18 reviews
This movie features the kid (Charlie Plummer) from "Granite Flats" (TV Series), where he did a brilliant job as a nerdy very polite kid. - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2624370/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_6
But, as fantastic as he was in Granite Flats, I couldn't help but wonder if this kid was a One Trick Pony. That is, is the nerdy kid all he can play.
After watching "King Jack", I can assure you this kid is NO One Trick Pony. His performance in King Jack was brilliant. I expect very good things from him in the future.
The movie itself, which I found very enjoyable, was short of perfect. But I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves Indie Film.
A dark story about a kid trapped in poverty, in a less than desirable neighborhood, with a family which I will generously describe as dysfunction, and his struggle to simply endure.
Charlie Plummer is an actor to keep an eye on as I expect very good things for him in the future.
But, as fantastic as he was in Granite Flats, I couldn't help but wonder if this kid was a One Trick Pony. That is, is the nerdy kid all he can play.
After watching "King Jack", I can assure you this kid is NO One Trick Pony. His performance in King Jack was brilliant. I expect very good things from him in the future.
The movie itself, which I found very enjoyable, was short of perfect. But I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves Indie Film.
A dark story about a kid trapped in poverty, in a less than desirable neighborhood, with a family which I will generously describe as dysfunction, and his struggle to simply endure.
Charlie Plummer is an actor to keep an eye on as I expect very good things for him in the future.
This is a wonderfully quirky romantic comedy, but far from the generic fair that tumbles out of Hollywood on a regular basis. The story of a boy who smells like fish and overcoming the adversities of life. I saw this movie three times on consecutive days, and enjoyed it every time. Not your typically Hollywood fair, rather unique and charming with excellent performances by Douglas Smith and Zoe Kravits. So, wonderfully endearing. I say the following in many of my reviews; if you are into standard Hollywood Blockbuster formula movies, then perhaps this is not the movie for you. However, if you love independent film, and you like new ideas, then you will most certainly like this movie. I personally loved it, which is why I watched three times in a row.
Utopia becomes Dystrophy.
Free love becomes sex without meaning or commitment.
Drugs become a means of not insight and enlightenment, but of dulling the daily grind of meaninglessness.
The Commune, the group, becomes isolated loneliness. You all say you are together, but without meaning, commitment, or attachment, you are alone in a crowd.
Reality becomes someone else reality, and your own disconnect from reality.
This is not a comedy. This is not an action movie. This is not a Hollywood blockbuster. This is a dark gritty drama, and if you like that sort of thing, which I do on occasion, then you will like this movie. But ...no... it is not for everyone, and absolute not for the 'blockbuster' crowd.
This is grim cold reality. The movie does not have a lot of highs and lows, though there are certainly moments of drama. I guess one could call it a "Slice of Life", but as mentioned, it is a grim empty life wearing the cloak of Utopia.
Excellent job by the lead character - Mark L. Young as Victor. He conveys the desperateness and detachment of Victor very convincingly. And very good jobs by the supporting characters. On acting alone this movie is worth a look. I expect powerful things from Mark Young in the future.
So, whether this movie is for you, only you can tell. If you like the dark and gritty, and something off the mainstream, then you will be satisfied. But if you are locked into 'blockbusters' and 'teen sex romp comedies', I feel this movie will be a bit too grim for you.
Free love becomes sex without meaning or commitment.
Drugs become a means of not insight and enlightenment, but of dulling the daily grind of meaninglessness.
The Commune, the group, becomes isolated loneliness. You all say you are together, but without meaning, commitment, or attachment, you are alone in a crowd.
Reality becomes someone else reality, and your own disconnect from reality.
This is not a comedy. This is not an action movie. This is not a Hollywood blockbuster. This is a dark gritty drama, and if you like that sort of thing, which I do on occasion, then you will like this movie. But ...no... it is not for everyone, and absolute not for the 'blockbuster' crowd.
This is grim cold reality. The movie does not have a lot of highs and lows, though there are certainly moments of drama. I guess one could call it a "Slice of Life", but as mentioned, it is a grim empty life wearing the cloak of Utopia.
Excellent job by the lead character - Mark L. Young as Victor. He conveys the desperateness and detachment of Victor very convincingly. And very good jobs by the supporting characters. On acting alone this movie is worth a look. I expect powerful things from Mark Young in the future.
So, whether this movie is for you, only you can tell. If you like the dark and gritty, and something off the mainstream, then you will be satisfied. But if you are locked into 'blockbusters' and 'teen sex romp comedies', I feel this movie will be a bit too grim for you.
Keep in mind, this film had a budget of about $50,000. That is peanuts relative to movie making. Consider how many names are in the end credits, then film processing, assuming it wasn't shot in digital, then distribution cost. I'm sure there are 50 people listed in the end credits, that's about $1,000 apiece, except given permits, insurance, cameras, sound equipment, lighting, and countless other details, it is probably more like $250 apiece. How do you hire people to make a movie for only $250, if even that? Plus, yes, the movie was 'stylized'. It was intended to be haunting and mysterious. I thought some of the Subplots could have held together better, and I though the editing could have been smoother, and more clear relative to the story, but for the minuscule budget they had, they did a pretty good job.
The movie was made in 2006 and we are still talking about it. I watched in last night on Netflix, it did what it was intended to do within its tiny budget. That is, I could see the Directors underlying intent, even if he didn't have the budget to do the best possible job. Many of these low budget films are really film exercises for young directors, writers, actors, etc.... They all need a starting point. They all need to do some low budget 'concept' films to prove their worth for larger films.
Because I love Independent Film, I can excuse some imperfections and take the budget into consideration when I judge a film. I judge this film to be pretty good within the proper context.
The above is a copy of a post I made in the "Wild Tigers I Have Known" IMDb discussion, but I think it serves as a worthy review. This movie is worth watching to see actors and directors trying to make a movie out of a starvation budget, and I think they did a pretty good job given what they had to work with. I say it is worth seeing.
EDITED:
I watched Wild Tigers again today (May 12, 2013). This is probably the 3rd or 4th time I have watched it, and it still holds together as a look into the haunting mind-scape of a 13 year old boy coming to grips with who he is. Malcolm Stumpf (Logan) is truly haunting in this role, and given how little he had to work with, I think he did an outstanding job. This is a highly stylized movie with journeys into the dreams and fantasies of this boy. But I think it is a movie anyone who tries can relate to. I repeat, if you love indy film, then you will like this movie.
EDITED:
I watch Wild Tigers again (2015) and it still stands up. In fact, I'm thinking of watching it again (still 2015). But admittedly anyone looking for standard Hollywood Blockbuster fair is not going to get this movie. That's OK, not everyone is required to like every movie.
In another review someone (Sammy) quoted Roger Ebert, and I think that quote best characterizes this film - "You instinctively understand that a film is not about WHAT it is about, but HOW it is about it." This is not a linear PLOT movie. Character A doesn't go to Place B and say thing C. This is a journey through the internal Dreamscapes and Emotions of an isolated and alienated 13 year old boy. It is an abstract film. I think my total viewing has now reach about 5 or 6 times, and I have the urge to watch it again.
You have to take this movie for what it is, not for what you want it to be. But ... if you simply don't get it ... that's OK, not everybody has to get everything.
The movie was made in 2006 and we are still talking about it. I watched in last night on Netflix, it did what it was intended to do within its tiny budget. That is, I could see the Directors underlying intent, even if he didn't have the budget to do the best possible job. Many of these low budget films are really film exercises for young directors, writers, actors, etc.... They all need a starting point. They all need to do some low budget 'concept' films to prove their worth for larger films.
Because I love Independent Film, I can excuse some imperfections and take the budget into consideration when I judge a film. I judge this film to be pretty good within the proper context.
The above is a copy of a post I made in the "Wild Tigers I Have Known" IMDb discussion, but I think it serves as a worthy review. This movie is worth watching to see actors and directors trying to make a movie out of a starvation budget, and I think they did a pretty good job given what they had to work with. I say it is worth seeing.
EDITED:
I watched Wild Tigers again today (May 12, 2013). This is probably the 3rd or 4th time I have watched it, and it still holds together as a look into the haunting mind-scape of a 13 year old boy coming to grips with who he is. Malcolm Stumpf (Logan) is truly haunting in this role, and given how little he had to work with, I think he did an outstanding job. This is a highly stylized movie with journeys into the dreams and fantasies of this boy. But I think it is a movie anyone who tries can relate to. I repeat, if you love indy film, then you will like this movie.
EDITED:
I watch Wild Tigers again (2015) and it still stands up. In fact, I'm thinking of watching it again (still 2015). But admittedly anyone looking for standard Hollywood Blockbuster fair is not going to get this movie. That's OK, not everyone is required to like every movie.
In another review someone (Sammy) quoted Roger Ebert, and I think that quote best characterizes this film - "You instinctively understand that a film is not about WHAT it is about, but HOW it is about it." This is not a linear PLOT movie. Character A doesn't go to Place B and say thing C. This is a journey through the internal Dreamscapes and Emotions of an isolated and alienated 13 year old boy. It is an abstract film. I think my total viewing has now reach about 5 or 6 times, and I have the urge to watch it again.
You have to take this movie for what it is, not for what you want it to be. But ... if you simply don't get it ... that's OK, not everybody has to get everything.
Indeed this is a very touching film with very little dialog, yet the emotions are captured very clearly. The narrative is smooth and consistent from beginning to end. It shows the craft of someone who will have the skill do make very fine feature films one day.
Others have given you the outline of the story, so no need to repeat that. But the anguish, frustration, and disillusionment of both main characters is substantial and gripping, perhaps might even make you a bit misty at points.
It always impressive when a film maker can tell a complete story in such a short amount time.
Well, worth seeing, you can find several copies of it on YouTube and likely on other Video Archive sights.
Others have given you the outline of the story, so no need to repeat that. But the anguish, frustration, and disillusionment of both main characters is substantial and gripping, perhaps might even make you a bit misty at points.
It always impressive when a film maker can tell a complete story in such a short amount time.
Well, worth seeing, you can find several copies of it on YouTube and likely on other Video Archive sights.
This really was a tremendous first writing effort by Chris Colfer. If this sample is representative of his writing talent then I sure we can look forward to many first rate scripts and stories in the future.
I can relate to the story setting, having grown up in a small town, small minded people living small minded lives seemingly in the Midwest. They are absolute stunned when a BIG MIND comes along. They don't know what to do with it, so they do their best to stomp it down. But this is one big mind that refused to be stomped.
I think the central character, Carson Phillips, touches the lives of all those around him in a positive way. I think their long term lives are enriched by it. But, small minds can only grow just so big. In the end, small minds remain small, and the one Big Mind that touched them all is gone. It's kind of a sad story.
I really enjoyed this movie and was captivated by it from beginning to end. Excellent performances by the full supporting cast.
Again, I think this is a sign that we can expect great things from Chris Colfer in the future. In my opinion, he is NO one trick pony. In this movie, I think he catches the outcast teenager's mind from fresh new perspective.
The movie is available on Amazon for Instant Streaming, and well worth a look by anyone who is not locked into standard generic Hollywood blockbuster fare.
I can relate to the story setting, having grown up in a small town, small minded people living small minded lives seemingly in the Midwest. They are absolute stunned when a BIG MIND comes along. They don't know what to do with it, so they do their best to stomp it down. But this is one big mind that refused to be stomped.
I think the central character, Carson Phillips, touches the lives of all those around him in a positive way. I think their long term lives are enriched by it. But, small minds can only grow just so big. In the end, small minds remain small, and the one Big Mind that touched them all is gone. It's kind of a sad story.
I really enjoyed this movie and was captivated by it from beginning to end. Excellent performances by the full supporting cast.
Again, I think this is a sign that we can expect great things from Chris Colfer in the future. In my opinion, he is NO one trick pony. In this movie, I think he catches the outcast teenager's mind from fresh new perspective.
The movie is available on Amazon for Instant Streaming, and well worth a look by anyone who is not locked into standard generic Hollywood blockbuster fare.
You should have the plot by now, a child piano prodigy who just wants to be a kid.
I typically make allowances for low budget films like this. I don't expect them to meet Hollywood block buster standards. I had been looking at this film in the video store for about a year, and while I was draw to it, I couldn't quite pull the trigger because what I was getting was not clear. Eventually I found the video in a bargain bin at the local store and I bought it. I was not disappointed.
Like I said, I make some allowances for low budget films, but this story and the actors held together exceptionally well from beginning to end. A very enjoyable and engaging story. Well crafted and well told.
I was very pleased with this film, and rate it very highly. A very well told and heart warming story; beautifully crafted.
I typically make allowances for low budget films like this. I don't expect them to meet Hollywood block buster standards. I had been looking at this film in the video store for about a year, and while I was draw to it, I couldn't quite pull the trigger because what I was getting was not clear. Eventually I found the video in a bargain bin at the local store and I bought it. I was not disappointed.
Like I said, I make some allowances for low budget films, but this story and the actors held together exceptionally well from beginning to end. A very enjoyable and engaging story. Well crafted and well told.
I was very pleased with this film, and rate it very highly. A very well told and heart warming story; beautifully crafted.
People have complained that this is a horror movie filled with horror movie clichés. But how could it not be? I mean is it suppose to be a horror movie at the local shopping mall? No, of course it is in a haunted house, were else would it be? As much as this movie drew on the horror standards, I found it refreshingly different from most horror movies. Part of what I want from a movie is something different, not more of the same, and I think in that respect, all things considered, this movie delivered.
While it did make use of the standards like jump scares, I really felt the suspense of this movie. I mean, at least for me, this movie was wound very tight. The suspense was ratcheted to the limit.
While I'm still not past Daniel Radcliffe's voice, I still hear Harry or Daniel, his face and body language were spot on, and greatly added to the tension of the movie.
In the end, it is what it is, a suspenseful horror movie that gets the job done. This isn't a genre noted for 'Academy Award' performances. But as suspenseful horror movies go, I was very satisfied with this one, and thought they did have a new approach to an old genre.
Steve B
While it did make use of the standards like jump scares, I really felt the suspense of this movie. I mean, at least for me, this movie was wound very tight. The suspense was ratcheted to the limit.
While I'm still not past Daniel Radcliffe's voice, I still hear Harry or Daniel, his face and body language were spot on, and greatly added to the tension of the movie.
In the end, it is what it is, a suspenseful horror movie that gets the job done. This isn't a genre noted for 'Academy Award' performances. But as suspenseful horror movies go, I was very satisfied with this one, and thought they did have a new approach to an old genre.
Steve B
I won't summarize as that has surely been done by now. I found Mel Gibson (Walter Black) to be a very sympathetic character in this movies, though there were times early in the movie when I wanted to soundly slap the Mother and Son. Though they eventually came around.
It is movies like this that remind me what a stunning actor Mel Gibson can be. As to his personal life, I feel we have only gotten one side of a highly biased story on that. All of which has been amped up by media too lazy to dig out the real objective story, so they just feed the masses with scandal.
I don't care about his personal life, as long as he can deliver on the screen, and in this movie he delivers. Though I make some allowances for the relatively low budget by Hollywood standards.
Anton Yelchin, as always, does an impressive job, and while I found his character annoying, I also had some sympathy for him. His dad is going nuts, his mother is distracted, and he is, more or less, left to deal with life on his own. And as with all teenagers, at least in his eyes, his 'life' that is going on is important, and his family is a distraction from the important milestones of first love and all the goes with it.
I'm somewhat easy to satisfy when it comes to movies. If the movie engages me, tells a unique story in a unique way, instills certain feelings about the characters, and make me think about their lives, then it has enough of a life to satisfy me. I found that in this movie; I became engrossed in and concerned about their lives and in how things were going to turn out. Because I was pulled into the story, I give the movie a pretty high rating, and give Mel Gibson high praise for his ability to create the character Walter Black.
A story like this walks a very fine line, given the subject matter, and I think they walked that line very well.
It is movies like this that remind me what a stunning actor Mel Gibson can be. As to his personal life, I feel we have only gotten one side of a highly biased story on that. All of which has been amped up by media too lazy to dig out the real objective story, so they just feed the masses with scandal.
I don't care about his personal life, as long as he can deliver on the screen, and in this movie he delivers. Though I make some allowances for the relatively low budget by Hollywood standards.
Anton Yelchin, as always, does an impressive job, and while I found his character annoying, I also had some sympathy for him. His dad is going nuts, his mother is distracted, and he is, more or less, left to deal with life on his own. And as with all teenagers, at least in his eyes, his 'life' that is going on is important, and his family is a distraction from the important milestones of first love and all the goes with it.
I'm somewhat easy to satisfy when it comes to movies. If the movie engages me, tells a unique story in a unique way, instills certain feelings about the characters, and make me think about their lives, then it has enough of a life to satisfy me. I found that in this movie; I became engrossed in and concerned about their lives and in how things were going to turn out. Because I was pulled into the story, I give the movie a pretty high rating, and give Mel Gibson high praise for his ability to create the character Walter Black.
A story like this walks a very fine line, given the subject matter, and I think they walked that line very well.
I remember reading a review of the Movie "Speed Racer" but the reviewer acted like he was expecting to see "Citizen Cane". Get real people, this movie is boxing robots. If you go expecting boxing robots, you'll have a great time. If you go expecting "Citizen Cane", then you are in idiot.
Some critic implied that it was too predictable, but aren't all movies pretty predictable? I mean, did you go to "Rocky" expecting Rocky to lose? Did you go to "Titanic" and not know the boat was going down? Did you see "Harry Potter" and not realize that Voldemort would get his butt handed to him on a stick?
This was a very engaging and emotionally compelling movie, one that I thoroughly enjoyed even for the considerable theater ticket price. Well acted, funny, and touching, and when the climactic scene finally comes, I was as emotionally invested in the outcome as I was when Rocky stepped into the ring.
If you want a good time at the movies, then this movie is well worth seeing, just don't go expecting a remake of "Citizen Cane". Though I can't imagine who would be foolish enough to remake that movie.
Steve B
Some critic implied that it was too predictable, but aren't all movies pretty predictable? I mean, did you go to "Rocky" expecting Rocky to lose? Did you go to "Titanic" and not know the boat was going down? Did you see "Harry Potter" and not realize that Voldemort would get his butt handed to him on a stick?
This was a very engaging and emotionally compelling movie, one that I thoroughly enjoyed even for the considerable theater ticket price. Well acted, funny, and touching, and when the climactic scene finally comes, I was as emotionally invested in the outcome as I was when Rocky stepped into the ring.
If you want a good time at the movies, then this movie is well worth seeing, just don't go expecting a remake of "Citizen Cane". Though I can't imagine who would be foolish enough to remake that movie.
Steve B
