Customer Reviews

Hard Scrambled 2-Dvd Set (The Feature Film Plus "Film School in a Box": 20 Filmmaking Tutorials on Directing, Screenwriting, Producing, Editing, Fundraising, Publicity, and Much More)

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

 

 

David Scott Hay's HARD SCRAMBLED is an example of the kind of film we should be seeing more of - crisp, dramatic, edgy work with unusual character dynamics and seasoned actors given a chance to really show what they can do. Hay is an accomplished playright, and this kind of work is common for the stage, where the almighty dollar isn't so concretely the focus of every decision. In movies, however, it all too often is, which is a shame, because it prevents us from seeing more movies like this. HARD SCRAMBLED is what indie film SHOULD be, the off-broadway equivelent for Hollywood.

I probably should point out that my praise is solely for the film. The second disc of documentaries is pretty dry and dull, but moreover almost exludes the writer/director and seems to serve as a piece of shameless self-promotion for the producers, who take credit for everything good and blame David Scott Hay for every mistake.

So forget the "film school in a box" bonus junk. See HARD SCRAMBLED for itself.

This is a smart old-school drama. Shades of Lumet, Mamet and early Scoresese. And the 2 hours of bonus material really are like "film school in a box."

This movie is wonderful, and Kurtwood Smith is as good as he ever was. The bonus material is great and really goes in depth about the movie. All of the actors are extraordinary, especially Beth Grant who plays a wonderful Alice. The film has its moments, and shows off Kurtwood's badassness in the movie. Overall, I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who likes dramas, or great acting.