Blur

I thought that the hideous red face on the main character's canvas looked familiar so I looked it up and, yes, it's almost line for line the famous sketch "Head studies" by Leonardo da Vinci at the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest. Of course, it could be just a coincidence, but I think it's a subliminal message, something like, "Go to the museum, go to the museum, don't waste your money, don't waste your money..." Anyway, it starts out interesting, with good acting on the part of a group of interesting practically unknowns. Then it ever so slowly gets spookier and cornier in a grossly subtle and confusing fashion. They use lots of contrived false leads to nowhere in particular until the end, when it slaps you in the face and blatantly says to you, "You should have gone to the museum, you wasted your money..." I just wish I could spoil the ending for you, but for the most part, it was so boring that it's a blur.

We know its low budget. We know it was all filmed on one location. But that's what made me wonder about something. With all the money saved on the filming costs, couldn't somebody have kicked in a little for some acting lessons? This was so hard for me to watch ... actually, I turned it off at the 60 minute mark. I challenge you to make it further. What does it say if you make it further? Either you are really bored. Or, you were able to laugh at it. Sadly, I was neither bored enough to watch it nor was I able to laugh at its stupidity. I will say the paintings weren't bad. Especially the one from the film's poster. Sadly that was the best part of the film. Remember, this was me going to watch a movie, not a guy going to an art show.

I thought Blur was a solid debut film for Nick Briscoe. Well written with a great storyline and a twist ending that no one would expect. The directing is fantastic...so good that you find it hard to believe that it is his debut film. The camera angles, lighting, and editing are all superior to what you would expect from a small independent film. The acting is a little on the amateur side, which is the only thing that keeps this film from being a 10. But that is to be expected in a small indie film such as this. If you like suspense films and surprise endings in the tradition of The Sixth Sense, I highly recommend checking out Blur. All things considered, I would say you can expect great things from Nick Briscoe and Belvedere Films in the future. Given a much larger budget, I believe the sky is the limit.

It could have been great. It starts with the distorted reality of a painter, described in slow (sometimes too slow) detail, and it evokes that "old school" feel of knowing the characters and getting into their world with them. And then the movie goes sideways, loses control, hits a tree and dies.

I tell you, rather than release this film they should have thrown away the last quarter and remake it into something that made sense. It is difficult for me to explain what is wrong with the film without giving away the ending, so you have two choices: watch it and be lenient or don't bother.

Although I was sketchy while first recommended via NetFlix, I decided to check it out. Let me first say, I am a HUGE Nicole Rayburn fan, I think she is highly underrated and i will watch anything she is in. Yes, I've seen "Candy Stripers" and "Boo!" The film starts out with this great title sequence showing these great art pieces... with vivid vibrant colors. We then are taken into the art infused work of Adrian Jonas, who is painting one of his pieces in preparation for his big show in SoHo. The day takes a turn for the worst when Adrian has a vision that something bad is going to happen.

The film is not what I expected, i seriously thought I was going to be watching a bad horror movie, with bad acting and bad dialog. I was pleasantly surprised when I was proved wrong.

The film is both intelligent and intriguing. I was taken into this world of this artist who could possibly be on the verge of something extremely creative or extremely terrifying.

It almost felt documentary-style. Almost like I was peaking into someone's private life, where I shouldn't be. Salvatore Xuereb was just astonishing, he really took the role to the next level and gave you such a great feeling. Wendy Carter was also great as the wife who may be in danger. Jana Kolesarova was a true gem and a surprise when she came onto screen. She really was the true standout for me personally. And of course, Nicole Rayburn was my personal favorite. I hope this girl does more, I really enjoy her.

At the end of this film, I was in shock. I couldn't believe what I just saw and I was blown away. After second viewing, I pieced more information together and I was extremely excited and enthusiastic.

I would recommend this film to everyone. This is a film that you want to talk about after you've seen it.