COLD WEATHER (2010)

Written, Edited & Directed By: Aaron Katz 
Story By: Aaron Katz, Ben Stambler & Brendan McFadden 
Cinematography By: Andrew Reed 

Cast: Cris Lankenau, Trieste Kelly Dunn, Robyn Rikkon, Raul Castillo, Jeb Pearson, Brendan McFadden


Doug returns home to Portland, Oregon after dropping out of college in Chicago. When his ex-girlfriend, Rachel, materializes and subsequently disappears, Doug sets on an investigation with his co-worker, Carlos, as the two men put their love of old detective novels to use. This film moves along at it's own pace. Which can be a no frustrating for the audience, but pays off for the structure of the film.

As it might seem a small story, though through the time it is Introducing you to it's world and immersing you with the characters.

At first the film seems like a aimless character study mumble core-ish film where not much happens, but in effect is settling us in, to let us get to know the main characters first and their situations before the film introduces it's plot. Which makes the film come alive though a no formulaic in the end and gives the film a sense of direction before settling back into it's more laid back environment. That it Has introduced to us. The film starts off slow, then quickly moves into being slightly comedic before taking a surprisingly dark turn that seem more natural and realistic

The film is beautifully shot in it's natural environments.

The two female leads Trieste Kelly Dunn and Robyn Rikkon are perfectly cast and bring a knowing quality to their work Rikkon’s character works because she seems squeaky clean, but has a dark side to her that she hides very well That comes seemingly from nowhere.

The two male leads are also good individually, but work better as a duo. They not only play well off of each other as a duo, but make a believable situation of burgeoning friendship come to life as believable.

Now I make no secret that I am not the biggest fan of mumble core films. I like that they are evolving to include genres into their framework which makes them more bearable like BAGHEAD which introduces horror into the mumble core framework, using a genre type to introduce characters and use the rules of the genre to get more to the emotional core of the stories

Here the film becomes a mystery somewhat, but uses the mystery angle. Which soon takes a backseat as soon as it is introduced. The mystery element actually helps the characters some more into focus and lets them more clearly define themselves.

It's a film you appreciate more after you watch it and think about it.

It's an admirable debut and movie, but in all honesty more of a film you watch artistically then for entertainment.

I really wasn't interested in this film until I read the reviews on it. Which were all raves and made this film a must see on my radar.

While it is not a exciting movie. The Sherlock Holmes mystery able is the one plot point that Intrigued me to want to see the film.

The main Character becoming an amateur detective wannabe,Could have gone many comedic ways. It could have definitely gone over the top, but I appreciate it the way it is handled in the film.

The great thing about the film is that you can appreciate It for being something different an original. In a field of similar settling. It has it's own sensibility and vision.

I definitely can't wait to see Aaron Katz's work and see him mature as an artist.

It is worth watching, but you can wait for cable

Grade: B-