HALLOWEEN PARTY
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  Year Released: 2012 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 86 minutes |
I had trouble finding a connection with any one story, even as Mason’s did find more gravitas, as did Ben, Julie and Megan’s; overall I became lukewarm on all stories, leaving a middle-ground “eh, it’s okay” feeling that, frankly, I’d rather not have…
Posted on January 3, 2013 by Mark Bell
FALLING UPHILL
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  Year Released: 2012 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 83 minutes |
Maybe Robert has found love with Jenny, maybe she is the one he’ll always pine for in life; the film properly captures and conveys that romantic, wounded angst that so many of us carry into even our twenties (and maybe even longer)…
Posted on January 3, 2013 by Mark Bell
STARLET
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Year Released: 2012 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 103 minutes |
With subtle, persuasive grace, “Starlet” suggests that human connection can both rejuvenate the most embittered of spirits, and anchor the most rootless of souls…
Posted on January 3, 2013 by KJ Doughton
UWHARRIE
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  Year Released: 2012 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 47 minutes |
For a horror flick, it’s far too jokey, nonsensical and lacking of any suspense. If it’s supposed to be a satire of “found footage” horror films, it doesn’t satire the form so much as just make a really awful example. If it’s supposed to be witty, it’s not. Interesting? Not in the least…
Posted on January 2, 2013 by Mark Bell
DONOR
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Year Released: 2011 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 10 minutes |
A film like this is a straight-up acting showpiece, as it captures a moment in a day and lets the camera soak in the performances on display. Alexis Boozer and Trevor Algatt do an incredible job with the short time they’re given to make an impression in this film…
Posted on January 2, 2013 by Mark Bell
OFF SEASON
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  Year Released: 2012 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 83 minutes |
For me, once it becomes apparent the direction the film is heading, I did find it to be a little too straightforward for my own personal liking. Not that I needed some ridiculous cop-out twist, but I guess I wanted even more mystery…
Posted on January 2, 2013 by Mark Bell
FAITH IN DESTINY
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Year Released: 2011 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 82 minutes |
Visually, the film maintains strong composition throughout, though the image appears to have been modified in some way. There’s often a faded look to shots, like the film was tweaked in post for a lower contrast. The result is a vagueness to the film’s depth, with the image flattening, but it works when you consider the moral grey areas the narrative dances in and out are therefore being represented by the image in a more literal sense…
Posted on January 2, 2013 by Mark Bell
CANADA’S BEST KEPT SECRET: THE NATURAL WORLD OF R.D. LAWRENCE
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  Year Released: 2012 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 70 minutes |
A traditional-style documentary with a feel that leans more towards television-friendly (which is no doubt due to its aspect ratio and use of other TV programs’ footage), the film is definitely more informational and educational than sensational…
Posted on January 1, 2013 by Mark Bell
THE DEAD INSIDE
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Year Released: 2012 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 96 minutes |
The film delivers a visual and aural experience that is enchanting, all while keeping the characters and story rather simple. It’s hard to believe that the film takes place mostly between two people in one location; if you told me that this originated as an off-Broadway musical play, I’d probably believe you…
Posted on January 1, 2013 by Mark Bell
THIS IS NOT A FILM
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  Year Released: 2012 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 75 minutes |
To say that Iranian filmmakers Mojtaba Mirtahmasb and Jafar Panahi’s newest “documentary,” “This is Not a Film,” is strictly the contrived ravings of Panahi’s politically-agitating mind is to grossly miss the point of this potent little non-film…
Posted on December 31, 2012 by Amy R. Handler
ROMAN’S BRIDE
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  Year Released: 2011 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 88 minutes |
I can forgive a lot of stupidity in horror or thrillers, but certain decisions and actions in this film just didn’t make sense at all…
Posted on December 30, 2012 by Mark Bell
SATAN’S ANGEL: QUEEN OF THE FIRE TASSELS
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Year Released: 2012 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 72 minutes |
What seemed confusing in the opening makes all the sense in the world once the film finishes, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t off-putting at first. Still, as long as it comes together, it’s all good…
Posted on December 30, 2012 by Mark Bell
CLARK: A GONZOMENTARY PART 1
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Year Released: 2010 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 104 minutes |
Have a party, get drunk (or whatever) and just put this thing on loop. It’ll be just as much fun if you don’t know what’s going on as if you watch it and take notes (equally not knowing what’s going on). Again, it’s a fun clusterfuck; the idea of a “gonzomentary” truly realized…
Posted on December 30, 2012 by Mark Bell
GRANTED
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Year Released: 2012 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 88 minutes |
Anthony Vescio’s “Granted” is a technically proficient feature film with engaging performances. The premise is an interesting one, and the exploration of grief and loss a universal subject we can all relate to at some point or another…
Posted on December 30, 2012 by Mark Bell
UNDOCUMENTED EXECUTIVE
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Year Released: 2013 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 90 minutes |
Is there a message in there about immigration reform or big businesses screwing people over? In the sense that elements exist within the framework of the film, sure, but it isn’t a particularly politicized film. It’s just a comedy about mistaken identity that hits all the notes it’s supposed to hit…
Posted on December 29, 2012 by Mark Bell