Ten Inch Hero

OK, let's be honest. I've seen (the start of) a hundred of these sorts of movies --- low-budget indie flick about a quirky group of friends, billed as a comedy but not really many laugh-out-loud moments. Most of them are utterly dreadful, and I can tell within ten minutes that I hate these people and/or have utterly no interest in their lives.

But every so often you get lucky and the whole thing works. From the first minutes you're intrigued by something, you soon care about every one of the characters, and by the end you're as in love with them as they all are with each other.

Watch it with someone you love; you'll be happy you did so!

I read some good reviews about Ten Inch Hero and it being an independent film and all I decided to give it a try.I'm glad I did. The film focus on four friends,Tish,Jen,Piper and Priestly who work in a sandwich shop in Santa Cruz, California.The shop is owned by the hippie surfer Trucker who's in love with Zo,a mysterious woman that works across the street.Everyone is hiding something, Jen hides her true self, Trucker hides his past, Piper gets trapped into a big lie and Priestly doesn't feel comfortable in his own skin.The movie explores such themes as honesty,friendship and finding love.You'll probably recognize pretty much all the actors if you watch TV shows.You obviously know Jensen Ackles from Dark Angel and Supernatural plus four of them have been in One Tree Hill and both Clea DuVall and Adair Tishler were in Heroes.They're all accomplished actors. The good thing about most independent movies as opposite to Hollywood is that they go back to the roots of film-making...you don't need a big budget or GCI or even A-list actors for that matter to make a meaningful film. All that Hollywood BS ends up getting in the way. All in all this is a great little movie that you shouldn't miss.

8/10

I saw this at the Santa Cruz Film Festival and enjoyed it immensely. Jensen Ackles stole the show--anyone who watches Supernatural knows he's got great comedic timing--but the other roles were well-played, too (particularly Clea DuVall), and the story/characterization unfolded believably (for a rom-com) and enjoyably. The core of the script, with the team of friends working together at the sub shop, was engaging and smart, and the plot was solid (avoiding the huge leaps that plague many films) and even contained a few unexpected twists. I laughed, a lot; my companion cried, a little. I can't wait until this gets wider distribution so I can watch it with more of my friends. Perfection, no; an enjoyable evening's entertainment, surely. I'll be buying this when it's available.

I don't know if I can convey in words exactly how wonderful this movie is. I was very lucky to see it at the 2007 Newport Beach Film Festival. And from the laugher and tears that the whole audience had, it was fantastic.

The stories of all the characters were combined to tell a wonderful story. The story, the direction, the acting, the music, was above par for anything you usually see today.

I was laughing so much at times my sides hurt. My eyes got wet at other times. And sometimes you just got an overwhelming since of happiness.

When it was over, I turned to the girl setting next to me, and we both agreed we wanted to see it again, right then and there! And the whole audience started clapping.

I surely hope to see this on the big screen, where I will drag all my co-workers and friends to. I have not stopped talking about it, and they are all now convinced to go see it, when it hits the big screens. And trust me, I'll be buying it when it comes out on DVD. It is one of those movies, that you can just watch time and time again.

Ten Inch Hero is a touching, elegant and sweet movie about people not quite so ordinary, and the masks they wear for each other without even knowing, without even wanting to. It's also a movie about tearing down the masks and - simply - finding what's really important.

The movie is worth watching at least several times. The dialog is witty and sharp, the plot elegantly constructed and absorbing, the music masterful (and funny, because it perfectly mirrors the plot and - surprisingly - brings comic relief in a few carefully chosen places), the filming beautiful and professional, and the actors good, funny and entirely believable.

Clea DuVall is, as usual, a quiet but very intense presence on the screen, yet the filmmakers don't let her steal the show entirely. Same goes for Jensen Ackles, the central "fun" character, who has quite a few superb moments that show both his comedic ability and enchanting subtlety. Alice Krige was a wonderful casting choice, and her presence (complimented by the music) transforms the scenes in funny and touching ways.

In other words, I want the DVD, and I want it right now!