Goats

Great cast with chemistry delivers an engaging performance of an coming of age tale. The story revolves around Ellis, a teenage boy trying to carve out his own life despite having the enormous weight of raising his new-age mother. His troubles are further compounded by his father figure, Goatman, a full blown stoner/gardener who seems mentally stuck at the age of 17. Be prepared to laugh out loud.

Set in Tucson, AZ, the movie also features some of the most beautiful images of the Sonoran Desert. No fake landscapes and plastic saguaros, Tucson's authentic glory is on display in this film. The feel of the town is real.

Although I appreciate many independent films, there are few I want to see over and over, and this is one that I follow from the big screen, to the cheap-theater, and all the way to blue-ray.

Goats, a film directed by Christopher Neil, is a fantastic, unique coming of age story, that spins the common story of personal discovery into something new and previously unseen. I was lucky enough to see the premier of Goats at the Sundance Film Festival. It was a major hit with the audience. Its touching, funny, and original story had the audience watching with bated breath. The cast of Goats was amazing. Graham Phillips played the main character of Ellis, a boy who trying to cope with his difficult parents as well as other problems. His mentor and stand in father, "Goat Man" is played by David Duchovny, a pot growing, goat herder. Both actors hit their roles out of the park making this film a huge success. I would definitely recommend this wonderful film!

What a sweet, funny, engaging film! I wasn't familiar with the young man who plays Ellis, the well-adjusted teenager, struggling between his mother's neediness and his father's reluctant love for him--but wow, he's wonderful. Someone told me he's in a television series entitled The Good Wife, and I'll make a point of watching that series now. Anyway...everyone in the film is terrific. I don't want to spoil it, so what I can tell you is the cinematography is beautiful; the acting is funny and totally right-on; the score is ideal for the story; and for once in a long while, I left the theater feeling really good about life. David Duchovny was a total surprise here--I have never been a fan of his, but he definitely pulled off the character of Goat Man, the inadvertently stable influence on young Ellis. He's a riot, and I'd like to see him playing more comedic roles. Vera Farmiga was totally convincing as the lost-in-space New Agey mother. I laughed and laughed, and so did the rest of the audience. Everyone in the theater enjoyed themselves, and were all commenting on what an enjoyable film we'd just seen. Please, please, please go see it when it comes out in theaters, I guarantee you'll laugh like mad. I plan to see it again and take my nieces and nephews and brother and sis as well!!!!!

The first word that came to mind as I left the premiere of GOATS was forgiveness. The story is funny yet reflective and beautifully told. Impeccable acting and perfect direction brought each character to life. The story gently speaks of the struggles individuals face and how those around them learn to cope and to forgive, regardless of uninterrupted mistakes. Special kudos to the young actor who played Ellis. He was convincing and genuine. It seemed to me like each actor understood the depth of the story which translated into GOATS' authentically human relationships. It truly is an incredible story, with something to offer everyone.

My wife and I screened this film at the Sundance Film Festival World Premier this evening and were proud to have given it a 9 out of 10 stars! This fantastically funny modern coming of age story is carried by a great cast that truly brings the audience into a world of starkly contrasting personalities. I never stopped laughing for the entire 90 minutes, not just at the overtly funny moments but at the subtle idiosyncrasies that each character brings to the screen. Put simply I loved this film. David Duchovny as the Goat Man alone is an act that could go on the road. In his directorial debut Christopher Neil has produced a film that I could easily see becoming a cult classic!