Nice Photography and Scenery, Not Much Else!
Cuthbert J. Twiddle | Sacramento, CA USA | 04/03/2009
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Apparently this movie never even had a theatrical release and went straight to video since there is not one review of it on Rotten Tomatoes, at least at the date I'm writing this. That's probably as it should be because it's unfortunately just not a very good film. I caught it on Starz and am glad I didn't pay $10 bucks to see it at a theater. The photography is quite good, the scenery nice (even if it is the Santa Barbara CA area masquerading as Vermont!), the acting adequate but the plot line and script are both predictable and unbelievable especially in the last half of the film. It's a movie that I really wanted to like but just couldn't warm to! Shame on the producer's brother for his over-inflated review (more a shameless plug!) of this definitely mediocre flick!"
Stupid, and the west coast location is very distracting...
J. J. Ives | San Francisco, CA | 03/08/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I will start by saying the first 5 star review was written by Jed Selkowitz, the brother of Adam Selkowitz, who is one of the producers of this very mediocre movie. While I find this conflict of interest unseemly, it is apparently not in violation of Amazon's review policy.
It was very hard to get into the story when they keep talking about being in Vermont, all the while showing what is clearly a west coast setting- dry, brown grass and scrub oak. The "700 year old oak tree" they show appears to be a western live oak! The hills surrounding the lake are bare and brown, with what appears to be some remnants of a forest fire (lots of scrub and a few trees)!
This movie was in fact filmed entirely in Los Olivos, California, and boy howdy, does it show!
There is a reason the mountains in Vermont are called the "Green Mountains"- it's because they are GREEN! The name "Vermont" means "Green Mountain".
I can handle a few mistakes in details, but this is like making a movie about life in New York City and filming it in Tijuana, Mexico! it is just too much! The story is much too trite to cover up this blunder.
Did the filmmaker really believe it wouldn't be noticed?
If you've never seen the United States, then perhaps you won't notice- but if you have then you will have trouble suspending your disbelief.
The story itself is sappy, trite and derivative.
Seen a boy meets girl flick before? Then you needn't bother with this drivel.
That they were able to get any funding for this waste of celluloid is a real testament as to the sorry state of Hollywood today.
If I could un-watch this, I would!
Avoid this film. See "The Movie Hero" instead. Low budget, but brilliantly done.
Shame on Adam Selkowitz for enlisting relatives to review his work.
If it can't stand on it's own merits, then let it go, man. It's gone.
Bottom line: Terrible movie made worse by stupid location. They didn't even try."
Incredible Family Film!
J. Selkowitz | Atlanta, GA USA | 11/26/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Truly a great film for family and friends alike. This is a terrific first effort by these filmmakers. Beautifully shot, this film brings together a young adult's struggle with his own identity and finding himself. The strong cast (you'll know them all when you see them) credibly delivers this 'coming of age' story in a witty, authentic and humorous way. Rent it or buy it for the family."