Jehdog1

I saw this film in the theater when it first came out, I'm sorry to say, and it was one of only a few films I have ever wanted to walk out of early. I didn't have a problem with the drug content and I could see how this cautionary tale could have been powerful. The problem was, the film-maker, working with James Woods and Sean Young, drew two of the least lovable characters I have ever seen on film. I hated this pair and couldn't have cared less if they sunk straight to the inevitable bottom. Their was not one surprise in this film. Every turn of events was so painfully obvious that I felt I could have written the script myself; although I like to think I would have done a better job. I subsequently heard nightmarish stories about the incidents on the set between Sean Young and James Woods along the lines of some sort of stalking events. It made me wonder if the terrible acting arose out of some bad feelings and dysfunction. Anyway, I refer to The Boost as the worst film I've ever paid money to see.

I saw this film at the Port Townsend Film Festival in September 2006. It was the last film I saw, and because I had seen so much, I almost didn't stay for it. I am so glad I saw this film, because it opened my eyes and my heart to the soldiers who are serving in Iraq. The film does an amazing job of enabling the viewer to get to know the soldiers, to understand what many of them go through over there and upon their return to "normal" life -- and to separate those feelings of empathy from our feelings about the legitimacy of the war -- or otherwise. I was lucky enough to see a Q&A after the film with one of the marines who had been featured in the film. Hearing the follow-up on his experiences added even more to the experience of seeing the film. The live footage, audio and video, as well as the personal stills taken by soldiers, were moving and harrowing. One piece of video footage toward the end of the film did more for my understanding of the actual experience of combat than any dramatic piece I've seen -- including those "realistic" dramatic pieces such as Saving Private Ryan or Platoon. I recommend this film.

I caught this movie at the Port Townsend Film Festival last weekend and it was one of my favorites of the weekend. I was surprised by how moving it was, and by how well it worked, given the concept (that the entire film was shot by an ever-present buddy, an amateur video operator). The acting was exceptional, and the character development (particularly the limo driver) was another great surprise. I tried to catch up with the director after the Q&A but he was in great demand. Not just an interesting study in the meaning of marriage and of commitment, the movie also had much to say about how different people react and respond to adversity, challenge and frustration -- all handled with humor. I recommend this film. It is funny and meaningful.