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Summary: Bittersweet week of reckoning for two young Indian men
Review: I recognized Gary Farmer from Pow Wow Highway and was intimidated by his violent peformance of Arnold Joseph (Victor's father). Exquisite and languid cinematography that lends expansive landscape rather than desolation and a realistic depiction of the struggles regarding young Native American men. In the beginning, Thomas-Builds-the-Fire was a vehicle for Victor. He used his cash, but failed to listen to his prophetic stories that would serve to link Victor to his father's memory. The film does not specify whether the two men will eventually relate as friends, but Victor's emotional growth and acceptance of who his father was in life is the central theme to this plot. Tantoo Cardinal was riveting as Victor's mother and Evan Adams' Indie Award was well deserved. Rent this poetic film--it will give anyone a night of self-awareness and awakening.
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Summary: "Smoke Signals" is an excellent movie on many levels.
Review: We viewed "Smoke Signals" last spring at our Cinema Club here in Casper, Wyoming, and the memory of hearing the final lines running over the water is still with me today. It is complex and lyrical. I was already familiar with most of Alexie's work and had the privilege of hearing him read at Denver's "Tattered Cover" book store. It was exceptional in many ways--dialogue, message, execution. While the movie was ignored at Oscar time, I believe it was highly rated at the Sundance Festival, where it first previewed to appreciative audiences. One of the actors did also receive an award. More movies like these, more videos.
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Summary: Watch it!
Review: Rent it, buy it, whatever ... just watch it. It is a beautiful movie. One of the best I have ever seen.
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Summary: This movie is great!!!!!!
Review: I had just recently seen this movie, and i was awestruck!!! The actors were great, and the movie hit home sooo deeply!!!! I myself grew up on a Reservation, and I just felt like i was watching my life over...Truly a great piece of work. Comedy and drama played perfectly off each other!!
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Summary: Quiet, breath-taking cinematic story-telling
Review: Simply the best movie I saw in 1998. The directors' magical use of basic movie-making techniques to enhance Sherman Alexie's short stories quite literally left me gasping (and weeping) several times when I saw it originally. The effect did not lessen with repeated viewings. I had never read any of Alexie's work prior to seeing Smoke Signals. That has changed also.This is a universal story of identity, family and spiritual power. I don't know how often "it's a good day to be indigenous" but it is a good time to revel in this all-indigenous movie.
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Summary: This is definately my all-time favorite movie
Review: I am so proud of all the people involved in making this film. I was excited when I first heard about it, and still am. Hilarious, thought-provoking, and all around fantastic film. It shows what life is really like on reservations, but doesn't go too much into the poverty. Instead, it centers on the depth of the characters and a wonderful story. Definately a movie i will add to my collection. I leave off with one more thought: the rez car!
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Summary: The best movie of 1998.
Review: I went to the movies last year in Dallas with a friend. Theonly thing that looked interesting was Smoke Signals. I hadn't a clueas to what it was about, but of all the movies I saw, this one was by far the best. It was deep and speaks to people of all cultures. This movie was completely ignored at the Oscars and by movie critics. To me that shows how useless they really are.
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Summary: Brilliant book-film translation
Review: I had read the book before seeing the movie, and the thing that struck me the most while watching it was how true everything - from characters, dialogue, scenery, etc. - was to the original book. Probably due to Sherman Alexie's participation in the film.... But it's the only movie-based-on-a-book that didn't disappoint me, and in fact actually *added* to the pleasure I'd gotten from the book! Congrats to all involved!
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Summary: "Smokin"!
Review: A friend of mine recommended this movie to me a while back. Every time i went to the video store i would see it there, just waiting..........waiting for someone to notice it..........waiting for me to pick it up off the shelf and rent it. But intead i would just pass it by and look for something more conventional, an "easy-rent" so to speak. Something that i heard of, more like. I had many opportunities to rent "Smoke Signals" but it always seemed to get the back burner. One day, i rented "American History X" (which i placed myself on a waiting list for) and was thrilled that i finally would get to see it! I wanted to picked one more movie for "back-up" so i could do the whole "double-feature thing". Can you guess which movie i chose? If you guessed "Smoke Signals" you are correct. To make a long story short, the movie that i had been obsessing about (American History X) turned out to be a very asanine, negative movie with alot of violence. A total dissapointment. Smoke Signals however was such a sweet surprise. This movie takes you to a beautiful part of the country we seldom see. It covers the lives of native American indians we also seldom see in the movies. Not only that, it is a positive depiction of the native American culture and shows their affinity to nature, family and spirit. The characters in this film grow on you as the movie takes it's course, characters with a lot of personality and depth, and whom you will remember. I think that is so important in a film. After the movie ended, it left me with a good feeling, which is quite rare for a film to do nowadays. This is one of the best films i have seen in current release. And there it was the whole time........waiting patiently, totally understated and as i turns out totally worth it. Forget all the negative, action packed, car crashing, bombs exploding, cool guns and hot sex type movies. Escape to a better place, let your soul feel good again. After viewing "Smoke Signals" i went out and purchased it. It is definately one to own in my opinion.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Good
Review: Smoke Signals is a good film. This film deals with two Idaho Native Americans traveling to Arizona, to find some answers, and in search of their identity. Simple film is a little uneven, but still good. PLEASE SEE MY OTHER REVIEWS.
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