Searchers 2.0

No car chases. No explosions. No big budget. If you love films and worry where that industry is heading then watch this. Cox successfully snapped me out of the hypnosis used on me to make me think I know "what a good film is".

I liked Iron Man (for example), but from a distance, and from a more sober view, it seems like some overblown loud, teenagers idea of what a "great" film is.

The production and actors, in Searchers 2.0 let loose without straining them selves trying to score on big points or important insights, and it's all the better for it. If you want a big, overblown roller coaster ride then go and see the current traditional offering of Hollywood releases, this is not for you.

Gorgeous film, funny, thoughtful, entertaining :) Reviewers who boohoo'd it are probably not from the western U.S. We loved it. Just incredible cinematography by Steven Fierberg, making this a tremendous road trip film. Seasoned actors Del Zamora and Ed Pansullo aptly delivered the amusing script, and Zahn McClarnon and Jaclyn Jonet are lovely new actors. Dan Wool's driving, eclectic music perfectly accompanied the film, along with vocals by Vanessa Beggs. Wry commentary on the state of the film industry and politics in the United States today. AFI venue this year is also great, a lot to do, to see, to run into.

I really enjoyed this movie- as I do, all of the films of Alex Cox- a superb, tell-it-like-it-is, movie making Artist. This guy gets it, and finds a way in this film, to show us how ridiculous we are.

Some of the high teck movie lovers might need to amp-down some, for this beautifully shot road movie, for the lessons are silently text-ed between satire and farce. No big Hollywood budget here- but BIG in content, in regards to the refection it sheds back on it's viewers. Not to mention Steven Fierbergs capturing of the background of red-dusted Monument Valley-breathtaking!

Del Zamora as Mel Torres, anchors this cast, as he earnestly sets out to the desert to cast revenge on an old cruel childhood foe. This actor seems to hide in plain sight, with his natural and unassuming style-I like this real-man lead- show us some more of Zamora.

Sy Richardson has a voice like the dust and heat of the desert. Another interesting actor, who was cool and fast in the unconventional final shootout.

Jaclyn Jonet in her first feature and did a fine job. A realistic bratty kid at times and then an actress-deadpanning you into the camera. Another example, as Cox injects many unconventional, third-wall breaking techniques, speaking directly to us, as if to take us by the collar and give us a bit-of-a-shake.

Ed Pansullo is worth a mention too, for his sheer annoying honesty-as the back-seat driving, revenge seeking, chatterbox sidekick. He had me convinced he wasn't acting and gave me several good laughs.

Lastly, I recommend this film for those who are sick of the same old shod that's coming out of Hollywood. Independent films with social insight are priceless. For goodness sake, praise the filmmaker who still fully utilizes our right to free speech. Give us meat & potato actors on a spaghetti string budget, with some true moral & ethical nutrition over the fluff and illusion of Hollywood ANYDAY!

Another excellent Alex Cox film.

English director Alex Cox takes the classic American road movie formula and adds in all manner of refreshing contemporary satirical twists and turns. Made on a minute budget with tiny crew and shot on digital video in just 15 days, THE SEARCHERS 2.0 has some wonderful thoughtful moments, great dialogue, amusing and intriguing characters and the best backdrop in the world - Monument Valley. Yes the cut-price way it was shot creeps in occasionally. The sound in one scene includes a buzzing generator in one view but not in the reverse angles and the use of natural light does sometimes mean a gloomy foreground is overwhelmed by the sunlight in the distance,but in many ways this gives it a raw charm. The acting is equally variable but where it creaks one might almost feel it's appropriate as the two main characters, ex child actors who never made-it beyond B-movies and bit parts, endlessly discuss films they were in or admired. They also enjoy name checking dozens of 'fellow actors' along the way who are always given some positive comment along the line of "a great actor!" or "underrated actor!" The ending is surreal and could be seen to detract from the rhythm and style of what has gone before (although there are several surreal elements along the way!) but overall it's such en enjoyable ride that it's easy to forgive. A hidden gem.

It's hard to not watch this movie, trying not to compare it to the John Wayne classic. I'd say both movies get severely warped if trying to compare that to this, or this to that. I really wish Alex had a different title to this movie to set it apart further. On it's own merit, it's up there with Straight To Hell. Quirky, weird, compelling, and ambiguous for interpretations. For the younger crowd hip to Cox and give the finger to old Wayne, they may say this is a definite 'upgrade' for modern times. But I swear if they ever see the original, they'll forever be perplexed to what one had to do with the other - if anything other than name alone? And somehow I get the feeling Alex Cox is still grinning about this!