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Reviews
Surrounded (2023)
Something Fresh and New
This is a throwback Western, and a really solid one. In a world filled with explosive and dramatic films where the stakes are so large that even the universe collapsing seems small, Surrounded manages to remind the audience that character is far more important than grandeur. An excellent script, great set pieces, two powerhouse performances, and a clever conceit, this story is driven, focussed, attentive, and beautifully made.
It's a shame, and very reflective of the state of movie theaters, that MGM decided to release this film straight to VOD. This is the exact type of movie that can and should pull and audience, if it was marketed enough and correctly. Westerns might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's hard to ignore a classic, well made film. This is the type of movie to pull people back to the theaters.
Aquaman (2016)
Great Indie Work
Since most of the reviews for this are about the DC film, I thought I might as well give this short an honest review.
This film is a great example of the short film as an indie art form. It's a small, contained, heartwarming tale about a boy's first crush.
Visually, the short film looks amazing. For something with a budget of under $300, I'm really impressed with how well this turned out. I'm not sure if it was shot on film (I doubt it, with the small budget), but the lighting looks very "filmish," with a soft, white glow around faces and hair.
The story itself reminds me of Forest Gump; a throwback retrospective of life. It's not complex, but it packs a punch.
Overall, I'm very impressed with how good this short is. Bittersweet and kind. It serves as an inspiration to any indie filmmaker.