The Last Place on Earth

I passed on watching this movie several times because I thought it might be depressing. When I did finally watch, I was pleasantly surprised. Although there are some sad moments, it is an uplifting film.

Rob Baskin is a man with lots of potential, but is a workaholic, conservative banker going through the motions of life. Ann is a free-spirited liberal caterer that brings out the best in Rob. Rob meets Ann while on a trip to scatter his mother's ashes and there is friction from the first meeting at a taco stand. When she has car trouble and he sees her on the side of the highway, he stops, not realizing it's that same person from the taco stand. Ann persuades Rob into giving her a ride and that's where the fun starts.

The characters are likable and the scenery is spectacular. You can't help but like these people and cheer for them.

I saw this at the Pan African Film Festival in LA. It was a really sweet movie. I mean, there was no sex or violence, just a nice story with good actors. It was refreshing. The only thing I didn't like were the cross fades. But that's a lame technical comment from me.

"The Last Place on Earth" came as a total surprise. We took a chance with this indie film brilliantly directed by James Slocum who also wrote the screen play. Mr. Slocum achieves a small film that is a feast for the eyes as well as a story that we know can happen. The music score is by Eric Swanson. The thing that knocks the viewer out is the perfectly beautiful cinematography created by David Dechant; without a doubt, this film is gorgeous to watch because of all the natural settings that serve as background to the story. Also, the movie is greatly helped by the amazing editing of Frederich Wardell.

Mr. Slocum ought to be congratulated for not turning this film into a weep fest. Rob Baskin, the young man at the center of the story suffers a great loss when his mother dies. Her dying words seem prophetic for what Rob would experience after this tragedy. Taking some time off he runs into a young woman who is not afraid to give him a piece of her mind. Rob is taking time off from his boring bank job. Later, on the road, he meets Ann, the outspoken girl, and it turns out to be a match that will serve to liberate him from what he is doing in life in order to pursue his true call: music.

The film has such a sharp look, greatly helped by the vistas of the west one is taken to by Mr. Slocum in this voyage of discovery. Dana Ashbrook and Tisha Campbell play Rob and Ann two young Californians that fall in love. Phyllis Diller is seen briefly as the dying mother too sick, we know she will not survive. Also Billy Dee Williams has a small part as Ann's doctor. Brook Peters, another distinguished actor, plays Ann's father.

We shall be looking forward to other films by Mr. Slocum and wish him well in his future work.

My goodness " a crime against God, Man, and Nature" is a bit somewhat melodramatic. I just finished watching this movie and agree it was not Oscar caliber. I almost did not watch it due to not recognizing any of the names on the digital TV Guide, but I liked the description and was surprised when I saw Tisha Campbell who I have always liked. I wonder why she was not included in the TV Guide billing, oh well unimportant. I can see where this movie might resonate with some people, like me, who miss a good story telling in movies. I was pleased that this movie departed from the norm and did not try and make us all weepy about her illness. Instead it focused on the characters and their lives and how precious life is. Also, I felt the movie kind of reinforced the old adage "to thine own self be true." I would recommend this movie to anyone looking for a good little movie to watch instead of the blockbuster repeats that dominate most cable channels. If you keep on open mind and remember that this was an Independent Film you will enjoy it.

Giving this film a 3 may have been an act of generosity. I feel compelled to start with the positive. I was rooked into seeing this film on Showtime out of idle curiosity that seemed to be paying off quickly. The first scene was a well-shot hospital scene that turned out to feature a completely unrecognizable Phyllis Diller turning in a performance that I found to be really intriguing. I thought I had stumbled onto a gorgeous indie film.

It's as though a good cinematographer's nephew wrote a screenplay and the cinematographer had no choice but to help him make it. I feel compelled to write here everything wrong with this film. The bad decisions are myriad. It's well photographed and that's IT. The story is one of the most hackneyed pieces of boy meets doomed girl tripe ever filmed. The lack of self-awareness in this film is embarrassing.

I have tried writing all of the horrible decisions made here and I am overwhelmed. I've erased them all and tried to restart a dozen times. I'm simply forcing myself to stop trying to justify how bad this film is. I WOULD recommend showing this thing to film school students. I might even buy a copy. It's a genius example of how film making can have all the correct components but be torn apart by the lack of ability of the film maker. This is indulgent wish fulfillment gone to monstrous excess. Scene after scene, this turkey rewrites the book on bad directing. Ed Wood never knew HOW to make a movie. Director Slocom read the book on how to make a film and then gleefully threw it aside.