Clouded Billy Cuff (2008) User Reviews

eye candy

[cinemaismylife · 9/10 · 7 May 2008]

My friend saw a teaser of this film on youtube last week and recommended we tried getting in touch with the makers to get a copy of it. After days of tracking Mat down through this site, we got a hold of the film and it's probably the best thing we've seen this year.

Saying that I cried doesn't really do it justice. My roommates and I threw a little party the very next day to show the rest of my sorority the movie. Needless to say, there were a lot of teary eyed girls in the room. Not mentioning of course those certain friends of mine who are now officially crushing on Mr. Wright! They won't be named...YET! Aaaaaanyway, the movie was very incredible. Written very professionally, nothing flashy or trendy like cheesy closeups or lame music or anything, just overall good movie-making I think.

A Magnificent Story

[picturesforbleedingheart · 9/10 · 7 May 2008]

My only complaint was that the character wasn't with us longer. Only thirty minutes with young Billy Cuff, it's quite a shame.

Although, the short nature of the movie allows your mind to wander long past it's last frame. I must admit, sitting at my nine to fiver, I've wandered off since watching the film wondering what it might be like to live in a world with so little support from those around you. Then I feel so lucky to have a loving wife and two wonderful girls.

I would be very interested to see this movie in a feature length format. I wonder if the director would be interested in discussing such a possibility. Might not be a bad idea.

I found that I greatly enjoyed the conversation between Billy and his teacher. It reminded me of my father and how he always tried to rationalize everything he did, which then instilled itself into my life. Great production, really made me think.

Clouded Billy Cuff Review

[MaybeillCatchFire · 10/10 · 14 February 2008]

Clouded Billy Cuff is a story on the effects of a confused eighteen year old struggling with his isolation from everyone in his everyday life. Billy's call to action comes but is disappointed when the relationships he envision mirror the ones he left behind.

Billy creates a world that is a paradox to his own in order to confront his own self worth, his ability to sacrifice himself, the friendships he deeply wishes he had, and the agony of having unconditional love for a woman that is unaware of his existence. He soon finds that his life is a battle field, which is equally as harsh as the battle waging inside his heart.

Dangerous...

[imdbmainman_1 · 10/10 · 7 May 2008]

This is a film made by new filmmakers and it's dangerous. It's incredible how emotionally reticent this flick was. It's dangerous what the DP can do with the limited equipment they had, obviously because they weren't back by Hollywood studios, but I think it's all the better because of it.

Clouded Billy Cuff follows a fairly weak individual as he tries, and fails, to triumph over his seemingly genetic curse thwarting him to find, and maintain, any company at all.

The theme of the movie struck me particularly close to home because I have an older brother who joined the war to fight in Iraq. I remember specifically that he came home one day, ironically enough on his motorcycle- the similarities here are disgusting- and told me of his news. I was angry at him and thought it stupid and flashy. After I saw the scene where Billy tells his brother he enlisted, I got very emotionally invested in the character.

Great picture. Dangerous.

a relief from the norm

[rosesarered_sowhatami · 10/10 · 7 May 2008]

I haven't really seen an indie film out of America that I yet like so much as I do this one. I felt like I was pushed back into time to see a young boy trudging through life eager to meet someone who understood him and it was very heartbreaking to watch.

I'd love a chance to the director's mind about what was going on upstairs when he wrote something so beautifully terrible. It ought not go without saying that few people have anything interesting to say in this world unless they've had their hearts broken at least once.

To me this is a story of hope and that I guess it's good to hang on to it I suppose, even until the very end. Dreams should be relished I should say.

Although it's an indie production, the acting was quite impressive. I've attended many film symposiums and workshops where independent films are screened and they're bloody awful. Mat Wright's performance was very human and indeed touching. I look forward to the next one.

Awesome

[bennythejet78 · 10/10 · 7 May 2008]

This is a wicked good movie. Seriously damn good.

The music was perfect, the script was tight and the acting was really up to par. It wasn't peppered with too much dialog, or tacky one liners, at some times it was almost uncomfortable to watch because it played so well.

I directed a film or two in my day and can genuinely say that this movie was directed by a fella who knows his was around the human mind pretty well. Knowing what makes people tick is crucial for a director who ever hopes to collect a paycheck for doing what he loves.

Most of all, the environment wasn't drab. WWII films made by inexperienced filmmakers tend to have this forced dangerous element to them, whereas in Cuff there was just a constant, nerve-racking sense that more bad things would happen to Billy. Which eventually they did.

Everything was on here, though...the camera work was top-notch, the editing was savvy and smooth and the pacing of the film was absolutely perfect for what it was trying to accomplish. It you're seeking an action packed war movie with nothing to offer a emotionally intrigued soul...rent "Windtalkers" or something. Otherwise, this is your film.