Two Harbors

Two Harbors is a very interesting exploration of an actual incident reported in the New York Times several years ago. James Vculek has written an engaging work exploring the character and quirks of the two main characters, Vic (Alex Cole), and Cassie (Catherine Johnson). There is a very nice contrast between the curmudgeonly action figure dealer Vic and the vulnerable Cassie. The film has very witty dialog, and nice cameo performances by Claudia Wilkins, Richard Ooms, and Ari Hoptman. The cinematography really evokes the feeling of winter in Two Harbors, MN, a small town on the north shore of Lake Superior. I also really liked the music soundtrack, which contributes greatly toward the mood of the piece.

I don't watch many independent films, but I was really drawn to this one. The casting is very good, and the shots of mundane objects and places, while stark at times, are extremely effective, as is the music. The main characters are quite intriguing, and the plot takes interesting twists that I did not expect. I liked this film a lot, but I can't completely explain why. I watched it all the way through, not even wanting to pause it to use the restroom. I would certainly recommend it to other viewers. I expect great things from Mr. Vculek, and I hope he continues to make and share more films. I, for one, will continue to look for his work.

It's been a long time since I've seen a movie that warrants analytical or critical discussion. James Vculek's Two Harbors demands such discussion. Like any great novel, Vculek purposefully avoids obligatory statement of the obvious and, through clever dialogue and subtle yet stunning black and white imagery and scene selection, allows the audience to draw its own conclusions concerning a great number of things. This certainly cannot be said for most over-produced Hollywood films of today's era, which all too often insult the audience's intelligence, by not only stating the obvious, but placing style ahead of substance. There is great style and substance in this masterful independent film.

I caught this flick on Joost...and wow. I've never really given indie movies a chance because I always thought they were cheesy, w/ poor production value, but Two Harbors has changed my mind. Cassie was one of the most intriguing characters I've ever seen in any movie. And Vic really seemed like an authentic person...if it were ever released on DVD i'd buy it, but a director/actor commentary would be a must ^_^ And while I may not be ready for the Tribeca Film Festival just yet, I think that this movie could do a lot enlighten many movie lovers that indie should be taken as seriously as the Tribeca faithful already take it. Again, if you decide to go out on a limb just once for a film this year, and step out of your viewing comfort zone, please let it be for Two Harbors.

I caught this movie at the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival. It's one of the better movies I've seen in a while. I hope someone picks this up and I very much want to buy it. It is the story of a grumpy middle-aged seller of antique action figures, Vic, who meets a sweet, very vulnerable young woman, Cassie, who sells dolls in a booth in the same center. He has been trying for years to catch the notice of extra-terrestrials, apparently because no one down here notices him and she goes along with it because she has the same problem. It was at once funny and tragic. It does a great job of making its two major characters very real, despite their general bizarreness and likable, despite Vic's abusiveness to almost everyone he meets. It's not perfect, but it's about as close as you can get for a movie made for so little money. The fact it was a first film for the writer/director makes it all the more amazing. The hope of finding something like this is the reason I go to independent film festivals. Buy it if it ever comes to DVD.