Customer Reviews

Expiration Date

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This movie shows you exactly just what you can do when making a movie outside of hollywood and the big studios. One of the best independent movies I have seen in a long time. Wonderful story line and excellent acting and scene executions. This movie is altogether funny, quirky, and even a little romantic. It's also great to see a movie that actually represents Native people in a good way and not a stereotypical one.

I watched this movie last night on PBS and am going to preorder this DVD in the next couple days. I was just flipping around and stopped for what was to be a minute (came in probably 15-20 minutes into the movie) and didn't touch the remote again until the movie was over. All Movie Guide refers the tone of the movie as "quirky," and I agree (in no bad way). I really enjoyed the storyline of the movie and seeing many familiar Seattle sites. With it's black comedy mixed with a little suspense, a little action, and an appropriate dose of falling in love, it was perfect. I would strongly recommend this movie to anyone who might be just a little tired of the comic book remakes and special effect heavy movies being mass produced in Hollywood these days. While I haven't watched many Independent Films, just seeing this film is making me think "what have I been missing?"

It's snowing and icy outside .. and with general garbage and repeats on the tube, I stumbled upon this film on PBS. Thinking it was going to be nothing, it turned into something indeed. And something I intend to buy as soon as I'm finished with this review. The caracters are outstanding and the acting as well. Being a fan of dark humor (think Fargo, Leaving Ozona and the like)and Native American I was pleasently surprised by this film. I recommend it whole heartedly.

This is what independent film is all about. Small budget, mostly unknown actors, small production, but a well told story with well executed editing and filming. Expiration Date is one of those good independent films. It's not great, but it is good.

The film is told in much the same way as Princess Bride, an old man tries to tell a young boy a story. The boy doesn't want to listen, but through the magic of great story telling, the old man hooks the young boy. And in the end, the young boy learns a lesson. It's a wonderful technique, the director reminds the viewer at about the right moments that we are watching a story being told. Revealing too much more of the plot would lessen the impact of the movie, there's some things well worth discovering.

Technically this is a fairly simple film. Charlie is stiff at exactly the right moments. There's some good chemistry between Bessie and Charlie. The supporting cast is very good. There were a couple of out of focus scenes, not critical moments. The film is a bit uneven especially at the midpoint, Charlie makes the transition from being depressed and just surviving to a person trying to live a life. Some of the scenes run a bit long, and the director seems to overplay his hand with the relationship. There was also a couple of slow motion moments that just didn't fit very well, or have context within the rest of the film.

Over stereo speakers the sound was evenly recorded, dialog was clear. There was one extremely annoying effect, every time the milk truck appears they sound an old auuggaa horn. The horn is just sad.

The soundtrack is outstanding. The music is small alternative music, a bit folk like. The only poor moment is when William arrives with his paintballs and the 1812 overture plays very loudly. It was an abrupt music choice, that over powered the scene.

The DVD includes Theatrical Trailer, Deleted Scenes (some fairly funny out takes), a Making of featurette, a well done documentary about Nakotah LaRance a 16 year old Hoop Dancing Champion. And the usual director commentary.

The film is more or less PG. There is a moment when somebody makes a wise crack joke about "women with male genetalia." It happens so quickly and is somewhat oblique, that most younger viewers probably wouldn't notice. Otherwise, this is an excellent intelligent family film. A pleasant hour and a half.

I absolutely love this movie. It was recommended to me by a friend who knows the director. I was like "great, an independent film YAY"(I'm being sarcastic); however, I was shockingly surprised. This movie has a great story line. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, keeps you laughing/crying, and you get a little knowledge on Native Americans. I also love the fact that I know where every location is in this movie. I have watched this movie over a dozen times and I've passed it around to all my coworkers who ended up loving it also. I would highly recommend getting this movie. You certainly will not be disappointed. It's worth every penny.

I watched this movie on PBS the other night and just fell in love with it Robert Guthrie is a wonderful actor just love him. Hope to see him in more films to come. I recommend this movie to everyone it is just a great movie.
K in Washington

I have watched this movie more times than the average person would think of watching it, and I am going to watch it again. Every time I watch it I get a little more out of the Actors,and out of the story. I always walk away smiling and feeling good. The Native American scenes were great, and I thought it gave a positive statement to them. Th brown bag seen was a gift for those who stereo type thme. It had everything a good movie should have.
Laughing,crying, worrying, loving, and action.

I found this movie to be a truly delightful experience. There were wonderful little surprises throughout the movie. I highly recommend it to anyone.