Arc

source: Arc

I'm pretty sure that that says it all. Shaky camera angles as well as poor acting have caused me to come here and make my 1st review. I've seen better cinematography from 16 year olds.

Ex-cop, now drug dealer and addict tries to redeem himself by finding a missing kid with the aid of a hooker. Low budget film that strives to be more than a run of the mill story of a man reaching for redemption. Shot in a variety of different color schemes and styles the film makes the effort to be more than it well worn plot would lead you to believe it is. Peter Facinelli in the lead is merely adequate in a role that requires him to be stoned much of the time. I don't think the film really succeeds in what its trying to do, but I will give the filmmakers points for at last trying to spice things up. I think that one of the problems with the film is that its way too long at around two hours since its slender clichéd thread of a plot doesn't really have the strength to support the tale. I can't recommend it unless you're someone like me who is tired of seeing these ultra-low budget direct to video films that all look and sound the same.

Arc is the story of an ex-cop turned drug addict who teams up with a prostitute named Maya Gibbs to find a missing child to somehow redeem himself. Paris Pritchert is the junkie and pusher who remains high constantly, while in pursuit of the vanished kid. The hooker quotes Maya Angelou because she is very well read, in spite of her chosen profession. The usual mix of street characters and a doctor who likes boys, plus the expected tough and smart cop who helps Paris out for old times sake. The cop and the hooker start out rocky, but over time develop a friendship, which is standard in these kind of dramas. The acting is o.k. and the script nothing special, with the streets of Los Angeles used as a realistic and gritty backdrop. Arc doesn't break any new ground; it is just another cop gone bad movie.

I had the privilege of viewing ARC, and the first thing that came to mind was that the trailer did not do this movie justice. When I originally saw the small clip, I knew it looked like a gripping film that I wanted to see. However, I was only a few minutes in to the feature when I suddenly realized that I was in for a real treat! Written and directed by the ingenious Robert Ethan Gunnerson, ARC takes place in the town of Los Angeles, and focuses in on it's more sordid side as a former police officer turned drug addict searches for a missing boy in hopes to redeem his character before his 30th birthday. Using a variety of color schemes throughout the film, Robert not only lures you in visually, but he uses the effects to add a depth to the film that I don't think could have been achieved otherwise. Now while the cinematography is what originally lured me in to the film, it was the character driven story lines and superb acting that kept me on the edge of my seat. I found it rather interesting that more than once, I felt like I was invading these character's lives. A sort of, fly on the wall, if you will. Robert Ethan Gunnerson did an amazing job of bringing his characters to life, and I look forward to his future projects. He definitely has a bright future ahead of him in the entertainment industry. Taking the starring role, Peter Facinelli (The Big Kahuna, Scorpion King, Fastlane) delivered a first rate performance the former police officer turned drug addict, Paris Pritchert. Called upon more than once to deliver a raw and emotion filled performance, Facinelli not only embraced his role with a passion, but executed it with flawless precision. It was truly one of his most memorable roles to date, and I think that only further opened my eyes to the still untapped talent he possess. He is truly a master of his craft. To all of those who have had the privilege of seeing the film, consider your self blessed. For those who have not yet had the pleasure, I can only hope that Robert will release this film to DVD or make it available for download on iTunes because in my opinion, it truly is a MUST SEE work of art.

A film about a young ex-cop and now drug abuser and dealer, Paris Pritchert (Peter Facinelli), washed up just shy of 30, working for his dead father's partner, a hardened, corrupt cop. His fixation about finding a kidnapped boy becomes a reality through happenstance of an unexpected "vacation." Along with Maya Gibbs (Raina-Simone Moore), a prostitute just getting into the game, the story degenerates into a slow pursuit filled with a combination of violence, *, and depravity that ends with the inevitable conclusion of the path of self-destruction that is Paris's life. Full of affectation and the embodiment of conceit, not surprising of a first film, especially considering that Gunnerson was the writer, director, editor, and composer. The last is the most amusing, and perhaps intended, as the soundtrack could pass for that of a 1980's porno. It is questionable that this film would even have been released without the success of Peter Facinelli's subsequent effort in Twilight. There seems to be gratuitous camera and visual effect (Gunnerson is co-credited on this). Although I liked the stills in fast rewind at the start of the film, the other odd interjections seem to add nothing to the feel of the film. Most of this film is in black and white and yet it is interspersed with bits of color and sometimes, briefly, in full color and the meaning of the color is unclear. All that said, this film isn't all that bad and Peter Facinelli acted well, but the film in total is more average than good or bad.

A friend of mine recommended Rob Gunnerson's ARC to me a while ago. He had seen it at a festival and was raving about what a powerful piece of film-making it is. I recently had the pleasure of catching it at the Hollywood Film Festival and my expectations were surpassed by leaps and bounds. ARC is packaged deceptively. It's opening is stylish, hip, disaffected and edgy. It's a world of drug dealers, smut hustlers and hookers, beautifully expressed in black and white with bursts of isolated color. What's brilliant about this film, however, is that about a third of the way through, it rips the unwritten contract between filmmaker and audience in half. The film abruptly shifts from edgy and disaffected to vulnerable and human. It's in this jarring break that I truly connected with Gunnerson's main characters: a drug dealer and a prostitute. Regardless of what they do for a living or what they've made of their lives, what's at their core is made so identifiable by the filmmakers that it was impossible not to see myself in their shoes. Which is scary as hell considering the world they're in. Once he's cast his spell and has your gut, Gunnerson, takes characters and audience deep into one of the darker worlds I've seen on screen in quite some time. I could hear the audience around me squirm as the film edged towards a climax that is at once cruel, touching, and very, very powerful. My hat's off to the entire cast (Peter Facinelli must be seen to be believed) for giving this indie film performances that can only be described as art. The director and D.P.'s collaboration should also be celebrated. The film and its look feels so tailor-made for it's DV format that frankly, it doesn't feel like DV… it just feels distinctly THIS FILM. Clearly talented, Gunnerson has achieved the alchemy all directors strive for, which is creating, out of nothing, a powerful, unique and emotional experience that stays with you. I hope he makes more soon.

When I saw the film at Indie Gathering I was absolutely floored, I sat in my seat absorbing all that I could. The progression of the character was a thing of desire, because it wasn't a traditional love story or good verses evil it was a well thought out script that had twisted and turns and ups and downs but it made you want to watch more and more. Peter's performance was just amazing and my hat goes off to him. It was very noticeable that he loved the character and made it his own. Thanks for the great film and I look forward to seeing of ARC and other projects that Robert has up his sleeve. Derrick Mullins

I caught 'Arc' at the Indie Gathering Film Festival, and was very impressed. I must say, I'm not at all a fan of hip drug movies, but the depth of the story and superb acting won me over quickly. This film had an emotional truth to it that makes movies like 'Spun' pale in comparison. It is a gripping tale of redemption, without heavy-handed morality. Artistically, it is beautiful. The daytime world is black-and-white with selective spots of color, but the film, in a strange and disturbing way, comes to full color and life at night... much like the world of these shady characters. 'Arc' is the ideal of what true independent film should be. Artistic, powerful, and solid, even with limited resources. I'm sure we will be hearing more about it.

I absolutely loved it (ARC)! The acting, wardrobe, cinematography and everything else in the film was utterly amazing. The film's movement kept me intently watching and guessing. And if that wasn't enough, the final message revealing the plot was beautiful. The character developments - and changes as the film progressed - was unexpected but perfectly understandable. It was highly believable that anyone under these circumstances would behave and change the same way. And, lastly, the way the film used black and white and color, and the meanings thereof, was brilliant. I will see this one over and over again. --- Jay Rossi (The Jay Rossi Project)