RED, WHITE & WASTED
Mudding is everything to Video Pat, and as his cherished Florida mudholes are no more, his passion is ripped away and his way of life is undoubtedly questioned. Directors Andrei Bowden Schwartz and Sam B. Jones’ pertinent, unapologetic documentary is not simply about one man and a redneck hobby. It’s much deeper than that. We bare witness to a community that’s almost an afterthought, their means of making a living dwindling as amusement parks continue to take what they want.
Additionally, Schwartz and Jones explore the ideals and beliefs Video Pat, along with his family and friends, carry and the passing of those through the generations. Given the current situation of our divisive country, not too many will be surprised of their way of thinking. This is a strong case in which we are all products of our environment. Hatred, confusion, resilience, and empathy come out in this true story of survival that undoubtedly will be seen as provocative. And whether you agree with anything, everything, or nothing that’s said and shown – it’s nevertheless immersing to watch.
HOMEWRECKER
Co-writers and leading ladies Precious Chong and Alex Essoe have a killer time going at each other verbally and violently in a cuckoo cat fight where the last woman standing wins! Chong in particular is a firecracker, her psychotic performance is just what the doctor ordered. Then there’s the twisted tone with themes of loneliness and obsession that are a match made in heaven; but director Zach Gayne’s handling of this horror comedy falls flat, doing a disservice to both genres by not investing enough in either one to be enjoyable. So, when the shit hits the fan towards the end, it barely leaves a scratch.
THE WANTING MARE
Writer and director Nicholas Ashe Bateman constructs an inexplicable story that spans generations and deals with a dream of a pastime that’s dead and gone. But it’s not actually about the dream, yet rather a ticket that gets you to an island where the meaning of it can be found. Make sense? It’s like Willy Wonka, but confusing, trifling, and way more depressing.
Visually, Bateman shows great strength in setting the scene, laying out a grand landscape for his assortment of crushed characters to suffer in. And the cast do their best to make it work – though having that critical connection to those on screen is difficult to establish since the time jumps that are rapidly thrown in leave no time for that. With an overall numbing viewing experience, deciphering through the film’s vagueness, symbolisms, and its overall objective isn’t worth the effort. It wouldn’t do any good even if you tried.
MORE CHATTANOOGA FILM FESTIVAL 2020 COVERAGE
Brittany Fernandez: Features
Brittany Fernandez: Live Events
Brittany Fernandez: Shorts
Brandon Vick: Recap, Part 1
Brandon Vick: Recap, Part 2
Brandon Vick: Recap, Part 3
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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