OzLand (2015)

I love post apocalyptic movies, so I was looking forward to watching this even despite the mixed reviews. I don't know if the director intended for Lief to come across as mentally challenged but that is what it seemed like to me, and if that is not what he was going for, it was a bit distracting. There was an idea in this movie, perhaps not a good one, but a new one. If they had fleshed it out a bit more it might have been something, but as it was, it just came up short. The only reason I gave this movie 2 stars is because I liked a lot of the settings they used. They found some pretty cool abandoned locations to use, and if nothing else in this contrived lump of garbage, at least there was something sort of cool to look at. Oh, and the ending? Really? Just wow, unbelievably dull, and (SPOILERS AHEAD) I kind of wish Emery would have found Lief's body hanging out of a tree or scattered around.

I bought this and watched it. I was not expecting much from a $10,000 film. Wow, was I wrong. The cinematography is brilliant. Simply beautiful to experience. The locations used are simply...delicious to look at. Yes, I know that is an odd description but it is true. Even the settings with want, rot or decay are stunningly realistic and incredibly interesting. A Hollywood movie would build a FAKE set and hire people to make it look decayed. And then they would add such FAKE lighting that it would look so unconvincing. I would bet that a lot of the locations used in OZLAND were places of actual neglect or decay...and they are brilliantly used.The camera angles are very professional, the movie contains lots of nice wide shots. The colors chosen are rich and immediately give the movie huge bang for the visual buck.The movie focuses on two characters and luckily the acting is legit.I WILL say that the screenplay, because it focuses on two characters had its work cut out for it because a movie is NOT a stage play. I can honestly say that although OZLAND packs its movie thick with words that it does give moments of pause and silence to help with chewing, swallowing and digesting the movie.I do wish (being honest) that there was a subplot. The settings used and cinematography were so strong that it deserved a subplot.The movie felt like THE ROAD. And I kept thinking that as I watched. This is a compliment. I wanted the characters to face exterior threats instead of just hints from a story. But, that is because the potential of what was presented was so strong. Had there been a subplot it might be wise to make those scenes completely without dialogue. This way the weight of the dialogue of the two speaking characters' scenes would feel less heavily worded.I am also wondering if it would have been better to have started off the two characters as separated. In the Wizard of Oz Dorothy discovers the other characters one by one as she journeys. I think having the younger character walking about for a while all alone would have made the arrival of the other main character a little more effective. He could have provided the younger one (as he did) with water to aid him.All in all this film is a MUST SEE for anyone looking to create Indie Films. Well set, well filmed, well written, well acted.I recommend it! I expect MUCH success from the brilliant minds behind this movie. They have super great potential!

A film like no other. A marriage of more unexpected. The post apocalyptic and the wizard of oz. I'm a fan of the second and therefore very critical regarding this item. And it is a surprise that I had. The film plays with childish codes, a children's book, in an adult world. And it is this contradiction in a post apocalyptic world that offers the magic of oz this film.  And not only that. this relationship between the two characters is an ode to the parent-child relationship. in a second reading level, he discusses the progress in life and the acceptance of the choices we can make, or brotherly love. or how in another context, a children's book can become a bible, a survival manual. The director gives with all his heart a bittersweet vision of the human being in his search for happiness in this world devastated without mark. What makes you think about our society is that this research will lead us to? and she will be right.?

I have viewed this film a few times now and continue to be amazed at the locations that were used for this film. It gives it such an apocalyptic feel through the entire movie. It enhances the believability that the wayfaring strangers, Leif and Emri, find each other among the solitude and choose to travel as partners. The characters are alone and searching. Zack and Glenn's very well done performances allow the viewer to feel for their internal struggles as well as external. Michael Williams, the director and writer of the film is so talented. After watching the film with others it was extremely interesting to hear what thought provoking dialogue it brought up as a discussion among the viewers. Not only were we critiquing the film, but discussing beliefs and feelings that the film generated.