Woodshock

I believe this film is ahead of its time. I can appreciate this movie for several reasons 1) I was in the right mental space, I wasn't expecting a lot 2) It reminded me of several films I've watched in a dream in cinema class, therefore I could appreciate the work that was put into this film 3) The cinematography was stunning.

Sure, if you're looking for a film that has an easy to follow premise, this may not be the movie for you! But if you enjoy symbolism, beautiful shots, and controversial topics, give it a try. I don't think you need to know exactly what is happening in the moment to enjoy a film.

The cinematography is very well-done, and that's it for the positives because overall the film is a very slow-moving Wannabe Art Film that's poorly written and slowly devolves into an overblown, confusing downer with little or no meaning. Kirsten Dunst is a tremendous actress, but there is absolutely nothing in this screenplay for her to work with.

Think- Indica, as in, "in-duh!-ca".

I can appreciate other people's "Art". The cinematography is the only positive about this movie... The story could have been good but it was so slow & just ridiculous... I tried, I really did but when it ended I was thinking, why? .. I love all of these actors.. I have loved watching all of their work.. They are each so very talented but even they couldn't make a bad script look good... The 3 starts are for Kirsten, Joe & Pilou who so very graciously agreed to do this movie! I hope they were each paid very well!

I'll admit the film has some very pretty and also trippy visuals that make you really feel like you're in a daze. Which I suppose is the point. To put as in the mindset of Kirsten Dunst's character. And while it excels at that, the film also kind of goes nowhere. Again, maybe that's the point as well. But it doesn't make for a super interesting watch. It's a very slow movie. Kirsten Dunst though does an excellent job. The rest of the cast is fine but not particularly memorable.

"Woodshock" (2017 release; 100 min.) brings the story of Theresa. As the movie opens, we see Theresa taking care of a woman we later learn is her mother. Theresa, upon her mother's request, gives her a spiked joint to smoke. Later, when we see the room empty, we understand Theresa is grieving for the passing of her mom. Meanwhile, we get to know Nick, Theresa's boyfriend, and Keith, Theresa's colleague at the medical marijuana dispense store. At this point, we are 10-15 min. into the movie, but to tell you more of the plot (as it is) would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this movie is co-written and co-directed by the sisters Kate Mulleavy and Laura Mulleavy, who are respected fashion designers without any prior film-making/directing/writing experience. I admit that I knew very little about the movie going in, other than it starred Kirsten Dunst in an indie movie about someone grieving. That sounded it might be in the realm of "Melancholia", so sign me up! From the opening moments of "Woodshock", it all feels quite "artsy" and you are left on your own to figure out what is going on. I have absolutely no problem with that, and figure that if the movie is good, this will sort itself out at some point. Here we are left wondering, and wondering, and wondering… Things play out on the big screen and at one point you hope to be emotionally involved and invested. I couldn't have cared less about any of these characters, whose random scenes left me utterly unmoved, if not bewildered. There are a couple of plus points, including the at times gorgeous scenery (when Dunst goes walking among the sequoia trees, etc.), and of course Dunst herself. She tries her best, although looking equally lost as we are, and in vain looking for clues (at one point literally, as she searches her house top to bottom for … what exactly?).

"Woodshock" opened this weekend at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati, and I couldn't wait to see it. The Friday matinée screening where I saw this at was attended poorly (just a handful of people). About 30 min. into the movie, I mumbled to myself "what's going on here?", and the guy seated a few rows before me turned around and said "you and me both!". This will give you an idea as to the state of affairs in "Woodshock". I honestly cannot recommend this movie in good conscience to anyone, but of course encourage you to check it out in the theater (although I cannot imagine it will play more than a week or two, tops), on Amazon Instant Video, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.