Raising Flagg

I found "Raising Flagg" to be a charming film, well directed and well shot. Director of Photography, Erich Roland's, cinematography really demonstrated the Sony camera's capability of delivering pristine film-quality images. His photography was extraordinary and I enjoyed seeing his transition shots of vast Oregon landscapes combined with the interior shots of the actors in various lighting conditions. Shadow detail, depth of field, composition it was all there. Night scenes were also well shot.

The Windows Media 9 encoding and presentation of the film was flawless. The screen size in the Angelica Film Center was typical in size of most theater multiplex screens. The Digital Cinema presentation was bright and sound was excellent. Not at one point was the technology revealed. I simply was in a theater watching an entertaining film.

Digital Cinema is here and now my decision to shoot in High Definition is finalized! Thank you Neal Miller and special thanks to Sony Electronics and Microsoft Windows Media 9!

Roy Francis Stewart Enterstewart Pictures Writer/producer/director "Rock Dreams"

"Raising Flagg" is a laid back, innocuous indie comedy about a cantankerous, attention-seeking old codger (delightfully played by Alan Arkin) and his run-ins with various members of his family and community.

Preferring the appreciative chuckle to the full-throated guffaw, writer/director Neil Miller gently ribs his small town folk without once resorting to condescension or caricature to get the laugh. Arkin is nicely complemented by a cast of familiar and not-so-familiar faces (Austen Pendleton and Richard Kine being probably the most recognizable of the lot), while the Pacific Northwest setting provides a scenic backdrop for all the shenanigans.

This movie definitely had potential. How can you go wrong with Alan Arkin? Unfortunately it did. Possibly a casting problem. Arkin as with most of his films is by far the most interesting thing about this movie. Always like to see him act.

This is a film best watched on a Sunday while drinking coffee. An introspective look at people trying to make sense of their lives. Alan Arkin is a favorite of mine so I quite enjoyed this film. The actor that plays his son is actually his real son. He rides a fantastic vintage BMW motorcycle.

When Flagg become sick and the family trickled in to pay their respects.

A real shame.

---------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Deliberately botched (for the "it's so bad it's good" crowd) 2 I don't want to see it 3 I didn't finish and or FF'd through it 4 Bad 5 I don't get it 6 Good 7 Great but with a major flaw 8 Great 9 Noir with moral 10 Inspiring with moral.