Cinema Purgatorio

'Cinema Purgatorio' is a really fun movie with some almost surprising gems. On the surface, the movie is simply about a team entering a 48 hour film festival. If you look a bit deeper, though, (don't worry, you don't have to look too far- it's pretty much right there) it's a story about relationships and working out your issues. It's got a fun sense of real humor- definitely how I could see people actually reacting to these situations. There are lots of sweet moments and one-liners that bring out not only the humor of life, but also those little things we all need to learn and hear at one point or another. While it's not a cast full of well-known names or common faces, that lends to the realism and feel of the show. It's definitely something that will stay with me for a long time, and well worth watching again and again. Well done!

This movie inspired me to add to the lexicon of aphorisms. Cinema Purgatorio is a unique movie that is a picture within a picture within a picture. Is that equal to 1,000 words to the third (cubed) power? First, the movie is about making a movie. At the risk being blacklisted for creating spoilage, I will refrain from further description along those lines.

Husband and wife co-produce "films" and are not doing too well. Spiritually and financially. They hatch a scheme to impress a Hollywood Star who, they assume, will back their next major project.

Husband and wife set out to win a 48-Hour Film Film Festival. Nearly penniless they assemble a very funny and entertaining cast and crew who include a has-been, a wannabe and several in between.

Their antics truly mirror the hazards and realities of low-budget or, in this case, no-budget projects. The 48-Hour weekend nearly turns into a disaster but through resourcefulness and persistence, they screen their entry along with several other submissions.

The remainder is fast paced and will leave you surprised and please, with a warm feeling in your heart (unless you are heartless).

I attended the North Carolina premier of this movie last night, and absolutely loved it. The basic premise is that two marginally-successful film makers (who are also married to one another) decide to make a last-ditch effort before possibly throwing the towel in and opting to get "real jobs." The story was about the "human condition", and was, in turn, inspiring, poignant, and hilarious. The acting was first-rate; each character sprang from honesty and was entirely believable. Each character had his/her "turn", and made the most of it; but Lavin Cuddihee has a scene about 2/3 of the way through the film that had the entire audience laughing uncontrollably. This is a very fun and enjoyable movie, and I'd recommend it.

Cinema Purgatorio is a wonderfully witty film about the idiosyncrasies that go into film-making. It's a brilliant riff on the behind the scenes life, filled with rich characters and a gripping story. With only a budget of 50k, everything was stellar, considering. I believe everyone would enjoy this quirky little film, particularly people who work in the industry. In addition to all of this, it is well shot and acted. It was visually pleasing. My favorite aspect of this film was the characters. They were well- written, and I enjoyed watching them interact with each other. Their dialouge between each other is witty and always had my laughing. I was also a huge fan of the music choices used within. I will be recommending this one to everyone I know.

I love seeing indie filmmakers succeed in producing quality films, which is one of the reasons I loved Cinema Purgatorio. Chris White and Emily Reach White make a wonderful team, and their love for making this film shows in every frame. Chris White also does a great job directing, but he will be remembered most for his quality performance in the lead role. White has filled his cast with wonderful character actors, and many stand out, but none more than Lavin Cuddihee who plays smarmy Nick Teasle to perfection. The film is charming and fun and truly funny, especially when Cuddihee is on the screen. I thoroughly enjoyed the film, and look forward to more from White as well as Cuddihee.