I wanted to really like “Pencil Fighting.” I mean, granted, in the end the concept is interesting, the scenes are humorous, and the direction is tight, but beyond that “Pencil Fighting” left me generally apathetic to the entire story and I just didn’t really know what I thought of it. Then watching it a second time, I realized that I just didn’t enjoy it as much as I wanted to. While you have to really appreciate what director and writer Fro Rojas is getting at, often times “Pencil Fighting” left me unsatisfied, especially since there seemed to be so much more that could have been done with the concept and story.
Tag Archives: Mock Documentary
The Asian Superman Myth (2007)
Hi, I’m Felix, a movie critic who, you may know, has been a hardcore Superman fan since before I could read. Superman is a character that’s meant a lot to me over the years, and I take great humor in folks who pay homage or poke fun at the character because Superman is a versatile creation that’s ripe for any context. “The Asian Superman Myth” is a mock documentary that begs the question: Is Superman really Asian? It’s possible, is it not? Claveria makes a great case for the notion. In Claveria’s film, the world shown is a world where Superman exists, and Superman is not only just a popular comic book character, but an anomaly that may or may not exist among us.
Amateur Porn Star Killer (2005) (DVD)
This is our third consecutive review of Alter Ego Cinema’s “Amateur Porn Star Killer,” and by now with our record number of reviews for one film, it’s obvious that we pretty much support this film and Alter Ego Cinema’s methods of filmmaking. No, they’re not paying us to shill for them. Long ago, “Amateur Porn Star Killer” arrived at my doorstep and I viewed the press materials, viewed the packaged films and pretty much procrastinated reviewing it, writing it off as a home video that was filled with gore in an attempt to shock indie audiences. Trust me, I’ve come across too many movies like that. But upon viewing this film finally, Shane Ryan just blew me away and he convinced me to never prejudge a film however unusual it may be.
A Hard Day's Night (1964)
The Beatles are now and have always been four men who carried with them a presence that is hard to pin down or describe. Something about these fab four, these mop tops always inspired an attraction from music lovers and fans around the world. It doesn’t matter what they did or do, people responded and they came in droves to watch the four do what they did best. The transition to film is rarely a successful venture for a musical star. Many times you’ll see a singer anxiously trying to act and failing or just pretty much supplying a string of mediocre performances. “A Hard Day’s Night” makes no bones about itself. It’s a vehicle, a promotional tool, and of course a way for fans to see the Beatles without going to a concert.
Street Thief (2006)
In the tradition of films like “Man Bite Dog,” and “Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon,” Malik Bader is a film that constantly has you questioning what’s reality and what’s fantasy. Is this all one big ruse? Are the filmmakers putting us on from minute one? Or is this an actual thief we’re watching? Most of all, does this make the film worth watching if we can never be sure one way or the other? “Street Thief” is one of the many films in the modern era that’s demonstrated the audience’s ability to become voyeurs. As a mass that constantly feel we have to watch people at their worst and most embarrassing, films like “Street Thief” will challenge the audience and keep us guessing.
Cabbie (2007)
In spite of the caveats, Steve Gelder takes the role on with a really funny sentiment that makes the title character in the film worthy of a viewing. Gelder takes the character on with finesse, and adds a sense of dimension that brings this character into a different view as this person who is so pathetic, and yet so oddly compelling. His delusions keep us wondering, and Gelder really dives into the role. Unfortunately, much of the comedy played for, during “Cabbie” doesn’t quite hit the stride as much as it wants to.
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)
He’s a skilled serial killer, a slasher along the lines of Jason, and, oh yeah, he’s a self-promoting sensationalist who wants to become a famous slasher of all things teen. Leslie Vernon lives in a world filled with monsters. He lives in a world where Jason, Freddy, and even Michael Myers wreak havoc on innocent victims and young teenagers. And what does Leslie Vernon want? He wants to be like them. And he’ll go through any lengths to live up to their legacies. And wouldn’t you know it? Director Scott Glosserman is about eighty percent of the way there.