RSS
Home
Indie Film Review
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
If you haven't heard, I've been doing mostly independent film reviews lately. Since there have been many changes within the film industry due to both economy and big versus small business, someone has to do something to help out and fight the injustice! Man, does that sound corny and cliche'! Truth be told, the only great things about the past business sides of indie filmmaking are almost a memory, including advances and big paydays for your film. Many distributors have gone belly up or acquired by the bigger fish, as of late.
A face to the name, Kenny Carpenter (Not to be confused with the religious filmmaker of same name.) Kenny has made the features: Blood Donors (distributed by Digital Shadow Films) & the new Salvaging Outer Space (both listed @ imdb.com).
The best way I can see of helping out is what I've been doing, and it has given filmmakers great pride to see that someone acknowledges what their films are about, rather than slam them into the dirt....as so many other reviewers love doing. I do my best to convey the film's intentions, despite any independent flaws that are inherent with lack of budgets, star power, and whatnot. This way, it's not somebody slamming a work of art in order to feel better about themselves, which some of these reviewers...I'd bet, have barely even held a camcorder. I'm a filmmaker of almost 9 years now, with 2 features under the belt, and other projects. I got a bad review once before, and won't ever make that mistake again, if something can be done about it. There's a formula I've bound myself to, but haven't had to push.
Lately, I've been reviewing films for the Cleveland Museum of Art, as well as other established talent within the industry. What filmmakers get is "press", for their press kit. They also get a place for fans and colleagues to comment on the review...as most online publishing allows for, but I get to censor it, and boy does it make me feel powerful...just kidding. The Examiner's search engine results will help a film go farther than their own website will alone, although results may vary, but trust that it's better. Finally, I try to deliver what the movie most likely means to the filmmaker, and what it should mean for the audience. Also stated is how I feel about things in the film. If I wasn't a film lover and filmmaker, I'd be typical, although my mom's said that I've never been normal.
Types of films reviewed? While I prefer horror and sci-fi, or mixed....just about anything works, I've found through reviewing. Heck, even dramas work. From war and disgusting non-pc type subject matter down to the cute kid flicks that make the word "stupid" punishable by a time out....it doesn't matter. My wife has actually gotten me to watch cooking idea dvds that come with kitchen appliances, where the guy that follows the cook around the appliance tastes the food and goes.."mmmm..that's so delicious", so I guess it's all fair game. So, from Starwars fan films, action films, chick flicks, comedies, to martial arts on surfboards instructional vids....it's okay. Still, I could watch zombies and space ships all frickin' day long. Just describe the film to me in an email.
By giving positive reviews, I don't mean that it's all glory! If something stands out horribly and needs to be mentioned, I'll make mention of it. I'm just not in the mood to hand the world a nit-pick fest on a movie that probably cost the filmmaker his/ her life savings and/ or marriage to make! If a movie is unwatchable, everything gets cancelled and the review on that title is off! I like to find the good in a movie, or perhaps it's message. If there are special effects, great. If not, then it better have something redeeming to it....how crass. Naw, it's about the story! I've been extremely lucky that each project, so far, has had it's merits. In fact, most have exceeded expectations by most truly "independent" cinema definitions.
Are these reviews free? Cleveland filmmakers get films reviewed pro-bono, to donate my local support. Any projects outside of Cleveland, Ohio should check out my site. Also, if anybody wants to help fund a complete non-profit organization to help all filmmakers out in many ways, I have an idea or two for advancing indie film a notch.
In any case, to contact me, go to one of the following websites and read everything through....
Best, Kenny
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
