'Meek's Cutoff': Film Making At Its Best

The three women of the wagon party.

Meek's Cutoff


4.5 out of 5 stars

I saw Meek's Cutoff this afternoon at my local artsy theater, and now, hours after the film ended, it is still reverberating in my head. There have been few films that really affected me like this (namely, Watchmen and Let the Right One In). Personally, I consider this type of move a resounding success, if it manages to evoke such strong emotions within the viewer. Meek's Cutoff does this in a unique and striking way.

The audience's attention is first captured when, fifteen minutes in to the movie, no one has uttered a single word. The only sound has been the natural soundtrack of a small wagon party crossing a river, setting up camp, etc. The tension is already beginning to build here while the audience waits for someone to say something! Admittedly, many Americans would watch this and call it quits right away, but I believe that the director is calling on our patience as an audience to immerse us into the scene.

It is the deliberately slowed down pace and the lack of excess stimuli that really make the viewer a part of the story. Hearing the wagons creek, watching the hard physical labor, take away the "glory" of the pioneer days and reveal it to be the demanding, sometimes terrifying, often deadly enterprise that it was. You feel the setbacks along with the characters, the tension mounting as the situation becomes dire.

In the traditionally European style of film making, the movie leaves a lot of unanswered questions, and therefore allows you to fill in the blanks. I left the theater with the story playing out in my head, over and over. That's definitely how I like my movies.

If you prefer billion-dollar transforming robots waging war against vampires, werewolves, and aliens, then alas, you won't be satisfied. BUT, if you believe that minimalist film making can lead to great things, then this is definitely the movie for you.

Pleasantly Surprised

Fallen
by Lauren Kate


3.5 out of 5 stars


I've been disappointed recently in the young adult fiction available right now; it's become more difficult to find a quality piece to read that doesn't abandon basic creative writing skills just to throw in a vampire, some zombies, and a sickeningly sappy love story.

I have to confess that I was pleasantly surprised by this novel. The plot drew me in from the beginning. I am such a sucker for "reform" or "special" school stories, where weirdness is (or becomes) socially acceptable. Right away, Luce became likeable, and I wanted to know where her story was going.

I even enjoyed the interplay between Cam, Daniel, and Luce, though in my opinion, Lauren Kate has veered a little too close to Twilight for comfort. I definitely don't want another Bella with zero self-confidence becoming obsessed with the guy. In my book, obsession does not equal love, and too many authors substitute a physically passionate, obsessive fling as lasting love. As much as I enjoy romance, it has to be believable.

My only other complaint with the book is that Luce accepts Daniel's true identity too quickly. I think there needs to be more of a realistic reaction. If I went up to Leonardo DiCaprio and said, "Hey, guess what? I'm an alien," his first reaction probably wouldn't be to crush me in a bear hug, tell me he always new it, and start making plans to relocate to my home planet.

Overall, definitely a good read, and I may consider going further with the series. Not on my favorites list, though. What do you think? Would you read it? Feedback is welcome!