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Reviews
Murder on the Yellow Brick Road (2005)
"Old Hollywood" Strikes Gold Again!
Murder on the Yellow Brick Road is a sharp, sexy, visually-stunning throw-back to "Old Hollywood." I was immediately seduced by this crime story of the heart. The acting truly makes the film. KEN BUTLER's intense portrayal of Joe Patterson definitely stood out. With eyes that stare right through you, this no-nonsense detective takes full command of the screen.
I was particularly impressed by the relationship between his character and Elwood Dick, played by the rugged & lovable ROSS HAGEN. This twosome embodies the ultimate in male camaraderie & tough love. It was a pleasure watching the talented actors play off one another so effortlessly and with such realism. HAGEN's gravelly narration takes us back to another time - a time worth revisiting. A final performance well worth highlighting is that of CHARLENE FERNETZ as Rachel Dowd. She brought a beauty and a charisma to the film not otherwise present. Clearly an talent trained in naturalism, she was a joy to watch.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road - you won't be sorry...
Briar Patch (2002)
With this darkly magical tale of true love and murder, Director Zev Berman establishes himself as a creative force to be reckoned with.
This is one of those films. The kind that stays with you for days. Continues to haunt you with the beauty of its images. Stirs up a chilling current of passion that begs to be released. One of those films that unfurls too much raw beauty not be considered a work of art.
"Plain Dirty" is the first feature film (hard to believe) for AFI grad, Director Zev Berman. A rare literary & visual triumph, this film delivers the richness of Southern landscape with a cinematic finery rarely achieved. From the opening title sequence to the last leaf of the Briar Patch, Berman proves himself a true master of detail.
Combined with an emotive, suspenseful score, & a playfully sinister aura, "Plain Dirty" beckons us into its Southern Gothic world. This artful tale of true love and murder (never so magically linked) is layered with the nuance of a brilliant, young director. With references to age-old allegories, the language of "Plain Dirty" almost sings with description - thanks to screenwriter, Deborah Pryor.
Berman shows the gentle & poetic restraint of a true veteran of cinema and will certainly be one to watch in the next decade of film-making. He seems to make his points in fitful stabs that penetrate your consciousness. But, a nurturer, he is quick to temper the audience's pain with humor - the kind that is born from the tragedy of real life. In this case, Southern life.
A charismatic & daring director, Berman also instinctively knows when to leave his audience to its own imagery. He teasingly pans away from a much-anticipated sex scene with Dominique Swain's character, "Inez." A less mature, showy director might have "sold out" for the almost expected flash of flesh. (Particularly with leading lady, Swain, known for her erotic debut in "Lolita.")
Instead, one is struck by Berman's control, his ability to whet the audience's appetite. And leave us panting in our seats for more.
Berman clearly has tremendous communication with his actors. Under his direction, Swain gives a tour-de-force performance that brings her (thankfully) out of her role as "teeny-bopper sex-film Goddess," and into the realm of serious actor. In "Plain Dirty," she transcends stereotypes with the raw grit and youthful anguish of a respected performer. Emotional territory previously unclaimed by her.
The juxtaposition of all of these riveting elements proves startling. And not to be missed. "Plain Dirty" is not only a work of art, but an incredible vehicle to launch Director, Zev Berman, into the forefront of today's film scene. From the likes of Berman, this is only the beginning . . .