Reviews of How Do You Know When? 33

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  Good Story
  A review of How Do You Know When?
  by **DELETED ACCOUNT** on 03/26/2008
  I thought it was a great story. I liked that the kid did it his own way. Good acting to for younger people. It was really akward and I thought that that was good. The quality was great, even for Super8mm, it turned out very well. Great color too. Good job over all.
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  Let Sweetness Prevail
  A review of How Do You Know When?
  by scotts8 on 09/02/2007
  A classic scenario, performed authentically, well-executed. I imagine it's hard for anyone not to like this movie. I was most impressed with the acting and the soundtrack. I felt transported back to the 70s. The two scenes that I liked most were the two boys' initial conversation and the kiss itself. I feel both of those scenes, having been explored in so many other movies... A classic scenario, performed authentically, well-executed. I imagine it's hard for anyone not to like this movie. I was most impressed with the acting and the soundtrack. I felt transported back to the 70s. The two scenes that I liked most were the two boys' initial conversation and the kiss itself. I feel both of those scenes, having been explored in so many other movies and TV shows, could have come off hackneyed. But I think they actually were performed better in this movie than in most others. I didn't detect one false note in the kids' performances. I felt like those 2 boys really could have been brothers. And after the kiss, both the boy's and the girl's reactions were bona-fide genuine. Terrific acting/directing. read
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  Play up the awkwardness!
  A review of How Do You Know When?
  by BlueMobius on 08/26/2007
  I loved your film. As has been stated, the overall effect of the choice in lighting, film stock, audio, etc. worked to create a wonderful retro feel. I did enjoy the music but instead this could have been a great time to establish more of a setting and instead you chose to focus on bike tires, etc. This isn't really a character moment for me. During the date, I would have... I loved your film. As has been stated, the overall effect of the choice in lighting, film stock, audio, etc. worked to create a wonderful retro feel. I did enjoy the music but instead this could have been a great time to establish more of a setting and instead you chose to focus on bike tires, etc. This isn't really a character moment for me.
  
  During the date, I would have liked to have seen more of the nervousness these kids are feeling. In fact, I never get the sense that Rachel is feeling any anxiety at all; she just seems bored. When waiting for Rachel to appear, you focused on the proagonist's fingers twitching against the cloth of his sweater. This was GREAT! I'd like to see more of that happening. Play up the awkwardness of the date.
  
  Also, I wanted to make a comment on the end of the film. As the brothers walk away, talking about the kiss (which was excellently done, by the way), I would have liked to have seen a fade or a dissolve to the credits. Going back to what looked like the pre-kiss date just didn't work at all. I felt it caused the end to become less defined and drag on a bit.
  
  Keep it up. You've got a great storyteller's eye. read
• 
  Fantastic Film!
  A review of How Do You Know When?
  by Carrot Kid on 08/12/2007
  I think we have a winner here! Wow, this film was great - I loved everything about it. The first thing that caught my attention was both the filming style and the sound of the audio - they both worked together to create a sort of retro feel that was perfect for this type of film. The direction of shots, editing, music, and especially the acting was all dead on perfect! It was... I think we have a winner here! Wow, this film was great - I loved everything about it. The first thing that caught my attention was both the filming style and the sound of the audio - they both worked together to create a sort of retro feel that was perfect for this type of film. The direction of shots, editing, music, and especially the acting was all dead on perfect! It was enjoyable to watch this film and I think it has a very strong chance at winning the festival. read
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  Sweet
  A review of How Do You Know When?
  by micmacmoviemaker on 08/04/2007
  Ahhh, the pre-kiss jitters. How I remember them. Then attaining that ultimate goal where you prove once and for all that the chase is not necessarily better than the catch. Sweet memories, before the girl wrenches your heart out, stomps it on to the ground and dances on it. But I digress... "How Do You Know When" was a very enjoyable story. The 8mm was a welcome choice... Ahhh, the pre-kiss jitters. How I remember them. Then attaining that ultimate goal where you prove once and for all that the chase is not necessarily better than the catch. Sweet memories, before the girl wrenches your heart out, stomps it on to the ground and dances on it.
  
  But I digress...
  
  "How Do You Know When" was a very enjoyable story. The 8mm was a welcome choice amidst all of the DV stuff here (mine included). I was rooting for the kid to get the kiss, so score one for character. It was well shot, the sound was good, the music was a very suitable choice, exuding that innocence of youthfulness. The acting was excellent, overall, but I especially liked the look Mom gave, which said volumes ("What exactly do you plan on doing with my daughter..) with no dialogue. I would have liked to have seen a close up reaction shot of the two lovebirds (more so the kissee than the kisser) when the lips connected.
  
  But overall, this was a really good short film. Congratulations!
  
  Peter read
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  What Year?
  A review of How Do You Know When?
  by johndominic on 08/02/2007
  Seems like this short was set in 1962? The color was pretty off, yellowish, too. For effect or not, not sure. The brother interplay was good. The kids were very good and played it straight which was nice. No gimmicks. The music wasn't an "add" for me. It was kind of schmaltzy. Liked the simplicity of a walk suggested for a date. No high tech stuff for these kids,... Seems like this short was set in 1962? The color was pretty off, yellowish, too. For effect or not, not sure. The brother interplay was good. The kids were very good and played it straight which was nice. No gimmicks. The music wasn't an "add" for me. It was kind of schmaltzy. Liked the simplicity of a walk suggested for a date. No high tech stuff for these kids, it was kind of nice. Sweet. read
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  Review of How Do You Know When
  A review of How Do You Know When?
  by AlCielo on 07/31/2007
  Big points for stopping just short of schmaltz (at least for my taste) and for avoiding cynicism / aloofness. Big points also for getting such good performances from kids--more complex than the mom's acting actually. Pacing was just right. On the negative side, some small things kept the film from being as charming as it could be: The sound wasn't synchronized at times. The... Big points for stopping just short of schmaltz (at least for my taste) and for avoiding cynicism / aloofness. Big points also for getting such good performances from kids--more complex than the mom's acting actually. Pacing was just right.
  
  On the negative side, some small things kept the film from being as charming as it could be:
  The sound wasn't synchronized at times.
  The music, though in the sensitive emo style, overpowered the film's quiet mood.
  Particularly at the beginning, you changed camera set-up for no apparent reason (I'm not saying the takes should have been uninterrupted but that there should be a visual or emotional reason for the cut.
  Least significant, there seems to be an extra sound at the very end. If it's deliberate or an outtake, I missed its importance.
  
  The temptation to overdo a short film must be quite powerful, but you've stuck to your concept / premise admirably, without inserting your own ego, and yet kept the theme universal. Good work. read
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  Makes a Charming Move
  A review of How Do You Know When?
  by Elizabeth Anne on 07/30/2007
  Nice story with charming performances. The long pauses matched the simple script dialogue – adolescent. I wanted a tighter editing pace, but then realized this was attempting to set the mood of the waiting. Once he jumped at the moment to make his move, it was endearing. Fun when he related that he ‘just knew when’. The ending was cute. Good captures with the 8mm, came across... Nice story with charming performances. The long pauses matched the simple script dialogue – adolescent. I wanted a tighter editing pace, but then realized this was attempting to set the mood of the waiting. Once he jumped at the moment to make his move, it was endearing. Fun when he related that he ‘just knew when’. The ending was cute. Good captures with the 8mm, came across well, with a nice retro feel. A few nice surrounding shots, including the trees. A few minor sound issues, but not detrimental to the story. Cool score. read
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  How do you know when
  A review of How Do You Know When?
  by Erika Sikes on 07/29/2007
  Overall I thought it was a pretty good short. The tempo and look had a very nostalgic feel to them. A sort of innocence that we don't see a lot of these days. And I thought the boy and the girl both did a really good job. They didn't seem like they were acting at all. The mother seemed a little stiff but it could have just been her style. Great reaction from the boy when... Overall I thought it was a pretty good short. The tempo and look had a very nostalgic feel to them. A sort of innocence that we don't see a lot of these days. And I thought the boy and the girl both did a really good job. They didn't seem like they were acting at all. The mother seemed a little stiff but it could have just been her style. Great reaction from the boy when he finally gets the kiss. read
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  70s style Degrassi?
  A review of How Do You Know When?
  by timhan on 07/28/2007
  Is it me or was this short made in the 1970s? 8-) Oh well, it wasn't that bad a short, although it did feel like I was watching a very old episode of Kids from Degrassi Street! But there didn't really seem to be much point to this shot either, there wasn't very much story to it, nothing much happened, there was no real build up, there was no antagonist, nothing really for... Is it me or was this short made in the 1970s? 8-)
  
  Oh well, it wasn't that bad a short, although it did feel like I was watching a very old episode of Kids from Degrassi Street!
  
  But there didn't really seem to be much point to this shot either, there wasn't very much story to it, nothing much happened, there was no real build up, there was no antagonist, nothing really for the protagonist to over come.
  
  I think if the narrative would have had a little more work then it could of been far better. Perhaps if there was a bully, that was standing in his way of getting to his goal, or perhaps the girl he likes doesn't know he even exists, but as the short stands now there is no hook to get or keep the viewers attention. read