Among Ravens

My first film review. I attended a screening because the producers and directors were doing a live Q&A in the theater. Also, I wanted to meet their daughter - the amazing Johnny Sequoyah - who I had "discovered" in the TV show "Believe," (even though she wasn't there for the show I attended). While most of the characters dealt with their own issues in the story, it took me a while to figure out their connections with each other. Johnny's character "Joey" is mesmerizing in all her scenes, and endearing in her bond with "Chad" - even when the rest of the characters turned against him. The staring contest between Joey and "Saul" (her real-life dad Russell Friedenberg) left me wondering why their bond was broken. There were a couple humorous bits, but I would have liked more to break the tension in the plot. Nonetheless, I did like the film, the cinematography, and especially Johnny. I look forward to seeing more films from this talented family. Thanks for coming back to Boise.

I've never reviewed a film before, but have to say something about this one. Among Ravens has a beautiful story line, incredible cinematography, and the score was magnificent! I love films about real life and relationships, so this was a perfect film for me. It was funny and beautiful and sad and lovely all at once. The dialog is smart and the characters are so believable. I particularly enjoy the storyline about the life coach, and I'm sure I'm going to be quoting Hal for years to come! It's a refreshing break from transformers and car crashes. Take a date, and enjoy a movie that will truly move you! (PS I think this movie would best be enjoyed by 30-somethings.)

A wonderful summer movie with complicated characters and beautiful scenery. The cinematography is breathtaking. Johnny Sequoyah and Will McCormack have a great chemistry together. The narrative that Joey (Johnny Sequoyah) does throughout the film is thought provoking and mindful. Anyone who comes from a dysfunctional family or a broken home will be able to identify with this film and the actions of the characters. The plot draws you in and you root for Chad and Joey, they each have a sweetness the exudes off of the screen. Be on the lookout for more from Johnny Sequoyah! She is on my watch list for up and coming young stars!

This film establishes Johnny Sequoyah as an up and coming big, big star. The script is unbelievably tight and each scene is just utter perfection. It's phenomenally well acted and produced, and the soundtrack is spot on. When they cut to Jason Isbell's God Damn Lonely Love in the bar scene I almost started clapping. And I was alone. The story itself is just great - it's tragic and beautiful and very funny. Shot entirely in Idaho, mostly in the resort town of McCall, it's visually stunning to say the least. The smoke from the ongoing forest fire seems to add the message that everything can burn, and there are relationships on fire in many different ways in this film. The ending leaves you wondering if "Joey" is Herman Hesse's Damian and you've just witnessed her coming of age. It's utterly fantastic!

This is a wonderful little gem of a movie. From the cinematography, with sweeping views of the Idaho mountains to the nuances of each character and their interaction, or better yet, their lack of interaction between one another. It shows our distance with one another and mis communications between family and friends. lost love and un fulfilled dreams yet our grasp at holding onto what little honor we have left. Finding redemption with the last hope of guiding ones life to fulfillment. If you take every moment seriously in this film you may not like it, but if you're smart enough to understand that this is a hyper state of reality and dive into the realm of our great Russian playwrights chaos and humor. this one's for you. It's important we support our independent film makers and not forget just how difficult it is to make movie. This is a story that should be told.