tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25017683090393275162023-06-15T11:49:24.797-04:00Uncovered Films - Indie, Cult & Direct-to-Disc Movie SourceUncovered Films is an independent focused universe that highlights cult, hidden gem, TV and direct-to-disc films, with news, reviews, previews and lists!MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-27950915508565715042011-08-07T10:41:00.003-04:002011-08-07T10:41:51.022-04:00Griff The Invisible ~ Trailer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.grifftheinvisible.com/wp-content/themes/griff/images/gallery/lrg/026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.grifftheinvisible.com/wp-content/themes/griff/images/gallery/lrg/026.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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Ah, now that's a step up from <i><b>True Blood</b></i>... <br />
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<i>Starring <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0477127/" itemprop="actors">Ryan Kwanten</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0220450/" itemprop="actors">Maeve Dermody</a></i><br />
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<center><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1509803/">IMDB</a> </b>| <b><a href="http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Griff_the_Invisible/70154148?trkid=2361637">NETFLIX</a></b></center>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-87011479267636283782011-02-15T00:00:00.017-05:002011-02-15T00:00:07.051-05:00Black Swan ~ Review<center><a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=wryvyc" target="_blank"><img src="http://i54.tinypic.com/wryvyc.jpg" border="0" alt="Natalie Portman in Black Swan Poster Art"></a></center><br />
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This film wasn't exactly what I expected, having only heard people talk of it, while avoiding everything written about it. It was tense, and off-putting, but somehow still interesting. Tonally, it had some trouble when it came to the question of whether to make this "<i>The Wrestler</i>" for ballet, or simply to make "<b>Requiem for a Queen</b>".<br />
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The director decided to go somewhere in between, and there-in lies the off-putting part. I give films more of a chance than the rest of the audience, but I can sense which parts of a movie are going to get to other people more than will affect me. This one will sit with you for a while in the pit of your stomach, but I'd personally be interested in seeing it again. Even thinking about it makes me uneasy, and that's hard to create with film alone. There are some pretty disturbing scenes, which will likely be unexpected for an audience who doesn't know the director by name (though he did not write the film, he shaped it from other screenplays and ideas).<br />
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<center><a href="http://i56.tinypic.com/2hf89zm.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i56.tinypic.com/2hf89zm.jpg" width="80%" border="0" alt="Natalie Portman in front of dressing mirror - Black Swan"></a></center><br />
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There is something within Black Swan that makes it an obvious cult film, one that you'll be unable to watch just once. Liking this film doesn't preclude how much you loathe the idea of ballet. Natalie Portman does a phenomenal job, and is very anti what you've come to expect from her. Subtly, she reaches a new stage in her career. Please god don't let her turn back now.<br />
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<center><img alt="4 Star Review" border="0" src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/fearbooks/Uncovered%20Films/4StarReview.jpg" title="4 out of 5" /></center><br />
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<b><center>On <a href="http://goo.gl/3V5nq">Netflix</a></center></b>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-74995372747408624582011-01-29T21:08:00.002-05:002011-02-28T17:54:32.700-05:00Adventures of Power ~ Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b1W42Nr0QXM/TWwnnQ7CwLI/AAAAAAAAA7o/FrPyaT40Pb0/s1600/AdventuresOfPower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="226" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b1W42Nr0QXM/TWwnnQ7CwLI/AAAAAAAAA7o/FrPyaT40Pb0/s320/AdventuresOfPower.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Michael McKean brings an unexpected beautiful moment to this movie, in a rare role where he gets to be compassionate. Shoshannah Stern herself is physically beautiful, and her bright eyes say so much. She's clearly going to be a star in the years ahead, if the world is just. Ari Gold may be the *technical* star of this film, but the story is better than he can carry at the moment.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.vidiot.com/Jericho/images/Jericho_ShoshannahStern-2006-05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.vidiot.com/Jericho/images/Jericho_ShoshannahStern-2006-05.png" width="213" alt="Shoshannah Stern"></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">If you've seen the documentary "Air Guitar Nation", you know how much you can grow to appreciate air instrumentation - but I get the feeling Gold, the director, didn't watch it before he set such an ambitious goal for himself as this film. Kudos to Gold for somehow acquiring all of the great music featured, and multiple location shots, but the <i>bigger</i> names in the cast are wasted.</div><blockquote><br />
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<center><img alt="4 Star Review" border="0" src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/fearbooks/Uncovered%20Films/4StarReview.jpg" title="4 out of 5" /></center></blockquote><br />
<b><center>On <a href="http://goo.gl/8qtEw">Netflix</a></center></b>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-73360578039500539482010-12-27T12:41:00.004-05:002010-12-27T19:47:42.875-05:00I'm Still Here - a total joke from beginning to end.<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">Uncovered Film Review</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://laughingsquid.com/wp-content/uploads/im-still-here-20100817-090648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://laughingsquid.com/wp-content/uploads/im-still-here-20100817-090648.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><br />
When I first saw the David Letterman appearance of Joaquin Phoenix a long while back (no, I don't watch that garbage regularly... I fast forward to get to the musical guests), I was definitely laughing along with the audience, at all of the subtleties, and especially when Phoenix proceeded to gum the bottom of Letterman's desk.<br />
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So I, being a documentary fan, and also curious to see if this was a real portrayal, was kind of excited to see this venture into head-scratching.<br />
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Sadly, I built it up <i>way</i> too much in my head in the long wait of indie theatrical release to its eventual HD streaming Netflix addition. Turns out, the whole thing was a joke... except it's one that is only funny to Casey Affleck and Joaquin Phoenix. Two actors that had - at one time - been considered the brightest up and coming talent we could expect to see in the next decade. Apparently, that sort of talk goes to your head, when you're already richer than you ever need be.<br />
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Once you get 20 minutes in, you start to realize somethings up for that very reason. Ostrich... excuse me, Phoenix, complains that he won't be able to afford his home in six months unless he starts up a successful rap career. Just dissect that, and you'll see why I hate everything about this mockumentary.<br />
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At the time of this writing, J.P.'s (his choice of nickname in the atrocity) IMDb page is at a stalemate, and rightfully so. It's hard to know how many people were in on the joke, because everyone who admits to it will look like as much of a moron as Phoenix himself. The repressed smiles from the less experienced actors will give some of that away, if you really must know, but at this point I'd suggest staying away from their future works simply to prove a point. <br />
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There's no need for anyone to see this, and talking about it even this much is giving it entirely too much credit.<br />
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<center><img alt="1 Star Review" src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/fearbooks/Uncovered%20Films/1StarReview.jpg" title="1 out of 5" /></center><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a alt="Ben Stiller as Joaquin Phoenix (with Natalie Portman)" href="http://images.starpulse.com/news/media/Ben-Stiller-Joaquin-Phoenix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ben Stiller as Joaquin Phoenix (with Natalie Portman)" border="0" height="273" src="http://images.starpulse.com/news/media/Ben-Stiller-Joaquin-Phoenix.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-73938158411582895812010-11-07T09:34:00.006-05:002010-11-07T11:33:48.483-05:00Cropsey streams in HD on Netflix<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><br />
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<center><img height="625" src="http://img.skitch.com/20101107-xj3cwipj67ryctupmti6d8gem1.png" width="650" /></center><br />
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<a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/streamingsoon" target="_blank">Previously</a> mentioned <b>Cropsey</b> is enthralling, and the first truly terrifying documentary I've seen. Definitely watch it (streaming now on <b><span style="color: red;">Netflix</span></b>): <a href="http://goo.gl/Wvmia" target="_blank">http://goo.gl/Wvmia</a><br />
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<center><img alt="4 Star Review" border="0" src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/fearbooks/Uncovered%20Films/4StarReview.jpg" title="4 out of 5" /></center></div><br />
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<center><a href="http://goo.gl/xy6rc" target="_blank">Netflix</a> | <a href="http://goo.gl/KXhHr" target="_blank">Flickchart</a></center>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-43534459584706044372010-08-15T00:00:00.000-04:002010-08-15T00:00:03.077-04:00Big Man Japan Trailer<center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JTAoxSspBJE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JTAoxSspBJE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br />
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No words necessary.MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-25230970481413466292010-06-20T10:24:00.002-04:002010-06-20T10:25:29.912-04:00Listlessness<center></center><center><img alt="List cat iz making a list" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Yf36d62wknY/SiCFKC_6HVI/AAAAAAAAAkM/832SQGWF61c/s800/catmaking-a-list.jpg" /></center><br />
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... <b>Not</b> really a problem I have. I enjoy writing, I enjoy watching movies - the two go hand in hand... and inevitably, I make lists of movies I want to see, movies I <i>may</i> see someday, and movies that feature actors I like but that will probably turn out horrible.<br />
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I'd rather other people see my lists, than just hoard them for myself (Though I've always cataloged them for my benefit). If you can find a hidden gem, or something worth seeing someday, then they've served a purpose. Obviously, these will grow over time, and I intend to link 'em in the sidebar!<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.jinni.com/user/MCWHAMMER86/wish-list" title="Jinni Logo"><img alt="Jinni Logo" height="91" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3348/3581766332_5506b58906_m.jpg" width="169" /></a><a href="http://www.netflix.com/StrangerLists?prid=422085171&showList=-1" title="Netflix Logo"><img alt="Netflix Logo" height="91" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3361/3580922831_e12e85dd77_m.jpg" width="169" /></a></center><center><a href="http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=38683233" title="IMDB Logo"><img alt="IMDB Logo" height="91" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2430/3580909575_ec2ec20346_o.png" width="169" /></a><a href="http://amzn.com/lm/R3BE58NW7JV8XQ"><img alt="Amazon Logo" height="91" src="http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1306/amazonlogo5b15d.gif" width="169" /></a></center><center><a href="http://www.flickchart.com/MCWHAMMER" title="Flickchart"><img alt="Flickchart" height="40" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/3909417675_696a10a5c0_o.png" width="246" /></a></center><br />
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<center>(<a href="http://www.netflix.com/" target="_blank">Netflix</a> & <a href="http://www.jinni.com/" target="_blank">Jinni</a> accounts are required to view those lists. Jinni is a free movie taste database. Amazon links to the "Best of '08 list"... if any future lists are made, you'll find them all through that profile).</center>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-46640701276502550632010-05-15T00:00:00.001-04:002010-05-15T09:06:34.685-04:00Death Note II: The Last Name<span style="font-weight:bold;"><font size="5">Uncovered Film Review</span></font><br />
<p><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcwhammer/3465724566/" title="Death Note 2 Poster on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3257/3465724566_5b20bcfa13.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Death Note 2 Poster" /></a></center><br />
<span style="font-weight:bold;">♥ Death Note II: The Last Name</span><br />
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I am very surprised with the sequel to Death Note. With the original, my only concerns were the way the audience was left hanging for the sequel. Some things did not make sense, the movie seemed needlessly long, some of the animation was spotty. However, with DN II: TLN, I feel that every area that was a problem with the first has been fixed. The story is just as complicated, but by the end, everything is explained. The acting is very well done... these actors would be successful in America. The CG characters look amazing - I wish it were on Blu-ray, so you could really experience them. And lastly, the ending was wrapped up so nicely, that it's interesting that there is yet another in the series. While I would love for the series to go on forever in some form, there is some confusion on my part as to how certain characters are alive in the third film. I'm sure it will all be explained, but for now, this sequel trumps Death Note 1 easily.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/fearbooks/Uncovered%20Films/5StarReview.jpg" alt="5 Stars" title="5 out of 5"></center><br />
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<center><img src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/fearbooks/deathnote_movie1.jpg" alt="Death Note I Poster/DVD cover art"></center><br />
<b>*</b><i>Death Note 2 is the sequel to the original Death Note (Based on a graphic novel series and anime), an equally good movie that is essential to understanding Death Note 2. A third film in this series (Marketed as a spin-off) has already been released in the U.S.A. on disc, after a short theater run, entitled "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0912597/" target="_blank">L: Change The World"</a>. More on that film to come in the future @ UF, but until then, I hope you see the first two parts of the story.</i>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-91142465929705276022010-04-26T22:08:00.001-04:002010-04-27T18:52:26.745-04:00Cookies & Cream Premiere and Future Distribution<center><img height="400" width="300" src="http://i41.tinypic.com/4jkjs3.jpg"></center><br />
<i>"Cookies & Cream"</i>, A film we <a href="http://uncoveredfilms.blogspot.com/2009/11/cookies-cream.html">reviewed</a> not too long ago, is now part of a <b>huge</b> deal with Celebrity Video Distribution (the film also premieres on May 6th in New Jersey).<br />
<font color="yellow"><blockquote>C.V.D. will be releasing the film on July 20th; it will be available at that time at Best Buy, Blockbuster's, Netflix, Barnes & Nobles, Amazon, and several other internet and retail outlets.</blockquote></font><b>PLOT</b>: Cookies & Cream follows a racially-mixed single mother [played by <a href="http://uncoveredfilms.blogspot.com/2010/02/interview-with-jace-nicole-star-of.html">Jace Nicole</a>] who maintains an adult entertainment gig to take care of her daughter and herself.<br />
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We were very happy to hear the news, especially from one of our favorite independent studios. You can read the full story at <b><a href="http://onewaytv.blogspot.com/2010/04/cookies-cream-picked-up-for.html">"1 Way Presents..."</a></b>.MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-9471855903570453782010-04-12T00:00:00.000-04:002010-04-12T00:00:05.601-04:00Baghead<span style="font-weight:bold;"><font size="5">Uncovered Film Review</span> <br />
<p><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ahGYBsFaF6R8ky41U-rNAA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Yf36d62wknY/SV13FCWkGzI/AAAAAAAAASU/QD3AnhnHiNg/s400/baghead1.jpg" /></a></center></font>Baghead is sadly an average film, which is a shame, because everyone waited a long time for the turnaround to its home release. In trying to make fun of the independent movie industry, it becomes the movie it starts out making fun of (A film called "We Are Naked"). I liked the genre-hopping portions of the film, going from comedy to drama and then horror... until it's revealed that not all is as it seems, and things quickly fall apart.<br />
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Baghead would be a cool character in a horror movie - Voorhees pulled it off well (In his stint as a sackhead) - maybe the Duplass brothers would be better off working in that genre. Right now, the directing duo are too eerily similar to the characters in this story... struggling movie extras that are trying to become something more.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/fearbooks/Uncovered%20Films/3StarReview.jpg" border="0" alt="3 Star Review" title="3 out of 5"></center>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-12980902708564932502010-03-12T09:42:00.006-05:002010-03-13T18:12:00.543-05:00Uptown<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">Uncovered Film Review</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yf36d62wknY/S5pRENk09uI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/i_xNO7lYEb0/s1600-h/UptownFilm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Uptown" border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yf36d62wknY/S5pRENk09uI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/i_xNO7lYEb0/s400/UptownFilm.png" title="Uptown" width="291" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<b>Uptown</b> is a romantic drama solely covering two people - Ben (Chris Riquinha) and Isabel (Meissa Hampton) - who meet to discuss each others lives, and eventually - their careers. Despite having met on the pretense of Ben wanting her for his movie role, this subplot is mentioned basically twice, and then completely dropped - a strange move that is distracting, when you're trying to pay attention to what the director <i>wants</i> you to focus on.<br />
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Which would be the writing, solely (Uptown happens to have been written by the two leads, and the director). To make interesting conversations, you have to be lucky enough to have great writers to script them, and Uptown certainly does. The conversations are realistic, manneristic (thanks to Meissa's twitchy acting), and not poorly delivered as in most low budget films.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yf36d62wknY/S5pRROFApdI/AAAAAAAAA2w/Kl7se5T5GbY/s1600-h/Viewer-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chris Riquinha & Meissa Hampton" border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yf36d62wknY/S5pRROFApdI/AAAAAAAAA2w/Kl7se5T5GbY/s400/Viewer-2.png" title="Chris Riquinha & Meissa Hampton" width="400" /></a></div><br />
So it's especially saddening that so much of the acting and speech is marred by horrible sound editing (or complete lack thereof), and typical spotty camerawork. Uptown makes you understand why bigger budget films tend to do all of their work on sets, rather than actual loud city streets, and inside screeching subway cars. Having to struggle to hear the characters speaking over the unbalanced audio is ridiculous. How Riquinha and Hampton managed to keep a straight face while being drowned out by blaring ambulances and motorcycles is beyond me.<br />
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While this problem is major, and exists throughout the film, I can't help but wonder what it sounded like in a theater. Probably much worse, and much more annoying than it will at home, which is saying something. The scenery is beautiful, the audio is horrible. It's hard to say that it's completely the director's fault, aside from choosing to never re-shoot a single scene.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yf36d62wknY/S5pRK88IOjI/AAAAAAAAA2g/OhbopvPN3bY/s1600-h/Viewer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Meissa Hampton & Chris Riquinha" border="0" height="258" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yf36d62wknY/S5pRK88IOjI/AAAAAAAAA2g/OhbopvPN3bY/s400/Viewer.png" title="Meissa Hampton & Chris Riquinha" width="400" /></a></div><br />
To have a film <i>written</i> by multiple people who also <i>star</i> in it is unique, even in today's time. This pays off. If anything, you'd know what sounds real, and if you wrote it, you could change it on the fly. Thankfully, for Uptown's sake, the conversations often feel improvised, but not so much as to be trivial and boring. The romance takes a more realistic ride, and I was impressed by this as well. It's about time that a romantic drama wasn't xeroxed.<br />
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If the director could iron out his weak crew members (or at least keep them from hindering his work so much) in the future, he'll be a great one to keep your eye on. <br />
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<center><img alt="4 Star Review" border="0" src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/fearbooks/Uncovered%20Films/4StarReview.jpg" title="4 out of 5" /></center><br />
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<center><br />
<div style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="color: black;"><b><i>Available on DVD now, and screening at select festivals soon (See site for details)</i></b></span></div></center><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1419989/" target="_blank" title="IMDb">On IMDb</a> | <a href="http://www.uptownfilm.com/">Uptown - Official Website</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=-3&id=156690024390#%21/pages/Uptown/156690024390?ref=ts" target="_blank">On Facebook</a></center>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com0Lincolnton, North Carolina, USA35.452531 -81.01701935.312804 -81.2504785 35.592258 -80.78355950000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-24410799357433308802010-02-23T17:35:00.004-05:002010-02-23T22:49:40.211-05:00Toe to Toe<span style="font-weight: bold;"><font size="5">Uncovered Film Review</span></font><br />
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<center><a href="http://i46.tinypic.com/10p4w01.jpg" target="_blank"><img height="450" width="400" src="http://i46.tinypic.com/10p4w01.jpg" border="0" alt="Toe to Toe Poster" title="Toe to Toe Poster"></a></center><br />
<b>Toe to Toe </b> depicts the struggles of two girls who go to school, and occasionally play full matches of lacrosse together (when not in the midst of jealous fights). The film as a whole often covers the two teens separately, or hones in on one individual from separate sides of a room. In one particular moment where the girls are at the same 'Go Go Party' (basically a DJ on stage performing), and are jealously glaring at one another, the movie takes an eye-roll worthy turn, as the focus is placed on an impromptu dance-off in the middle of the crowd.<br />
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Why are these a requirement for every filmed concert scene? Has anyone ever actually witnessed a dance battle that wasn't an elaborate, ironic joke?<br />
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<center><a href="http://img.skitch.com/20100223-rrf4rrijjwxp1nymf9mb96hndu.png"><img height="300" width="450" src="http://img.skitch.com/20100223-rrf4rrijjwxp1nymf9mb96hndu.png" alt="Ally Walker and Louisa Krause" title="Ally Walker and Louisa Krause"></a></center><br />
Also a source of frustration are the racial remarks from all parties involved. These remarks feel so manufactured and like a bad <i>Nineties</i> film crutch, which is completely opposite the strong family interactions that happen to feel both genuine, and realistic. The unflinching focus on reckless, underage sex (which is not played for laughs as you've come to expect from a teen film) is a main focus for the entire film... a quick way to take a serious turn. But while it comes dangerously close to being disgustingly depicted (keyword: <b>underage</b>), it becomes almost heart-wrenching to see the effects it has on choice characters.<br />
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2792296/" target="_blank">Sonequa Martin</a> (as Tosha) contributes a great deal to this film. She never once <i>looks</i> like she's acting - a rare commodity for someone of her presumed age. You get so familiar with her as a person, while watching Toe to Toe, that you start to question where else you've seen her <i>before</i> this! Sonequa simply nails the role, and brings weight to the picture that it was desperately lacking.<br />
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Toe to Toe ultimately improves in time for the end, in part due to the characters universal revelations that they are truly messed up (in more ways than one), as well as their subsequent responsibility taking, in atonement for their mistakes. The conclusion itself makes sense, and isn't forced... not something I've come to expect from an contemporary independent drama.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/fearbooks/Uncovered%20Films/4StarReview.jpg" border="0" alt="4 Star Review" title="4 out of 5"></center><br />
<center><div style="background-color: yellow;"><font color="black"><b><i>In select theaters February 26, expanding further March 12, 2010.</i></b></font></div></center><br />
<center><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1209364/" target="_blank" title="IMDb">On IMDb</a> | <a href="http://www.toetotoethemovie.com/">Toe to Toe - Official Website</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/toetotoethemovie" target="_blank">On Facebook</a></center>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-84579926414849294982010-02-13T09:29:00.010-05:002010-02-13T12:31:17.861-05:00Interview with Jace Nicole, star of Cookies & Cream<center><a href="http://i50.tinypic.com/263vocw.jpg"><img height="500" width="400" src="http://i50.tinypic.com/263vocw.jpg" title="Jace Nicole" alt="Jace Nicole"></a></center><br />
Thanks to the great people at <i><a href="http://www.1wayoranother.net/index.html">One Way or Another Productions</a></i>, we're very honored to present a brand new interview with <i>the</i> lovely <a href="http://www.jacenicole.com"><b>Jace Nicole</b></a>, star of the film "<a href="http://uncoveredfilms.blogspot.com/2009/11/cookies-cream.html"><b>Cookies & Cream</b></a>". Enjoy!<br />
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<hr color="white"><br />
<font color="cyan"><b>UF:</b></cyan></font> Cookies & Cream starts out with a pretty racy scene, by some people's standards. However, it's not <i>totally</i> representative of the rest of the film. Did you have any hesitations about being in a film containing a subplot set in the porn industry?<br />
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<font color="yellow"><b>JACE:</b></font> No, not at all. Even though Cookies showcased a woman in the adult industry, it wasn't about "porn" per se. It was more about the human side of this woman. Her everyday life, and her emotional ups and downs, etc. etc. And we wanted to show the world that these women - even though they shed their clothes to go to work and make their money - women in Carmen's position also are regular, everyday people at the end of the day. Not sex-crazed physical objects. So that didn't bother me at all.<br />
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<font color="cyan"><b>UF:</b></cyan></font> Were there any notable scenes cut from the film, or was the shoot fairly straightforward, with no room/time to make changes?<br />
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<font color="yellow"><b>JACE:</b></font> Well, no, there were no scenes cut from the film, and the shoot was pretty straightforward, but I will tell you something a lot of people aren't aware of. Cookies and Cream ended up being a movie that was totally re-shot. We had an incident of a gentleman by the name of R.J. Harper who was helping with shooting at one point. He seemed pretty cool, and business minded, but he had another agenda planned. Princeton ended up seeing he was a snake, and called him out on it. He got angry and stormed off set with all the footage we shot. Needless to say, we never got the footage back. He held it hostage. So Princeton got a better, stronger, crew together and we re-shot Cookies and Cream. And actually, it turned out better than the first time we shot. Not to mention we didn't have to deal with R.J.'s shady behind anymore.<br />
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<font color="cyan"><b>UF:</b></cyan></font> How long did the Cookies & Cream shoot last?<br />
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<font color="yellow"><b>JACE:</b></font> The shoot lasted 21 days.<br />
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<font color="cyan"><b>UF:</b></cyan></font> Your acting is noticeably better than what is most often exhibited in indie films, especially from those new to the business. Do you have any formal training?<br />
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<font color="yellow"><b>JACE:</b></font> I do have about 2 years of training under my belt. It ranges from Improv to dramatic acting... but I also believe in using acting as a form of therapy. If I come across a role that applies to me being able to release some pent up feelings from past experiences, then I really dig into it, and its GREAT!! Lol... I feel that it is good to experience some sort of pain/sadness and some crazy things in life to be able to go there in roles. That's how I think people are able to relate to certain movies and actors. You have to put some sort of real feelings into any character that you play.<br />
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<font color="cyan"><b>UF:</b></cyan></font> If you had to choose a single career today, and stick with it, would it be full-time acting, or are you interested in trying out different types of jobs until you find one that fits you best?<br />
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<font color="yellow"><b>JACE:</b></font> Oh, well that's easy... full time acting HANDS DOWN!! There is nothing else I would rather do more. I'm still waiting to land my TV show. Lol.<br />
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<font color="cyan"><b>UF:</b></cyan></font> I'm a fan of tattoos, and noticed you have at least one. What does the tattoo represent, and do you have any more we don't know about?<br />
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<font color="yellow"><b>JACE:</b></font> Well, I don't know exactly which one you noticed, but I have 7 tatts. They are all rather small (I don't think women should go too crazy with tatts, so I have tried to keep them all rather "quiet". Lol.) The tatts I have are:<br />
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1) My mom's name above my heart. She passed back in '93, so that was my memorial to her.<br />
2) A Scorpio on my leg - my astrological sign.<br />
3) My daughter's name is on my back and her name is Jaylon.<br />
4) A paw on my finger... it's a cover-up for a tatt I regret getting in the 1st place. Lol!<br />
5) <i>Veni Vidi Vici</i> on my wrist. It means "I came, I saw, I conquered" - it's a motto I live by daily.<br />
6 & 7) Two nautical stars on the inside of both my left and right upper arms. And those are my tatts :)<br />
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<font color="cyan"><b>UF:</b></cyan></font> Our site often focuses on movies that may have slipped by, or otherwise been off people's radar when they were initially released. Could you share any personal favorites that would fit into that theme?<br />
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<font color="yellow"><b>JACE:</b></font> I would have to say "<a href="http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Happiness/11819494" target="_blank" title="Happiness on Netflix">Happiness</a>", "<a href="http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Your_Friends_Neighbors/16915458" target="_blank" title="Your Friends and Neighbors on Netflix">Your Friends and Neighbors</a>", "<a href="http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Welcome_to_the_Dollhouse/1110494" target="_blank" title="Welcome to the Dollhouse on Netflix">Welcome to the Dollhouse</a>", "<a href="http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Inside/70093339" target="_blank" title="Inside on Netflix">Inside</a>" and "<a href="http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Children/70123098" target="_blank" title="The Children on Netflix">The Children</a>" (the last two are a bit gory and scary... Lol. I am a HUGE horror fan).<br />
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<hr color="white"><br />
<center><a href="http://i46.tinypic.com/25r2qgw.jpg"><img height="450" height="350" src="http://i46.tinypic.com/25r2qgw.jpg" title="Jace Nicole" alt="Jace Nicole"></a></center><br />
<hr color="white"><br />
<center><i>Follow Jace Nicole's future film endeavors via her multiple social outlets @ <a href="http://www.JaceNicole.com">JaceNicole.com</a></i></center>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-80049684777973687722010-02-06T10:45:00.002-05:002010-02-06T10:46:10.532-05:00Hero Tomorrow<span style="font-weight: bold;"><font size="5">Uncovered Film Review</span></font><br />
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<center><a href="http://i50.tinypic.com/dgicup.jpg" title="Hero Tomorrow Poster Art" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.tinypic.com/dgicup.jpg" height="550" width="450" alt="Hero Tomorrow DVD Cover art." /></a></center><br />
<b>Hero Tomorrow</b> is the story of David, a determined comic book artist who wants his story published. Soon enough, he becomes so enveloped in his own character that he puts on a costume and gets to work. There are a lot of issues that hold this otherwise simple plot back. Lines that should be <i>important</i> are instead laughable, or simply make you cringe. It eventually becomes impossible to tell whether the actors or the writers are to blame for this (so I contend they share the blame equally).<br />
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The story, as told here, is too goofy and alternately intensely serious, for its own good. It also has the unlucky fate of being released nearly the same time as the similarly-themed, far more interesting, "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479162/" target="_blank">Special</a>".<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcwhammer/4334281553/" title="Halloween Party, featuring Jocelyn Wrzosek"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2777/4334281553_5dea4363d7.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="Halloween Party, featuring Jocelyn Wrzosek" /></a></center><br />
The one thing that stood out to me (aside from the poorly introduced twist at the end), was the set and costume design. Discussed in the <b>Bonus Features</b> are notably the comic shop and associated costume of Apama. These set pieces were created specifically for the film - which is a real surprise, considering the low-budget. You certainly don't notice costume design in any other modern indie film - because it's most often just the clothes off of the actor's backs.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcwhammer/4335015596/" title=""Hero Tomorrow" Comic Shop"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2712/4335015596_f2db9bc105.jpg" width="500" height="360" alt=""Hero Tomorrow" Comic Shop" /></a></center><br />
With the bonus features turning out to be so enlightening, you're left with some actual answers. The actors had so much fun filming Hero Tomorrow, despite how the film turned out. That they also openly admit to not knowing what the heck their squid sub-plot meant easily sums up what's wrong with the film. It's an unformed collection of random ideas that <b><i>could</i></b> have made for an amazing story. I do hold out hope for the future's of both the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2310290/" target="_blank">director</a>, and lead actress (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2310981/" target="_blank">Jocelyn Wrzosek</a>).<br />
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<center><img alt="2 Star Review" src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/fearbooks/Uncovered%20Films/2StarReview.jpg" title="2 out of 5" /></center><br />
<center><div style="background-color: yellow;"><font color="black"><b><i>On DVD Now</i></b></font></div></center><br />
<center><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0820892/" target="_blank" title="IMDb">On IMDb</a> | <a href="http://www.herotomorrow.com/">Hero Tomorrow - Official Website</a></center>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-15956178321562094922010-02-01T00:00:00.002-05:002010-02-01T00:00:04.412-05:00Creature Feature - "How to Serve Man" Music VideoIf I had found this sooner, I'd have posted it in time for Halloween, but it doesn't matter, because the song's universally great. This music video someone made for the song "How to Serve Man" (by the band <b><a href="http://creaturefeaturemusic.com">Creature Feature</a></b>) proves that maybe video versions of songs aren't yet a dying art.<br />
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Enjoy, and check out their CD, <i>The Greatest Show on Unearthed"</i> for a bunch more songs just as good as this one!<br />
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<center><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_ASGtDxv2Gk&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_ASGtDxv2Gk&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></center>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-32694084346991621512010-01-13T22:50:00.001-05:002010-01-13T22:55:14.542-05:00Affinity<span style="font-weight: bold;"><font size="5">Uncovered Film Review</span></font><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcwhammer/4194386993/" title=""Affinity" Cover Art"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2804/4194386993_f16bd3a562.jpg" width="349" height="500" alt=""Affinity" DVD Cover art." /></a></center><br />
This film tells the story of two women that find themselves connected, by rare circumstances. These two main characters are Margaret (Anna Madeley), who begins visiting rehabilitating female prisoners, as a continuance of her father's research and work; and a single prisoner named Selina (Zoe Tapper). Margaret is intrigued by Selina, and focuses all of her time on visiting her alone - much to the chagrin of the strict wardens.<br />
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Selina claims to be a medium - and is regularly contacted by the dead. Outside of visiting the prison, Margaret is expected to follow her mother's wishes, and marry a man she strongly dislikes. This is an intriguing story - and a very different way of filming a romantic drama.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcwhammer/4195140348/" title=""Affinity" - Zoe Tapper & Anna Madeley"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2503/4195140348_8a0b02ac15.jpg" width="500" height="379" alt=""Affinity" film - Zoe Tapper & Anna Madeley" /></a></center><br />
Much of the focus is on flashbacks of Selina before her incarceration, and her contacting of spirits, as the two friends become inseparable over time. However, it's not in any way scary - you'll be too enveloped in the budding love story to care much about any other aspects of the tale. I very much enjoyed the lead actresses - you could almost throw away all of the other characters, because Zoe & Anna steal the show.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/fearbooks/Uncovered%20Films/4StarReview.jpg" border="0" alt="4 Star Review" title="4 out of 5"></center><br />
<center>Affinity on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Affinity-Zoe-Tapper/dp/B0018O5WVO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1261142756&sr=1-1" title="Purchase Affinity at Amazon">Amazon.com</a> | Affinity on <a href="http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Affinity/70101636" title="Affinity on Netflix">Netflix.com</a> | Watch Affinity on <a href="http://www.logoonline.com/video/affinity/1608964/playlist.jhtml" title="Affinity Online">LogoOnline.com</a></center>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-44773144229090820252009-12-27T17:35:00.007-05:002009-12-27T17:43:11.652-05:00PABLO - Very interesting upcoming BiopicI first saw this mentioned on <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.reelzchannel.com">Reelz Channel</a></span>, and thought it looked really cool. I think it best to let the video do the talking. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1049406/">Save this</a> on IMDB, because it looks like it's going to be really interesting.<br />
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<b><center><object width="480" height="300" id="rcplay1230606845808" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,18,0"><param name="movie" value="http://cache.reelzchannel.com/assets/flash/syndicatedPlayer.swf" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="flashvars" value="clipid=38215"><embed src="http://cache.reelzchannel.com/assets/flash/syndicatedPlayer.swf" name="rcplay1230606845808" AllowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" width="480" height="300" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" mode="window" flashvars="clipid=38215"></embed></object><style>.syn{font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#999;}.syn A{color:#999;}</style><div class="syn"><a href="http://www.reelzchannel.com/hollywooddailies">Hollywood Dailies</a> </div></center></b><br />
<center><a href="http://twitter.com/hwooddailies">Hollywood Dailies on Twitter</a> | <a href="http://twitter.com/Reelzchannel">Reelz Channel on Twitter</a></center>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-92233349574387041062009-12-01T00:00:00.001-05:002009-12-01T00:00:01.240-05:00Matt & Kim Music Video - "Daylight"I was viewing <a href="http://www.greenlabelsound.com" target="_blank">Green Label Sound</a>'s website recently (Apparently owned by Mountain Dew, one of the greatest soft drinks <i>ever</i>) and stumbled upon this music video from the band <b>Matt & Kim</b>. I hear so much great Indie music on <a href="http://Sirius.com" target="_blank">Sirius Satellite Radio</a> that it's often hard to remember if I've heard certain songs or bands before, even if I know the songs by heart. This band I know I've heard of, but that part doesn't matter, because this song is infectious, and this video is hilarious (I'm not sure if that is his real legs or not!)... one of the best <i>I've</i> ever seen. <br />
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Check it out... I think I'll have to buy their CD someday soon. <br />
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<center><embed><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" id="GLS_mediaPlayer_39_1_1237601968418" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab" align="middle" width="420" height="388"><param name="movie" value="http://www.greenlabelsound.com/m/39gLsMdA1" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.greenlabelsound.com/m/39gLsMdA1" quality="high" bgcolor="#000000" name="GLS_mediaPlayer_39_1_1237601968418" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" align="middle" width="420" height="388" /></object></embed></center>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-45022851748866382962009-11-29T09:29:00.001-05:002009-11-29T09:43:52.486-05:00Barstool Cowboy<span style="font-weight: bold;"><font size="5">Uncovered Film Review</span></font><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcwhammer/4142763312/" title="Barstool Cowboy DVD/Poster Art"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2711/4142763312_bf61c19c3e.jpg" width="384" height="500" alt="Barstool Cowboy DVD/Poster Art" /></a></center><br />
<b>Barstool Cowboy</b> stars Darrel Hammond and Avril Lavigne look-a-likes <b>Tim Woodward</b> and <b>Rachel Lien</b> (As Mick and Arcy, respectively) as two more characters out to find themselves, or their former selves, in the case of Mick.<br />
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Mick has just been dumped by his girlfriend in a "cruel way" (as he describes it), and has confined himself - and his briar patch beard - to a stool at the local bar. As he discusses his problem with whomever listens, he confides that he's willing to stay in the stool for three months... seemingly hoping his old girlfriend will come looking for him in that time, so that he may beg for forgiveness.<br />
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Shortly into his tenure at the bar, a woman is spotted outside, drawing sketches of the building. The men inside complain about women like her, and how they can be spotted from a mile away simply by spotting their <i>Chuck Taylor's</i>. After Mick blows off the drunk suggestions of the patrons, he goes outside to see what she's up to.<br />
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Soon enough, Mick finds himself enamored with Arcy, the fittingly artsy student. They spend several days together, going from place to place, while Arcy unknowingly starts to release Mick from his lull - to his amazement. Unfortunately, around the same time, Arcy begins telling Mick - "Don't fall in love with me".<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcwhammer/4143843604/" title="Barstool Cowboy - Rachel Lien as ARCY"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2786/4143843604_ab3eb90f11.jpg" width="500" height="376" alt="Barstool Cowboy's Rachel Lien" /></a></center><br />
As we follow this love story, we quickly get wrapped up in the characters of Mick and Arcy - you want to know how their story will end, despite some nagging issues with the film. The actors that portray Mick and Arcy are the two best onscreen - this is very evident from as early as the second and third scenes of the movie. When you can clearly see that certain people were picked to star in a movie because they were <i>better</i> than the other eight people that showed up on casting day, you get a sinking feeling.<br />
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The camerawork and lighting do not match this story at all. The lighting is often so harsh, and the camera is <i>so</i> consumer grade, that you can't help but think you're watching an extended online video. The best indie movies are those that you don't realize are independent until you read the back of the box. I feel bad for the writer and director, because had it not been for the areas I mentioned that lacked, this movie would've exceeded my expectations.<br />
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But as it stands, I cannot overlook the acting of the background actors, the camerawork of a supposed "professional", and the poor planning of the producers, amongst this otherwise great movie.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/fearbooks/Uncovered%20Films/4StarReview.jpg" border="0" alt="4 Star Review" title="4 out of 5"></center><br />
<center>Barstool Cowboy on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Barstool-Cowboy-Rachel-Lien/dp/B002FU8JOW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1250218581&sr=8-1" title="Purchase Barstool Cowboy at Amazon">Amazon.com</a> | Barstool Cowboy on <a href="http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Barstool_Cowboy/70123302" title="Barstool Cowboy on Netflix">Netflix.com</a> | Barstool Cowboy <a href="http://barstoolcowboymovie.com" title="Official Website">Official Website</a></center>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-45268686921909421762009-11-23T00:00:00.031-05:002009-11-23T13:50:10.579-05:00IFC Holiday Movie Calendar<center><a href="http://www.ifc.com/news/2009/11/holiday-film-preview.php?page=4" target="_blank"><img alt="IFC.COM Logo" src="http://i38.tinypic.com/90wxeo.jpg" title="IFC.com Holiday feature" /></a></center><br />
Now through the end of January, IFC.com is <a href="http://www.ifc.com/news/2009/11/holiday-film-preview.php?page=4" target="_blank" title="IFC.com Holiday feature">hosting</a> a thorough <b>week-by-week</b> list of indie films to be released in theaters. Simply click a month, and/or click any week, and you'll be able to see the top indies hitting theaters in that schedule.<br />
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<center><img alt="Michael Cera and Michael Cera in Youth in Revolt" src="http://i36.tinypic.com/r2aw.jpg" title="Youth In Revolt stars Michael Cera & Michael Cera" /></center><br />
We mostly cover Home releases in our scrollbar (up top), so their feature may be just what you need if you're looking to get out of the house and away from your psychotic family over the holidays! <br />
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<i>*<b>Youth In Revolt</b> (pictured) premieres the week of January 8th.</i><br />
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<center><b><span style="background-color: yellow;"><font color="black">Big thanks to Allison B. for sending this in :)</font></span></b></center>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-88594872338490104802009-11-16T19:24:00.002-05:002009-11-16T19:26:33.519-05:00The Missing Person<span style="font-weight: bold;"><font size="5">Uncovered Film Review</span></font><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcwhammer/4110165771/" title="The Missing Person Poster Art"><img alt="The Missing Person Poster Art" height="500" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2712/4110165771_fe0082bcaa.jpg" width="337" /></a></center> <br />
From the opening scene of <b>The Missing Person</b>, you find yourself enveloped in the main character's world. John Rosow (played by Michael Shannon) is the character you're unwillingly stuck with for the length of the movie. He's an alcoholic and a habitual smoker. He's antisocial and can get wrapped up in his work, which he cannot do well while also partaking in his aforementioned full-time hobbies.<br />
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Rosow is a private detective in a world that rarely requires the use of an investigator. Turns out, he's a former policeman that thinks his job is far more worthwhile than it actually is. Amidst his drunken stupor, in walks Miss Charley (Amy Ryan), the second-in-charge for a new assignment being offered to Rosow. He reluctantly accepts, and instantly finds himself following a man he knows nothing about, from L.A. all the way to Mexico.<br />
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Rosow stumbles from place to place throughout his assignment, not bothering to stay invisible, and often finds himself in worse situations than the man he's following.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcwhammer/4110928306/" title="Amy Ryan in The Missing Person"><img alt="Amy Ryan in The Missing Person" height="333" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2705/4110928306_4cba53be31.jpg" width="500" /></a></center><br />
By the end of this film, we're presented an ending that goes against much of what we've been told leading up to that moment. So it takes time to reconsider everything, and see where it went wrong. The main issue I have with The Missing Person is Michael Shannon. He conveys absolutely zero emotion in this film. If I was told he had some type of nerve problem in his face, I'd believe it. He never exerts himself more than an eighth inch rise of his lip. And if I'm to understand who his character is supposed to be, I need to know that he's in fact human, and not a robot.<br />
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The last segment of the film attempts to hurriedly explain why all of the characters are the way that they are. But everything presented feels like a lame excuse by that point. The director forces the viewer to put up with a strange and lifeless main character for sixty-five minutes, only to wipe the slate clean.<br />
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You can't wipe memories clean though, so it'll be hard to forget the waste of time you've spent with this biography of an abuser. <br />
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<center><img alt="2 Star Review" src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/fearbooks/Uncovered%20Films/2StarReview.jpg" title="2 out of 5" /></center><br />
<center><div style="background-color: yellow;"><font color="black"><b><i>In Theaters 11/20/2009</i></b></font></div></center><br />
<center><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1105512/" target="_blank" title="IMDb">IMDb</a> | <a href="http://www.missingpersonmovie.com/">The Missing Person - Official Website</a></center>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-6412355841068977442009-11-15T18:38:00.000-05:002009-11-15T18:38:22.101-05:00Official Rejection<span style="font-weight:bold;"><font size="5">Uncovered Film Review</span></font><br />
<p><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcwhammer/4107555082/" title="Official Rejection Poster Art"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2558/4107555082_a210e74816.jpg" width="338" height="500" alt="Official Rejection Poster Art" /></a></center><br />
<b>Official Rejection</b> is the true story of a group of filmmakers from all parts who are trying to accomplish a single goal: To get their film in a festival. The focused stars of this documentary find themselves quickly rejected by certain big-name fests, despite the effort required to even be considered for them. Disheartened, but not easily broken, the filmmakers keep sending out their films, to smaller screenings across the U.S.<br />
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The journey of this film achieves something big that is a rarity in the documentary genre. It's smirk-out-loud funny from beginning to end. With hilarious animated cut-scenes, to the visible struggles of average Joe directors, to astute observations from the front lines and the flashbacks of everyone involved; every piece of this film makes you grin from ear to ear.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcwhammer/4106791395/" title="Jenna Fischer in Official Rejection"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2781/4106791395_2c4fcfee2e.jpg" width="500" height="308" alt="Jenna Fischer" /></a></center><br />
So, it's strange that this same film is also one that tells the horrifying story of self-publicizing, penniless movie creators. O.R. is eye-opening, and easily bests all other attempts at revealing an inside view of the movie industry (notably <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0493459/">This Film Is Not Yet Rated</a></i>). It's one of the only films I know of that even mentions the independent film industry in a <b>truthful</b> light.<br />
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Painful it may be, but if your head stops shaking at the absurdity of the festival industry long enough to hear the story being presented, it will completely change your opinions on how you absorb and critique films.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/fearbooks/Uncovered%20Films/5StarReview.jpg" alt="5 Stars" title="5 out of 5"></center><br />
<center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Official-Rejection-Collection-Edition/dp/B002Q0WYPG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1258327760&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.officialrejectiondocumentary.com/MAIN.html">Official Website</a> | <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780577/">IMDb</a></center>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-62846885804038809782009-11-13T11:29:00.002-05:002009-11-13T12:01:47.309-05:00Cookies & Cream<span style="font-weight:bold;"><font size="5">Uncovered Film Review</span></font><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcwhammer/4100273815/" title="Cookies & Cream cover art"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2724/4100273815_caa306fcb4.jpg" width="352" height="500" alt="Cookies & Cream cover art" /></a></center><br />
From the outside, <b>Cookies & Cream</b> may seem similar to another film we've covered, named "<a href="http://uncoveredfilms.blogspot.com/2009/10/one-hour-fantasy-girl.html">One Hour Fantasy Girl</a>". One Hour Fantasy Girl even follows a similar path - that of a girl on a struggle to find herself, while working an odd-job to pay the rent.<br />
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However, now I have a better frame of reference, having watched Cookies & Cream; and I can clearly see what is lacking in 1HFG that C&C has in abundance... <b><i>heart</i></b>.<br />
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Carmen (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3300213/">Jace Nicole</a>) has an 8 year old daughter that she gets to see only three days a week. She has a high-rise apartment, but a lack of a substantial and steady relationship. The only men she sees are those she meets through work on her website. A decidedly adult web page featuring only herself, called <i>Cookiesandcream.com</i>. Every man she works with tries to take it further, but she won't allow it. They often spew pick-up lines out of a book, and Carmen wants a truthful person who will just be himself.<br />
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By chance, not too long into her story, Carmen meets a man who seems to fit all of her criteria... and she starts to fall for him. But the guilt hangs over her, as she tries to figure out how to tell her new boyfriend about how she makes a living (only going so far as to say she works with computers).<br />
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Jace Nicole is the biggest revelation amongst this cast. She shines in every scene, and just when you expect her to crack under the pressure of an emotional moment, she somehow keeps the conversation real - and believable. The director does a good job of getting into the head of most of the characters in the short span of the movie - rather than glossing over half of them in favor of quickly telling a story.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcwhammer/4100989106/" title="Cookies & Cream stars Naama Kates and Jace Nicole"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/4100989106_ca2a7ab321.jpg" width="500" height="209" alt="Cookies & Cream stars Naama Kates and Jace Nicole" /></a></center><br />
Perhaps my only real complaints are debatably minor, but I couldn't shake the thoughts of them even after the film ended. Several of the characters smoke cigarettes in plain view, without hesitation - something I thought we were getting away from in films. It really sullies the reputation of the actors to see them take something that's so important (their lives) so lightly.<br />
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And one other bother is the way some of the earlier conversations in the film are presented. Characters are filmed in the city streets of New York, and surrounding areas - but the problem is how they are recorded. They are shown from 100 feet away or more - with their voices sounding dubbed in, whether they are or not. When you're watching conversations in a film, you want to pay attention to the faces, the gestures - all things that need to be experienced up close and personal (not from the bushes across the way). When these cannot be seen, ranging from 30 seconds to a minutes worth of staring at their backs, the viewer becomes frustrated.<br />
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These moments do make you appreciate how important it is to see your actors when they deliver their lines. If there were many more moments that could not be seen, it could've ruined the film.<br />
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However, as it stands, I can easily say that this film presents a modern drama in a new way. If this had turned out to follow the methods of every romantic "comedy", while trying to pass as a drama, I certainly would've considered it horrible. But with the mantra of our main character Carmen being "The show must go on", It definitely does, and without the flaws of a big-budget production. This is the kind of film that can only ever exist in the independent realm, because no major studio would have enough guts to film the story of an adult film star in any way <i>but</i> a comedy.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/fearbooks/Uncovered%20Films/4StarReview.jpg" border="0" alt="4 Star Review" title="4 out of 5"></center><br />
<center><a href="http://www.cookiesncreammovie.com/" title="Cookies & Cream official website">Official Website</a> | <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1374855/" title="Imdb">IMDb</a></center>MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-60527945313998412972009-11-01T00:00:00.003-04:002009-11-01T00:00:00.667-04:00The Fangoria Chopping List<center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/H7wHRxATGb5FgsP3XwfHvQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Yf36d62wknY/Sc49_BLeTsI/AAAAAAAAAgE/zGfUh4jz1o8/s800/chopchopcopy.png" alt="Chopping List"></a></center><b><a href="http://www.fangoria.com/home/chopping-list.html">Fangoria.com</a></b>, the online world of the best horror genre magazine in the world (Fangoria, of course), also hosts a lot of news, previews of upcoming issues, and lists.<br /><br />One such list on their fine site is the Chopping List (Also linked in our sidebar). The frequently updated list has a rundown of all the upcoming releases on home video, and notes if their DVD, Blu-ray, Remake, Special edition, etc.<br /><br />This list is a great resource for those wondering what's on its way out next. Though it only covers the horror spectrum of releases, it does that aspect better than any website you can find. I check it frequently just to keep myself up to date... it's great to find out "<i>that</i> movie's coming out next week?! Awesome!" Bookmark it, and check out their magazine when you get a chance... both are top notch!MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501768309039327516.post-6122595883982653342009-10-29T23:13:00.005-04:002009-11-15T22:18:56.160-05:00Happy Halloween - enjoy these horrific images!<center>As these people would attest, it's not a crime to enjoy <b><span style="color: red;">Halloween</span></b><span style="color: red;"></span>!</center><br />
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<center><img src="http://i.imgur.com/gnc6V.jpg" title="Human Dramatic Look" /></center><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Many more pictures <i><a href="http://uncoveredfilms.blogspot.com/2009/10/happy-halloween-enjoy-these-horrific.html">after the jump</a></i>!</b></span><br />
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<center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mcwhammer/UncoveredFilmsIndieCultDirectToDisc?feat=embedwebsite#5313207758566951586"><img alt="Ronald McDonald" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Yf36d62wknY/SbxOTks7iqI/AAAAAAAAAfA/_HFr8OOwjz8/s800/wtf_pics-freaky-fast-food.jpg" title="Psycho Ronald McDonald" /></a><a href="http://celebritypixx.blogspot.com/2009/10/tom-cruise-katie-holmes.html"><img alt="Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes Trick or Treating" src="http://i33.tinypic.com/2j1u1y8.jpg" title="Tom & Katie Trick or Treating" /></a><a href="http://celebritypixx.blogspot.com/2009/10/nicole-kidman.html"><img alt="Nicole Kidman forgets her Halloween costume" src="http://i38.tinypic.com/2jaeqt3.jpg" title="Nicole Kidman forgets her Halloween costume" /></a><img src="http://pictureisunrelated.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/wtf-pics-chucky-bus-stop.jpg" title="Multiple Chuckys" /><img src="http://thisisphotobomb.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/tip-whargarbl.jpg" title="METAL!!!!" /><img src="http://thisisphotobomb.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/tip-inbred.jpg" title="GUFFAW!" /><img src="http://thisisphotobomb.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/dave-grosspool-P.jpg" title="BEHIND YOU, FATTY!" /><img height="700" src="http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Don-Speice-Niagara-Daredevils1-767x1024.jpg" title="Niagara sucks..." width="500" /><img src="http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/carrie-star-trek.jpg" title="Elderly Smokey the Bear" /><img src="http://ihasahotdog.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/funny-dog-pictures-i-dont-like-scary-move.jpg" title="Do not want!!!" /><img src="http://failblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/fail-owned-friendly-bear-fail.jpg" title="Chompers the teddy bear" /></center><br />
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<h1><span style="color: orange;"><b>HAPPY HALLOWEEN!</b></span></h1><span style="color: orange;"></span><br />
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<hr color="orange" />MWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911334330013202975noreply@blogger.com0