I debated posting these comments in the Current Films folder, but decided this particular entry had been released for quite a while and probably should go here.
Those of you who want additional information about this film -- and believe me, I do not recommend it -- should go to blackbiped's On-Topic Reviews thread down in the General SF/Horror folder. That is where I found enough information to go immediately to Netflix streaming and watch a film that's been sitting in queue for, I guess, a couple of months at least.
First comment -- this is another small indie film with an incredibly literate and sophisticated screenplay that, for me, packed an incredible punch at the finale when one brief comment spoken throughout the film finally assumes a much more powerful meaning. Writer/director John August is responsible for the writing in Big Fish, Corpse Bride, Charley and the Chocolate Factory, and the (remake, I guess) post-production Frankenweenie due out later this year. His writing skill may be at top form in this little film.
Second comment -- there are no special effects to speak of. This is a character-driven film from start to finish.
Third comment -- solid, or more than solid acting across the board. Principal actors are Ryan Reynolds, Melissa McCarthy, and Hope Davis.
Final comment -- I've been promoting these smaller films over the Big Studio films for quite some time. I could/can produce a list of about 20 top-notch small direct-to-video indie films that gave me much more pleasure than any theatrical experience. The Nines immediately goes into the Top Ten, and maybe even the Top Five on that list.
To reiterate... it is my belief that this film should be seen blind, with absolutely no prior information about it so that it's strengths can be fully appreciated. I mentioned this film in a very recent Monster Kid meeting, and one of the questions asked was, "Is it genre?" Then that person answered his own question: "But you only watch genre films, so I guess I know the answer." While I watch many, many non-genre films outside our Monster Kid gatherings, his statement holds true as far as it goes -- when I go to a Monster Kid meeting, I expect to watch genre films. The level of genre content can be fairly minimal -- we watched Kiss Me Deadly a couple of months ago -- but my personal objective and opinion holds. So take that for what it is worth regarding this film.
Highly, very highly, recommended. And another round of applause for blackbiped's/porfle's review posts.
... Reed
Those of you who want additional information about this film -- and believe me, I do not recommend it -- should go to blackbiped's On-Topic Reviews thread down in the General SF/Horror folder. That is where I found enough information to go immediately to Netflix streaming and watch a film that's been sitting in queue for, I guess, a couple of months at least.
First comment -- this is another small indie film with an incredibly literate and sophisticated screenplay that, for me, packed an incredible punch at the finale when one brief comment spoken throughout the film finally assumes a much more powerful meaning. Writer/director John August is responsible for the writing in Big Fish, Corpse Bride, Charley and the Chocolate Factory, and the (remake, I guess) post-production Frankenweenie due out later this year. His writing skill may be at top form in this little film.
Second comment -- there are no special effects to speak of. This is a character-driven film from start to finish.
Third comment -- solid, or more than solid acting across the board. Principal actors are Ryan Reynolds, Melissa McCarthy, and Hope Davis.
Final comment -- I've been promoting these smaller films over the Big Studio films for quite some time. I could/can produce a list of about 20 top-notch small direct-to-video indie films that gave me much more pleasure than any theatrical experience. The Nines immediately goes into the Top Ten, and maybe even the Top Five on that list.
To reiterate... it is my belief that this film should be seen blind, with absolutely no prior information about it so that it's strengths can be fully appreciated. I mentioned this film in a very recent Monster Kid meeting, and one of the questions asked was, "Is it genre?" Then that person answered his own question: "But you only watch genre films, so I guess I know the answer." While I watch many, many non-genre films outside our Monster Kid gatherings, his statement holds true as far as it goes -- when I go to a Monster Kid meeting, I expect to watch genre films. The level of genre content can be fairly minimal -- we watched Kiss Me Deadly a couple of months ago -- but my personal objective and opinion holds. So take that for what it is worth regarding this film.
Highly, very highly, recommended. And another round of applause for blackbiped's/porfle's review posts.
... Reed
