Firecracker

I went to see this movie last night and ended up walking out (actually, I think I counted at least 10 other walk-outs before me). I must say I had been extremely excited about seeing it. It had no redeeming qualities, except for maybe the colors. Overacting dramatic scenes were met with laughter, that kid's face bugged the hell out of me. It was so unrealistic it was difficult to watch. I've never felt so duped in my life. The makers of this movie should be banned from ever making another. No wonder they can't find a distributor! It sucks! Don't see this movie. Don't give them your money. don't see this it's horrible! My girlfriend hated it too.

Mike Patton, one of my favorite music artist, is going to star not one role but two roles. And this being his first acting role? Mike Patton known for the music projects Tomohawk, Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, Faith No More.......etc. Notonly is he going to star but also Karen Black who has been in over 130 movies! The movie was beautifully done. The first scene really got attention. My favorite scene in general was in about 5 minutes in the movie when Jimmy walks through the carnival and everything is black and white except one of the carnival rides. Being an editor myself I could really relate to the colors and how some scenes the colors would fade from one to an other. It was nothing like I've ever scene. Finally something original comes out not only with the storyline but with pretty much everything else. People compare this to David Lynch and I halfway agree. This film tells more of the story by the colors and the amazing and beautiful music. Lynch to me tells the story by mainly audio and music. Steve Balderson is only 30 years old. I think he is going to be very good in the future.

The storyline consist of Jimmy, who is constantly abused by his older brother (well played by Mike Patton). By the end of the movie two tragedy's will take place while both exactly the opposite from each other. I don't want to say much more such as how the different colors mean different things and also how the story is very well compared to The Wizard of Oz and even in my opinion, to the story on how Jesus was betrayed! There is so much symbolism in this movie and so many great aspects that I would write ten pages just to cover them! Please try to watch this film at least once, though the second time it does make more sense. This is the best indy film I've scene this year. I can add this to one of my favorite pshycological films I've scene and add it to my list like Stay, The Jacket, and the Machinist ...etc.

I give the directing a 10, acting a 8, editing a 10, and storyline a 9.

I saw this film at one of its first showings and am constantly checking for a DVD release of it. I choose to review now because there is a lack of good information on it.

Firecracker stars Mike Patton, in his first actual acting role, for those of you that know Patton and his music, I don't think I need to tell you he's a very talented man that never fails to both enlighten and entertain.

Back to the movie, it is actually set in the very town that the story takes place. It takes place about 50 years ago and judging by the town's decor, it hasn't changed much since then. The plot is based on a true story and is very emotional, Jak Kendall and Mike Patton work great together and as you will see that is crucial for this movie to work so well.

Despite a low budget this movie contains really great visuals through the dynamic use of colour for different scenes. The camera-work is something you really need to see, especially if you're sick of the ADD-inspired-camera-angle-onslaught film-making of today.

Whether you're a Mike Patton fan that just wants to see if you're favourite front-man can act, or if you're in the mood for a solid movie with both a great story and visual; you'll be happy you saw Firecracker.

Hopefully, we'll get a DVD release soon. :)

One review said "all style and no substance". I used the same words with my friend only 3 minutes before. Not a coincidence. This is the biggest rip-off(or pointless homage at least) of Blue Velvet(and Twin Peaks) ever created. Which really enrages me cause David Lynch is my favorite director. The acting in this is atrocious. Some of you will be allured by the indie style it's shot or the quirky/dark subject matter and I suppose you'd like David Lynch too. Or perhaps you just dig the shock value of this type of movie. I hope you see one of his films and see how it takes more than just bizarre imagery to make something brilliant. What he does is brilliant and distinctly him. Yea i know maybe i didn't do my research, it could be an homage which is a sweet gesture. Regardless, this movie is clowshoes drizzled in failsauce.

I don't ever do comments but this movie was so bad I had to. It annoyed me from the beginning with a horrible slow-mo long shot of a guy running and then never got better. I can't believe so many people made high remarks about this movie. I guess if you like incest gay rape or female castration or enjoy watching a midget strip you might like it and that wasn't even the worst part. Mike Patton and Karen Black play duel roles, I believe to save money, but the key to playing duel roles is that you have to be different characters and I don't think they got the memo. Patton is awful, Black is a little better, but it's like you're watching two crappy stories play out at the same time with the same characters. The edits seemed to be made by college students, the symbolism was poor, the character development was awful and every person in the film was one dimensional. The kicker was that the police couldn't follow the obvious in your face clues that a 4th grader could pick up on, they had to turn to a crazy lady that lived in a field next to a tree that she hung bottles on. My vote for the worst movie of the year, close to all time. There is so much more I could dissect but I don't have enough space.