Valley of Angels

George Katt's acting was phenomenal and it was refreshing to see natural acting and not an over-played character for once. I rented this film at Blockbuster and I highly enjoyed it. It was one of the better movies I've seen this year. Before you watch this, you need to understand that this film was not about your stereo-typical Hollywood drug dealer and it's an independent film! Not a big budget Hollywood fast-food-film. They probably had limited takes and limited options but it came out excellent for what it was. I enjoyed this film very much. The ending really touched me and it made me think. Mr. Katt does have a really bright future. I agree with some of the reviewers he fits in a class of Ed Nortons, Brandos, DeNiro's, etc. I actually thought he had a James Dean style to him. Dean would speak in low tones and these type of actors were very internal. I was an avid fan of Marlon Brando's earlier films and he definitely has that star quality. I also liked the young girl that played his sister. Rent it, buy it. It's different and refreshing.

This is really an actor worth paying attention to. I found the story and film-making wonderful for an independent film of this budget. What makes this movie stand out is the lead performance. Katt is unbelievably convincing as a young torn drug dealer. He almost disappears into the role. Really, an excellent job.

Katt embodies a sense of brooding masculinity that other men can only dream of attaining, while creating an enduring cinema presence and delivering, I believe, one of the all-time great independent film performances. A class-act from beginning to end; sexy, brutal, and endlessly fascinating.

I agree with the positive reviewers of this film. George Katt was outstanding in this film. Almost to a detriment to the other actors and the script itself. Being a fan of older movies myself, during the heyday of the Actor's Studio boom, he brings a lot of that "feel" in his performance. Very real and his deliveries and mannerisms are very unique. Yes, he maybe mumble a few times but so did Marlon Brando. Actually, Brando got a lot of heat for that from critics. But we mumble in everyday life, it's very real. It just made me want to pay more attention to what he had to say. I liked the film a lot and recommend it. George Katt is at a higher level of acting than Danny Trejo and the rest of the cast though and he deserves to be playing with the big wigs. I can see how he doesn't really get much from the other actors in this film but gives himself and does his job extremely well with what he has to work with. I commend that in actors like him.

Last week I went to view several films at the NY International Independent Film Festival. I caught a bunch of shorts and several features. The highlighted films were "The Last of the Romantics" and this wonderful film "Valley of Angels".

Now, I've been in the business for 32 years. I've seen brilliant films and some wonderful indies. "Valley of Angels" really took the cake at this festival for me. I haven't seen an indie film this powerful in a very long time.

First off, for the budget it was made on, the film looks wonderful. The story had me on the edge the entire time. I was not bored for a minute.

Now, Danny Trejo is more of a supporting actor in the film - we don't see very much of him but when we do - Watch out! It's the best and scariest I've seen him in a very long time. He's great to watch but the highlight for me was the young newcomer and New York City native George Katt - the true star of the film. Katt plays "Zeus" the young drug dealer that gets caught up in a huge mess. He is in virtually every scene and carries the entire film with one of the most powerful presence's I have seen in cinema in a really long time. He is one of the most moving young actors I have watched in a very long while. He has a young Russell Crowe intensity but reminds you of the greatest actors of our earlier generation - Brando, Dean, Clift, McQueen - due to a very naturalistic approach and intensity, but he also channels this amazing vulnerability.

Katt truly made the movie work for me. I don't know how it would have turned out if Mr. Rosten had cast another way. George Katt is truly a diamond in the rough - especially out in Los Angeles where we get a lot of flash-in-the-pan actors and mediocre performances. When you watch the film, you can see Mr. Katt truly lives and breathes the role of "Zeus" with every inch of his emotion and instinct.

I can't say enough about "Valley" the film itself, but I can't stress even more about Mr. Katt and his importance in making it a great flick. He is worth every penny of the ticket price of this film.

The other performances that really stood out were a wonderful young actress (also a newcomer) Heather Trzyna - who plays Zeus' younger sister. She really moved me and has a bright career ahead of her (a young Meryl Streep-to-be). Also, Renee George gave a nice turn as Sandra - Zeus' materialistic girlfriend.

A great cast all around - but Mr. Katt is surely the one to watch with Trejo as a bit of icing on an already wonderfully well-done project! Jon Rosten does a great job with his vision and an already powerful script.

We are sure to see more of Mr. Rosten and Mr. Katt (reminding me of the early Scorsese and De Niro in many, many ways).

Check this film out when it comes to you! I'm off to the next festival and review! Cheers, -CMJones

*03/22/2007 New York Film Festival update: Valley of Angels has won the Grand Jury Award for best feature film!! Valley of Angels took top prize!

I still can't get over the fact that this movie by a first-time, independent film maker looks so good! The story made my heart race from the suspense. Danny Trejo continues to be Hollywood's number one bad-ass. George Katt, Renee George, Miguel Munguia, Heather Tryzna and the rest of the cast gave great performances, too. There was a big buzz after the movie premiere at the New York Film Festival last Saturday night. Looks like it's going to win top prize. Good to see that this movie is finally getting its due. Way to go Levelblue Productions! I look forward to seeing the future projects from this up and coming production company!