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mikesaenz
Reviews
Crossing (2002)
Gracefully violent. Violently graceful.
Crossing is a short film about Scotty, a young man who deftly jumps in front of moving cars, ostensibly to get money from the shocked and apologetic drivers. Not something most people would consider doing as a hobby and a way of life, and one thing you might expect from this film is that there is no way for the audience to find a character like this sympathetic or engaging.
But what the writer/director manages to pull off in this film is nothing short of amazing. Over the twelve minute film, we throughly learn the ins and outs of Scotty's character, through graceful stream-of-conscious voice over, and a floating, visually somnambulant style that perfectly places the audience in this lost character's shoes. It's all very reminiscent of Wong Kar-Wai.
This really is a great short film. The visuals are perfect for the story. The performances are very convincing and, perhaps this is a guilty pleasure, the shots of the cars hitting Scotty are shots of a real live person being hit by a car. So see this film if you or someone you love is interested in becoming a stunt man.
Betting the Game (2000)
edgy. violent. cool.
Betting the Game is an edgy cool gangster thriller, yes, but it's no by the numbers crime short. It's astonishing, really, that a genre film like this manages to keep you interested in every grimy twist and turn.
But forget all that. This movie is refreshingly violent. I think that is a good thing. Seriously. And it's not easy to do.
It's not often in a short...no, a student short especially, that a filmmaker can evoke a visceral, gutwrenching response with cinematic violence. I'm a proponent of it...effective violence in a story like this requires astonishing technique...and taste. Look at all the mindless, over the top nonsense in other films of this type...and then watch Betting the Game to see it done right. Tanya Reihill knows what not to show...and where to point the camera. And when to hand hold it. And when to lock it down.
I won't spoil the violent scene I love so much, but you'll watch this film with balled-up fists. Enjoy!