Ergolad Reviews

Midnight Son (2011)

Pleasantly surprised

[8/10 · 12 January 2012]

I went to a screening of this not expecting much. It's got its rough spots, but on a whole I liked it. The idea is fresh (for a vampire flick) and the performances are fairly good. Maya Parish acts outside the box and Jo D. Jonz makes some interesting choices. It's got the look of film shot on the cheap, probably flying under the radar a few times sans permits, but for the most part that serves the overall grittiness of the thing. This is actually one I'd like to see revisited à la EVIL DEAD. I'd be curious to see what could come of it with more cash, a little script polish, etc. Hope to see this create some more opportunities for these film makers. Curious to see what's next. Totally worth checking this one out.

A Merry War (1997)

Trash

[1/10 · 25 June 2006]

I had high hopes for this film. I thought the premise interesting. I stuck through it, even though I found the acting, save Helena Bonham Carter, unremarkable. I kept hoping my time spent would pay off, but in the end I was left me wondering why they even bothered to make this thing. Maybe in George Orwell's version there is a message worth conveying. If this film accomplished anything, it has inspired me to read Orwell's classic. I find it hard to believe his tale could be as disappointing as this adaption. If the film maker's message is "the mundane life is worth living", well then, they've succeeded. I would recommend this film to no one; 101 minutes of my life wasted.

Nico and Dani (2000)

A Fine Film

[8/10 · 20 December 2000]

I saw this film at the Hamburg Film Fest & was struck by it's sensitivity, courage & honesty. This is cinema "real" at it's finest; a slice of life. It is no wonder it was awarded the festival's Tesa Award. It was well deserved.

The Horse's Mouth (1958)

The simple truth...

[10/10 · 30 July 2000]

It's very simple. This film has meant a lot to me. An enlightened art teacher from high school played this for us in class. I haven't been the same since. I can't say I know much of Alec Guinness's work, but I count him as a personal favorite based on this performance alone. I recommend it to anyone who wants to be creatively inspired.