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	<title>Way Too Indie &#187; thriller</title>
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	<description>Independent film reviews</description>
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		<title>The Skin I Live In</title>
		<link>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/the-skin-i-live-in/</link>
		<comments>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/the-skin-i-live-in/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:19:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dustin Jansick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Movies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Antonio Banderas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Elena Anaya]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[foreign]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jan Cornet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marisa Paredes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pedro Almodóvar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Roberto Álamo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Skin I Live In]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thriller]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://waytooindie.com/?p=2419</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<em>The Skin I Live In</em> is a psychological thriller from the highly acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar. His work is often compared to Alfred Hitchcock’s and it is easy to see why.  Even though it was shot and set in present time the film looks like it could be from the 60’s when Hitchcock was around. As the title slightly suggests, the film is about how you still remain the same inside even if your outside has been completely changed.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>The Skin I Live In</em> is a foreign psychological thriller from the highly acclaimed Spanish director <a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/pedro-almodovar/">Pedro Almodóvar</a>. His work is often compared to Alfred Hitchcock’s and it is easy to see why.  Even though it was shot and set in present time the film looks like it could be from the 60’s when Hitchcock was around. As the title slightly suggests, the film is about how you still remain the same inside even if your outside has been completely changed.</p>
<p>Robert Ledgard (<a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/antonio-banderas/">Antonio Banderas</a>) is a brilliant plastic surgeon according to his colleagues. His specialty is facial and skin transplants. Brilliant he may be but we soon find out that his work closely resembles that of Frankenstein. The goal of Robert’s experiment is to create the perfect female body, he calls her Vera.</p>
<p>Vera Cruz (<a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/elena-anaya/">Elena Anaya</a>) is locked up in a room in Doctor Robert Ledgard’s large mansion but we do not know why. She receives her food and reading material via a dumbwaiter. Surveillance cameras watch her every move and he handles her with tremendous care. She tries to commit suicide but again we do not know why. We must wait for Almodóvar’s masterfully crafted narrative to unfold for answers to such questions.</p>
<p>The new artificial skin Robert has created is resistant to every insect bite thus it can prevent diseases such as malaria. This is because it smells different from normal human skin so it repels mosquitoes from wanting to bite it. Also it cannot be burned easily due to using some pig cells to strengthen it. After he reveals his secret of using pig cells, the president of the institute of biotechnology informs him of how the bioethics of doing such a thing is forbidden then threatens to report him if he continues with this experiment.</p>
<p>While Robert is pondering what to do with Vera as her skin has been successfully healed from his transgenic therapy experiment, another part of the storyline develops. The primary servant of Robert, Marilia (<a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/marisa-paredes/">Marisa Paredes</a>), is reunited with her son Zeca (<a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/roberto-alamo/">Roberto Álamo</a>) who is trying to hide from local police for stealing jewelry. Zeca’s plan is to have Robert operate on his face so that he will not be recognizable by the police but Marilia quickly scolds him saying that Robert would never do the operation.</p>
<p>You get a sense that Marilia is afraid of her son just by their conversation which is then confirmed when she pulls a gun on him and instructs him to leave. She says to him, “You’re not my son. I just gave birth to you.” Zeca grabs the gun from her and notices Vera on the surveillance screen. Somehow she looks familiar to him. This is one of many plot thicken scenes that keep you engaged until the credits roll.</p>
<p>The difficult part of doing this review is not to give away any big clues. As with any good thriller/mystery, figuring out what happens is what makes it so entertaining. Almodóvar tells the story in a beautiful yet crafty way methodically giving you clues here and there. The thriller at times treads close to the line of horror but never quite crosses the line.</p>
<p>Almodóvar’s previous work has proven him as a cinematic artist whose eye for beauty is rarely surpassed. <em>The Skin I Live In</em> is no exception to that. It would be hard to walk away from the film without vivid images burned into your head, the styling is top notch (the perverse nature of the film adds to this as well).</p>
<p><em>The Skin I Live In</em> would have ended better if it did not explain itself in the very last scene. I did not think it was needed, unless you were not paying attention during the film as it was alluded to on multiple occasions. That is really is my old compliant, and a small one at that, it ended about a minute too long. The film is an amazing yet bizarre thriller that involves a mad scientist creating perfect beauty as a way of filling a void in this life that results in a disturbing vengeance.</p>
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		<title>Wrecked</title>
		<link>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/wrecked/</link>
		<comments>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/wrecked/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:33:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dustin Jansick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Movies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Adrien Brody]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[indie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Michael Greenspan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thriller]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wrecked]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://waytooindie.com/?p=1793</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<em>Wrecked</em> is an indie thriller that stars Adrien Brody who wakes up and is trapped in a crushed car with no memories of what happened. It is often compared to <em>127 Hours</em> and <em>Buried</em> and rightfully so, it does share many of the same core elements. A man is alone, trapped and is trying to escape. It may not be on the same level of suspense or emotion as those two films, but it is modestly compelling nonetheless.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Wrecked </em>is an indie thriller that stars <a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/adrien-brody/">Adrien Brody</a> who wakes up and is trapped in a crushed car with no memories of what happened. It is often compared to <em><a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/127-hours/">127 Hours</a></em> and <em><a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/buried/">Buried</a></em> and rightfully so, it does share many of the same core elements. A man is alone, trapped and is trying to escape. It may not be on the same level of suspense or emotion as those two films, but it is modestly compelling nonetheless.</p>
<p>A man slowly regains consciousness covered in blood and what appears to be a car wreck that somehow resulted in being in the woods. A quick glance around the car and he sees a man in the backseat who does not seem to be moving. We have no idea who it is, but neither does he. He makes no real attempt to talk to said person nor does he seem to have any real emotional connection with this person. </p>
<p>To make matters worse, he is stuck between the smashed front end of the vehicle against his legs and the seat. Not helping his situation is the door is jammed tight and will not budge. Only things in reach are available to him, searching around the front seat he finds a pistol. </p>
<p>It is confirmed that the main character does not know the deceased man in the car when he manages to stretch back and remove the man’s wallet. He discovers the man is George and rhetorically asks if the two are friends. He does not remember anything, including this own name which is apparent when he etches “Hello my name is” and stops there. He must not carry a wallet himself.</p>
<p>After beating on the door for several days he finally is able to un-jam the door. His weak body falls straight to the ground but most importantly, he is free. His leg is severally wounded which currently makes standing or even walking an impossible task.</p>
<p>As he does his best to bandage his leg, he hears of the car’s radio that George, Raymond and Eric are wanted for a robbery of a bank and that they are considered armed and extremely dangerous. The car’s description matches perfect. He finds that the truck is filled with cash. Suddenly, he is starting to find out what is going on, but there are many questions still left unknown.</p>
<p>He befriends a stray dog that serves as his only companion. He asked the dog if it is a good dog or a bad dog. Interestingly, that is precisely the main point of the film, to find out if the main character is a good guy or a bad guy. He makes a tough decision when a small amount of food becomes available and he must decide to keep the little amount to himself or share with the dog. Sharing the food with the dog perhaps proves he does have a good side to him even though he is a fugitive on the run.</p>
<p>Adrien Brody does a pretty good job staying on screen for the entire film by himself much like <a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/james-franco/">James Franco</a> in <em><a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/127-hours/">127 Hours</a></em> and <a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/ryan-reynolds/">Ryan Reynolds</a> in <em><a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/buried/">Buried</a></em>. Not only does he not have any human supporting actors but he must crawl through the woods because he cannot stand. He also did all of this own stunts including being swept down a river.</p>
<p>Director <a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/michael-greenspan/">Michael Greenspan</a> shows that he is able to create a fair amount of suspense from little dialog or actors and from a story that is not all that unique. <em>Wrecked</em> was shot in order in just 18 days. Improvements could have been made but ones that could be overlooked for a first time director. This film showed potential for a very promising start of a career.</p>
<p><em>Wrecked</em> definitely felt like a short film that turned into a full-length feature film. The beginning and the end were enjoyable but the middle lacked enough content to fully achieve a high arch of a story. Still, you find yourself waiting to see what the outcome is and it may not be what you expected. The biggest downfall is that the film is mostly watching him survive out in the woods instead of building more of a storyline.</p>
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		<title>Source Code</title>
		<link>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/source-code/</link>
		<comments>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/source-code/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:20:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dustin Jansick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Movies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Duncan Jones]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jake Gyllenhaal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jeffrey Wright]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Michelle Monaghan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sci-fi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Source Code]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thriller]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vera Farmiga]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://waytooindie.com/?p=1538</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<em>Source Code</em> is the sophomore feature by director Duncan Jones. It borrows the sci-fi aspect of his first film, Moon, and throws in a puzzle plot in this techno-thriller. The film was well-crafted, with only a slight plot-hole near the end, about a man who is in the same 8 minute time-loop trying to figure out who planted a bomb on a train. If <em>The Matrix</em> and <em>Groundhog Day</em> had a baby, <em>Source Code</em> would be it.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Source Code</em> is the sophomore feature of director <a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/duncan-jones/">Duncan Jones</a>. It borrows the sci-fi aspect of his first film, <a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/moon/">Moon</a>, and throws in a puzzle plot in this techno-thriller. The film was well-crafted, with only a slight plot-hole near the end, about a man who is in the same 8 minute time-loop trying to figure out who planted a bomb on a train. If <em>The Matrix</em> and <em>Groundhog Day</em> had a baby, <em>Source Code</em> would be it.</p>
<p>The film jumps right in with Colter Stevens (<a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/jake-gyllenhaal/">Jake Gyllenhaal</a>) waking up on a train, clearly confused by his surroundings. The woman (<a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/michelle-monaghan/">Michelle Monaghan</a>) sitting across from him is in mid conversation with him. Adding to the confusion she insists that she knows him and repeatedly calls him Sean. In a desperate move to figure out what is going on, he goes to the bathroom only to find a face in the mirror that is not his, but rather Sean’s.</p>
<p>The opening 8 minutes of the film is one of the most intriguing first 8 minutes of recent film memory. The viewer is in the same boat, or in this case train, as the main character. We have no clue who Sean is, why he is all of a sudden on a train or who the women sitting across from him is. Well played.</p>
<p>As soon as Colter’s time on the train hits 8 minutes, the bomb goes off and the train explodes into flames. He awakes strapped inside some kind of metal capsule in a secret U.S. military experiment. In front of him are computer screens with a women named Colleen Goodwin (<a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/vera-farmiga/">Vera Farmiga</a>) instruction him what to do.</p>
<p>Goodwin expresses how time is not on their side for this experiment but she does finally explain what exactly is going on. The commuter train explosion was caused by a bomb placed by someone on the train. Goodwin’s team was able to gain access into the brain of one of the passengers and able to re-create the last 8 minutes of his life before the bomb went off. From that they were able to build a simulation world that consists of those 8 minutes, they call it Source Code. It has <em>The Matrix</em> similarities abound, the most obvious is the alternate-simulation-world but also Goodwin basically being “the operator”. </p>
<p>His mission is to go back for the 8 minutes to try to locate the bomb and figure out who planted it. With this information they can capture the bomber to prevent an even larger attack that could destroy Chicago. Colter can go back multiple times but still only has the same time limit of 8 minutes. So needs to learn from each visit, <em>Groundhog Day</em> style, piecing the puzzle together.</p>
<p>A human element of emotions comes into play as Colter begins to form a relationship with some of the other passengers, most notably Christina, who we meet at the beginning of each new initialization of Source Code. Which means his mission just got expanded.</p>
<p>Just like in his first film, <em>Moon</em>, Duncan Jones relies heavily on one central character to do most of the heavy lifting. But to be fair, Gyllenhaal had a little more help than <a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/sam-rockwell/">Sam Rockwell</a> did. Gyllenhaal was a fantastic choice, he was solid in his role. Monaghan was maybe a little more replaceable, but that was more because of her role than her performance. Farmiga made a role that would normally be overlooked and played it very well.</p>
<p>The first two acts of <em>Source Code</em> far surpassed the relatively weak third act. The ending was safe and too Hollywood friendly, which is a bit of a shame because I do not think it needed to be. For the most part, the film remains a fast paced thriller with at least one bone-chilling turn-of-event scene.  It is not as mind blowing as <em>Inception</em>, but that does not mean it is not worth a watch or two.</p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Let Me In</title>
		<link>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/let-me-in/</link>
		<comments>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/let-me-in/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:48:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dustin Jansick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Movies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cara Buono]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chloe Moretz]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Elias Koteas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[horror]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kodi Smit-McPhee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Let Me In]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Matt Reeves]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Richard Jenkins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thriller]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://waytooindie.com/?p=1342</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<em>Let Me In</em> is an American remake of the Swedish original called <em>Let the Right One In</em>. The film restores faith to those who thought an American vampire film done well was impossible. I must confess that I am not a huge fan of vampire films nor have I seen the original Swedish version, which in return makes it all the more impressive that I found it so entertaining. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Let Me In</em> is an American remake of the Swedish original called <em>Let the Right One In</em>. The film restores faith to those who thought an American vampire film done well was impossible. I must confess that I am not a huge fan of vampire films nor have I seen the original Swedish version, which in return makes it all the more impressive that I found it so entertaining.</p>
<p><em>Let Me In</em> had a lot going against it from the start. First of all, any time you do a remake you already have an unfair disadvantage, a classic damned if you do damned if you don’t scenario. If you do not change enough from the original, people will argue that the film is too similar. If you change too much, people will think you destroyed the original vision. Most of the time you cannot win and the original is almost always better.</p>
<p>The second thing Let Me In had going against it, is that not only is it a remake, it is an American made remake. Modern day American horror cinema is not exactly looked highly upon by horror film buffs. Lastly, the vampire genre has hit mainstream audiences with cheesy teenage romance films like <em>Twilight</em>, making vampire based films hard to take serious.</p>
<p>Even with all of the above setbacks, <em>Let Me In</em> overcomes each one with relative ease. It proves that Hollywood can produce a solid horror film. Although, some might not even call it a horror film but rather a thriller or even a romance film. In reality, it is a combination of all of those.</p>
<p><em>Let Me In</em> takes place in Los Alamos, New Mexico in the winter of 1983. 12-year-old Owen (<a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/kodi-smit-mcphee/">Kodi Smit-McPhee</a>) is raised by his divorcee mother, does not have any friends, enjoys playing with his Rubik’s Cube and eating Now ‘n’ Laters. His school life is not much better, he is constantly bullied for not fitting in. So when a girl named Abby (<a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/chloe-moretz/">Chloe Moretz</a>) moves in to the apartment next door, it is his first chance at making a friend.</p>
<p>Although, his luck does not seem to be getting any better as she tells him right away, “I can never be your friend.” Owen is quick to notice that Abby is not a normal girl. Even though it is winter and there is snow on the ground, she is shoeless. Also she has never heard of nor played with a Rubik’s Cube. When he asks her how old she is, she replies, “12 –years-old more or less.”</p>
<p>Owen does not know it yet, but Abby is a vampire. Like any vampire she needs blood in order to survive and she relies on her so-called father (<a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/richard-jenkins/">Richard Jenkins</a>) to get it for her. Validating what Owen suspects that she is not normal and also alluding that she is a vampire, she tells Owen, “I’m not a girl. I’m nothing.”</p>
<p>There was not a lot of CGI in Let Me In, which is a good thing. Because most of the CGI in the film was over-the-top, which hurt it more than it helped it. However, the area that it excelled most in was the cinematography. It was magnificently done. The chilly tone was captured perfectly as we often saw with frosted breath and pale faces.  </p>
<p>Dramatic irony, showing the audience the killer before the character sees him, is a technique many older horror films used to create fear and suspense. Many modern day horror films often opt for “cheap scares” by turning down the score and all of a sudden have something jump into the screen. Thankfully, this film went with the former. I also found it interesting that we never see Owen’s mother’s face, she is almost never shown on the screen even if she is in the scene.</p>
<p>Let Me In deserves to be in the list of Top Horror Films of 2010. You must go into it knowing that it is not necessarily scary as it is eerie. Also, it is not very fast paced so be prepared to give it some patience. Being that it is a remake and still quite delightful to watch makes me all the more anxious to watch the original. </p>
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		<item>
		<title>Buried</title>
		<link>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/buried/</link>
		<comments>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/buried/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:55:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dustin Jansick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Movies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Buried]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chris Sparling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[indie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rodrigo Cortes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ryan Reynolds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thriller]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://waytooindie.com/?p=951</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<em>Buried</em> is a claustrophobic thriller that will leave you gasping for air and remains suspenseful enough that even Hitchcock would have been proud. You can guess what the film is about from it’s title, still Rodrigo Cortes keep us engaged as Ryan Reynolds stars in his best role yet and does not fail to outperform his past roles.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Buried</em> is a claustrophobic thriller that will leave you gasping for air and remains suspenseful enough that even Hitchcock would have been proud. You can guess what the film is about from it’s title, still Rodrigo Cortes keep us engaged as Ryan Reynolds stars in his best role yet and does not fail to outperform his past roles.</p>
<p>Paul Conroy (<a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/ryan-reynolds/">Ryan Reynolds</a>) is an American truck driver working as a contractor in Iraq who awakes in pitch darkness for nearly a minute before finding a lighter and realizes that he is buried inside a wooden coffin. As he slowly regains his consciousness, he vaguely remembers being attacked by a group of Iraqis. Searching around the coffin with his lighter in hand, he discovers something very important, a cell phone.</p>
<p>The cell phone discovery is crucial as it allows him to get in contact with the outside world. Like anyone would instinctively do, the first thing Paul does is try calling 911 for help.  He becomes even more frantic when he gets the run-around and put on hold over and over, something we have all experienced. The signal strength is not great and frequently disconnects. </p>
<p>Suddenly, the phone rings and he hears the voice of his captors on the other end. They demand a $5 million dollar ransom from Paul and give him only a couple hours to do so.  He begins to think who he can call to help rescue him by paying the ransom only to realistically decide that getting that ransom money is highly unlikely.</p>
<p>Not only is getting the money a big concern for Paul but also is the lack of oxygen. Between both him and the lighter using oxygen, it is only a matter of time before it runs out. Still, he knows time is of the essence so he uses the phone to call his wife, his employer, the FBI. Luckily, the captors left a pen with him as well, so when he calls 411 for information, he is able to write numbers down.</p>
<p>The most ingenious attribute of <em>Buried</em> is the entire film takes place in the coffin. Not a single shot from the outside, whether it be loved ones, 911 operators or captors on the other end of the phone call, are ever shown. We see nothing from flashbacks of how he got in the coffin. Nor do we see cutaways of what his captors are up to, aside from a video text he receives from them. I say ingenious because the fact that we see nothing from the outside means that we are also trapped inside the coffin.</p>
<p>Making a 95 minute film that takes place solely in one very small space interesting and engaging is a challenge. Buried accomplished this by providing enough action and suspense to keep you entertained throughout its entirety. The camera work in such a restrictive space and limited lighting would be challenge for any great filmmaker. </p>
<p>It is hard not to compare <em>Buried</em> to the film <a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/127-hours/" style="font-style:italic;">127 Hours</a> as they came out around the same time (Buried first) and share a lot of the same characteristics. In both films, you have a main character that is alone nearly the whole time in a confined area seeking to survive and get escape. Both even feature the main character forced to cut off a part of their body.</p>
<p>Shot in just 17 days with a relatively low-budget of 3 million dollars, <em>Buried</em> accomplished a lot. Considering the lack of space, lack of cast and lack of special effects it sure is loaded with suspense, thrills and solid film making. If you were unsure if Ryan Reynolds could be taken seriously as an actor, after watching this film will likely answer that question for you. Buried may not have a lot of rewatchability but the first time will leave you exhausted from the tension and suspense it creates. Look past a few minor flaws (cell phone battery life, or lack thereof) and embrace the film few could do right.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>There Will Be Blood</title>
		<link>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/there-will-be-blood/</link>
		<comments>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/there-will-be-blood/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 12 Apr 2010 02:37:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dustin Jansick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Movies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Daniel Day-Lewis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dillon Freasier]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[drama]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jonny Greenwood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[masterpiece]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[P.T. Anderson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Paul Dano]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Paul Thomas Anderson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thriller]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://waytooindie.com/?p=399</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is impossible to describe <em>There Will Be Blood</em> in one word but if forced to, I would say powerful. If I had to further describe in using just single words they would be; politics, greed, religion and morality. It’s a true instant American classic film whose technical aspects far exceed that of most other films out there.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It is impossible to describe <em>There Will Be Blood</em> in one word but if forced to, I would say powerful. If I had to further describe in using just single words they would be; politics, greed, religion and morality. It’s a true instant American classic film whose technical aspects far exceed that of most other films out there.</p>
<p>Nearly the first 15 minutes of the film, aside from a few cries and moans, is without dialog. All you hear is the eerie soundtrack which was done by Radiohead’s Johnny Greenwood. A soundtrack that would earn him a Grammy nomination. Greenwood creates a soundtrack that works so well with the film, it would not have been the same without it. Mixing up classical sounds and making them haunting. Something that would rival what Stanley Kubrick would have chosen.</p>
<p>Essentially, <em>There Will Be Blood</em> is about a ruthless oil man named Daniel Plainview (<a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/daniel-day-lewis/">Daniel Day-Lewis</a>). He learns that there is a small town which has plenty of oil resources. He convinces the town to let him set up operation there and begin drilling. He promises the town to build schools and cultivate their land to make the town boom. However, one person in particular is reluctant, the local preacher named Eli Sunday (<a  href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/paul-dano/">Paul Dano</a>).</p>
<p>Daniel Plainview and Eli Sunday’s relationship begins early in the film. Having being tipped off from Eli’s twin brother, Plainview arrives at the family’s ranch in search of oil. However, Plainview being the kind of man he is he tries to get a bargain for the land by claiming he wants the land for quail hunting. Thus giving the family prices for quail land and not land with oil. Eli knows that there is oil on the land, something his father doesn’t seem to know. While Plainview is trying to pull a fast one on the family’s father, Eli steps in during negotiation.</p>
<p>After buying the Sunday ranch Plainview soon realizes that Eli is going to be a nuisance. Eli is constantly making sure that this oil venture that has quickly taking over the entire town is in the best interest of his church. Eli approaches Plainview asking if he can bless the first drilling, which Plainview abides to without hesitation. But as the time approaches for the blessing, Plainview does not call Eli up to speak. Instead he does his own blessing but doing so in a way that makes him and his business look like they there are doing a charitable thing for this town.</p>
<p>Which one could argue either side for. On one hand he is providing the town new opportunities for irrigation which in return would provide food easier. He is also building a road for the town and a new school. Part of the agreement was that he would also contribute money to the church that Eli wants so desperately. On the other hand, Plainview’s drilling does bring death to one of the man, via an accident on the dangerous job. It even leads his child to lose his hearing and be permanently deaf.</p>
<p>Shortly after the incident is really the first time you get an intimate look into Plainview’s personality when he says, “I want no one else to succeed. I hate most people.” Also in the same conversation, “There are times when I look at people and I see nothing worth liking. I want to earn enough money that I can get away from everyone.” It is a very important scene because for the first time you see that he is self-aware that he has evil tendencies. He verbally admits of his hatred of people and that he has no room for compassion.</p>
<p>Plainview and his son are on a train when Plainview tells his son to stay put. He leaves the train with his son still on it. It was pre-arranged that another man takes the child. Plainview does this without any emotional tie with his boy. This becomes even more apparent in the next scene when he is in a meeting with a company looking to buy out his land. They tell him they will make him a millionaire if he chooses to sell. Plainview asks them, “What would I do then.” As if he does not know that there is anything else in life then work. They reply he could spend time when his boy, a reply that does not sit well with Plainview.</p>
<p>It is brought to his attention that there is one piece of land that has held out from the initial buying. This land is crucial to Plainview because it stands in the way of the pipeline he wants so that he can transport the oil. If he does not get this land, it’s a 50 mile detour that his pipeline would have to endure. That is just not feasible.</p>
<p>The land owner says he must wash in the blood of Jesus Christ and that’s the only way to salvation and the only way for him to get the land. Plainview tries to buy his way out offering him more and more money but the land owner wants him to be baptized. It is obvious Plainview does not care much for religion and even less for Eli Sunday, so this is no easy task for him.</p>
<p>The scene where Plainview attends Eli’s church is simply amazing. Eli knows exactly what Plainview is doing there and you can tell by the little smirk on his face that he is awaiting his chance for revenge and humiliation. Eli demands him to get down on his knees and scream out “I am a sinner” over and over. If that was not enough, he makes Plainview admit that he has abandoned his own child.</p>
<p><em>There Will Be Blood</em> makes you question your own morality in the most chilling scene in the entire film towards the end when Plainview asks Eli Sunday to admit that he is a false prophet and that God is a superstition.  Eli must choose between falsifying what he firmly believes in order to receive money for the church from Plainview.  The film then comes full circle as Eli Sunday made a fool of Plainview earlier in the film when he makes Plainview scream “I am a sinner” many times in front of his congregation.</p>
<p>The irony in this is quite interesting, because Eli is in a catch-22, either way he loses, whether that will be money or faith. If he chooses not to falsify his belief then he won’t receive the money he wants to build a new church. On the contrary, saying so even though you may not mean what you say, brings self-guilt and shame. It begs the question, how much are you willing to sell your soul for? Or so to speak.</p>
<p>If you have seen the film, you know that ultimately it doesn’t matter what his choice is. This further perhaps expands the irony that there is no right answer. Plainview really has nothing to gain from this situation other than to get back at Eli and to humiliate him. Which for him is the only thing he cares about and nothing would bring him more satisfaction. </p>
<p><a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/paul-thomas-anderson/">Paul Thomas Anderson</a> typically uses two or more of the same actors in his films, however, <em>There Will Be Blood</em> is his first film that doesn’t include a member of the cast from a previous film. However, an element that is signature to PT Anderson that is present is his long takes of scenes. The film was shot beautifully which eventually earned an Oscar for Best Cinematography. </p>
<p>Daniel Day Lewis is fierce and relentless. Determined to be wealthy he will let nothing stop him. The first evidence of this is at the very beginning of the film where he falls down a mine shaft and breaks his leg. With determination on his side, he hauls himself back up from the mine. Once you see <em>There Will Be Blood</em> it should come to no surprise that Daniel Day Lewis won an Oscar for Best Leading Actor for his performance. </p>
<p>Paul Dano’s character Eli is marvelously haunting and extremely passionate. I got goose bumps when he preached to his congregation. He is just as determined and fierce as Plainview is but in his own way. He is not fueled by greed but instead it’s his religion which drives him.</p>
<p><em>There Will Be Blood</em> combines superior acting, directing and storyline into a masterpiece. In my opinion a film that was robbed of it’s much deserved Academy Award for Best Picture. It should be considered an important American film that everyone should see, you would only be doing yourself a favor in doing so.</p>
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		<title>The Bad Lieutenant</title>
		<link>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/the-bad-lieutenant-port-of-call-new-orleans/</link>
		<comments>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/the-bad-lieutenant-port-of-call-new-orleans/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:08:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dustin Jansick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Movies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eva Mendes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[indie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nicolas Cage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thriller]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Werner Herzog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://waytooindie.com/?p=363</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<em>The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans</em> is an indie intelligent “cop movie” that is really much more. A little worried it was going to be a typical cop movie, I was a little hesitant to watch it, but I was glad I did.  Digging deep into both addiction and morality, this thriller will keep you wanting more and it delivers.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call &#8211; New Orleans</em> is an indie intelligent “cop movie” that is really much more. A little worried it was going to be a typical cop movie, I was a little hesitant to watch it, but I was glad I did.  Digging deep into both addiction and morality, this thriller will keep you wanting more and it delivers.</p>
<p>As you would guess from the name of the film, it is about a bad lieutenant named Terence McDonagh (<a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/nicolas-cage/">Nicolas Cage</a>). Situations he gets into as a cop he uses to his advantage for drugs. When he busts a drug dealer, he will score some of the drugs from himself. He prefers to do a lot of his work off the record especially when it comes to collecting evidence. </p>
<p>He has a lover named Frankie (Eva Mendes) who is a prostitute and together they work as a team for money and drugs. But drugs aren’t the only thing Terence has gotten himself into, gambling is also a big part of his life. He begins to dig himself deeper and deeper with drug dealers and bookies that eventually make Frankie’s life in danger. </p>
<p><em>The Bad Lieutenant</em> is riddled with twists and new sequence of events, the two hour run time seems to end in no time at all. It is gripping and keeps you wanting more and more until the very end. Without divulging too much of the film way, the film does come full circle at the end in way you almost can’t help but applaud to show your appreciation at the conclusion. </p>
<p>Nicolas Cage played the character superbly. You almost couldn’t imagine anyone else playing the part. You can see him physically and mentally deteriorating and heading into a downward spiral as his character was. He really played the character with full conviction. I have always respected the work Cage has done and this performance validates my respect. He rightfully won the Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor. </p>
<p>Many times throughout the film, whether it was a hallucination shot from the drugs or what would seem a normal shot seemed to be captured in an unorthodox way. It really portrays New Orleans beautifully. Untraditional angles and great use of the camera would earn a nomination for Best Cinematography at the <a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/2010-independent-spirit-award-winners/">2010 Independent Spirit Awards</a>.</p>
<p><em>The Bad Lieutenant</em> is an indie film that I think everyone can enjoy. The plot seems to grow with every scene and there doesn’t seem to be a dull spot in it. The storyline is captivating and the cinematography is excellent. It’s truly a thriller that you must see.  </p>
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		<title>Downloading Nancy</title>
		<link>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/downloading-nancy/</link>
		<comments>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/downloading-nancy/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:41:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dustin Jansick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Movies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Downloading Nancy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[indie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jason Patric]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Johan Renck]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maria Bello]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thriller]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://waytooindie.com/?p=305</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<em>Downloading Nancy</em> is an indie thriller that is; completely disturbing, controversial, well shot and captivating film. It was nominated for Grand Jury Prize at <a href="http://waytooindie.com/?s=Sundance">Sundance</a> and is definitely one of the better indie thrillers of 2009. It's a thriller that will have you asking "why" instead of "who".]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Downloading Nancy</em> is an indie thriller that is; completely disturbing, controversial, well shot and captivating film. It was nominated for Grand Jury Prize at <a href="http://waytooindie.com/?s=Sundance">Sundance</a> and is definitely one of the better indie thrillers of 2009. It&#8217;s a thriller that will have you asking &#8220;why&#8221; instead of &#8220;who&#8221;.</p>
<p>Some films of the thriller genre, including this one, are better left going into without knowing too much of the plot. This is why I am not going to get into too many details of the important plot structure. <em>Downloading Nancy</em> obviously doesn’t want you to know what is going on in the beginning. It jumps right in to things without explanations, which you end up finding out as the film progresses and sometimes through flashbacks. Character’s keep alluding to “the big finish” and you the viewer are left in the dark towards the beginning as to what that is referring to.  </p>
<p>I will vaguely give a background of the film. Because of childhood drama, Nancy (Maria Bello) has a disturbing urge for pain. She desires it even if it means death. She says at the very beginning of the movie, “Death is like sucking pure oxygen” and when asked what life is, she responds, “It’s like being trapped inside the wrong house looking for a way out.” Her husband Albert (Rufus Sewell) notices that she disappears one night and then begins the downward spiral of events.</p>
<p>Albert begins with the feeling of regret, it becomes evident when he is staring at refrigerator magnet words that combine to spell “You don’t know you got til its gone”, mysteriously leaving out the word “what”. Later in the film this you see that this is in fact true, he did take her for granted. Seemingly ignoring her calls for fun and sex.</p>
<p>He then becomes very worried when someone calls saying that she was supposed to have an appointment with them and never shows. He nearly calls 911. Then when he first finds out that his wife is leaving him, he is in denial, saying that he doesn’t believe it. Albert becomes insanely enraged when he finds out the truth. </p>
<p>Rufus Sewell had such a wide range of emotion, from normal to insane. If this were a more mainstream movie, I could definitely see Robert De Niro playing this role, or maybe that’s just because I think he resembles a young De Niro a little bit.</p>
<p>Maria Bello did an amazing job and was nominated for Best Female Lead at the <a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/2010-independent-spirit-award-winners/">2010 Independent Spirit Awards</a>. Although I still think Gabourey Sidibe of the film <a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/precious/"><em>Precious</em></a> deserved the win, Bello puts on a stunning performance which probably would have earned her runner up.</p>
<p>The cinematography was noticeably well done. It had a cool bluish tint to it. The camera is almost constantly moving, gives off the feeling of voyeurism. Most of the time it is subtle movements, but on a few occasions it becomes a little distracting.</p>
<p><em>Downloading Nancy</em> won’t be the greatest thriller you will ever see but it will certainly hold your interest. Some scenes are nearly so distributing it will be hard for some to watch. It’s a fairly modest display of a physiological thriller.</p>
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		<title>Shutter Island</title>
		<link>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/shutter-island/</link>
		<comments>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/shutter-island/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:09:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dustin Jansick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Movies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ben Kingsley]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leonardo DiCaprio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mark Ruffalo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Martin Scorsese]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mystery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shutter Island]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stanley Kubrick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thriller]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://waytooindie.com/?p=73</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If Stanley Kubrick was still alive, this is what he would have made. <em>Shutter Island</em> reminded me of Kubrick’s <em>The Shinning</em> with the creepy feel to this brilliantly written story. It’s also similar with eerie flashbacks and classical music woven throughout. Martin Scorsese plays with the viewers mind the entire film and keeps you on the edge of your seat without a single dull scene. In my mind, that is a rare thing to find in most films.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If <a href="http://waytooindie.com/?s=Stanley+Kubrick">Stanley Kubrick</a> was still alive, this is what he would have made. <em>Shutter Island</em> reminded me of Kubrick’s <em>The Shinning</em> with the creepy feel to this brilliantly written story. It’s also similar with eerie flashbacks and classical music woven throughout. <a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/martin-scorsese/">Martin Scorsese</a> plays with the viewers mind the entire film and keeps you on the edge of your seat without a single dull scene. In my mind, that is a rare thing to find in most films.</p>
<p>It’s no surprise that Scorsese chose <a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/leonardo-dicaprio/">Leonardo DiCaprio</a> for the lead role in <em>Shutter Island</em>, as he did so with his last film <em>The Departed</em> and also with <em>The Aviator</em> and <em>Gangs of New York</em>. Saying DiCaprio was excellent would be an understatement. Ben Kingsley also shines too with a mysterious and relaxed character that is hard to imagine anyone else pulling it off the way he did.</p>
<p>The story starts out with U.S. Marshall Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) heading up an investigation of a missing patient at Shutter Island hospital, which is a hospital that treats the criminally insane. With his new partner by his side (Mark Ruffalo), the two investigate and start interviewing the staff and patients. The investigation takes a sharp turn when the hospital refuses to release access to certain records. Teddy soon begins to question everything; the responses he receives, his partner and even himself. </p>
<p>I would be upset at the Academy if this picture didn’t produce at least one <a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/oscars/">Oscar</a>. I feel like DiCaprio has a run for Best Lead Actor. Scorsese could go for Best Director as well, that is if the Academy doesn’t snub him as some people have stated (before getting one for <em>The Departed</em>).</p>
<p><em>Shutter Island</em> will have a lot re-watchability. It will only get better the more you watch it as you will notice little things the second time around. Somethings you probably couldn&#8217;t fully appreciate the first time through. There isn&#8217;t a lot of films I finish for the first time and immediately want to watch it again, however, <em>Shutter Island</em> was one of those films.</p>
<p>It was one of those films that after watching it you want to stand up and clap for it. Not for the way it ends or that it sends any inspiring message but rather the appreciation that you were able to witness an excellent piece of work. Highly recommended.</p>
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		<title>The Air I Breathe</title>
		<link>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/the-air-i-breathe/</link>
		<comments>http://waytooindie.com/reviews/the-air-i-breathe/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:31:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dustin Jansick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Movies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Air I Breathe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Andy Garcia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brendan Fraser]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Forest Whitaker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[indie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kevin Bacon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thriller]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://waytooindie.com/?p=6</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I nearly did not watch this movie because of all the negative reviews people gave this film. It was recommended to me by Netflix, which is not always creditable. Needless to say my expectations were very low, which is probably the best way to go into a movie.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I nearly did not watch this movie because of all the negative reviews people gave this film. It was recommended to me by Netflix, which is not always creditable. Needless to say my expectations were very low, which is probably the best way to go into a movie.</p>
<p>The movie is about four basic human emotions; Happiness, Sorrow, Pleasure, and Love. The opening line of the movie said by Forrest Whitaker (who plays happiness) says, “I always wondered, when a butterfly leaves the safety of its cocoon, does it realize how beautiful it has become? Or does it still just see itself as a caterpillar?”. Interesting thought. Each emotion has their own little story but eventually they all end up weaving together. I’m not sure how this is considered an Indie film when you have Kevin Bacon, <a href="http://waytooindie.com/reviews/tag/forest-whitaker/">Forest Whitaker</a>, Andy Garcia, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Brendan Fraser, Julie Delpy, and Emile Hirsch all starring in it, but I thought the acting was fairly good. However, I did think Kevin Bacon’s character was pretty cheesy and looking back on it, even laughable. Andy Garcia played a crime boss that is constantly on the look out for people that owe him. There were a few parts that Garcia’s character where it wasn’t very realistic. He would catch these people, then leave and come back to surprised that they ditched.</p>
<p>The movie kept me entertained throughout. There didn’t seem to be a dull moment until towards the end. I did feel like the last story was pretty weak but it does bring it all together. You must take the movie for what it is, accept the fact it has some flaws in it, disregard the negative reviews. It’s not super thought provoking but still gets your mind thinking and still stands as a good thriller. I would easily recommend this movie.</p>
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