Agent10

Once again, the world is introduced to a supremely cute and photogenic creature meant to evoke child-like joy. The only difference is, this isn't some E. T. knock-off, but more like a dark Disney film from the early 80s.

Filled with dark imagery, ominous music and some deep themes about parental control and relationships, The Legend of Ochi gives us a sense of fear, joy and triumph amidst the backdrop of the Carpathian Mountains. It's rare to see this kind of movie made these days, especially since the hyper reality of the film's world has a touch of Wes Anderson. Fortunately, the film doesn't go too hard in that department as the world feels a little more real than Anderson's sensibilities.

Overall, the story starts out pretty strong, giving us a very good foundation to focus on. However, it's the muddled middle where the problems begin. A couple of overly convenient contrivances occur, and while they were certainly meant to move the story quicker, it was still jarring in their sudden entrance.

The only other complaint was sometimes the VFX shots didn't look convincing, but this was a low budget movie and they did a good job considering their limitations. Overall, I found the film to be a joy and interesting to look at, which is fine from time to time.

Many years ago as a young Arizona teen, I passed through Jerome, Arizona. It was a ghost town in the 90s, and little did I know one of my favorite rock performers was galavanting around, manifesting the idea of making wine amidst the ruin of an old copper mining settlement.

Many years later, I moved to the Verde Valley for work purposes, and after rewatching this documentary it's amazing to see the differences. The original hill that homes the Merkin Vineyard has a state of the art tasting room at the top. People have moved and lived in Jerome for years, along with the adjoining town Clarkdale becoming a hot spot for new homes, breweries and wine tasting. Old Downtown Cottonwood is a haven for wine tasting and delicious food. Heck, even Cornville, which is more known for cattle, has gotten into the game. And now Maynard James Keenan is getting into coffee making (which is delicious by the way).

Having had Caduceus and Arizona Stronghold wines, it was interesting to rewatch this documentary and see how such a whimsical passion has become such a serious pursuit. Having lived in Arizona and seeing the growth of the wine and beer industry, I'm not shocked by the idea that a state like Arizona, which has a unique topography, wouldn't be home to wine making. While the Verde Valley in the north and Wilcox and Sonoita to the south make an impression, this film was really just made to dispel the idea that these dusty towns in Northern Arizona offer more than hiking trails.

While many of the longtime locals hate the changes, it's obviously brought quite a renewal. People from around the country come to Cottonwood (which is down the hill from Jerome and a stone's throw from Page Springs) to check out not only Sedona, but the wine world that has been created here. While it may never become as big as Napa or Italy or France, it presents a different side of the industry while also presenting tons of outdoor beauty mixed with old west history.

I feel the two central figures to the story, Eric Glomski and Maynard James Keenan, are much like the old pioneers of the 1800s. They found something strange and beautiful and through a lot of hard work and passion, developed a special identity for this region. While many still see Keenan as a bit of control freak and difficult to work with, it's those roots that are needed to create something that will last long term. Check out the Verde Valley for yourself. Tons of great hiking in the day and plenty of wining and dining at night. And no I don't work in the wine industry here, I just sell paint. But at least I can appreciate dedication.

I don't know what is going in on in Hollywood, but I'm really amazed a film like this was produced. Either this was meant to be a money laundering operation or some kid of tax credit, it's bizarre how these movies get made. But here we are.

Anyway, the story of Flyin Ryan is inexplicable and convoluted. Ryan moves to a new town with his widowed mother and almost immediately becomes the target of bullies. Got to be the bad fashion sense and the fact he is a ginger. Ryan eventually inherits some weird shoes his aunt picked out of the trash for. I don't know if Heeley's gave money to this movie, but I sure hope they didn't. After some magical shenanigans, Ryan finds out he can fly. In spite of this power, he rarely uses it of course. I mean they had no budget.

The story is pretty barebones. They find a dog that the aunt loves and then the dog gets stolen and even though it is just a Pomeranian the stupid bad guys think they can turn it into a really tough guard dog. I doubt that would happen considering the dog looked elderly and probably was chosen due to its lack of youthful vigor. We get a predictable ending and so forth and Ryan even gets the girl despite being a ginger, having bad fashion sense and of course, being poor.

I can only assume the kids loved making this movie, as they clearly got to ride ATVs, hang around an abandoned factory and do plenty of their own stunts. Except for the kids that were trying to do kick flips and kept wiping out in front of the hot girls. Most non-triumphant dude!

Don't watch this movie. It's terrible and boring. But if you like bad movies, then this is definitely up your alley.