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Reviews
Quantum Cowboys (2022)
Absolutely beautiful.
I saw this at the Hell's Half Mile film festival in Bay City, Michigan and was absolutely mesmerized by it. It's one of those movies you need to see several times to fully understand it (i really doubt that I did) but it's such a wonderful visual experience that it aches to be seen on a big screen. It feels loose and improvised, though I doubt that it was, and the cast is just so damn cool. I mean, Neko Case and John Doe?! Come on!!! Stylistically, it's all over the place, which could hurt but really serves the film and the entire experience. I can't remember the last time I saw a movie where every moment was a surprise and every image a work of art.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)
Well...the first 10 minutes were okay
I took my 15 year old daughter to see this. About an hour in I asked her if she wanted to stay. She said "no. This is horrible. Let's go get lunch." Seriously don't waste your time. It makes absolutely no sense.
Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020)
Loads of fun.
This movie is a absolute blast. Loud, colorful, dopey fun. It owes a lot to "Scott Pilgrim" and that's not a knock. It's a perfect Summer movie......in February.
Glass (2019)
Don't waste your time
It's hot garbage. I would have walked out if I was alone. Two hours of clunky, over expositional dialogue, terrible old age makeup and mostly wooden acting. The ONLY saving grace is McAvoy who is the only person having any fun. M. Night really needs to find another job.
Skippers (2018)
It's always shorts weather
The first thing you'll notice about Aaron Wertheimer's "Skippers" is how beautifully shot it is. Almost entirely shot in (my hometown of) Bay City, Michigan in the Fall. The colors just pop off the screen and the shots of stones slowly skipping, zen-like, across the water are worthy of most big budget nature docs. The second thing you'll notice is that "Skippers" is goofily tender and not about much but about a lot at the same time. The performances are, maybe a little unpolished but feel genuine as do the characters. It's laugh out funny at times. I think it feels a little rushed at the end, possibly a prisoner to its brisk 70 minute run time but it never wears out its welcome and could have benefited from being a little longer.
Forgive me for this but....don't skip it.
Man in Camo (2018)
There's a lot going on
I was lucky enough to see Man In Camo at The Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival in Bay City, Michigan. Honestly, when I first saw the trailer I didn't really have any interest in seeing it. It looked pretty self-indulgent...which it is...it's also endlessly fascinating, There is so much going on visually that it's hard to focus at times but it all comes together and is a beautiful insight into Minkser's life and growth as an artist. I met Ethan during the festival and he's a fascinating guy and I think "Camo" is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to everything he's done and will do. Well worth seeing.
Color Me Obsessed: A Film About The Replacements (2011)
A rock doc like few others
I've had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Bechard twice. The first time was at the Hell's Half Mile film fest in Bay City, Mi. when he was showing his excellent film "Friend's (with Benefits) and there is a moment in the first few minutes of that film where one of the main characters gives a list of her favorite bands. One of the bands was, of course, The Replacements. I told Mr. Bechard what a huge 'Mats fan I am and the conversation soon turned to the fact that he was making this film.
Mr. Bechard was back in Bay City for HHM fest this year with the finished copy of "Color Me obsessed" and it was well worth the two year wait.
If you've read anything about this movie, you probably know that it features no music and very few images of the band. That may put you off at first until you realize that it's not so much a movie about the 'Mats, but a film about how their music and, well, 'Mats-ness has affected people over the years. From the casual fan to the "obsessed", some famous but most not, it's people telling what this scruffy Mineapolin four piece meant and means to them.
It's a little long and could have been trimmed down a bit but that's a minor quibble. If you've ever been passionate about a band, especially THIS band, "Color Me Obsessed" is a must see. Seek it out.