A Review of Anthony Pedone's Documentary "Camp Casserole"

“CAMP CASSEROLE”

Anthony Pedone gives us an intimate look behind the scenes of a movie set. “Camp Casserole” is an entertaining joy ride into movie making, with Director Steve Balderson at the wheel. What kind of Camp is “Camp Casserole”, you ask? Is there a membership needed or can anyone join? Well before you can get started down the road on this journey, you have to ask yourself: What is family?

Family: is a group of individuals who co-exist with one another over an extended period, which is the basis of what Anthony Pedone’s documentary “Camp Casserole” shows us.  A group of actors, cameramen, grips, scriptwriters, etc are all assembled by Director Steve Balderson for his new movie “The Casserole Club”. Steve Balderson assembles only the best to join his family…the best meaning his instincts are sharp in making the family fit. While watching the documentary you will laugh, become excited and emotional as you follow this band of actors through their daily lives as they make a movie.  You feel yourself wanting to be a part of the high jinks and closeness each person has with one another. Anthony Pedone reveals to us that they all live together, cook for each other, and take care of one another. 

“Camp Casserole” takes you behind “The Casserole Club” telling you where the story came from, as screenwriter Frankie Krainz and actor Susan Traylor talk about the story and how it turned into the movie it is today.  You then have Jane Wiedlin, who is the fun loving prankster of the group. You are also taken on a special trip of “Gorilla filmmaking” which takes you out of town so they can record actor Starina Johnson screaming.  To round out the group you have Nic Roewert, Mark Booker, Pleasant Gehman, Garrett Swan, Michael Maize, Kevin Richardson and Daniela Sea, each of who share their feelings on what Steve Balderson is doing for the movie industry and their thoughts on the future. As “Camp Casserole” closes, you do not want it to end. You want the fun and the movie making to continue…and actually, you know deep down inside that, the ending was only the beginning.

“Camp Casserole” is an excellent documentary directed by Anthony Pedone.  His honest portrayal of the inner workings of making a movie tug and pull at you allowing you to form a bond with everyone in the documentary. I loved the documentary so much that I actually watched it three times.  You come away feeling—wishing that you were a part of this theatre family. And honestly, if you’ve seen it…then you are.

STUCK! DVD review!!

SYNOPSIS

STUCK! is director Steve Balderson’s homage to film noir women-in-prison films.  Faithfully re-producing the genre with a modern, tongue-in-cheek twist, expect all the  hallmarks of a classic prison movie complete with a wrongly accused heroine, hard boiled dames, diabolical alliances, forbidden love, cat-fighting cuties, a sadistic warden, and corrupt prison guards.

STUCK! stars Karen Black, Susan Traylor, Jane Wiedlin, Mink Stole, Stacy Cunningham, Starina Johnson and Pleasant Gehman.  It’s the story of Daisy, an innocent young woman framed for killing her mother.  Condemned by the press and the public, Daisy is found guilty of murder and sentenced to die by hanging.  This jazzy, finger-snapping, broads-behind-bars film is a throwback to another era, with terse Tennessee Williams-style verbal sparring, non-stop action and enough bad-girl jailhouse hi-jinks to make the audience lose the distinction between good and evil.

Steve Balderson has made a masterpiece!! He has taken campy prison girl movies and twisted it with noir-like elements.  A tragic heroine who is falsely accused of murder.  The one pointing the finger is none other than the infamous Karen Black!

Karen Black-the best kept secret of Hollywood.  You couldn't get a better actress to play a role.  All the other actresses are amazing as well--Susan Traylor, Mink Stole, Jane Wiedlin, Starina Johnson, Stacy Cunningham, Pleasant Gehman--each of these women did a fantastic job.  

So here is the story...

Poor little Daisy lives the life--and when I say life I mean she is trapped taking care of her sick mother.  But Daisy doesn't mind.  She loves her mother--but does she love her mother too much that death is the only answer.  Well when Daisy returns home with the groceries she ends up getting into a struggle with her mother over a gun, where a neighbor begins to watch the struggle.  That's when it all changes for Daisy.

She goes to trial and ends up in prison with four other women already on death row. Each of them tormented by one female guard they call "Amazon".  Through out the movie Daisy tries to prove her innocence, but they don't believe her and the only person who may know the truth is struggling herself on whether of not she should admit to being wrong.

And that brings us to the end...Does the neighbor fess up about possibly being wrong about what she saw that faithful day, so Daisy could go home and live her life?  You should watch the movie to find out. 

What I think about this movie...I loved it!! I give if five stars.  This movie talks about cages--Daisy lived in a cage her whole life.  The cage was a house where she took care of her mother and then the prison where she waited for life.  It's amazing how well it was all portrayed.  Also how each character had their own tragic life.  

Princess- she killed her own child, which broke her mentally.  She's now MeMe's child.

MeMe-she is the black widow.  She couldn't stop killing because it just became habit.

Esther- Is in for tax evasion and killing feds.

Dutch- a prostitute who killed a cop.

Daisy-the main character, who is accused of killing her mother.

Go out and get yourself a copy today.  You can purchase STUCK!  here http://www.dikenga.com/films/stuck/default.htm

or on Amazon.com.

Thank you!

The Killer Inside Me--Review

The Killer Inside Me was a very good movie (I have to say).  It is based on Jim Thompson's book of the same name, which was written in 1953.  The movie stars Casey Affleck as the gentleman, yet brutal, Lou Ford.  Lou Ford has a dark past which is awaken when he meets prostitute Joyce (Jessica Alba), where the two have lots of sex (and when I say sex I mean its a lot of sex and masochistic as well, hence when he spanks her with his belt and in one scene strangles her with it-nice).  Lou is supposed to run Joyce out of town because she is having sex with a union leader's son, whom Lou hates with a passion over what they did to his brother some years ago.  Can we say revenge!  

Well the set up is done and Lou has his own plan, even though he has made Joyce believe that they are going to run off together.  I shy away from giving you more details but this is actually an excellent movie.  I was surprised at Casey Affleck's performance.  He pulled off the part so well.  He had a great combination for sounding and acting like a sweet Texas gentleman, and then suddenly display this violent dark side, which made him come off as creepy.

Jessica Alba was good as well, showing more skin than I am use to seeing from her in any of her other films.  But her character was so naive and accepted the fact that she was a victim, unlike women now who would fight back.  

As for Kate Hudson's character Amy, the typical good girl--who wants a husband and loves Lou a lot.  Her character was smart and knew about Lou's dark side, but didn't care--because she loved him and wanted to be with him regardless.

This is typical Hard-boiled Noir! Great in all areas.  The ending was fantastic (well only if you understand what noir is and how movies or books like that end).  I will give you a brief example of a noir-film/book: The characters in a noir hate their surroundings.  They long to escape the trapping of their life and will do whatever it takes to get out.  They will also do whatever it takes to not go back to that old way of life as well. This may result in the character killing themselves and whomever is with them.  They also don't think what they have done is wrong.  They feel justified with the results--so a few people have to die for me to survive, so-be-it-kind-of-attitude. Nihilistic all the way.  

I suggest you keep an open mind when watching the movie and explore your dark side a little.  If you are a film student this is a great example of noir.  I am glad this movie was made in this year, because if it was made in the fifties then there would be a lot cut out.  I am also glad they didn't try to adapt it for modern times.  It would have become possibly silly and dry.  They would have to have a great director to modernize this movie or any other noir film.  They have tried but without success.

I hope you like this review and feel free to go to Amazon.com where both the book by Jim Thompson and the movie are available for purchase.  Thank you.