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Reviews
The Telephone Game (2015)
"The Telephone Game" at the Edina Film Festival
You probably played it as a child. You'd whisper a story into someone'sear, and they in turn would whisper it to another and by the time the story had gotten back to you it would be completely different from the original story. This is the theme for the "The Telephone Game" that was shown at the Edina Film Festival Thursday night. Shot entirely in black and white; Marco (Wesley Charles Tank) portrays the director/writer who insists on starring in his own production, only to fall in love with its lead actress Zelphia (brilliantly played by Haley Chamberlain). Slicing and splicing multiple emotions "The Telephone Game" shows us a glimpse inside the creative process and what one will do to keep the original idea intact. Written and directed by Jason Schumacher, "The Telephone Game" approaches all levels; from relationships to friendships, creative to artistic, reality to fiction and how the lines are blurred between each.
Zelphia (Chamberlain) brings a vulnerability and realness to her character as we watch Zelphia suffer for her craft and relationship while bravely attempting to be objective with her fellow cast mates. Wesley Charles Tank brings a "mad scientist" layer to his character Marco; as he struggles to keep his artistic vision and his identity separate from his character all while keeping the chaos of production at bay. The rest of the cast is brilliant as they try to figure out what Marco's motives really are and what his play is really about.
I felt the play portion itself was quite confusing, for the viewer never really knows what it is really about. There were several scenes about dancing monkeys, the capturing of diamonds and several references to gardening. Perhaps the meaning was there and it escaped me. Perhaps it's not important for it eventually shifts from its original idea to something almost unrecognizable as Marco and his vision are cast aside. The film was scattered with funny lines of sarcasm throughout which brought more depth and empathy to its characters especially during scenes between Marco and Zelphia; capturing a glimpse of the intimacy between the two outside of the theater.
All in all, Mr. Schumacher has written an intelligent little film giving us a glimpse of the creative process, relationships, and how blurred line between fiction and reality can be. I would recommend seeing it if you enjoy experimental theater and films which are a bit more than entertaining but thought provoking as well.
Potpourri (2011)
Potpourri Premieres at Riverview Theater
Filmed and based here in the Twin Cities, "Potpourri" showcases the psychedelic experiences of a group of local college students cramming to turn in their final philosophy papers. While "Potpourri" is classified as a, "musical, comedy, satire, zombie film," we would classify it as mainly a humorous B-movie akin to the "Return of the Living Dead" movies. The story is built around college students Perry (Punnavith Koy), Emma (Janelle Kidd), Noah (Ryan Kiser), Hayden (Mike Borka), Marnie (Shannon McDonough), Will (Brent Stariha) and Frankie (Brandon Van Vliet) taking a variety of drugs to assist them in writing their final philosophy papers. Each goes on strange, but funny trip. Perry (Koy) transports himself into medieval times and rescues the displaced Princess. Emma (Kidd) is taken to jail for accosting an officer who she mistakes for Santa. Marnie (McDonough) hallucinates that her philosophy books are singing. Will (Stariha) has a vision of himself as a prophet, Noah (Kiser) seems to transplant himself between all portions of the story, while Frankie (Van Vliet) hallucinates the zombie apocalypse - the most blood squirting, gut spilling portion of the movie that seems to bring the stories together for an eventual resolvable, and happy, ending.
Does it make sense? Yes and no. While the cinematography and musical score were pretty good, the screenplay itself seemed more complicated than it needed to be. Noah (Kiser) could seemingly travel back in time, alter his choices and create a new future (e.g., multiverse theory), though it was not explained why (or how) he could do it but he seemed to improve upon it as the movie progressed to the point where he could do it at will. The theory behind it was explained at one point so the viewer has an idea of how it worked.
The acting left something to be desired with either under-acting at some points (Perry (Koy) or great over-acting (Officer O'Donnell (Sidney) their roles. Perhaps it was intended? We weren't quite sure. Marnie (McDonough) and Hayden (Borka) were enjoyable to watch and left us wanting to see more of their characters, either through silly singing or bickering with the homo-phobic, douche bags who screamed like little girls. Gary Keast truly seems to fit his role as Killgore, a beaten down, seen-it-all zombie cop. The shining moments were the singing sections (Consternation Cinema) and of course the zombie apocalypse. Usually hating random singing in movies, it seemed to work adding a good dose of over-the-top" comedy to liven it up.
Overall, I'd say give "Potpourri" a watch. If you enjoy funny B-movies like "The Return of the Living Dead" and "The Evil Dead," you might just be a fan of "Potpourri."