MovieChat Forums > Little Athens Discussion > Loved it

Loved it

posted 17 years ago by oliverhugo76
8 replies | jump to latest

Just finished watching this movie, felt impelled to come here and post....A lot of people dont have the attention span to enjoy anything that doesnt beep and whirr and spin and jump-cut every milli-second. So I'm sure we can immediately cut out half the movie-going audience for this one straight away. But despite its contemplative pace, I thought this was a beautifully crafted and engaging character driven film. Great performances, particularly from Michael Pena (as always), Rachel Miner (who additionally, looks stunning as a blond) and Kenny Morrison as the cuckholded boyfriend. Killer soundtrack too. The Plebz and Poets & Pornstars are two local LA bands I've seen around the Sunset Strip for years, it was surprising and gratifying to hear them on a soundtrack, kudos Mr, Music Supervisor. Kudos to all in fact....reply here if you have thoughts to share boys and girls.

[–] larry-411 17 years ago

Loved the post! I totally agree. I saw the film twice at the Philadelphia Film Festival and wrote about the film here:

http://blogs.pro-networks.org/phileysmiley/#a000145
http://blogs.pro-networks.org/phileysmiley/#a000146

I think my favorite actor was John Patrick Amedori as Jimmy. Everybody else's stories whirl around him, and while everyone else is part of a duo or group, he's all alone.

[–] oliverhugo76 17 years ago

Just read your review. Beautifully articulated Larry. Spot on. I agree with you about Amedori too, i think i neglected to mention him because he was such a given. Its his movie in so many ways.

Something quite extrodinary i think you'll appreciate; Did you notice the color motifs Zuber picked for the various story lines? I missed it the first time i saw the film, and it was a lovely discovery upon subsequent visits. There is an ongoing blue colored motif, for example in the DJ Quails/ Jorge Garcia story. You will notice blue objects dominating the art design/set decoration in every scene (Blue Moped/ The swimming Pool/ Blue ashtrays front of frame etc) and then I think it was the Rachel Miner story line was dominated by yellows, there was a green-line in the Pena story etc.Then by the time all the characters congregate together in the final scene the colors are desaturated (or perhaps merged ?) into a grey pallette.

I was wondering if this was just accidental, or perhaps just the imaginings of an entirely too pretentious movie-lovers mind (mine) but i was fortunate enough to attend a Little Athens screening Q & A at the CineVegas Festival, and asked Zuber, who looked a little spooked when he affirmed my presumptions- i think he prehaps he didnt think anyone had noticed and wondered if he should have bothered in the first place.

Thats the sort of attention to detail and craftmanship i feel is sadly missing these days, and that sets Zuber apart, I think he should be a really interesting film-maker to watch over the next few years.

Anyway thanks for post. I will check in on your blog in the future.

[–] larry-411 17 years ago

Thanks so much for the kind words. I truly appreciate it.

You can see some of the color palette in action at the official site:
http://www.littleathens.com/index1024.htm

Just let the page sit and watch the images change.

[–] Bunnyluv0012 17 years ago

great movie.

[–] larry-411 17 years ago

Cool! I was hoping some folks who picked up the DVD would start posting. I'm so glad more people are getting the chance to see it now.

[–] Ckrisis 17 years ago

I found the movie to be very realistic,some situations reminded me of my life and my friends. One of those movies that make you question your life.

[–] peterdi315 17 years ago

I really enjoyed it. I agree that the lives it presented were realistic, even the more extreme events are close to things I've seen or read about in the news.

Funny though, I can't say it had me at hello. It took me a few minutes to get the tone and get into it (only a few). The first moment that really grabbed me was in the police car with Eric Szmanda (the speed trap). Loved that! After that I knew to expect surprises and got that the film has a great mix of drama and comedy -- something I always love.

I also agree with the original poster about the actors -- Rachel Miner, Michael, Pena, John Patrick Amedori, also Szmanda, DJ Qualls, Jorge Garcia, Shawn Hatosy. I'm forgetting people I liked. I'll get back on that when I've seen it again and can list the names of all my favorites. It's a great young cast. I can't recall anyone who I thought did a poor job or was miscast -- and there are a lot of people in this film!

[–] larry-411 17 years ago

I agree 100% with peterdi315. I couldn't have said it better myself.

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The world moves for love. It kneels before it in awe.