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Red Dirt

Red Dirt

List Price: $14.98
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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The end is worth the wait
Review: If you like the South, you'll love the familial twists and turns that this movie includes. Intimate cousins. Feuding sisters - one crazy, the other not far behind. A beautiful story of friendship between two handsome men that becomes something more. If you want raw sex, this movie isn't for you. If you want passion and love and sensuality, you'll love this move as much as we did. A must see!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Different, subtle, with an indie flair
Review: I'll admit that I only watched this movie when Amazon marketed it to me (probably because I've bought a gay-themed movie sometime within the past decade). But then, I was glad that it was brought to my attention.

"Red Dirt" escaped my radar. Was it even released in the mainstream? Probably not "big screen," but was it even released in indie houses? Anyway, this movie tells the tale of Griffith, who seems to amble about aimlessly through life with some sense of obligation toward his aunt and no way to release his sexual urges except with his only-too-willing cousin. Why do southern-themed movies always seem to be so steeped in social obligation and the concomitant suffocation and angst?

The wonderful scenery and excellent directing job, and empathetic characters (some outstanding, though not superb, acting talent) truly bring you into a mythical world somewhere in the south (I forget where). The story line is somewhere crossed between "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "The Lords of Discipline": drifter (Lee Todd) comes by and "befriends" Griffith, who is so mired in his tragic existence on the family farm that it's difficult to tell if his relationship with Lee Todd is based on sheer boredom with his own existence than with some true feeling underlying homosexual tension, as we're led to believe.

As far as a "gay interest" film (kinda), though, this film is refreshing. Gay politics and stereotypes do not play into the film at all. The characters are remarkably empathetic, and you somehow feel Griffith's pain. The line is blurred, however, between the "male bonding friendship" between the two men and homosexual love, a distinction the movie would have done well to explore. Could these two men not have formed a tight, close friendship -- even loved each other -- without being "in love"?

I suppose the end of the film, therefore, is not only reasonable, but a better resolution than if the two had ridden off into the sunset holding hands. Maybe the two will cross paths again at some other point in time. But maybe not.

The movie is definitely worth the viewing, but not unless you're willing to invest some thought and even some heart.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Only one-tenth gay film
Review: Karen Black does a superb job as "Summer" in this steamy film about Southern angst, portraying the decayed Southern "aristocrat" who languishes on problems nineteen years in the past, while her "nephew" Griffith only wants to get away from Pine Apple. My only complaint, since I was expecting this to be a gay film, is that the gay undertone and eventual "coming out" is kind of tacked on to the end of the movie, like an afterthought. Still, an absorbing, luscious film. ---Ronald L. Donaghe ...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: THE CREAM ALWAYS RISES
Review: I know that Hollywood just flew right past this movie because it was no doubt "different" and perhaps in their eyes, difficult to market. To some it's not gay enough and to others it's not straight enough... God forbid it was to simply be human, and to accurately reflect on this condition.

However, I am at least thankful that "RED DIRT" has come to light on dvd. This is a first film for the director, which is unbelieveable. Granted, it is obviously a very personal film and in that way his attachment to the material is clear. But I will take a film with a passion so rare over jaded filmmaking any day. And I commend the filmmakers for their subtle telling of a story that so deserves to be told, and that will one day prove to be an endearing classic...at which point, Hollywood will ask themselves "How did we miss this one?"

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Mad about Dirt
Review: Hello,I have not seen this movie yet but what I have read about it, it sounds quite interesting so I gave it 3 stars just from what I read and plus i had to give it a rating.My problem is I am the kind of person who actually reads the reviews of products I might consider to buy,and if I am unsure on a product I will go by what the reviews say.Having said that it comes down to this,I am starting to feel like I cant even read the reviews of movies anymore for the fear that someone might give away a key elment to the movie or worse yet give away the entire thing. So why on earth would a reviewer tell us all a key element is beyond me.I cant stand when someone does that,Its rude and more important quite annoying. So I hope that this particular person will refrain from spilling elements of that nature in reviews from now on. Nothing against him but it not fair to someone who has not seen it yet,like me for instance.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Wait for it....
Review: Red dirt features some wonderful scenery and great camera-work, but...the plot is dire! I kept waiting for lightning to strike, some sort of revelation. When it finally came, it was more of a: "And now, the weather" kind of thing. No real pain here, no heartbreak. Just people shambling about, doing their business.

It's a real pity, because the male actors are sooo attractive. Dan Montgomery and Walter Goggins. Good looking guys. But we don't get to see very many scenes of their evolving friendship. Contrary to the picture on the cover, the main story concerns a family secret. And what about that ending?

My DVD doesn't give any clues, as the extras are spare. The trailer, a short by Tag Purvis, scene access and filmographies. No deleted scenes, no interviews, nothing. Shame. I would like to see more of Tag Purvis, though. The camera-work is so beautiful, you feel he has a great film in him.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Good
Review: Poor Griffith. He doesn't lead an easy life. His aunt is really his mother, his cousin is his lover, and he is in love with a man. So that's how they do things down south, huh? 'Red Dirt' tells an interesting story of how a young man deals with his life going nowhere, his feelings for his aunt/mother and his love life. The only real problem I have with his movie is it doesn't really show the attraction the two men have for each other. You don't really find out their feelings until the end and then it's not believable when they do come out. There's one little kiss at the end but other than that they seem to be just friends. Other than that the performances are great and the direction is wonderful.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Huh? And?
Review: I just watched "Red Dirt" for the first time and I must say I am baffled. I'm baffled that this film actually got financing and I simply cannot comprehend how Karen Black's agent allowed her to do this. Yes, the cinematography is absolutely gorgeous, but that can't make up for a plot that goes nowhere and doesn't really investigate any of its seemingly multifaceted characters. While there is a great deal of homoerotic tension between Griffith and Lee, it is never fully explored or explained. Don't bother renting/buying this film. There are much better films out there about the South (Gone with the Wind), family secrets (Secrets & Lies), people realizing they might be gay (Defying Gravity), etc.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Some Great Scenes But Needs More Development
Review: "Red Dirt" does have it's problems with regards to plot and character development or was it just plain bad editing ? BUT there are some wonderful moments in the film. The story is about love, acceptance, courage and self-discovery. The main character, Griffith, contemplates starting a new life and finding love.

There are some beautiful shots in the beginning of the film with the rain falling down on the lilypads in the river. Personally, I thought Dan Montgomery as Griffith was great. Even though his accent was little off I thought he gave a very emotional and sensitive performance. There was a lot of subtlties that I think a lot of viewers missed. For example, one of the best and saddest scenes in the film is when Griffith and Lee say goodbye to each other. Just the stillness of each of the actors in the scene was very powerful. And when they clasp their hands together and the tears come it added so much more. It wasn't this whole flashy "don't leave me or I'll die" kind of acting. It was very subtle and powerful. Now I know a lot of viewers expressed that it was some sort of "cope out" but if they were following the story closely enough they would know why Griffith stayed behind. A lot of people have issues and reasons as to why they choose to stay where they are and Griffith clearly had his. We may not want to accept them but it's the honest truth. I think that's what a lot of people didn't like about this film. It didn't end "happily ever after" as the majority of us expected. It didn't fall into the cliche' of two people walking hand and hand into the sunset. Mind you it's perfectly okay to watch those kinds of movies but once and awhile I want to see something that honestly shows the other spectrum. It may be painful and sad to watch but it's so much more interesting. Personally, I don't care for all that typical, cliche' ridden trash that mainstream Hollywood seems to be making more and more these days. Give me something that'll make me think. Mind you "Red Dirt" isn't that great of a film. It still needs some work but I still recommend it to anyone who appreciates good indie flicks with some heart and honesty.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Highly Recommended
Review: Red Dirt is a very touching story with endearing characters. Tag Purvis has done a wonderful job capturing the isolation and somber feeling of the south. Beautifully shot and superbly acted, the movie explores important issues (self-identity and family bonds) in an understated fashion. Outstanding performances all around from the main cast, particularly from Karen Black as Summer and Aleska Palladino as Emily.


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