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Naturally Native (1998)
One-and-half star.
Naturally Native (1998) C-110m. *½ D: Jennifer Wynne Farmer, Valerie Red-Horse. Valerie Red-Horse, Irene Bedard, Kimberly Norris, Pato Hoffman, Collin Bernsen, Mark Abbott, Floyd Red Crow Westerman. Disappointing film with an refreshing storyline: three sisters decide to create a beauty line utilizing indigenous practices and discover a winding road. Poor acting (save for Bedard) and some repellent dialogue deaden bright, emotional moments in this all-indigenous feature. Red-Horse is credible and addresses many vital issues but her screenplay is still awfully diffuse (not to mention contrived) and shoddy production values do no service, though it has a nice ending.
Apocalypto (2006)
Two stars.
Apocalypto (2006) C-139m. ** D: Mel Gibson. Rudy Youngblood, Dalia Hernandez, Raoul Trujillo, Jonathan Brewer, Moris Birdyellowhead, Carlos Emilio Baez. A young Mayan hunter/family man is captured during an assault of his village and forced to a city capital for sacrifice, leaving alone his trapped wife and child. When fate intervenes on his deathblow, he's sets off on a wild, violent chase to save himself and his family. Vibrant, kinetic and bloody film-making. A noble reach by co-writer/director Gibson on ideas of excess and the fault of societies is not felt in an overblown, inaccurate staging circa the era of Mayan decline.
Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee (1994)
Three stars!
Lakota Woman: Siege At Wounded Knee (1994) C-100m. *** D: Frank Pierson. Irene Bedard, Joseph Runningfox, Floyd Red Crow Westerman, Tantoo Cardinal, Michael Horse, Lawrence Hayne, Lois Red Elk, August Schellenberg. The odyssey of Mary Crow Dog is muted in this TNT version depicting childhood, teenage aimlessness and purpose as a member of the American Indian Movement. Evocative, well-made and cast with an authentic script by Bill Kerby that reflects how this woman was led to the famous 1973 siege. Bedard is excellent in the lead. Based on the autobiographical book Lakota Woman by Richard Erodes and Crow Dog, who can be glimpsed in peyote scene.
Dance Me Outside (1994)
Three stars!
Dance Me Outside (1995-Canadian) C-91m. *** D: Bruce McDonald. Ryan Black, Adam Beach, Jennifer Podemski, Lisa LaCroix, Michael Greyeyes, Kevin Hicks, Hugh Dillon, Sandrine Holt. Entertaining, likable comedy-drama about two buddies (Black and a fun, comic Beach) among others on a Canadian Indian reserve who respond differently to the ripple of a racial murder in their community. Invigorating direction, amusing vignettesincluding a memorable naming "ceremony"compensate for the absence of a strong, consistent point of concern to anchor the film. W.P. Kinsella's novel was adapted by three writers including director McDonald.
Skins (2002)
Four-and-a-half stars!
Skins (2002) C-87m. ***½ D: Chris Eyre. Graham Greene, Eric Schweig, Gary Farmer, Michelle Thrush, Nathaniel Arcand, Noah Watts, Lois Red Elk, Chaske Spencer, Michael Spears, Myrton Running Wolf, Leonard George. Moving, searing film centering on the relationship of two contrasting Oglala Lakota brothers living on the Pine Ridge reservation. Compelling story wrestles issues ranging from alcoholism to brotherly love, accomplished in stark atmosphere with all-too-realistic touches that make it penetrating. Greene is unforgettable as a shattering drunkard. Written from Adrian C. Louis' same-titled novel by Jennifer D. Lyne.
Grand Avenue (1996)
Four-and-a-half stars!
Grand Avenue (1996) C-167m. ***½ D: Daniel Sackheim. A. Martinez, Shelia Tousey, Deeny Dakota, Diana Debassige, Alexis Cruz, Tantoo Cardinal, Irene Bedard, Jenny Gago, Cody Lightning, Simi Mehta, Norris Young, Preston Arrow-Weed, August Schellenberg. Exceptional film about a family of Pomo Indians who relocate to a tough urban setting and try to etch out a living. A pointed and affecting look at community, guilt, and a family undoing, presented through the frame of a disparate culture. The women are all uniformly good; an impressive writing debut by Greg Sarris, based on his short stories book, sparks this production for HBO.