with a lot of respect, even if the movie still contains small errors (watch the clock in the diner). The acting was done well and this movie may provide a good stepping stone for some new talent. All the teens fit their roles very well. Diana Kyle as the waitress was fantastic and brought a colorful character within the mix of spoiled city kids and hostile locals. While nothing truly original, this is an enjoyable film to watch with friends and toss popcorn around. There is plenty of humor and enough atmosphere to make you wonder what will happen next. Thanks to the Baker's for bringing us an alternative to the myriad remakes and adaptations to J-horror that have overrun the screens for too long.
Easter Bunny, Kill! Kill! (2006)
Small budget, big ideas
This is true low budget indie horror film-making with brains. I can't wait to see what these guys come up with once they have decent funding. Tim Muskatell pulls off a villain that has layers to his character, even if each is a layer of a personality you don't like. He is like the sleazy love child of Ron Jeremy and a Baldwin brother. Ricardo Gray plays a special needs teen that you can relate to and make you wish you had a bunny to take care of your problems also. Charlotte Marie is beautiful and is an actress that I would like to see more work from. David Z. Stamp was so creepy in his few minutes that I wanted to go check on my own sons to make sure they were OK. Producer/actor Trent Haaga's role provides a pillar of stability amid all the dysfunction presented in the film. This movie, along with Chad Ferrin's other works, are like sampling food at Costco - tasty tidbits that melt in your mouth, but don't quite fill you up. Given the proper funding and opportunity, he will be able to make a feast that will leave you full for days. I can't wait...
Chainsaw Sally (2004)
Sally Family Values
This movie is wonderful not only for the original murder scenes, but for the well developed relationship between Sally and Ruby. You can almost find yourself saying, "if I was in that situation, I'd do the same thing". There is also the "superhero" element - needing to chose between one world and the other and setting your priorities.
This movie has a great feel and a wonderful flow. As Sally goes through her day and visits the different places that make up her world, you can sense the change in her mood. April Burril makes these changes seamlessly.
Hats off to JimmyO and April. This is a movie that will be around for a long time to come. As this movie nods in the direction of TCM, someday others will be watching a new horror flick and find themselves thinking back on Sally...