Reviews of New Words Learnt Today 31

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  Very Nice Looking Short.
  A review of New Words Learnt Today
  by Jocephus on 02/23/2006
  Overall, this was a good short film. The acting is strong, editing and pacing is good, some very good camera work, and the production [sets/sounds/costumes] is very good. The premise reminds me a litlle of A beautiful Mind, in the way that the character must learn how to outsmart his own mind. I think the music changes when we see the mans POV are a bit much, they could be... Overall, this was a good short film. The acting is strong, editing and pacing is good, some very good camera work, and the production [sets/sounds/costumes] is very good. The premise reminds me a litlle of A beautiful Mind, in the way that the character must learn how to outsmart his own mind. I think the music changes when we see the mans POV are a bit much, they could be toned down a little and the audience would still get it. Also, the shifts from hand held camera work and the camera being on sticks kept me from getting completely into the story. When it was hand held, it feels like you are in the room with the characters, then the camera got still, and it made me aware that I was watching a film, and vice versa. I felt like I was watching a film then all of a sudden it feels like I'm in it. For a grad project is is very nicely done. read
• 
  interesting, but difficult
  A review of New Words Learnt Today
  by monkfishjoe on 02/09/2006
  Due to the subject matter, this must have been a difficult film to write. Not, because it is a controversial subject, but because it's one I doubt many people would know much about. Because of that you have to put in a lot of exposition, which you have done in the form of the medical proffesional (who acts like a narrator). I know it was neccessary for the kind of film you... Due to the subject matter, this must have been a difficult film to write. Not, because it is a controversial subject, but because it's one I doubt many people would know much about. Because of that you have to put in a lot of exposition, which you have done in the form of the medical proffesional (who acts like a narrator). I know it was neccessary for the kind of film you were trying to make, but it really slows the pace of the film down and creates a very bland and stagnent tone.
  
  It is the kind of film that (tonally) you see quite a lot and one that I feel is over-made: the 'tragic' character, 'heartwarming' type story. I just found it slow and under-developed. There's no real character arc as such, no real movement, so I found it difficult and relatively un-rewarding to watch.
  
  I know that sounds harsh, but it's not all bad news. The positives were that it was well shot (with a level of control not really seen in Student films) and well acted. The sound design was good and helped showed the struggle of this man in his everyday life. I also liked the inventiveness of the POV shots-they helped the film and gave it a tiny spark.
  
  I would have liked to have seen a documentary about this, with a real person afflicted by this condition. I think that would be really interesting. Either that or cut some of the serious drama out and add some humour. It's a vital element, even in the most serious of stories and helps make a film more palattable. read
• 
  cuatro estrellas
  A review of New Words Learnt Today
  by nodforlife on 10/30/2005
  Ah, film. It does look nice, doesn't it? That aside, this was an absolutely wonderous piece of work from beginning to end. Good acting, good camera work and lighting, good story. The guy that played Raymond was perfect, just the right amount of everyman mixed with just the right amount of pitiful. I don't have anything to complain about really, I just really enjoyed this.
• 
  New Words Learnt Today
  A review of New Words Learnt Today
  by marley209 on 08/21/2005
  This was a decent enough effort. An interesting subject matter and a sad take on the consequences. The film makers did a fairly good job handling this. The acting was very good, with good locations and a decent script. However, the story never really felt all that compelling and I can't quite put my finger on why. Perhaps it needed to be a bit more dramatic or more action would... This was a decent enough effort. An interesting subject matter and a sad take on the consequences. The film makers did a fairly good job handling this. The acting was very good, with good locations and a decent script. However, the story never really felt all that compelling and I can't quite put my finger on why. Perhaps it needed to be a bit more dramatic or more action would have lifted this above average. read
• 
  More Drama Than Suspense
  A review of New Words Learnt Today
  by Scarface789 on 08/10/2005
  This was an interesting topic to pursue; interesting and ambitious. There aren't too many problems with the lighting, sound, editing, or whatever the unfavorable comments were about. As a matter of fact, I actually liked the editing style, particularly the L and J cuts with the man describing Raymond's illness. The only problem with the editing I see is that some shots seemed... This was an interesting topic to pursue; interesting and ambitious. There aren't too many problems with the lighting, sound, editing, or whatever the unfavorable comments were about. As a matter of fact, I actually liked the editing style, particularly the L and J cuts with the man describing Raymond's illness. The only problem with the editing I see is that some shots seemed to be too long. For example, I think the shots of the bird seemed excessive and slowed down the piece. Pacing is key, and I think it could have been tightened just a bit. However, I think that the editing style and shot choice gives this piece its dramatic feel. It effectively puts us in Raymond's world, which I believe is ultimately very slow and in many ways, different than most.
  
  The writing was realistic, and I think the acting was very well done- the actors knew how to treat the material. The actors seemed realistic, believable, which is one of the biggest problems I see with movies on Triggerstreet. This felt like a regular movie. Along the lines of writing, as far as storyline or plot is concerned, I think the movie was lacking. While you did take the time to effectively develop the characters and the situation, it never really evolved into anything. Maybe that was just a time constraint; I don't know. Whatever the case, it's the only thing holding this back.
  
  Nice graduation piece. The directing was pretty solid, the writing was above average, and the production value was really good (good job with the kids and stuff). Overall, I think it is pretty impressive. I don't really have any basis for this critique because I haven't been to film school or had any professional experience or anything. I'm hoping to go to graduate film school in four years, so all I know now comes from what I see out of Indie houses or Hollywood, and of course, Triggerstreet. Even so, nice job. read
• 
  New Day
  A review of New Words Learnt Today
  by tails on 03/30/2005
  This was a very thought provoking piece and very well done. I also like the packing of the short. The narration was done well. The framing was good as was the editing. There was nothing about it that stood out as amateurish, it was professionally done. I felt the director did a very good job creating the feeling of the main character. The director was not in a hurry push the... This was a very thought provoking piece and very well done. I also like the packing of the short. The narration was done well. The framing was good as was the editing. There was nothing about it that stood out as amateurish, it was professionally done. I felt the director did a very good job creating the feeling of the main character. The director was not in a hurry push the viewer in any direction and just let it happen. Maybe there was no resolution but did there need to be one? Excellent work. read
• 
  Nice images
  A review of New Words Learnt Today
  by conexc on 12/14/2004
  I personallyl liked the images that you captured with your S16mm camera. They came out looking very good - not muddy or washed out. It definatly helped the piece that your images were strong since the movie was relying on them for it to work.The acting was solid, no real complaints there, everyone was more than capable at filling their role.Editing was smooth, melodic and... I personallyl liked the images that you captured with your S16mm camera. They came out looking very good - not muddy or washed out. It definatly helped the piece that your images were strong since the movie was relying on them for it to work.The acting was solid, no real complaints there, everyone was more than capable at filling their role.Editing was smooth, melodic and allowed for the viewer to divulge what was going on. My only suggestion would have been to make the differences between what he sees and what is going on more like the school, where there was a sharp contrast, difference in music, etc. You may have also tried to cut those scenes quicker, use some close ups to build on tension.But overall a good film. Nice work. read
• 
  New disease learned today
  A review of New Words Learnt Today
  by cybernaut on 10/03/2004
  The acting was first rate. The story was normally paced, but interest level was rather low for me. I could not tell exactly what visual Agnosia is because this came out as stills on my system. I really couldn't be carried into the drama of it and thus it seemed rather long to me. The production values looked high.
• 
  Beautifully shot, very abstract
  A review of New Words Learnt Today
  by **DELETED ACCOUNT** on 09/13/2004
  Interesting mix here. I wonder if the movie would have been better without the doctor coming in and explaining everything. Without the doctor this would be an extremly abstract art film, with the doctor it's almost a strange documentary. The production quality is amazing. All that said, i still don't understand the movie, i'm not saying that as a bad thing, it's very interesting,... Interesting mix here. I wonder if the movie would have been better without the doctor coming in and explaining everything. Without the doctor this would be an extremly abstract art film, with the doctor it's almost a strange documentary. The production quality is amazing. All that said, i still don't understand the movie, i'm not saying that as a bad thing, it's very interesting, i just don't understand it. The man does a very convincing job of being in this strange confused daze throughout the movie, which is great and some very nice performances out of the girl. I think i am going to watch it again now to see what i can get out of it. read
• 
  Brilliant?
  A review of New Words Learnt Today
  by guyblackcat on 03/10/2004
  The first 30 seconds you had me hooked. Great shots, cinematography off the hook, music perfect, performances great. I was thoroughly enthralled at what I was watching. The story was quite intruiging. Visual Agnosia. Never heard of it, but I don't care cuz I found it engaging. Very, very clever. Editing was superb. Transitions from reality to, well, reality were quite... The first 30 seconds you had me hooked. Great shots, cinematography off the hook, music perfect, performances great. I was thoroughly enthralled at what I was watching. The story was quite intruiging. Visual Agnosia. Never heard of it, but I don't care cuz I found it engaging. Very, very clever. Editing was superb. Transitions from reality to, well, reality were quite nice. Cast was excellent. And extra kudos to writer director Robin Fox. Good job. Great quality production on a great script idea. You had my attention and you gave me a good quality short. Very unfortunate about the horrid ending. Nonetheless good job. read