The Scenesters

The phrase "first time film-makers" is usually associated with messy, amateurish affairs. Not so for this movie. A masterwork of "found footage", this film contains a broad range of styles, expert editing, sharp writing, terrific performances, and a killer soundtrack (literally). Hard to believe this is a low-budget, and even harder to believe that it is a feature film debut for this group. And unlike most "comedy troupes" (for example, Twisted Lizard) who make movies, these guys did not just put a comedy sketch writ large or a series of disconnected jokes loosely tied together onto the screen: they made a complete and complex story with various layers intertwined together to form a very satisfying whole.

It's a great movie for seasoned pros. It's an amazing accomplishment for first timers (and I say first implying there will be a second and third and...).

I can see why it has done so well on the film festival circuit and I wish these guys luck with distribution!

These filmmakers are very underrated.

This is a crime noir, tounge in cheek very clever and subtle comedy.

If people didn't like this film it's because they didn't get the nuance.

I have watched this film so many times. It has become one of my wife's favorites.

I want more people to see this film.

It's black and white and that will turn off a lot of people.

But don't be that guy.

Obviously they didn't have much of a budget and that's another reason to watch it, they did such a great job with what little they had. If you are a fan of film, or comedy or detective noir then you will love this.

I was fortunate enough to see a screening of this along with the "Annapolis Pretentious Film Society" a few nights ago. In attendance was Todd Berger himself. It was a great chance to hear from the writer/director about the process of making this delightfully funny film-noir/detective movie. As a film lover, I loved that I could sit back and enjoy the gentle mocking of the noir films of days gone by and laugh out loud at some truly absurd moments. Berger helped explain the cameos/bigger-star scenes (Fenn, Landis, etc.). I really hope that some of these stories making it onto the "making of" portion of the DVD. I anxiously await the moment when this gets released on DVD -- because I would love to watch it again with some friends!

I loved this film. I saw it first at the Austin Film Festival and then saw it again when it hit the Chicago Film Festival. The second time I saw it, I got even more out of it. It has gotten some critical acclaim including Best Comedy at the Hollywood Film Festival, Best Director at the Edmunton Film Festival, and, I think it got Most Interesting Film at the SlamDance Film Festival. I know it got other awards, too, but I'm not sure of all of them.

The deliberate change from black & white to color and back again has significance, and it it fun to see it all played out. The film has been cast well and includes some very funny lines and scenes. If you like mystery and spoofs, you would find this film quite entertaining. I definitely recommend this film.

When an unsuccessful artsy, film maker is forced to be a crime scene videographer, he finds his surprise inspiration for his next project, in a heartbroken, down on his luck, crime scene cleaner. But there is a serial killer on the loose in Los Angeles and things get personal and intense real fast. An entertaining film on many levels. It's part crime-drama, comedy, romance, court room drama and horror film. This film delivers on many levels! An original story that entertains and also has some good chills, thrills and twists! A very talented cast!! Well directed and super fun!! Plus, it's shot very well. A film within a film that keep us on our toes. Pays homage to the great city of Los Angeles. Some good cameos too.