Wake Before I Die

I thought one of the best parts of this film was the young actor who played the pastor's son. Finding a watchable, and BELIEVABLE, child actor who can carry so much screen time is a challenge in itself, let alone in a smaller city like Portland where the infrastructure is not yet in place to churn out the hordes of well-trained young stars-aspirant that directors have access to in LA, for instance. So kudos to Elijah Nelson for his performance, and to the filmmakers for casting him.

Not a filmmaker myself, I refuse to really speak to the film's more technical aspects...besides saying that MAKING A GOOD MOVIE IS HARD, why don't YOU try it and then come back and spout opinions! I am proud of our local boys for using the Opif to create something fitting for mainstream cinema, with professional production values all around. I think many of the deficiencies mentioned by our aspiring film critics (like spotty writing, over-scoring, etc.) are typical pitfalls of a film that is written, directed, edited, and produced all by the same team of people. To quote a favorite acting teacher of mine, they "fall in love with their own material," and have a hard time taking the axe to their product to really whittle it into something marketable, concise, and of quality. As the local industry grows, however, I am sure filmmakers will be able to avoid this trap more and more often. Oregon has such a talented and qualified pool of film workers that second and third opinions can't help but start to mean something.

To say this movie is not for everyone would be an understatement. As stated in other reviews it definitely takes its time telling the story and that in and of itself explains my point. Some people like quickly paced fast cutting movies that are quirky and off the wall. I do as well... But this is not one of those movies. This movie is an old school throwback to times when a shot could hold on a screen for more than 5 seconds and indulge in the awesome faces of the incredible cast and I really dug it. I think the filmmakers did a great job telling a faith based story... That doesn't pander to "Christians" or "non- Christians" but instead focuses on an universally terrifying story with great characters that just happen to be Christians. Can't wait to see where these guys go from here!

My history of movies was started in Cambridge,Ma in the 1970's. I lived around the corner from the Orson Welles theater.So I have seen 4 decades worth of movies. I am impressed by the quality of the camera work,the musical score and the local place's that were used for the movie.The Chiurch Dinner and houses really help define the characters lives. Overall the actors were good.Danny Bruno was my Peter Lorre in this movie a real weasel!. Supporting actors Adrienne Vogel,Elijah Nelson and Betty Moyer really caught my eyes.The plot and screenplay did not fit the "Law and Order Plot outline there was no heroic police office,just a small Parish Minister dumb founded by the evil he finds and the danger his family face.

When I saw this film at the premiere (Bagdad theater Portland OR) I didn't know much about what I was going to see however I must admit I had certain expectations. This is because "Wake Before I Die" was the fourth independent feature premiere I attended at the same theater within the last six months so naturally, being an enthusiast of local, low budget film I was comparing them. I do not know anyone affiliated with the production of the film however I was aware of the budget and that it was over twenty times that of the previous three films I had seen there. I can honestly say without exaggerating that it was one of the biggest let downs I have ever encountered in a movie theater. If they had charged me money, I would have asked for it back, it would have been the first time. The most positive thing I can truthfully say about the film is among the muck there were a few stand out performances by some of the leads especially the children. It's too bad that these performances do not even come close to out weighing the boredom, the incoherency, the lack of editing, the first semester film school lighting, the grating music, the uninspired photography.. to name just a few problems I had with the film. I've seen better films produced on a budget of unemployment and food stamps. Seriously. My girlfriend and I did our best to pay attention throughout the excruciating run time and discussed what we thought it was about and neither of us could articulate a plot line we agreed on. We decided that we both agreed that no matter what it was, we didn't care. Portland currently has a vibrant, close knit, budding film community that just needs a few good staples to really catch the eye of the rest of the world. This film is not one of them, and I think honesty in the reviews is very important so there can be an accurate spectrum to judge other creative works within the city's film scene. (note that the ten star review above this one was made months before it's release).

Modern and yet reminiscent of a Val Lewton thriller, this depiction of the age old battle between light and shadow, good and evil, hits the bull's eye through crisp narrative and cinematic style. Every performances is "spot on" perfect from the true to life depiction of family life in a church parsonage to the brooding underbelly of a cult gone mad. It takes its time, introducing the characters, endearing them to the audience before they are thrown into the midst of potential harm. The effect is spellbinding, drawing the viewers into a dreamlike world where almost anything can happen and sometimes does. Dig deep into the popcorn, take an extra long drag from the soda cup, and get ready for an entertaining experience amongst dancing cinematic shadows with this one! IT SHOULD BE NOTED that I originally wrote this review following the Cast & Crew showing last year. I must admit, since I've seen the completed film, I find it to be even more pleasing. Of course I am the Father of the filmmakers. But, I'm a Dad who has a rich history in all things cinema, and after 65 years I certainly know a good movie when I see it. No matter who made it.