Gretna
28 Reviews
Reviews
The Unrested Soul
All the shots, sound, other technical aspects (even colour) were real good. Not 100% sold on the story, what was that crazy stepmum up to? Did she get hit by a train? Was that church the one in Waikumete Cemetery? I really enjoyed the part where the guy was wearing a tiny hat in the church.
Southdown
Lovely setting and colouring, no idea what was going on in the story but I don't think that in seeing 48 Hours films we really need to see hundreds of formulaic resolved stories. However I wished the guy had said Du hast meine Kannen gestohlen, why was he being polite to this thieving criminal
Indoors, with Geoff
When I first saw this at the heat I thought that it was okay but that the story lacked a bit towards the end. However since then I have retold the entire story shot for shot to at least three people all of whom have been put off bananas/Fijian hotdogs. Highlight of the year for me at 48 Hours, my personal favourite parts: -the fact that the guy is couch surfing in Auckland from Taranaki -the Limpbizkit beanie/NFL jersey combo -"What are you doing in me Richie?" -ridiculous eyelines in the stairwell scene -"I usually go for Europeans" -that Nicky was tied up with some kind of USB cable
Indoors, with Geoff
When I first saw this at the heat I thought that it was okay but that the story lacked a bit towards the end. However since then I have retold the entire story shot for shot to at least three people all of whom have been put off bananas/Fijian hotdogs. Highlight of the year for me at 48 Hours, my personal favourite parts: -the fact that the guy is couch surfing in Auckland from Taranaki -the Limpbizkit beanie/NFL jersey combo -"What are you doing in me Richie?" -ridiculous eyelines in the stairwell scene -"I usually go for Europeans" -that Nicky was tied up with some kind of USB cable
The Unrested Soul
All the shots, sound, other technical aspects (even colour) were real good. Not 100% sold on the story, what was that crazy stepmum up to? Did she get hit by a train? Was that church the one in Waikumete Cemetery? I really enjoyed the part where the guy was wearing a tiny hat in the church.
The List
Best fantasy adventure I've seen this year, I nearly cried with mirth when no-one went through a door and ended up in Waitakere or pranced around in a white dress. Action-fantasy-adventure excellent choice
Tryst
I was really into this film from the beginning, I've been to 9 heats and it's always nice to see a lead not played by one of those "guys who's really into film". I was a bit confused as to why this guy was always hanging out with his colleague though and I thought the story kind of diluted towards the end. Oh, I really liked the we've been in this position before part, what a position to end up in
Life in the Bus Lane
This film was many kinds of lovely and nice, someone's really good at lettering. I'm not sure quite what the guy was trying to catch with his video camera on Sandringham Rd, it reminded me of the Modern Family storyline about trying to stop a speeder in the neighbourhood
To Dad
I really wanted to like this film more because I liked the intro/the shots/the locations/the hairstyles but I have no idea why this guy was walking into the sea at low tide. I know that he wanted to impress his dad and he thought that his life was over now that he's become a lawyer but other than that not sure what was going on. Also liked the use of the Trinity College piano (?) certificate.
He Will Come
At the beginning of this I thought, "Oh god here we go pornpornporn" but this story did really get increasingly charming as it went along. That young actor did a truly excellent job
Love [sic]
Well thought out story, good level of exposition for a short film, no obvious technical issues. I only wish the comedy element wasn't a flashback to a phone covered in shit.
La Piscine Thermale
Real into the narrator character, what a cool dude. Some classic lines but I thought it was a bit weird that none of the flatmates seemed to remember if they'd had sex with Nicky or not. Eughhgwuhwugh semen on a leaf.
Alien Apocalypse : A Guide To Survival
This film was excellent; I have no idea why it didn't even come in the top three on the audience vote. Logical, easy to follow structure, good sense of humour, well paced, especially pleased by the non-super literal use of the leaf prop. And I don't even know anyone on this team.
Tryst
I was really into this film from the beginning, I've been to 9 heats and it's always nice to see a lead not played by one of those "guys who's really into film". I was a bit confused as to why this guy was always hanging out with his colleague though and I thought the story kind of diluted towards the end. Oh, I really liked the we've been in this position before part, what a position to end up in
Southdown
Lovely setting and colouring, no idea what was going on in the story but I don't think that in seeing 48 Hours films we really need to see hundreds of formulaic resolved stories. However I wished the guy had said Du hast meine Kannen gestohlen, why was he being polite to this thieving criminal
Dying Antelope
So one of those lovable New Zealand comedies. Good use of the dance genre, it was nice to see it used as a conceivable plot device rather than just making a film entirely about dancing for no real reason. Great costumes, I thought Fred was particularly well played. Oh man and when that dummy fell on the ground the guy next to me almost screamed
Dance-aholics
A good all around piece, good use of the location and some really nice shots throughout, notably during the support group and the road at the end. I would have liked it if the story were a bit more integrated overall. Really liked the receptionist's dance sequence.
That's Love, Dawg!
I wasn't really into the style of this film, I felt it had too many characters and was a bit thrown off by the light being different when different characters were shown talking to each other, each in their own shot, which I know is a difficult way to film a conversation. However my friend loved it, he laughed his head off right throughout the whole thing and voted it best of the heat. We both liked the simplicity of the guy just agreeing to marry the Ukranian woman, I also thought the explanation of the location was well done.
Lucky Last
The beginning was pretty good! I liked the detail in the logo on the microphone. So many lolz when that woman wanted to sex the guys in the park, it's the end of the world, someone's got to do it