Baghead

I've been late getting into the world of "mumblecore", but this foray has left me with a taste for more.

Mumblecore stalwarts the Duplass brothers' 2008 genre-mashing film Baghead is a fresh, funny, honest look at the relationship between four friends. The killer-in-the-woods angle is played up for the trailer...


...but in reality, it's much closer to a dramedy. All four leads deliver rock-solid performances, and the lo-fi feel of the production doesn't detract at all from the story. It saddens me a little that the brothers D appear to be going in a more "Hollywood" direction with their upcoming feature Cyrus.


Of course, it's their artistic vision, and their right to go in whatever direction they feel best...but I hope they keep turning out more homespun, no-budget gems that provide the multitude of unknown talent in the "biz", both on- and off-camera, a chance to shine.

Also, not to pick on Roger Ebert, but he is really getting the "crotchety old man" voice down pat in his reviews. I can't remember the last time I agreed with him, frankly. See my colleague SB7's well-deserved takedown of his lazy, illogical piece critiquing 3D. I'm not gung-ho about 3D either, but if I ever feel the need to tell you why via a numerical list, I'll make sure to include a few bullet points that elementary schoolers couldn't refute.