Archive for the 'Deaf reviews' Category
12-08-2007
Review of “Wrong Game”
This movie is done in ASL, all actors and actresses are deaf and/or hard of hearing. There is no sound. It is neat to see film done wholly in ASL. Quality of film is pretty good considering how many ASL film is out there. As for actresses, I think Mindy Moore should be nominated as Best Actress and Vikee Waltrip as Best Actress in a supporting role. Mindy Moore is fun to watch. As for Actors, No question Norman Weiss is Best Actor material with the Best Supporting Actor going to Willy Conley. Bernard Bragg, we all know he is an accomplished actor, but, for this film, in my opinion, the other two deserved the honors I mentioned. Really, all the actors and actresses are great. Too bad we don’t have OSCARS for the deaf!
What about the story line? Plot? There is a story line but the plot itself begs the question of reality, whether it is something anyone would do in real life. The story begins a long time ago at a birthday party and the kids were without supervision, no parents were around and I’m not clear why that is and whether I had missed something or not. But, the kids were playing spin the bottle and there was a dare. That dare resulted in a possible tragedy. We never knew the result of that possible tragedy, not until the very end of the movie. Travis, the kid was apparently the main character of the story. He decided to leave the party out of guilt and all the kids followed him, leaving two kids behind, the brother and the sister.
Fast forward YEARS later, nine people’s lives are in someone’s hands. They are forced to play a game that none wanted to. If anyone ever saw a movie called “Ten Little Indians”, the story line kind of reminds me of that since, one by one as the game went along, someone was dead. The movie also reminded me of Texas Chainsaw movie because of one character in that movie that looked like one of the freaky deformed person in Texas Chainsaw. I’d have preferred that this character didn’t resemble like one of the character in Texas Chainsaw. It’s not bloody at all, just freaky.
So, in the end, only one person remained. Or maybe not?! You’ll have to see the movie for yourself.
What is the whole purpose of the game in the first place? I’m sure every one of us will have a different response to that. I did wonder if the action of one character throughout the movie would changed the ending if that person had done things differently, i.e. being selfish and conceited?
In real life, one would approach the person and tell the person the truth. Who would go to so much trouble to deliver the truth by setting up this game for the nine adults? Does what happen to the kids in past have any connection to these nine people? Yes and No.
I really liked the fact that there is a movie that is done in ASL. The story line is too weird for me to some degree. It is a crossover of horror with hardly much blood and mystery and suspense, but in the end, it’s totally unexpected. I guess that’s what you get for playing a game, or let’s say, the wrong game!
Out of respect for ASL film and for many others that have not seen the movie yet I don’t want to ruin the suspense or reveal the whole story line. If I had to pay to see it, then I expect everyone to. However, I’d like feedback, without the spoiler (please don’t reveal the storyline!), if you have seen the movie, what do you think of it?
I would say in comparison to hearing film, this would probably be a “B” category film in the hearing world. Since this is one of the few deaf made ASL film out there, I’d say that it’s a start and I hope that ASL Films continues to make movies in the future.
It’s pretty clear that Sprint is sponsoring that film and you can tell that the collaboration between ASL Film and Sprint occurred before the movie was made. There’s reference to Sprint Relay in the movie since someone found a Blackberry. Apparently ASL film gets 50 percent of the profit. From what was explained to us at WSD where the film was shown, Sprint normally would keep 20 percent and give 30 percent to JR.NAD who had set up the chairs in WSD gym, but Sprint decided to give all 50 percent to Jr. NAD. Way to go! I think it’s great that Sprint did that. I’ve always been a staunch supporter of Jr. NAD since, like many other deaf; I’ve been involved with it in high school.
Do I encourage people to go? Sure, why not. How often do you get to see ASL film done in nothing but ASL? I tried to see the reactions of some deaf in the audience on this movie, seemed many enjoyed it due to the ASL aspect of the movie, and I’m sure many are pondering the storyline itself. I have not had a chance to discuss this with the rest of the audience, except for this one person who felt pretty much the same as I did. Many are wondering when will ASL Film make another movie? So, the interest is there and I agree, we do want to see MORE ASL film. As with anything in life, things get better with practice and eventually, who knows, perhaps ASL Film and many other deaf filmmakers and producers will create more and more movies for us deaf folks!
One suggestion I do have for the film is to put sounds in it for hearing people and hoh people as well. It’s kind of weird to see someone scream and not hear a sound at all. If we demand that hearings captioned our movies, then, we should put sounds in ASL films as well. Maybe later, ASL film will generate enough money to be able to do this. Hope so~
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