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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Overall amateurish production, November 23, 2008
This review is from: Flowers (DVD)
From the opening scene of Flowers, the viewer will clearly realize that this is not a professional production, as the film quality is more akin to that of a TV movie than a major motion picture. Unfortunately, the remainder of the film is suggestive of something which might have been completed as a student project.
The entire basic setup of the plot is wildly implausible. David, clearly a geeky, awkward teenager, has a crush on Kathy, the most popular girl in the school (although she is certainly not the type of girl one would typically expect in that role). When he accidentally runs into Kathy in the woods, she not only knows his name but also invites him to come along on an overnight camping trip with her and her boyfriend, Andrew--sounds pretty far-fetched, doesn't it? Of course, David readily agrees, but after going to sleep at the campsite, he somehow wakes up in his own bed, seemingly the next day. In his confusion--and with the help of an angel--he discovers that four weeks have actually gone by. Apparently, something horrible has happened during that time, and he must discover what he did or try to forgive and forget.
If this sounds corny and outright ridiculous, that's because it is. The acting is okay, but frankly, the actors aren't really given much to work with in terms of the dialogue. If this film HAD been a school project, I would say it was an impressive effort, but as a movie available on Amazon to be purchased by a general audience, I certainly can't recommend it.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Awful, November 24, 2008
This review is from: Flowers (DVD)
This DVD is so bad, it's hard to know where to start in terms of reviewing it.
It's embarrassing, really. It's a bunch of amateur kids who look as if they are filming in a backyard. From the very first scene, where one kid's comments are "tripping" over another in awkwardness, I thought "Hooboy..."
After the "angel" appeared and began quoting the Bible, I realized that this was really an attempt to get people to convert to Christianity. It was then that I turned it off.
This DVD was pitched to me--both via email and by snail mail--as a "psychological thriller". It was not.
The initial scenario is entirely preposterous: a girl is going to go camping, alone, with her boyfriend. She hasn't been alone with him for a long time, so they're looking forward to it. After a chance meeting in the woods with a fellow schoolmate riding his bike through the woods, the girl--on her way to meet the boyfriend--asks HIM to come along camping.
Hello? What about that makes sense?
And yeah, the scenes that follow are embarrassing and unbelievable as the three "camp" together and try to make small talk (but even the girl is treating the other guy funny...which begs the question: "Why did she bother asking him to come along in the first place?")
The character's makeup was horrendous (the main character looked like he had TONS of brown make-up on at first, making him appear very odd. I think this was their attempt to make him look quite "different" after the angel encounter where he is now fresh faced...and with a better hair cut), the dialogue stammering, forced, and stilted. The plot was uninteresting, especially after the bizarre, nonsensical invitation to go camping "out of the blue".
Imagine a bunch of 14 year-olds in their back yard trying to make a movie with an old-school hand held camera and you'll get a decent idea of how bad Flowers is.
And to think that they're actually SELLING it on Amazon.com...well, almost seems a crime at ANY price.
Kids, do yourself a favor and get a mentor who's a film professional...or, better yet, enroll in film school. And DO NOT submit your first tries to Amazon.com (or anywhere else) as a finished movie!
As a former minister who has seen her share of poorly produced and acted films intented to either convert "unbelievers" or keep the pew-ridden fearful and repentant, this ranks as probably the worse I've ever seen.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Independent Film Lovers Take Note, January 26, 2009
This review is from: Flowers (DVD)
FLOWERS is a film that is targeted towards underground/art house cinema lovers. Although the budget is low, what sticks out in this film are the characters and their story.
David goes camping with Kathy and Andrew. Suddenly, he finds himself lying in his bed at home.
"Was the trip a dream? Did it happen last night? How did I end up here?" - All questions that are running through David's head.
Thus begins his journey as he travels to the place they camped - only to discover the trip did in fact happen. Then, looking for help, he goes to his closest friend - who apparently knows something David doesn't. And finally his search brings him back home where he confronts Kathy and discovers the horrific truth.
The transformation that David, well played by Austin Carty, gradually experiences throughout the extraordinary circumstances he finds himself in is the most compelling element of this tale. We first see David as a shy "nerdy" teenager, that can barely carry on a normal conversation ... but by the end he has become a leading man that steps out of his shell in order to take action in doing the right thing.
The other major character who undergoes change is Kathy. Although, the character doesn't quite change as much as the audience's perspective of her does. Kathy is the object of David's infatuation. At first she seems to be sweet enough - an attractive girl that extends an invitation to David, despite his uncomfortable conversation skills. However, as her and David's relationship progresses, we discover that she is a temptress and full of folly.
The visual story telling and the music are certainly worthy of recognizing.
Aaron Babcock, the composer, did an outstanding job creating atmosphere. His unique sounds and memorable themes make the film feel whole.
The shot selection, framing, movement, and coloring were dynamic and intentional in telling the story. From smooth dollies, to subtle static shots ... each moment has the feeling of being carefully planned. The lighting and coloring help tell a whole other level of the story. It seems that as David discovers more truths of his past and actions, his world becomes more and more disappointing to him. Thus, the colors used become more and more bleak - as if the color is being sucked out.
FLOWERS certainly has some "unreal" moments, but when you let yourself get absorbed by the world and characters you're able to let them slide and find yourself greatly anticipating what happens next.
Most will also enjoy some of the features on the DVD. Getting a glimpse into the making of the movie with the "On Set Footage" is inspiring to see how much can be done with what little was used to complete this project.
A movie that's not for everyone ... but if you look for something deeper in your movie watching, then this is the kind of film you wait for.
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