Reviews

I appreciate this type of film for it's simplicity. The actors are a bit green, the editing could have been tightened-up, the scoring could have intensified certain scenes and I might have enjoyed a bit more expansion or backstory on the masked ones. It had elements not too far removed from TCM and Hills/Eyes, but the suspense was a bit subdued and the antihero iconography couldn't seem to find it's footing. Nonetheless, nothing really pulled me out of the story and I enjoyed it for what it is - a novice indie road thriller that managed to tell it's tale without Hollywood money or big-name actors. So, for me, this film didn't suck at all, and unlike other reviews, I don't hold it up to any expectations. I know what it takes to get a film made and even tougher to get some kind of distribution - theatrical or not - so, hat's off to the filmmakers for a decent ride. Keep rockin'!

Have you ever been in the position where a friend had done something creative and was looking forward to some feedback - a good review – and you found absolutely nothing good about it. It was so terrible you couldn't stand to look at it anymore? Yep, I think we all have. So it is with great relief to find Tom Young's 'The Dancer' falls nowhere near the aforementioned categories. Thank the gods that be, indeed. Tom is a friend.

I had read the script a few years ago and liked the story. The film mirrors the story in a nice, tight way. There's some fluff in the film, but it is necessary fluff. Elsewise, the film would be void of a critical key element – character development. At some point, it becomes important for us, as an audience, to care about certain characters. I can't give too much of the film away (it's still kicking around the indie festival circuit), but I can tell you the end twist is a motherf****r. The presence of Lar Park Lincoln (Knots Landing, House II, Friday 13 p7, etc.) is refreshing in a double-edge kind of way and the lead actress, Denise Williamson, has a certain frailty/vulnerability that is sometimes difficult to pull off on the big screen. She does a wonderful job with the role.

About Tom - I gotta give this guy credit for his behind the camera efforts as well as his on-screen presence. I watched the film twice and had to remind myself he wrote and co-directed this thing ..and that certainly puts him in the auteurist arena. He had the sac to write an original story, gather the necessary forces to make it happen and then pull it off with an assured amount of grace and tact. Very few things pulled me out of the film, but hey – it's the guy's first time driving a beast like this and those little things are easily forgiven.

All-in-all, the Dancer is a good little film. A worthy adventure in storytelling and recommended.

OK then, I just finished Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters. Fun film! Famke Janssen...sheesh! She did a lot of damage in that X-Men flick, but here, she's deliciously wicked and flat-out vicious as hell. I like this film because it doesn't take itself too seriously, the effects are top shelf and the overall pacing is well executed. The action sequences are nothing shy of a maniacal romp, very energetic and engaging. Them broads are hell on a broomstick! Make no mistake about it, this is not a children's movie and for some, the splatter violence may be a little over-the-top, but nonetheless lends very well to the story and those that dig splattery horror will appreciate the wet stuff here. I thought before I saw the film the casting of Jeremy Renner might be somewhat of a quirky choice. I see him as more of a dramatic actor, as anyone who's seen Dahmer or Hurt Locker might testify. He has strength in that area. So hat's off to that guy for a decent Hansel in this film. Derek Mears (Friday the 13th re-boot) has an interesting and mildly dynamic character role. I won't reveal any of the film, but I can tell you this - you will not recognize Mears. This is a target audience, formulated adventure. There is nothing new here. On the same coin, it doesn't try to be something it's not. The title is Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters - and that's exactly what you get. Recommended for a fun, non-serious romp.