Father Geek here with our snowgal spy Indieczich. She's send us her first 3 reviews of festival films from icey Park City, the first of many to follow...
IndieCzich here with three reviews from very cold, VERY bustling Park City.
The town is more hectic than every this year, but it seems the movies are
MUCH better than last year too.
First up was the premiere pic, "The Laramie Project". This faux documentary
directed by the extremely creative Moises Kaufman, and written by Amanda
Gronich uses the Matthew Shepherd tragedy as the driving force behind its
story. Using several Indie favorites(Ricci, Buscemi, and Linney in leads;
Dylan Baker, CleaDuvall, Peter Fonda and more in supporting parts), Kaufman
weaves a type of mystery. The film is put together like a puzzle, where
each "person" interviewed reveals more information until the breathtaking
finale.
The outstanding cast always seems believable as "real" people. They don't
have big, showy, emotional scenes to use as a crutch in their performances.
This is real, hardcore acting and everyone shines. Backed by HBO, I
wouldn't be surprised to see this film win several awards at the festival.
YOu can find more at http://www.hbo.com
Next up, I had a big change of pace with a comedy. Unlike TLP, this movie
had no recognizible faces, but that didn't hold it back. Titled "Losing
Hope", I feel like this is the little comedy that could. Directed by the
tandem of Tony Urban and Chad Kapper, and written by Urban and Genie Davis,
Losing Hope begins simply enough, with a little girl getting picked on
because of her enormous ears. That incident sets the stage for the
amazingly funny events that follow.
The girls mother(LG Taylor)immediately sets to work on getting her daughter
plastic surgery to make her look "beautiful". Unfortunaly, they're
basically trailer trash and flat broke. Her dim-bulb husband(Chip
Hajel)doesn't see the need for surgery, but his domineering wife forces him
into action with an inept robbery attempt. That scene had me rolling on the
floor with laughter! I'll leave it a mystery whether she ever gets the
money needed for the operation or not.
With pregnant vegetarians, lesbian-obsessed old men, crooked town
constables, God-Fearing thieves and one loving mother, "Losing Hope" is one
of the best written, honestly acted movies I've ever seen. Unlike
convoluted "Hollywood" comedy, every single thing that happens in this movie
happens for a real reason, nit to hit a plot point. The inventive story
structure is a testament to both the writers and directors. It's like
Rashomon crossed with Raising Arizona! Simply amazing for an obviously
no-budget movie. The website is http://www.crazyralph.com/losinghope.html
The last film I've seen thus far is an equally outstanding comedy. Directed
by Mike Dowse and written by Dowse and David Lawrence, "Fubar" is like "Fast
Times at Ridgemont High" ten years later and in Candada. If you, like I,
have an affinity for our neighbors up north and their quirky ways, you will
love this film! Co-writer Lawrence co-stars with Paul Spence as Terry and
Dean, two mullet-sporting, beer drinking buddies who are still clinging to
their young while growing into adults.
Again, like the last movie, "Fubar" is set apart by it's riotous screenplay.
While the story isn't exactly "Citizen Kane", it doesn't want to be
either. It's almost tender in how real is paints its characters, quirks,
failures, and all. If you thought the lame David Spade drive Joe Dirt
forever ruinged movies for Mullet wearing men, Fubar will change your
thiking. Why don't we have more comedies like these? Produced by Odeon
Films, Fubar has an equally funny website at http://www.fubar-themovie.com
That's all for today. I'll be back with loads more tomorrow.
IndieCzich
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