Chasing the White Dragon

I laughed!! Yes, this movie looked like homemade but it kept me interested in a way where well...have you seen Mystery Science Theater 3000 from the 80's? That's how I felt watching this! It was sooo bad it was hilarious!!

Saying this movie is a poor man's Requiem for a Dream is an overstatement. This film was produced by LittleBo productions and Kat Scratch films, which if you've ever seen any film by either of these companies you know to go the other way. The actors in this movie make Shaquille O'Neal look Oscar worthy in his Kazaam role. It's not that I don't have a taste for the small budget film, just the acting and characters in this film are underdeveloped. The fact that makes Requiem For A Dream so monumental is that you connect and feel for the characters; In this movie you can't wait for them to ruin their lives and the movie to end because the characters are so unlikeable and annoying. Don't make a decrepit movie that can be compared to something epic.

This might have been a good flick with better acting. The Jesse character was overwrought and generally insufferable. Lighting could stand much improvement, and sound engineering was non -existent, save for a few overlays of grunge music choices that were fairly well matched to the story. Overall, it had a sophomoric film school feel about it. In someone else's hands it might have stood a chance at being a really good film.

So light something up, pour a few shots, and watch the film. Someone has to get practical experience while cutting their teeth. It's not a complete loss. Some scenes just needed a little coaching and a few more takes to make it flow.

Chasing the White Dragon was an amazing drama that had me sitting on the edge of my seat and holding my breath as it presented how the White Dragon sends its smoky,elusive and extremely dangerous and destructive tendrils throughout even the healthiest communities. Having seen several working versions of the film and two viewings in festivals I can honestly say that the films development only improved with each viewing. The film is dark,intensely personal and sometimes flows with the rhythm of a white water raft ride,but there are bright flashes of hope and as it happens in all our lives great moments of intensely personal joy and success. And like all good tales it shows that life can be and will be good if you reach for it and that the danger might move away from your community but it does not disappear. Completely worth it.

The entire experience of this movie from filming it to watching it was indescribable,amazing! It pulled at all of my emotions. I was yelling at Rud/Tucker Lee, scared of Jesse and Ethan, angry at Raul and Paulina and cried Grandma Coast! Jasmine and Lindsay take you on a roller coaster of a journey and Lindsay is very lucky to have such a supportive friend willing to risk it all. The film was fast paced, gritty and emotional. The special effects were absolutely amazing!! I loved the music chosen for it as well. I can't wait to see it again and again. Every single person involved did a fantastic job in order to make a incredible movie with an outstanding message! Cheers to the director and the entire cast and crew for what they did to get this movie out there! I hope you get a chance to see this movie!