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will-hartman
Reviews
When the Tide Turns (2007)
Powerful and potent drama
When the Tide Turns is a powerful, potent short film about two brothers whose long strained relationship reaches critical mass one sunny afternoon on a beach in Australia. Starting off as a simply presented but compelling character study, the film ratchets up the tension when a devastating secret is abruptly revealed that brings the brothers' long simmering feud bubbling to the surface and thrusts them and the audience into an unexpected examination of how deep the bonds of family go, and, in a most literal fashion, whether blood truly is thicker than water. For a first-time filmmaker , Campbell Maynes displays a decidedly sure hand in directing his actors and keeping the pace of the story moving briskly and engagingly toward a very satisfying climax. I found this film to be beautifully shot and very well acted. The evolving plot reveals juicy, surprising details in the backstory of these two brothers, causing our allegiances to shift back and forth as we learn more about the events that have brought them to this day. Without revealing what happens in the gripping climax, I'm confident every viewer will find themselves questioning what they would do if they were faced with such a situation. The metaphor of the turning tide is a very smart analogy about the choices we make and the consequences of those actions when forces beyond our control come into play. I look forward to seeing more from this talented director.
Fighting Tommy Riley (2004)
An exceptionally well made indie film
I have seen many indie feature films in my years on the festival circuit. Usually they suffer from that other variation of the indie 'rule of three'--the one that says you'll get two of the following but never all three: high production value, a good story, quality performances. Well this film to my surprise and pleasure does have all three. I was hooked almost from the outset by the look and feel of the film--a tale of gritty survival on the mean streets of the prize-fighting circuit--and the performance of the main character who managed to take the stereotypical boxer against the world and add a measure of depth and emotion that was different from other similar genre constructed characters. The direction was stellar, both in the technical aspects of camera movement and in the subtle emotional cues that sent the story spinning in an unexpected, and refreshing, direction. The writing and acting are very solid, and Eddie O'Flaherty is a director with a very bright future. I had the pleasure to meet him in a directing class, which is how I came to see his film in the first place, and I was taken not only with his natural ability to paint pictures with words and description, but his charming, humble personality. If you stumble across this film in the video store, do yourself a favor, rent it and sit down and watch it. You will be impressed with the production value (I have an idea of the actual budget, but if you told me this cost over 1 million, I wouldn't doubt it for a second), the cinematography and the lush feel of a big budget film. The only reason you don't already know of this film is because of the unfortunate timing of it's release--sandwiched between Cinderella Man and that little film about female boxers starring Clint Eastwood. Sadly, those two films covered much of the ground this film does, though the story contained here is quite original and will take you on a second act turn of events you do not expect. The filmmakers should be very proud of the work done here and I look forward to seeing what is next on the horizon for Mr. O'Flaherty.
Boy-Next-Door (2004)
Very funny!
Had the pleasure to see this film at the Big Bear Film Festival where it won the Audience Award. And I have to say, it was well deserved because Boy Next Door is a very funny short film! The script is well written and keeps things escalating. It also has a great current of suspense coursing through it. You don't know what's going to happen next as the main character tries to deal with the realization that his new neighbor might not be the most ideal person to be living across from him. The jokes are quick and unexpected. The plot keeps us guessing. The dialog feels very real. I thought the direction was first-rate and the director Travis Davis shows a lot of potential for making it big in the world of studio comedies. Not small praise considering he also is the lead actor of the film, so he had to do triple duty on this, writing, directing and starring. If you get a chance to see this film on iTunes, it's worth the download. It'll make you laugh out loud a few times. And that's more than most shorts offer these days.
Chasing the Horizon (2006)
A documentary that is both gripping and heartwarming
Chasing the Horizon is one of the best documentaries you will see this year. Ostensibly about one man's pursuit of racing in the Baja 1000, the film is actually an incredible character study of people from different walks of life who come together in an attempt to realize a collective dream. The drama of assembling a team, building a car from scratch and getting it into the kind of shape necessary for racing one thousand miles off-road is really compelling. The Canter Brothers deftly capture the action and emotion with skilled camera work and an informed eye for finding the drama of the real life situations. They really convey on film the sense of urgency and struggle the lead character and his team are facing as they encounter obstacle after obstacle. And it's all set against a panoramic backdrop of the race, where so many teams just theirs are down to compete and try and win (or even just finish) the arduous race that usually sees less than 1/3 of the entrants actually cross the finish line. The race footage is great too! I have seen this film three times, and was present when it won the Audience Award in Newport Beach. It's a real crowd pleasing piece of work and testament to the Canter Brothers formidable skill as writer/directors. We will be doubtless be seeing much more of these guys and their films in the coming years. If you get a chance to rent Chasing the Horizon, do it. You will enjoy.
Dirty Mary (2005)
Funny and smart
This short has played in many festivals that I've attended. Every time I watch it I laugh my ass off. There are a lot of good things going on in Dirty Mary. It's well directed. It's well written. And it's definitely well acted. The set-up is really cute and that final shot of Mary--specifically the camera work in regard to the location--laugh out loud funny. It is inspired lunacy. I look forward to seeing more work from all involved. This short could easily be evolved into a feature or even a series. A series about Mary would be very cool. Anyhow, best of luck and continued success on the festival circuit. It is very much deserved.