Arnolds Park

This is a very special movie - a must see for sure! This is one of the best movies I have seen so far in terms of plot, character interaction, twists, schemes, and even location. The plot is impressively and deliciously elaborate, which I love in movies and books. It's a movie you can watch over and over and each time you would pick up something you missed the previous times. Pay very close attention to every second, though - cause you will miss out on things and get a little confused. In the end, though, everything ties together so nicely and you totally get it. I loved the way it was filmed too - scenes like where a kid was smoking and they zoomed in on the cig, then the next scene you see a cig, they zoom out and it's someone else. I love that transitional stuff. The movie has a nice midwestern feel, which I am akin to. The actors and actresses did a great job - believable and personable.

I was privy to seeing the premiere of Arnold's Park at Arnold's Park in Iowa. It is a movie that many can enjoy, from the 13 year-old girls to my 60'ish year-old mother.

I helped to save the park in 1999 when it was threatened with demolition to make way for condo's & such. And it was nice to see a movie set there.

As for the story, if you were ever one of those that got picked on in school, you can relate to this one.

Picked on by his schoolmates, Francis Larson is the whipping boy for all of the 'cool kids' and others that ridicule & make fun of about his sloth-like appearance & demeanor. One of his female classmates that he openly had a crush on is found dead from drowning in Lake Okoboji.

Francis is a suspect of the murder & thusly found guilty, sent to prison, and commits suicide from the shame of what he has gotten into.

Or did he?

I cannot go any further as to not spoil your viewing.

Just trust me. The beginning maybe slow, but things will pick up & you will enjoy attempting to figure out . . .

Who did kill Barbara Stratton? You will all have fun attempting to figure that one out thanks to the writer Jim Kreitel, a screenwriter from Sioux Falls, SD. He created a story with many twists & turns to make the viewer wonder who is the guilty one, and suspect everyone.

As this is his first movie produced, I would say I was more than very impressed. It looks like this guy may have great potential to be someone to be reckoned with in the future. As well as proof to other burgeoning writers who are not from the coast{s} or metro areas, that you can obtain your dreams of professional writing. If you keep at it, it can happen if you follow your dream.

In summery: This is an overall fun movie

I was lucky enough to get into a special advance screening and loved it. It's a movie I will be sure to see more than once. Go see this if you are in the mood for a fun ride with a youthful edge. It moves along at a good pace so pay close attention so you don't miss stuff and get confused. The plot is nicely complicated and twisted. There is also a good love triangle mixed in with the mystery but I don't want to give away too much. It has a different sort of feel than most movies with teenagers and twenty-something actors. The lead actor is drop dead gorgeous and intriguing. Can't wait to see more of him. Eye candy. Definitely fun. Some cool Midwest locations. Some great scenes at this famous old amusement park. Makes you think of summer.

After this film ended, it reminded me of how I feel, after I've watched some weekly TV show. EMPTY. That's why i no longer watch TV shows. Their clever, fast-moving melodrama keeps your eyes glued to the screen, but after it's over you are left with NOTHING. There's really no heart nor soul. It would be difficult, to produce something meaningful week after week, so the writers/producers rely on a repetitive formula. This film was a well-produced, well-acted TV show, but nothing more.