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Reviews
Bottom Feeders (2021)
More than goofing off
I didn't quite get this movie right from the beginning but it eventually finds its groove. Although it begins seemingly about nothing except a couple of guys goofing off, the second half reveals more depth of story and starts working on pulling everything together. In the end, I enjoyed this movie a whole lot more than I thought I was going to (I loved the sociology professor!) For indie lovers, Bottom Feeders offers a welcome break from its formulaic Hollywood equivalent.
S'ids Lake (2019)
A pool of rising talent
Before we begin, let's get something out of the way. This is not a multi-million-dollar Hollywood production. If you're hoping Morgan Freeman will solve this mystery with a philharmonic orchestra blaring, you could be opening yourself up for disappointment. S'ids Lake is an indie movie, and a decent one at that. It also looks filmically decent, especially when compared with many of its peers. While not all performances are even across the board, most are excellent, and I was genuinely impressed with the lead, Kristian Pierce. I found his onscreen charisma highly engaging and wouldn't be surprised if he goes on to do much bigger things. The story is also captivating, right from the beginning. Although there are times when the cinematic language could have been more explicit, this movie contains genuine dramatic tension and doesn't feel weighed down by pointless scenes that we see so often in indie fare. I'm rating S'ids Lake highly, as something at its core works and I had an enjoyable time with it. Director Kevin Ruiz has demonstrable talent and I look forward to seeing his next feature.
Occurrence at Mills Creek (2020)
A psychological indie horror
More a psychological horror than your straightforward jump-scare frightener. Worth a look if you're into what indie films bring that Hollywood doesn't. Tone is consistent while maintaining an engaging story that you don't feel one step ahead of.
Night Shift (2021)
Aussie old school
If you're into old school Aussie cinema then you should probably check this out. I haven't seen this kind of thing from down-under for quite some time. No furrowed brows starring wistfully into the distance here folks, just some good old-fashioned potty-mouthed larrikinism. A decent soundtrack too.
The Crumbs (2020)
Grotesquely absurd. Just what I was after.
Something about the grotesqueness of this movie tickled my fancy. I don't know if it was the dead-pan humour, the suspiciously high body count, or just the absurdity of the situation. I found that once I adjusted to a toned-down pace that's unusual for this genre, I was able to enjoy spending an uncomfortable afternoon with these people in their horrible establishment. Look at 'em! They're fricken hicks!
Kin Dread (2021)
A modest indie thriller punching above its weight.
Due to the abysmal state of Hollywood cinema of recent times, I've been watching a lot of indie films - a sea change, if you will. But this hasn't been without a tidal wave of problems either. You know what I'm talking about. After reading the synopsis for Kin Dread, I thought maybe I was in for a Blow Out clone, but I like Blow Out, so in I go. That being said, it's pretty clear from the beginning that Kin Dread treads its own path in the uncrowded sound designer thriller genre. Erring on the brooding arty introspective side, Kin Dread actually looks and sounds surprisingly decent. Another pleasant surprise is that the leading player exudes a cinematic magnetism that's rare on the indie scene. Admittedly, there were a few times I wondered if the film was on the verge of confusing itself, but ye of little faith, we land on solid ground in the end. I especially loved the isolated hazy tone of this movie and had an enjoyable time watching it.
Koko (2021)
What's not to love!
A uniquely bizarre riot of a movie with a gorgeous canine co-star. What's not to love!
The Mentor (2020)
Full of ideas
Driven by an engaging lead character, this modest indie feature presents an arty meta narrative full of ideas. Would recommend to people interested in the artistic process.
Normandy Is My Name (2015)
Set yourself free
With phone technology beginning to crowd the cinematic space as mercilessly as it does our physical lives, we are finally presented with an interesting indie exploration of what modern life could hold for those set free from mobile devices. Worth a look.
The Trap Door at the Edge of the Universe (2020)
A Being John Malkovich vibe
Unique and entertaining indie film with a Being John Malkovich vibe to it. While this movie may lack some visual polish of a multi-million-dollar production, its good direction, self-awareness, on-point humor and genuinely likeable cast keep things rolling right to the end. Warner is definitely a filmmaker worth keeping an eye on in the future.
The Stand Up Doll (2019)
Life goes on
Hearing the wisdom of someone who's lived a century on this earth is rarely an opportunity to be missed, and this movie is no exception. Stand Up Doll is a warming reminder that no matter how tough things get, life goes on.
The Terrible Adventure (2020)
Fun and zany caper!
This is a modest but fun and zany caper film suitable for the whole family. I admire everything it sets out to do, and with an environmental message for everyone, not just the kids. There's no secondary market for smithereens!
The Stalker (2020)
Do you like Whac-A-Mole?
This hour-long movie turned out to be a bit of a treat on Prime. I dug the old-school horror approach with just the right amount of highly quotable humor - do you like whac-a-mole? You could see the cast (especially the more questionable characters) getting right into it, which is what you want. But I especially loved the John Carpenter style music. When it fully kicked in over the titles, I knew for sure I was going to enjoy this movie.
Bearry (2021)
Vernon Wells is in it!
I get a kick out of offbeat movies like this. It makes no attempt to explain why Bearry can do what Bearry does, and nor should it. It's unapologetic fun with plenty of laughs - especially all the douchebag dates along the way. Chloe's boss totally cracked me up too. I don't know where they found that guy, but he was gold. Oh, and Vernon Wells is in it!
Sunday Mornings (2021)
A meandering yet soulful journey
What a riot of a movie! One moment you're laughing out loud and then you're suddenly transported to much darker subject matter. But that's life. And I think that's the point of this movie. While you never know which direction it'll take next, Sunday Mornings eventually snowballs into a comprehensive portrait of Sunday's family. The movie is full of endearing well-acted characters, with a bunch of hilarious secondary roles for the central characters to riff off (Dell and Brutus were a couple of my favourites). Give this a go if you're into micro-budget indie film and feel like a meandering yet soulful journey without all the usual Hollywood fanfare. Oh, and you don't want to mess with these sisters!
Myth (2020)
Indie done right
I watch my share of indie movies. While I find many (if not most) a let-down, I keep coming back. Why? For the excitement of finding one that succeeds in the face of every compromise and constraint from working with limited funds outside the studio system. Myth is one of those gems. It's micro-budget indie done right.
With its understated dark comedic tone, Myth is reminiscent of awkward coming-of-age films that became Gen X cult staples in the 80s. The retro-ish soundtrack meshes well and the absence of mobile phones is refreshing. The lead performances are terrific and don't exhibit the self-conscious efforts that otherwise hallmark this budgetary arena of filmmaking. I especially enjoyed the chemistry between Tucci's piercing intensity and Davis' earnest likability, and how DiLorenzo so often let their gazes do all the talking.
Myth is an unpretentious film. It's engaging, confidently directed and despite the ambitious narrative, the editing never feels confusing or amateurish. I look forward to what DiLorenzo does next, and I'll forever be suspicious of people listening to royalty free music CDs in their car...
Purdah (2018)
A beautiful documentary
Whether you're into cricket or not, you will find this a beautiful film. We regularly see such stories played out in fiction but it's so much more moving to experience as a documentary.
Morok (2021)
This slow-burn indie thriller could be for you
A modest yet engaging well-produced film with good overall performances and production values. If you enjoy indie film and slow-burn thrillers, then this could be for you.
The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater (2020)
An enjoyable evening
From the very beginning you can see the cast having fun with their respective roles, and while the movie plays for laughs in the beginning, a deeper viewpoint develops over time. The likeable characters, snappy dialogue, and compelling story all make for an enjoyable evening.