Friday, July 15, 2011

Review #1

I’m going to start the reviews off with one of my favorite films:

Ink. (2009)

I first watched this movie a little over half a year ago and it quickly shot to the top of my favorites list. The story centers around a man named John and his estranged relationship with his daughter, Emma, as she falls into a coma. What John fails to realize is Emma’s coma is brought on by a creature named Ink who has kidnapped her soul. As the metaphysical battle wages over Emma, John is forced to confront his demons and failings as a father. Part fantasy/science fiction, part familial drama, and part horror (the Incubi scare the piss out of me.); Ink is one of the most powerful stories of redemption I’ve seen in recent years.

What one first notices about Ink is its somewhat low budget look. Ink was produced mainly by a married couple, Jamin and Kiowa Winans, on the streets of Denver, Colorado. After receiving continual rejection from studios to make the film, the duo decided to make the film on their own. Jamin acted as director, writer, producer, editor, and also composed the score for the film while Kiowa acted as sound editor and costume and set designer. However, the low-budget look in no way undermines the heart and entertainment of the film. The “rough around the edges” only displays more of the love that went into the film. Every frame bleeds with creative energy and passion. It’s also gives hope for DIY filmmakers. With newer technologies come newer opportunities to make quality movies for less.

I suggest you give this film a chance. (It is up for instant streaming on Netflix.) Get lost in it; allow Ink to speak to you.

I give this film 4.5 out of 5.

Let it Begin.

Movies are (mostly) life in art. Modern cinema has taken this away somewhat with its shallow, money grabbing blockbusters but film still remains one of the leading art forms in the world today. I love film. The cinema invigorates me with love for life. I find truth within the storylines; lessons within the character’s flaws.

This blog will be dedicated to film. I will review, discuss, and explore this vast world. I’ll combine both contemporary and classic cinema. Feel free to make any suggestions of films you’d like to see me review and or just break down critically.

The movies are us; amplified and stylized.