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Reviews
The Art of Woo (2001)
If your looking to see Adam Beach in a romantic role, you will find this movie enjoyable.
When I like an actor or actress in a certain project, I tend to make my way through their filmography list to see some of their other performances.
I was interested in seeing Adam Beach in a romantic role as everything else I had seen so far has had a mostly male bonding focus to it.
I wasn't disappointed with what I saw. As Ben Crowchild, he portrayed a really charismatic and reticent kind of guy. "Tall, dark, and brooding" if you will. However, his co-star had an inconsistent performance in regards to her character's quirky-ness, and it made his performance look less consistent than it actually was. (Watching the movie the second time around brought that to light. All the scenes without her were fluid.)
I also thought the direction could have been stronger. As in, I wish one scene, a scene where they argue, had been re-shot.
(*Spoilerish*) Another disappointment was the 'artsy' take to the romance scene. I spend those moments trying to figure out what I was actually seeing. (Is that an arm or a leg? And whose?) My last criticism is of the inane beginning. I would have rathered watched her walking down the street and taken the time to read the credits than the singing dancing thing.
Ok, enough synopsis. The bottom line is that there are some really endearing moments in this film. Definately worth plowing through if you are a fan of Adam Beach's.
Smoke Signals (1998)
I was looking for another film with Adam Beach in it and this one had a high rating.
This movie was so fun to watch, I watched it about four or five times before I returned it. I haven't done that with a movie for a long time. Face it! Not many movies are worth watching more than once, and the big budget movies feed you what you should think along with the storyline.
This movie had you thinking about things that were said and done after the credits roled and made you wonder whether you took it in the right context or not. That's what made me watch it again the second time.
The third time was to go back and enjoy the eclectic aspect of many of the characters (and to try and get some of the jokes that were clearly for insiders). What an incredible strong cast this movie had! I could just go on and on about it!
Rites of Passage (1999)
For fans of Jason Behr-A MUST SEE!
This movie is unusual in the way that it has an all-male cast.
That aspect of the movie drives the mood and intensity from beginning to end.
I thought the father's (Dean Stockwell) turn-around in feelings to be genuinely believable as the film's events cause him to re-evaluate what and who are most important in his life.
James Remar delivers a wonderfully increasingly sinister performance in this film. Although we've seen him in so many roles. He normally doesn't have a character as expanded as this and you get to see what he's really capable of.
And lastly, but not leastly, Jason Behr shines as poor confused and bereft Campbell. He's made so many poor decisions, and yet you just want to put your arms around him and say that everything will be all right.
If you thought Max Evans (Roswell) would always be your favorite character for Jason Behr, Campbell will make you think twice.
This movie is definately a drama. If you are looking for something light and funny, save this movie for another night. If the big box office movies have been leaving you flat lately, this independent movie is a good one to restore your faith that great acting-not a big budget-is what makes a movie really good.