The Indie Scene - Running Funny, Beijing Haze

The Indie Scene is back with a new writer, Anthony T and some interesting films that are out in the underground, festival and arthouse film circuits. We will be covering all genres here, so there is variety for all you a film lovers. Each column will be monthly and will contain two or three reviews. Some shorts, some feature length. Sometimes there will a central theme to each columns. I’ll talk more about it at the end of this column. Without further ado, on to the reviews.

Running Funny
Year: 2009
Director: Anthony Grippa
Studio: Lifesize Entertainment
Stars: Maximillian Osinki, Gene Gallerano, Louis Zorich,
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 77 Mins.
Official Website: http://www.runningfunnymovie.com/



“Running Funny” is based on a play that focuses on two college graduates that rent an apartment garage, from a blind veteran. During the course of a month, one of them realizes that he has more in common with the veteran, than his best friend. While the other graduate is so desperate to find a real job and not depend on his parents. Can they sustain their friendship, during these tough times?

To put my feeling towards “Running Funny”, this film felt like a good play that doesn’t translate well onto film. Co-writer and director, Anthony Grippa’s direction was good, for the most part. I liked how, he captures the interior and exterior scenery of the garage that the two main characters lived in. It made it like another character, because about two-thirds of the film takes place in that one area. But what made his direction suffer; the way Grippa directs his actors. The acting felt sour and unenergetic. The film really had no energy to it, as the actors were given one note and they had to play that note through out the film. Maybe, it had to do something more with the material than given to them, but still I would have liked to have seen some personality to these characters.

But my major problem with this film has to do with its screenplay. The screenplay had design of a play, not a feature film. It felt lifeless, as there was nothing in the material that would keep your interest. Grippa and the author of the original play, Charles Evered keep this film contained in one place, for a majority of the film. It made the film feel like it had no comedic action, as the characters don’t seem energetic, as they felt flat and dull. That didn’t make me interested in the characters, which was needed in order get the film and it’s humor. Speaking of the humor, it was non-existent. Everytime there was attempt at it, the film dull tone drowns that out. That made me not interested with anything that was going on. I was waiting for funny to happen, but when you think something is going to happen; the film’s lifeless tone drowns it out, which made the action boring.

“Running Funny” is a film that could have been better, but falls flat in humor and storytelling departments.

Review Rating: 2 Stars


Beijing Haze
Year: 2008
Director: JP Chan
Studio: Medium 10-12
Stars: Jo Mei
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 11 Mins.

Here's a clip from Bejing Haze:



During my coverage of the Danger After Dark portion of the 2009 Philadelphia Film festival, I had a chance to review JP Chan’s latest film I Sleep, Before I Dream, which was one of the standout shorts from that festival. This time I review the film that was made before that one, Beijing Haze.

The film is about immigrant who has flashback of the last day that she spend in her homeland, before moving to America. She views America, as her hazy dream of the future. Now living in the country, she can’t help to remember about her past that’s becoming a hazy memory.

Beijing Haze is a visually entertaining film that is on par with J.P Chan’s other film ”I Don’t sleep, I Dream”. The direction was very good. Chan does a good job using the locations to create a realistic tone that this film has. It makes the story and the main character more interesting. He also does a good with the short along, as it never speed up or slows down. It helps make the film interesting, not boring. Chan also did a good job directing his lead actress in this film. He spends time making the performance realistic and someone that you can relate to. That’s needed, for a film like to succeed.

Chan’s screenplay was also good, as this is more realistic than his previous film.The realism the screenplay has helps make the whole character, very lifelike. It makes the screenplay works, as it the main character accessible to the viewer. The character wasn’t confusing at all. Chan creates a character that is like someone that you would see, in real life. He also makes this more of a character study, which really helped me become invested with the main character that made this an entertaining film.

“Beijing Haze” is a very entertaining little character study piece that will leave you daydreaming.

Review Rating: Four Stars

I hope you enjoyed The Indie Scene. In next month edition, I will spotlight the Canadian Independent scene, by reviewing three films from Canada, including The Butler Brothers latest film, “The Notorious Newman Brothers”.

If you want you film review on “The Indie Scene”, contact Anthony T at anthonythurber@filmarcade.net.