I must have seen a different film than everyone else ...
Rex Quon Do | Farmington, MI | 05/26/2007
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Yikes! From reading the other reviews, it sounds like this film was made by a young Orson Welles. Although the cinematography is very good (the city of Detroit rarely looks this superbly gritty and dark), the "story" in this film is so poorly written, and, at times cliched. I guess the director was going for a "Crash"-like film with intertwining story lines of drama and redemption, but the stories fail miserably. It seems he tried to do way too much on way too small a budget and way-way too thin of a story.
While the drug use, killings, racial politics, and prostitution are not glamorized, it is nevertheless used, exploitively at times (how many drug/crime films have shown drugs being prepared and then injected in extreme closeup).
The most laughable scene in the film is prior to the rape scene as the male predator chases the female prey around the convertable car. When he is unable to catch up to her in her high heels (apparently he is no track star) he decides to crouch down so she can't see him and sneak up on her. Of course, she realizes this and, instead of running away or into the building where her friend just ran for help, she peeks under the car to spot his location. Meanwhile, as she is on all fours, he sneaks up and attacks. This scene just looked silly.
Some of the acting showed promise. A moment here or there in this film. And, after listening to the director's commentary, the director seems to have some things to say about race relations, drug use, and the city of Detroit (all worthy subjects). Perhaps a more simple story that followed one of the story lines - and did that well - as opposed to the collection of stories that ultimately don't work.
My guess is the positive reviews for this film are from the actors, friends, or members of the film class that made this soon-to-be-forgotten thing.
I was really pulling for this movie because it is about my home town of Detroit. Too bad - there are good films to make about Detroit, this is not one of them."
WOW!
Kenneth L. Kowalski | Detroit, MI USA | 01/16/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I ended up viewing this film because I knew it was shot locally.
What a surprise! Great quality and story all around. I could'nt
wait to see what happend next. Brilliant images and excitement.
I cannot wait to see what this Brian Lawrence has up his sleeve next."
Modern Masterwork
Film Fan | 01/16/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the kind of film that reminds me of why I love movies. After I finished viewing it, I was rattled. Its ambivalent moral point of view gives the film surprising emotional power. The filmmaker doesn't draw ethical conclusions for the viewer; you're invited to interpret the characters' actions for yourself.
The actors in the film (Aida Munoz, Derek Denham, Shoib Myint, Deirdre Tracey, Hugh Gall, Mike Merna, Elton Litzner -- to name a few) are courageous and attractive. The sexuality and violence are handled honestly and straightfowardly by the director and cast. Lon Stratton's cinematography enhances the urban landscapes with unexpected beauty.
When I rented the film, I expected to see a typical urban action story but was treated to an art film. I highly recommend this film and suggest viewing it more than once. There are four densely packed storylines and it's hard to absorb all the action in a single viewing.
"
Independent Film as Good as Hollywood
OldeEnglishD | 01/14/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"DO NOT let an unknown cast and crew from Detroit fool you! This film is very competitive with nearly any Hollywood makes. Starting with the excellent cinematography, this art film tells the story of Canadian filmmakers coming to Detroit to make a documentary depicting the motor city as typical third world. Like with anything that gets a bad rap, the lead filmmaker exploits the city by hiding its good points so as to better market his movie. Fully knowing its the bad points that sell."