barryshaft

I just had the wonderful privilege of viewing this beautiful "captured moment" film. Everything about it just clicked and resonated exquisitely. From the painfully true performances from the film's young leads (a feat in itself) to the simple yet hauntingly emotive cinematography. Keeping it simple is the script's biggest asset, focusing entirely on the mundanely beautiful moments in life. It captured the awkward and boring moments of growing up in a small town. This was such an inspiring film, showing me not only the power of simple, personal storytelling but also in the digital medium itself. I was very happy to have gotten the chance to see this film and I strongly urge others to do the same if they have the opportunity. It's honest film-making to it's very heart.

Chad Peter's "Drugs" is a hard movie to compare to. It's strikingly original take on addiction is one that can surely be rewatched time and time again, but then again its certainly not for all. It's a comedy with a dramatic and cynical edge that can surely be for those jaded individuals who enjoy David Lynch, Darren Aronofsky, or David Fincher movies. Or maybe just for bitter aspiring film-makers like myself.

The story of Ashley(Shayna Lanzo) a girl, hopelessly addicted to the perfect drug (that which burns the memory of sex instantly into your brain) is compelling and amusing but what I think got me the most was the haunting visuals that Peter constantly churns out. From the fast-paced credits sequence to the dreamscapes of Ashley's mind, Drugs takes the viewer to a place they're not quite sure what to make of and spins their perception of the world into a new mindbending one. Offering laughs and stunning acting by relative newcomers Shayna Lanzo and Curtis Ellzey "Drugs" paints a picture of vivid addiction and ends with a cast and crew list that are sure to be breakouts in the near future.

After having just seen the last episode for the first season (perhaps the last ever) I realize what a great show Undergrads truly is. The characters are so rich and entertaining that you find yourself laughing at their antics but also seeing a little bit of you and your friends in each of them. This makes for a rewarding experience in television viewing.

The story focuses on four friends (members of The Clique) Nitz, Cal, Rocko, and Gimpy who all attend different colleges in the same town, they've been friends since birth and nothing is going to change that now. Each of the characters fits a stereotype but also breaks it. Nitz is the nice quite nerdy guy that always feels a constant embarrassment towards the friends he has but also a great bit of love towards. Rocko is the tough guy that basically excels at being an ass, especially to Cal who truly steals the show as the quiet annoying yet good looking babe magnet...its Cal that comes in with the great lines that cause you to burst into laughter "Sorry guy time for my late afternoon sex". Another true gem in the show is Gimpy the shut in from Techerson Tech college, he barely ever leaves his room and lives his life according to Star Wars.

Nitz is constantly the folly of his friend's exploits but also of his own lust for Kimmy Burton, the girl that he's had a crush on for four years. The season truly comes full circle at the end.

The secondary characters also bring out the best in Undergrads, from wise ass Jesse to movie talking Brodie and the $@%@ing trash talker Kruger, the show's writers truly display their abilities of interpreting real life into an animated sitcom. I see everyone of these characters in every day life and truly hope to see the show continue next year..so please MTV execs listen to my call...as well as the call of many fans..keep Undergrads on the air.