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Reviews
I Died (2004)
Awesome for $15,0000
I saw this film at the Phoenix Film festival. When the director came out and talked down his film he compared the filming to The Blair Which Project. I became worried that I would hate this film, just as he said we might. However, this film is much better than the Blair Which Project. It's got a better acting, camera techniques, and a far more intriguing story. It's very suspenseful, and very character driven.
If you can't handle casual swearing don't see this film.
The biggest problem with 'I died' is it's budget. The visual quality suffers because of it, but I'm sure it would be fine for TV viewing. The acting is very natural and the plot very subtle. The director doesn't jam the story down your throat. As an audience member you have to look for what you want to get out of it, which is very refreshing. It took me a day of pondering on this film to realize how much inter-personal stuff is jammed into it.
To respond to another reviewer, the film really made me think. This is why I believe it was worthy of being in any film festival. This film is awesome for what it is and has qualities that you can't find in larger budget films. I enjoyed it and would like to see it again.
Black Cloud (2004)
Not an Indian, a boxer
There aren't many films about actual native Americans. Most Indian films are about headdresses and ceremonial dances. This film is just about a boxer who happens to be Indian. This is refreshing. Still, the film does have a dance, sweat lodge, and visions. Which puts it right back on grounds with every other American Indian film.
I saw "Black Cloud" at the Phoenix film Festival. I believe this film was most people's favorite. I agree that it has a good story, looks beautiful, and has some good acting. However, it's pretty tame in terms of what independent film can be. There's very little to be offended by this film. Where I don't wish to be offended, this film take no risks - it's vanilla.
"Black Cloud" is mostly a story about a boxer. As that, you would have to compare the story to "Rocky", which it would fall short.
I expect that this film will do well in release. I'd certainly recommend this film to people. More because it's a simple story that most people can digest easily, than being an intriguing story about an American Indian.
I did fall for the sappy moments. My girlfriend was disturbed by the boxing footage, which was very tightly shot and disorienting when sitting close to the screen.
Noon Blue Apples (2002)
Conspiracy, Conspiracy, Conspiracy
I saw this a the Phoenix Film Festival
Very cool. I loved the subtle transformation of the main character from a sane student to a crazed conspiracy theorist. No, I didn't get all the dialog, but I feel it's not important to get and absorb every detail of every conspiracy in this film. The idea is that you can take your pick. All conspiracy's lead to the eventual conclusion that someone (the government?) is out to get you. You can take them all seriously, believe only what makes sense to you, or discard it all as one big joke.
Anyway, movies are never about what the character's think they're about. This film, though about conspiracys, is really about a womans fall from sanity. Take your pick as to why she falls. I don't think the writer/director even cares as to why. The story is in the way in which it happens.
There are moments of brilliance in this film as well as a few moments of bad acting in this film. Overall however, it is pretty cool. Not for everyone, but I enjoyed. it.