Filmbalaya’s Calindra and Adam both saw Spring Breakers this weekend.  Here are their reactions. Calindra’s is written in black and Adam’s is in red.

Skrillex’s “scary monsters and nice sprites” drops in on a sick bass line for the introduction to Spring Breakers, which is really no indication of what this film is really about. Still, it bothered people enough to shake a few movie-goers out of the theater. I on the other hand was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying this rather shocking cast starring the likes of Salena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens, whom I thought were Disney stars. Well, turns out not only are their characters bad asses, but co-starring with James Franco as a drug dealing gangsta, they are also one seriously hot cast.

Creative and dripping with dark humor, Harmony Korine brings to life another film to add to the classics. His writing and directing style is unique and powerful which is so refreshing in this day and age. Artistic time jumps added to the suspense, and throughout the movie I found myself seriously invested in the intense parts while laughing my ass off at others (not louder than Adam though, no one laughs louder than Adam!). Overall, the violence, drugs, and masked madness were really a thrill. I’ll need to see it again soon to pick up on the bits I missed. – Calindra Jeralin

Adam’s take on the movie, after the jump. Read More…

Road To Hell

A soldier’s madness leads him on a dark journey to find Ellen; whom he believes will lead him back to his purpose in life.  On the road to Edge City he discovers two strippers who have been on a bloody killing spree.

Talk about bad horror movies, Road to Hell is cheap horror with a touch of musical catastrophe.  In my opinion I could have done without the musical bits.  More strippers, mainly more scenes with Clare Kramer being a sexy bad ass, and more blood would have made this movie much easier to watch. If we’re being completely honest, for the last part of the movie I was literally in pain watching Michael Pare’s bad soap opera acting, and I may have muted the last scene out of necessity to my sanity.

If you really loved this movie and hate my review at least know that if we had half stars here at Filmbalaya I would have given this movie one and a half stars.  As it stands, Adam still refuses to even consider such an idea.  So one star it is.

Showtimes for Road to Hell: Thursday, December 6th 9:00pm (Roxie Theatre) Read More…

More Than the Rainbow

Every artist who is inspired by the city they live in will relate to this film in where ex-cabby Matt Weber explores his own journey to becoming a street photographer.  As a photographer I envy Matt’s nostalgic style and would love to become better acquainted with his body of work.  As an actor I could see less of him.  His awkward in your face attitude allows him to get the great shots.  Fitting into this artistic mold, director Dan Wechsler seems to capture a similar style and technique. In a style reminiscent of old New York, smooth jazz permeates thru the scenes and sets a perfect back drop for this controversal conversation about photography and its mediums. Read More…

Ok, well this actually is California, but this amazing documentary actually comes to us from Germany and man are you in for a treat. Born and raised in sunny California, I love the skaters and misfits who create such an eclectic scene. Their long hair blow’n in the wind as they whoosh by on their boards; their shirtless bodies sending messages of rebellion and giving me a sense of normality. But across the world in the 1970′s this was not an acceptable lifestyle under the GDR (German Democratic Republic), nor was this way of life understood. Read More…

As Californians we are no strangers to the idea of immigrants both legal and illegal, deportation, and the lines between human compassion and international laws. Color of the Ocean, directed by Maggie Paren, touches on important human reactions to freedom or the lack there of.

In this interesting story of a father and son risking their lives for freedom, the topic of refugees and deportation raises many questions about loyalty and explores some very relatable emotions. Through a series of character development and transformations you as the viewer are guided into your own opinions about these very relevent circumstances. Read More…

Film Briefs is our way of giving our opinion on films we might not necessarily have the time to review in full.  This is a column where we sum up our feelings about the last few movies we saw and throw ‘em up just to give you an idea of what’s out there.

Follow the jump to see briefs for Keep The Lights On, Lawless, and Samsara Read More…

I had the great pleasure of seeing Robot & Frank at the International Film Festival this year and what a crowd pleaser it was! From the moment I sat in those delicious seats on the balcony at the Kabuki Theater and felt the crowds excitement I knew I had chosen the right film to watch that night. I would have to say this one landed in my top 3 for the entire festival, along side of Rebellion (2011), originally titled L’ordre et la morale.   The Q&A afterward gave me insight into this emotional tale and also into the great personalities of Director Jake Schreier and writer Christopher D. Ford.  I think having a chance to see through their eyes the struggles and what it took to make this film a reality made me fall in love with it even more.

This simple tale of a trouble maker growing old is filled with heart, comedy, and a star studded cast. Along side of Frank Langella (playing frank) is James Marsden playing his son and Liv Tyler as his worldly daughter. If you recognize the robots voice that is because it is none other than Peter Sarsgaard. Another great performance by Susan Sarandon launches this ”Futuristically realistic” story of love and heists into a great film. This is not just a silly robot movie. Read More…

“Memory was a big part of what this film was about; memory and subjectivity and the way in which you rely on your instincts.”

The Imposter, as described by its IMDB page is a documentary centered on a young Frenchman who convinces a grieving Texas famil”y that he is their 16-year-old son who went missing for 3 years and opens in San Francisco Friday August 3rd at The Embarcadero Center Cinemas.

As a preface to this interview i would like to start by saying that; this was my second interview and although nervous beyond words, I found myself not only excited about its outcome, but also pleasantly surprised in its content.  Bart Layton I can only describe as modest and charming.  Him and producer Dimitri Doganis talk about their craft with passion and ease.  I look forward to seeing more of their work in the future.  Click the jump to read my interview with both Dimitri and Bart

Read More…