7 Word Reviews of IMAF2011 Videos Seen

So, for a while now, I've been thinking about writing up some 7-word reviews (that's kind of become my thing - 7 word reviews. Well, one of my things) of the videos I saw at this year's Island Media Arts Festival.  Wanted to do it right after the screenings, to keep it fresh.  Then I didn't do it.  Then I thought "well, the time has passed" and decided not to do it.  Then I thought "what the hell, just do it" and then I did it.  That's a lot of "thens".

Overall, I enjoyed the two nights of screeenings I saw.  Generally speaking, it's obvious that a lot of people have some pretty stout talents when it comes to shooting videos, and making them look really nice.  I did find myself wishing, though, that there were more people who were more interested in telling stories than they were in making videos look nice.

Anyway, here are some 7 word reviews.  With only 7 words, you might have to read between the lines quite a bit, and likely my meaning at times will be confusing as I attempt to have some specific word imply a whole paragraph of opinion.

FULL SCHEDULE – WEB WORKS AND COMEDY SCREENING:

And Yet I Blame Hollywood – Dave Stewart : A series of five two-minute movie reviews, in animated form.

 My 7 Word Review:  Sharply written. Distinct animation and characters. Succeeds.  (disclosure: I did some voice-work for some of these episodes)

 

Bunny Bop; Episode One – Cheryl Wagner : Episode One of a 15 episode web series for kids. It features young kids in bunny suits at play in a wondrous garden setting.

 My 7 Word Review: Cute, bright, short. Kids should love this.

 

Pabst Blue Ribbon – Jeremy Larter : A nod to David Lynch and Dennis Hopper.

 My 7 Word Review:  Didn't get any Lynch or Hopper vibe.

 

The New Neighbours – Susan Rodgers : When new neighbours move in to the apartment across the hall, they start making some strange sounds in the morning.

 My 7 Word Review: Disliked this. Too slow. Too long. Unfunny.

 

Billy Pelican; Reality TV – Neil Wiley/Richard DesRoches : A short film done in “vlog” form.

 My 7 Word Review: Dated.  Mercer rant ripoff. Well performed, though.

 

Mr. Happy – Pamela Lovelace : A man with particular tastes gets more than he bargained for at this particular coffee shop.

 My 7 Word Review: Liked at beginning. Bored by the end.

 

20 Steps Toronto – Jeremy Larter : 20 shots around Nathan Phillips Square in 20 step increments.

 My 7 Word Review: Rather aimless and random. Looked nice though.

 

Colour Code – Errol Richardson : The band Colour Code rehearses to syncopated lights.

 My 7 Word Review: Nice, but ran out of steam, visually.

A Time to Drum; Chapter Two – Susan Rodgers : Chapter two in a web series about dreams set against the backdrop of pipe band drumming. It is a passion project by a Mom whose son Christopher lives for music.

 My 7 Word Review: Long and self-absorbed. Desperately needs editor. 

Three Amigos Buy a Door – John Christenson : Three friends, member of the NB film co-op are tasked to improve the security of the co-op office by acquiring a new door. However, long-time friends or not, they soon find that they don’t quite work in sync.

 My 7 Word Review: Amateurish, uninspired. Humour misses. Made by technicians? 

Food Country; Brookfield Gardens – Adam Perry : One episode of the Food Country series featuring Chef Michael Smith as he tours PEI, talking to the people who produce the food we eat. And then making marvellous dishes.

 My 7 Word Review: Visually beautiful. Charming, warm, educational. Well done.

Now and Then – Millefiore Clarkes : One episode of the ten part series produced by ‘this town is small’ featuring PEI musicians in locations of significance around Charlottetown.

 My 7 Word Review: Simple, well executed. Don't remember song, though.

How to Be Alone – Andrea Dorfman/Tanya Davis : A quiet film that explores the delight one can find in being alone.

 (this video had technical difficulties so we didn't see it at the festival.  However, I had watched it on the internet, so this is a review of that experience)  My 7 Word Review: Turned it off halfway through.  Too precious.

December in Toronto – Millefiore Clarkes : A sense-weaving journey to Toronto through the single gaze of the traveller.

 My 7 Word Review: Visually rich. Bit chaotic and random. Liked.

Hat – Adam Perry : A farmer goes to his barn for some entertainment. Music video for Racoon Bandit’s song “Hat”.

 My 7 Word Review: Like everything about this: idea, song, execution.

Trans-Anne – Jason Rogerson : Anne and Diana tear down the highway in a ’75 Trans-Am in this Thelma and Louise inspired re-telling of the LM Montgomery classic.

 My 7 Word Review: Some funny bits, but too unwieldy, story-wise.  (disclosure: I play the title character)

 

IMAF Gala: Ten of PEI’s Best Shorts

Lucky 7 – Jason Rogerson : A comedy that follows the insanity that ensues after an office lotto pool hits the jackpot. Lucky 7 was the winner of the first PEI CBC 321 Award in 2010.

 

My 7 Word Review: Good performances, but story ends three-quarters through.  (disclosure: I act in this)

 

Rituals of December – Jeremy Larter : A moment of poetry with poet John MacKenzie.

 

My 7 Word Review: Liked performance, but video uninspired. Hide paper.

 

Reforestation – Laura Stewart : A man, fed up with everyday life ventures into the forest to find something new.

 

My 7 Word Review: Me likey.  More like this please. Kudos.

 

The Invasion of the Horrible Alien Brain Monsters from Outer Space in 3D – Fox Henderson : A hommage to the films of Ed Wood. The Brain Queen comes to earth to find a place to breed her horrible alien brain monsters. It is up to Dr. Jack Hammer to stop her.

 

My 7 Word Review: Half liked, half disliked. Not funny enough.

 

None 2 Some – Dennis Trainor : A brother and sister duo loose their mother and come up with a unique way to try to find her.

 

My 7 Word Review: Liked its low-budgetness. Strong characters, well performed.

 

The Islanders – Brian Pollard : This documentary is a nostalgic look at life on PEI in the 19th and early 20th centuries – a time when inhabitants referred to the Island at their “country” despite its diminutive size.

 

My 7 Word Review:  Too many pictures.  Wanted to see interviewees..

 

Anna di Timpiani Verde – Rob MacDonald : What if Anne of Green Gables was a 1970′s Italian Art Film? That’s the premise behind Anna di Timpani Verde, a reimagining of the iconic characters from the novel.

 

My 7 Word Review: I have a large fondness for this.  (disclosure: I wrote and directed this)

 

Harbour Town – Adam Perry : One episode of the ten part series produced by ‘this town is small’ featuring PEI musicians in locations of significance around Charlottetown.

 

My 7 Word Review: Starkness works. Well executed.  Hide that cord?

 

Automocar – Gavin Keen : The Danks take a trip to the carnival.

 

My 7 Word Review: Good looking music video. Enjoyed watching this.

 

The Bath – JoDee Samuelson : The story of a elderly woman, as she finds reprieve from daily life in the simple act of taking of a bath.

 (picture isn't linking) 

My 7 Word Review: Haven't tired of seeing this yet. Great!

 

Vast – Harmony Wagner : A young boy wakes up to discover he is the last person on Earth and he has to find out why.

 My 7 Word Review: Liked it, but found it too antiseptic.  (also, and more than 7 words, I was bugged that the description of the video turned out to be a lie.  SPOILER:  boy isn't the last person on Earth and it's not really about him having to find out why.  A minor thing, but it bugged me.)

 

 

 

7 Word Reviews of IMAF2011 Videos Seen

So, for a while now, I've been thinking about writing up some 7-word reviews (that's kind of become my thing - 7 word reviews. Well, one of my things) of the videos I saw at this year's Island Media Arts Festival.  Wanted to do it right after the screenings, to keep it fresh.  Then I didn't do it.  Then I thought "well, the time has passed" and decided not to do it.  Then I thought "what the hell, just do it" and then I did it.  That's a lot of "thens".

Overall, I enjoyed the two nights of screeenings I saw.  Generally speaking, it's obvious that a lot of people have some pretty stout talents when it comes to shooting videos, and making them look really nice.  I did find myself wishing, though, that there were more people who were more interested in telling stories than they were in making videos look nice.

Anyway, here are some 7 word reviews.  With only 7 words, you might have to read between the lines quite a bit, and likely my meaning at times will be confusing as I attempt to have some specific word imply a whole paragraph of opinion.

FULL SCHEDULE – WEB WORKS AND COMEDY SCREENING:

And Yet I Blame Hollywood – Dave Stewart : A series of five two-minute movie reviews, in animated form.

 My 7 Word Review:  Sharply written. Distinct animation and characters. Succeeds.  (disclosure: I did some voice-work for some of these episodes)

 

Bunny Bop; Episode One – Cheryl Wagner : Episode One of a 15 episode web series for kids. It features young kids in bunny suits at play in a wondrous garden setting.

 My 7 Word Review: Cute, bright, short. Kids should love this.

 

Pabst Blue Ribbon – Jeremy Larter : A nod to David Lynch and Dennis Hopper.

 My 7 Word Review:  Didn't get any Lynch or Hopper vibe.

 

The New Neighbours – Susan Rodgers : When new neighbours move in to the apartment across the hall, they start making some strange sounds in the morning.

 My 7 Word Review: Disliked this. Too slow. Too long. Unfunny.

 

Billy Pelican; Reality TV – Neil Wiley/Richard DesRoches : A short film done in “vlog” form.

 My 7 Word Review: Dated.  Mercer rant ripoff. Well performed, though.

 

Mr. Happy – Pamela Lovelace : A man with particular tastes gets more than he bargained for at this particular coffee shop.

 My 7 Word Review: Liked at beginning. Bored by the end.

 

20 Steps Toronto – Jeremy Larter : 20 shots around Nathan Phillips Square in 20 step increments.

 My 7 Word Review: Rather aimless and random. Looked nice though.

 

Colour Code – Errol Richardson : The band Colour Code rehearses to syncopated lights.

 My 7 Word Review: Nice, but ran out of steam, visually.

A Time to Drum; Chapter Two – Susan Rodgers : Chapter two in a web series about dreams set against the backdrop of pipe band drumming. It is a passion project by a Mom whose son Christopher lives for music.

 My 7 Word Review: Long and self-absorbed. Desperately needs editor. 

Three Amigos Buy a Door – John Christenson : Three friends, member of the NB film co-op are tasked to improve the security of the co-op office by acquiring a new door. However, long-time friends or not, they soon find that they don’t quite work in sync.

 My 7 Word Review: Amateurish, uninspired. Humour misses. Made by technicians? 

Food Country; Brookfield Gardens – Adam Perry : One episode of the Food Country series featuring Chef Michael Smith as he tours PEI, talking to the people who produce the food we eat. And then making marvellous dishes.

 My 7 Word Review: Visually beautiful. Charming, warm, educational. Well done.

Now and Then – Millefiore Clarkes : One episode of the ten part series produced by ‘this town is small’ featuring PEI musicians in locations of significance around Charlottetown.

 My 7 Word Review: Simple, well executed. Don't remember song, though.

How to Be Alone – Andrea Dorfman/Tanya Davis : A quiet film that explores the delight one can find in being alone.

 (this video had technical difficulties so we didn't see it at the festival.  However, I had watched it on the internet, so this is a review of that experience)  My 7 Word Review: Turned it off halfway through.  Too precious.

December in Toronto – Millefiore Clarkes : A sense-weaving journey to Toronto through the single gaze of the traveller.

 My 7 Word Review: Visually rich. Bit chaotic and random. Liked.

Hat – Adam Perry : A farmer goes to his barn for some entertainment. Music video for Racoon Bandit’s song “Hat”.

 My 7 Word Review: Like everything about this: idea, song, execution.

Trans-Anne – Jason Rogerson : Anne and Diana tear down the highway in a ’75 Trans-Am in this Thelma and Louise inspired re-telling of the LM Montgomery classic.

 My 7 Word Review: Some funny bits, but too unwieldy, story-wise.  (disclosure: I play the title character)

 

IMAF Gala: Ten of PEI’s Best Shorts

Lucky 7 – Jason Rogerson : A comedy that follows the insanity that ensues after an office lotto pool hits the jackpot. Lucky 7 was the winner of the first PEI CBC 321 Award in 2010.

 

My 7 Word Review: Good performances, but story ends three-quarters through.  (disclosure: I act in this)

 

Rituals of December – Jeremy Larter : A moment of poetry with poet John MacKenzie.

 

My 7 Word Review: Liked performance, but video uninspired. Hide paper.

 

Reforestation – Laura Stewart : A man, fed up with everyday life ventures into the forest to find something new.

 

My 7 Word Review: Me likey.  More like this please. Kudos.

 

The Invasion of the Horrible Alien Brain Monsters from Outer Space in 3D – Fox Henderson : A hommage to the films of Ed Wood. The Brain Queen comes to earth to find a place to breed her horrible alien brain monsters. It is up to Dr. Jack Hammer to stop her.

 

My 7 Word Review: Half liked, half disliked. Not funny enough.

 

None 2 Some – Dennis Trainor : A brother and sister duo loose their mother and come up with a unique way to try to find her.

 

My 7 Word Review: Liked its low-budgetness. Strong characters, well performed.

 

The Islanders – Brian Pollard : This documentary is a nostalgic look at life on PEI in the 19th and early 20th centuries – a time when inhabitants referred to the Island at their “country” despite its diminutive size.

 

My 7 Word Review:  Too many pictures.  Wanted to see interviewees..

 

Anna di Timpiani Verde – Rob MacDonald : What if Anne of Green Gables was a 1970′s Italian Art Film? That’s the premise behind Anna di Timpani Verde, a reimagining of the iconic characters from the novel.

 

My 7 Word Review: I have a large fondness for this.  (disclosure: I wrote and directed this)

 

Harbour Town – Adam Perry : One episode of the ten part series produced by ‘this town is small’ featuring PEI musicians in locations of significance around Charlottetown.

 

My 7 Word Review: Starkness works. Well executed.  Hide that cord?

 

Automocar – Gavin Keen : The Danks take a trip to the carnival.

 

My 7 Word Review: Good looking music video. Enjoyed watching this.

 

The Bath – JoDee Samuelson : The story of a elderly woman, as she finds reprieve from daily life in the simple act of taking of a bath.

 (picture isn't linking) 

My 7 Word Review: Haven't tired of seeing this yet. Great!

 

Vast – Harmony Wagner : A young boy wakes up to discover he is the last person on Earth and he has to find out why.

 My 7 Word Review: Liked it, but found it too antiseptic.  (also, and more than 7 words, I was bugged that the description of the video turned out to be a lie.  SPOILER:  boy isn't the last person on Earth and it's not really about him having to find out why.  A minor thing, but it bugged me.)

 

 

 

Dear Hollywood: Ghost Car

Have we got a show for you!!  This is a TV show.  A series.  It's called Ghost Car.  I know, awesome, eh?!?  

Ghost Car.  

I can't believe it hasn't been used yet.  Dave S and I came up with it on one of our semi-regular luncheons.  Yes, from the people that brought you Uncle Penelope Jones and Starr Gaudet bring you Ghost Car!!

Here's the premise - still a work-in-progress, so lots of room for additions, suggestions, etc. (the premise from my POV as I remember it.  Dave S might have another vision): A 70's or 80's style TV procedural - think "Rockford Files meets Streets of San Fransisco meets Miami Vice - and every city in between!".  Two guys help solve the Crime/Story of the Week.  Private detectives, beloved AND behated by various members of the police department.  One is a Man's Man - (maybe a former cop?) older, been around the block a few times, stuck in his ways, brusk, bristly, hardened exterior, softy inside (when he lets it slip).  The other is the young hotshot.  Sarcastic, headstrong, full of himself, sophmoric.  These two guys butt heads as often as not, but it's obvious they have a respect and fondness for each other.

Thing is:  They Are DEAD!  Yep.  Ghosts.  Both died in a tragic automobile accident while they were about to solve The Big Crime Back In The Day.  (Backstory, told in flashback in pilot and/or opening credits)  

Only thing is, when they died, they had unfinished business to take care of, so now they are forced to remain on Earth as ghosts - Spectral Dicks, if you will, until the unfinished business gets resolved.  Unfinished business deals with the local crime syndicate - the same people that caused them to die - and can be spread out over the course of the series, as an ongoing storyline, along with the weekly one-off stories.  (Spectral Dicks can be the name of the show if it gets picked up by a cable company like FX or something)

Each episode, they tool around the city in their ghost car (literally, a ghost car), a sweet American muscle-machine ride, and discover untoward events happening in nefarious locales.  They forward this information, through ghostly means, to an up-and-coming police officer. (Maybe her aunt is a crazy psychic?)  Did we mention, the police officer is a SHE, and she is sexy-tough-sweet.  She's the only one who can see them, I don't know...??? We can figure that stuff out later, Hollywood.  Anyway, each episode, SHE solves the case with the help/interference of Ghost Car.  Yes, interference as much as help.  See, it's not easy to navigate this plane when you're ghosts, so their attempts to help can get pretty "out there" and oftentimes as not, backfire on them.

What's important is this:  We have a seriously awesome name for a TV show.  We've got a hot young female lead.  We've got a hot young actor in another lead.  We've got a respected older actor in a third lead role.  And we've got the hilarious young ethnic comic in a secondary role (forgot to mention this, because it just came to me, but SHE is not the only one who sees the Spectral Dicks - they're also seen by the homeless guy who says funny stuff and nobody ever believes him when he says he sees the ghost cops.  He, therefore, refers to them as The Snuffleupafuzz).  We've got some seriously cool wheels for them to drive around in and perform wicked stunts.

You can set it in the 70's if you want, 80's, today, I don't care.

Ghost Car - it's a Guaranteed Hit!!

Dear Hollywood: Ghost Car

Have we got a show for you!!  This is a TV show.  A series.  It's called Ghost Car.  I know, awesome, eh?!?  

Ghost Car.  

I can't believe it hasn't been used yet.  Dave S and I came up with it on one of our semi-regular luncheons.  Yes, from the people that brought you Uncle Penelope Jones and Starr Gaudet bring you Ghost Car!!

Here's the premise - still a work-in-progress, so lots of room for additions, suggestions, etc. (the premise from my POV as I remember it.  Dave S might have another vision): A 70's or 80's style TV procedural - think "Rockford Files meets Streets of San Fransisco meets Miami Vice - and every city in between!".  Two guys help solve the Crime/Story of the Week.  Private detectives, beloved AND behated by various members of the police department.  One is a Man's Man - (maybe a former cop?) older, been around the block a few times, stuck in his ways, brusk, bristly, hardened exterior, softy inside (when he lets it slip).  The other is the young hotshot.  Sarcastic, headstrong, full of himself, sophmoric.  These two guys butt heads as often as not, but it's obvious they have a respect and fondness for each other.

Thing is:  They Are DEAD!  Yep.  Ghosts.  Both died in a tragic automobile accident while they were about to solve The Big Crime Back In The Day.  (Backstory, told in flashback in pilot and/or opening credits)  

Only thing is, when they died, they had unfinished business to take care of, so now they are forced to remain on Earth as ghosts - Spectral Dicks, if you will, until the unfinished business gets resolved.  Unfinished business deals with the local crime syndicate - the same people that caused them to die - and can be spread out over the course of the series, as an ongoing storyline, along with the weekly one-off stories.  (Spectral Dicks can be the name of the show if it gets picked up by a cable company like FX or something)

Each episode, they tool around the city in their ghost car (literally, a ghost car), a sweet American muscle-machine ride, and discover untoward events happening in nefarious locales.  They forward this information, through ghostly means, to an up-and-coming police officer. (Maybe her aunt is a crazy psychic?)  Did we mention, the police officer is a SHE, and she is sexy-tough-sweet.  She's the only one who can see them, I don't know...??? We can figure that stuff out later, Hollywood.  Anyway, each episode, SHE solves the case with the help/interference of Ghost Car.  Yes, interference as much as help.  See, it's not easy to navigate this plane when you're ghosts, so their attempts to help can get pretty "out there" and oftentimes as not, backfire on them.

What's important is this:  We have a seriously awesome name for a TV show.  We've got a hot young female lead.  We've got a hot young actor in another lead.  We've got a respected older actor in a third lead role.  And we've got the hilarious young ethnic comic in a secondary role (forgot to mention this, because it just came to me, but SHE is not the only one who sees the Spectral Dicks - they're also seen by the homeless guy who says funny stuff and nobody ever believes him when he says he sees the ghost cops.  He, therefore, refers to them as The Snuffleupafuzz).  We've got some seriously cool wheels for them to drive around in and perform wicked stunts.

You can set it in the 70's if you want, 80's, today, I don't care.

Ghost Car - it's a Guaranteed Hit!!