pmsmith

A review of Gazillion

by pmsmith on 09/20/2005

...but I don't think you'd mind, Mr. Appelman, because Gazillion wasn't a plea for sympathy, just a cold calculation, a shrewd analysis of sex trafficking, and an original use on non-sync filmmaking (with the exception of the Girl's line), and non-linear visual story telling. On top of that, the script was tight, and that simply tightened the screws. The fast pace of the editing... read

satirical melodrama with worthwhile moments

A review of Fisher's Bay (Read Production Notes)

by pmsmith on 09/20/2005

I was amused at this short and thought Jeff Sutter had an amiable presence and brought the necessary degree of naivete to his character. The production quality seemed bare, as if the minimal amount of time was put into to art direction to setup a joke, but that's the nature of low budget filmmaking, and is forgivable. My suggestion with comedic material such as this would be... read

Narcissistic but Impressive

A review of Mirror to the Mob

by pmsmith on 04/09/2005

But I can appreciate narcissistic projects if they deliver the goods. I found it interesting that you bookend the movie with interviews, it's so different from the typical short format, making it more like TV. As far as the content of Mirror to the Mob, I thought the short played more like a scene from a longer piece, but it was engaging. The split screens, ani-mattes or whatever... read

Flawed Execution

A review of Family Tree

by pmsmith on 04/08/2005

The short is a simple concept with a decent twist. I was bothered by a few flaws in the execution (no pun intended) of the script. For one, the lighting or compression darkens the opening master, and the blue light in the trailer seemed unmotivated or established. You jumped the line when shooting the interaction between the professor and PJ. The editing could be tighter, although... read

Impressive Work

A review of Lunch Hour

by pmsmith on 01/18/2005

Besides the chilling concept to this movie, it's David Keyes performance that carries it. He gives the perfect impression of man with a rigid routine, ground down by mundane tasks. The satifisfaction he takes in assembling the weapon quickly was a subtle but effective moment. The editing was appropriate, especially after he takes that first fake shot. The quick cut to the officer... read

Arrogant Conceit

A review of Ascendancy

by pmsmith on 01/04/2005

There's an arrogance in the conceit of this film that I found irritating. That aside, it isn't a fully developed dilemma for the main character. If he had such experiences isn't it plausible that a rational person would first attempt to disprove the more likely possibility that he was insane and not gifted? Then when left with no other choice - intervene. Perhaps a decent twist... read

Sentimental Infidelity

A review of BLISS

by pmsmith on 12/10/2004

The concept is good, simple yet age old. But this movie plays a bit sentimental for my taste, the music may be one culprit. The beginning, breathing heavy over black is great, in fact all the sound design, including great gun shot cues played well, but after the guy (who must have got dressed quick) gets shot, and the shaky camera pans back in slow motion with too many dissolves... read

Amusing Music Video

A review of Monster In A Wheelchair

by pmsmith on 12/10/2004

The narrative "plot" in this movie is weak, and the overall result is a music video set to a amusing song. For my taste, the joke waned half way through but Brian Huskey's performance carried it through. Most of the shots seemed theatrical, set in empty black space, and the most effective moments were when there was a circumstance to interact with, such as the set of stairs... read

More Irritating Than Frightening

A review of The Nursery

by pmsmith on 12/06/2004

Sometimes the strong effect that an idea has on somebody compels them when it otherwise would repel others. So with all due respect to Mr. Wiegert and whatever compelled him to make this movie, I will try to articulate the faults I found with it. The concept is simplistic, and the boogeyman's character is never developed beyond being a melodramatic manifestation of a parent's... read

Worthy Contender

A review of Time For Change

by pmsmith on 12/06/2004

Time For Change is one of the most overlooked films on the site and I'm glad to see it is finally in competition. It's a well told story, with a quick but effective setup, realistic performances, and a strong poetic image of the violinist playing furiously as time slows and reverses. It's a worthy contender to win the festival. Best of luck.

TriggerStreet

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Reviews by pmsmith 92

Submissions by pmsmith

Reviews by pmsmith 92

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