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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Almost, June 24, 2008
Just a forwarning to those of whom were expecting something else. On The Doll was filmed and edited masterfully. This was the film's strongest point in my opinion. Everything else was, ehhhh... I was looking forward to seeing this for a week or so as I though it sounded interesting, and the fact that it had been totally rented out since it's release date. Within five or ten minutes one can see the gorgeous camera work with an atmospheric soundscape that seemed to be well done, encompassing fairly shallow acting that seemed to be, not so well done.
Lots of potential threading through this storyline which, cleverly enough, encompassed three different scenarios into one inevitable downward spiral. Also, for those whom like me, rented this in hopes of some grotesque scenery will be terribly dissappointed. I believe that the castration that happens within the last five minutes of the film is the only reason the MPAA refused to grant an R rating. That's all you get here gorehounds, and though the effects were realistic enough, the inclusion of this seemed rather arbitrary, since it was supposedly an accident. If you want my opinion, stear clear of this and try "Descent" with Rosario Dawson. It is a lot slower paced, but more professionally executed and thus creating more effect. I tried this one out hoping for lots of sex, drugs, and gore, and was suprised when I became bored with the film's direction, and irritated with the subpar acting. Just my take...
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shocking, dark, gripping and (above all) interesting., June 24, 2009
This movie is not for everyone. It's a very depressing, sad and dark view into the world of todays youth. Yet, it's not the type of depressing movie that progresses forward at a snail's pace. Everything that happens is entertaining enough to keep the interest of the viewer held until the end of the film. I personally enjoy dark subject matter (movies or otherwise) and this one is pitch black as the night! I was still thinking about scenes from the movie for many days after watching it. ON THE DOLL just leaves that sick and vile memory imprinted within you after viewing.
Basically the over all theme is an easy one to understand. The story follows many different characters through the course of the movie and eventually, all of which are some how crossed into one another. Think of the movie CRASH and you've got the basic idea.
One of the characters is involved with an adult news paper business, where as another character seems to be a prostitute, despite having a boyfriend who seemingly doesn't care about the line of work she's in. Also, actress Brittnay Snow is in the movie, which is a welcome "bounce back" after her terrible remake of PROM NIGHT. It's good to know that she takes her career a little seriously.
I'm not going to go into too much more detail about the movie, mainly because there really isn't much more to say. It's a simple film that doesn't try to become something it's not. ON THE DOLL is just a dark movie that is meant to disturb. Nothing more.
As you watch the film, you can't help but wonder what the exact purpose of the film is. Understandable considering there doesn't seem to be one. Thats okay, because if you "get" the movie, it doesn't need a need to have a purpose. When you're dealing with subject matter such as this, there doesn't need to be a point to it all. It's just real, gritty and depressing. Much like the society we all live in today. Negative outlook? Maybe, but at least it's an honest film.
Over all, I think it's a well made artistic movie that isn't for everyone. Some of the moody and depressing themes might turn a few people off while only making others (the female viewers I would imagine) just out right mad.
Gore wise, there isn't anything here. It's more of a psychological film rather than a bloody, slasher movie. There are some scenes of torture, one being a guy getting punched in the crotch while tied up, over and over again until he passes out from the pain. It's a really nasty scene to say the least.
As the old saying goes, look before you leap. Read about this movie before watching it. It's not for everybody.
I've said my bit. Peace out.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Good Production, but the Subject, ehhhh., December 3, 2008
This is a very strange movie. It had moments of brillance and moments of stupidity. If it hadn't been for those brilliant moments, this would have been a 1 star movie.
This is a story of three very separate lives that eventually come together at the end of the film. The director plays with the timeline in a pretty remarkable way, there's flash forward, flash back, and real time. The director was masterful with the movie's timeline. Everything makes some level of sense at the very end.
Along the way, the trip is pretty darn rocky. There's a lot that would offend most. Oddly there's almost no nudity in this film. Just be aware, this is definately an NC-17 film, although it is unrated.
Film-wise, there's some pretty interesting things going on.
There's moments where the sound is so perfect, so spot on, you would swear that action is absolutely happening in your room. When somebody was banging on a door and a dog was barking, I actually got up to see if that was really happening. Then there are times where the dialog is almost unintelligable, like they ran out of money for the sound man during the reshoots.
Images, there are beautiful scenes, perfectly composed, shot, and lit. A special effect with a bullet that was kind of cool (a bit Matrix-ish, but good nonetheless). But then there are scenes where it looked like a high school film class with a video camera shot the scene - or could have done a better job.
The ending is a bit strange. My first reaction was, oh no, it's the JFK bullet. Sadly, if a film about this particular topic has me thinking that at the end, it's probably not the best ending in the world.
I can really only recommend this film to somebody with incredibly broad tastes, or somebody that really loves film for film sake. You have to check a huge amount of morality to get drawn in. Then again, don't we check our sense of right and wrong at the door when we watch a slasher film? This is not a slasher film, but it's the same concept.
There is a far better film about this particular topic. This Girl's Life, with James Woods as a father with Parkinson's disease, and Juliette Marquis.
This Girl's Life (Unrated Version)
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