Pieces of Talent (2014)

Best movie of this year hands down!

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

A- Possibly the most likable psychopath in the history of cinema.I don't watch horror movies to see people survive. I like a good killer that I can root for. Usually that means a unique killing style or good one liners. Sometimes a killer can be impressively devious or have so much personality you have to like him. It's very rare in horror to see a performance that makes you genuinely like the character as a person. David Long is a psychopath you could go bowling with. He seems like a fun guy. I mean, yeah, he kills people, but it's okay. That's just David. Kristi Ray is the perfect compliment. She's a little damaged by circumstance, but still a pure sparkling soul that would be irresistible to any goodhearted homicidal maniac.Joe Stauffer is definitely a director to look out for. This movie isn't just good for an indie film. It's a masterpiece. The performances, cinematography, writing, every aspect is top notch. It hits every note that a movie should hit. It's twisted, but also sweetly romantic. It's an art film. It's funny. I mean, if all you want is 'splosions this isn't for you, but if you want to see a well-executed original film that will stick with you, this is it.

Plot summary: Charlotte is an aspiring actress looking for her big break, and David is a wannabe filmmaker looking for a project. Will their chance encounter evolve into a beneficial collaboration? As Charlotte tries to pique David's interest in casting her for his next project, she won't believe what sort of film he's in the process of making.Just as Hannibal Lector makes or breaks "Silence of the Lambs," the success of this story hinges on the actions and motivations of the villain, David. You have to suspend your disbelief and accept that David does what he does because he's crazy and crazy is what crazy does. I wasn't convinced. Just as David is a wannabe filmmaker, he's also a wannabe serial killer. While getting the job done, on both counts he's clumsy and unimaginative, amusing himself but not the audience. In the pantheon of movie psychos, David is little league. As he is shocking but uninteresting, so goes the movie.The standout is Kristi Ray as Charlotte, who she plays convincingly. David Long, playing a character named after himself, may be a convincing actor. He needs to write a more coherent character to showcase his acting abilities.As horror, this film is mundane. Where the story excels is as an indictment of Hollywood culture--the sleazy producer, the egomaniac actor, the manipulative director. The story is eerily self referential for the actors while making the film, portraying filmmakers who get unwittingly lured into a snuff film and having to wonder if that was happening to them in real life as well.

I saw this reviewed in more than a couple 'horror' themed magazines, and also online at a couple 'horror' themed websites, as a "Masterpiece" and as an "Extremely Terrifying Experience" with an original story, and great acting... this movie is not any of these claims.So now, I'm rethinking all these magazines and websites that I've been reading for years, might no longer be worthy of my time, money, or effort.There are a couple of small moments throughout the movie, that are interesting, but over all it's boring, boring, boring. As a horror movie, I wish I could give it a big fat 0 out of 10. Not scary, not gory, not thrilling, not good.WHAT this movie really is, is a commercial for smoking. It seems Everyone is a chain smoker in this movie. Even the very pretty Kristi Ray, who plays Charlotte, turned me off with all the cigarettes hanging out of her mouth. I guess I will never understand the need or fascination with smoking, but if THAT was the horror of this movie, the potential of the actors getting Cancer, then... I guess they win?

Another perfect example that independent flicks aren't that bad at all. This is a pure horror with all elements in tact. It's beautifully shot and it do has an arty feeling sometimes but don't let that be in the way of seeing this beauty. I was surprised by 2 things, the acting that is excellent coming from Kristi Ray (Charlotte) and David Long (as himself). The other thing is the gore added in some scene's. The effects for such kind of flick are amazing. We follow Charlotte who is working at a strip club and hates every minute of it. By taking a break outsite she comes across David who just been smashed together. David introduces himself and Charlotte believes every minute what he says resolving in a friendship. But David has a dark side.The flick starts off with excellent gore and from there we do get to know both main leads. Sometimes it do move a bit slow but the way it was edited and filmed kept me watching. The gore and horror comes in slowly, first you have the hammer smashing that moves into the harder stuff. There's also a bit of nudity at the strip club and just watch one girl what she can do with her juggs. But the nudity isn't gratuitous, it do adds towards the depravity. Charlotte seeing some future with David and David seeing Charlotte as the perfect item for his film you can see what is coming.And did I mention the score that moves from weird sounds to the typical country style. Yes, it all fits in perfectly with the way of shooting. Don't expect a slasher or a cruel horror, this is more about the desperate meeting the sicky, and a sicky it is.Gore 2/5 Nudity 1,5/5 Effects 3/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 0/5