Dixieland

source: Dixieland

Spoilers Beware Dude gets out of the joint and inevitably ends up getting sucked back into criminality with tragic consequences. There is a touching love story and also (weirdy but cooly) the movie is interspersed with real people giving their story of their life of poverty or crime. Quite moving and gritty and also ethereal and dreamy at times. Shows harsh unfair life for trailer trash type folks, who rarely escape their destiny in spite of not actually being bad at heart people.

This film tells the story of a man who is just released from jail in a small town. Though he promises to his mother that he will not mix with dubious peers and get into trouble with the law again, old habits die hard and things quickly spirals out of control. That is what I think the story is about anyway. I find the plot very boring, and it is poorly told. What is the point of seemingly random interviews with people who are not related to the story such as the dancer with crooked teeth, and the very thin man with a tattoo on his abdomen? They do not form a part of the story, and I don't see why they are shown in the film. The plot is not engaging or thrilling either. I do not care about the characters, even though they are seemingly in mild danger. I find this film boring and less than engaging.

This indie, set in Pearl, Mississippi, has solid acting and believable characters, but evoked in me quite a lot of sadness. It moves along at its own deliberate pace, relies too much on flowery flashbacks, but is strangely enhanced by cuts to brief interviews with real locals of the area, who tell some harrowing personal stories. Chris Zylka is quite solid in the lead role of Kermit, just released from prison after serving a 2 year stint. There's nothing new to the plot element that he's trying to go straight, but will be quickly lured back into one last job to help his neighbor and new girlfriend Rachel pay her mother's medical bills. Riley Keough is excellent in the role of Rachel, and Faith Hill is superb as Kermit's sexy and free spirit mother Arietta. In supporting roles, Brad Carter is quite believable as the lowlife Larry Pretty, who's seeking revenge against Kermit, and Steve Earle adds well to the mix as Kermit's Uncle Randy. All in all, although this movie written and directed by Hank Bedord, who's making his feature debut here, takes some predictable paths early on but it does have some twists and turns as it progresses, which I didn't guess were coming. The film gives the viewer a look at many lost souls who are ensconced in a cycle of poverty, drugs, violence, and family loyalties, often leading to incarceration. However, if one doesn't mind the deliberate pacing or the grimness and sadness, it can be worth a watch.

The story begins with Kermit getting out of Prison. He meets the girl next door and she works in a strip bar. The owner of this club is the man that Kermit shoot with a gun for being in the Jacuzzi with her mother. Kermit spends two years in prison. What a shame, Kermit has a bad aim. Then he needs money to help her girlfriend mother who is dying for cancer. Kermit is kidnapped by Mexican drug dealers. After that, the domino effect is taking place. One Disgrace after another. Kermit finally kill himself when a police bust him in the highway with a drug stash in the back of the car. I can't believe I'm writing this, but is hard to believe I watch the entire movie. There are segments with locals telling a story, like The Blair Witch Project, remember? The acting is really good, but the story is so sad and bad. Again I take the risk of watching, I hope you enjoyed because I didn't.

Without a doubt, one of the subtlest, most real and visceral movies of the century. This film kicked my butt down the block. The dialog is genius, the acting is genius, the cinematography is genius. A new dimension in cinema realism that echoes the revolutionary Italian neo-realism of the late 1940's. There is no proscenium with this film, no sense of stage. The story line is a baseball bat between the eyes. Meanwhile it sets a new standard, a new aesthetic. For a "bad boy making good" film, it is low key, but an intense low key. No exploitation of paranoia. No textbook suspense tricks. No sense that the actors are acting. No need to suspend disbelief. The honesty of this film could earn a place at the Dogme 95 end of the spectrum. I'll be looking for Bedford's future work.

The acting feels natural, they are all more or less believable in the parts they play so that's good. The story isn't particularly original though and fairly predictable, although instead of going the Hollywood route and squeezing out every emotion of every event the movie stays in a natural and low-key. If that's good or not is a matter of preference I suppose but in the end I didn't feel any emotional connection with any of the characters so that's where it fails IMO. To further the feeling of realism in the movie they have the occasional interview segments with real Dixieland people talking about various things every 10 minutes or so, which I thought was an okay idea but they did it a little too often if you ask me.

I saw this film for the first time last week and I loved it! I was very impressed with not only the actors but the choice of actors for each role. Faith Hill was a natural as the Mom and let's not forget about Steve Earl who was PERFECT for his role! The location couldn't have been better especially with the small town locals revealing their real life stories during the film. It was the prefect way to represent how any normal person can end up with a lifestyle only they can be proud of from wanting more in a dead end town that can't provide. Great touch to the movie! This movie entertained me as well as informed me and you don't always get both out of a movie. The soundtrack was incredible and the closing song gave me chills. I was left wanting more...

This is a good film. It kept my attention and is an interesting take on a love story which is destined for destruction from the beginning. The way it is shot is compelling and the use of lighting within certain scenes really contributes to an almost drunken romance feeling and gives a feeling of their lives being blurred by each other. The actors portray their characters well and show depth. In a sense it reminded me of the film 'True romance' by Quentin Tarrantino, where the love struck characters are doomed by each other. A good film, and a great take on romantic cinema. The lead actors Chris Zylka and Riley Keough are well suited to their roles. Having never seen any of their previous work I would be inclined to watch a movie with either of their names in.

I loved the way this film interspersed interviews from local people during this movie. It gave such a sneak peek into the real lives of people who often have no hope - their lives are often just a representation of their families and their situations. The chemistry between Kermit and Rachel was so sweet and moving. And even though some may say it is a tired old story, it was not! Faith Hill also made an outstanding performance as the mother in this movie. The cast assimilated by this small budget film was amazing. Brad Carter was dynamic! and Steve Earle, Spencer LoFranco and Mick Foley topped it all off. I thought the director did a great job writing and directing his first film. It has to be awesome to realize your dream!