As Good As It Gets

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

The acting in this movie is really good.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

I read some good critics about this, and despite that I don't like all those Tesla conspiracy and suppressed inventions theories (rather sick fantasies), I decided to watch it - hey, Camilla Belle is in, and she made some good choices (scenarios). It was just pain to watch. Almost nothing made sense, and I will remember nothing (except bad taste) in month from now. Will not talk about plot, acting - does not deserve it. Just few words about some Tesla related things said: Main character did not hear about Tesla before getting involved in this - someone can believe that ? "Tesla invented 20-th Century" - that was less stupid, because may be seen as partially right - electricity is base of most modern technology. But then some talked about computers, cellar phones and like. No, no way that Tesla could imagine whole cellar phone concept over 100 years ago. It is possible only with digital technology. Then that unlimited free energy - beloved topic all time. But they screwed even that, turning to some supersoldier, with code name Tin Man. That was lowest part, together with abysmal and unoriginal final scene.

I'll start off by saying that I couldn't even sit through all of this movie. Mercifully, my DVD player froze up and stopped playing at one point and, rather than try to continue, I welcomed the opportunity to be relieved of this travesty and to offer my two cents here.Starting with the opening credits, I was immediately confused as to what mood or tone they were trying to establish. It was a somewhat confusing montage of still visuals combined with a bizarre love song that was heavy with harpsichord and tambourine. None of this really said "Nikola Tesla" to me. After this, I very quickly became bored and befuddled with a trite storyline dragged along by dry, uninteresting dialogue, which insisted upon wandering aimlessly for what seemed an eternity.The main thing that left me utterly perplexed, which I simply could not get past, was the question of the time period the story was supposed to take place in. On the one hand, the main character is a middle-aged bald guy with porkchop sideburns and a 70's-porn-star style handlebar mustache, driving around in a 1970's Dodge Dart and wearing a leather jacket with short sleeve shirts that are about three sizes too small. Combine this with nauseating paisley neckties and dippy aviator sunglasses, and you get authentic mid- 70's machismo.On the other hand, his surrounding world is mostly present-day, with post-2000 cars everywhere and crowds of modernly dressed people walking around, some with cell phones. Yet strangely, despite such prevalent modern amenities, I never did notice a computer anywhere. For instance, there was a scene where a friend of the main character was shown using an old drafting table, rather than a modern computer, to help plan things out for him. Plus, Kojak here doesn't seem to have a cell phone of his own. Nevertheless, he seems always able to find a payphone or a bright yellow rotary phone readily available whenever he needs to make a call.As I said, my DVD player froze up shortly after all this, and I was both glad and relieved. My advice: forget about this movie and save the two dollars you'd spend to rent it. You may, instead, want to put that money toward one of many excellent biographies about Tesla. Or you might want to just carry it around in your pocket as loose change and have it ready the next time you need to use a payphone.

If you are a fan of well-made films that make you think, have a bit of pathos and are beautifully shot, do yourself a favor and watch The American Side. In a world that is getting more and more difficult to make quality films without a "high concept", this movie reminds us of what filmaking is truly about. The story holds your interest throughout and the acting is top notch; the characters are all very interesting - from the lead down to the day players - but perhaps most intriguing of all is the character of location. The city of Buffalo, NY and the surrounding western NY area including Niagra Falls, plays a key and visually stunning role in this film. This is a real hidden gem.

I am from Buffalo, New York, and knew about the film from Buffalo social media pages, so when I heard about a local screening I jumped at the chance to see the movie on a big screen. It was time well spent!!The film is very well shot. Lighting, sound (especially some scenes near Niagara Falls rushing water where, as a film maker myself, I was blown away they were able to get clean dialog), editing, coloring - all the technical things you take for granted on multi-million dollar features (cause they have huge talented crews) and are easily sub-par in many many indie features, are all well done in this film, leaving you to simply enjoy the story and (for a local boy) the scenery.Niagara Falls itself is written in as a character and it all makes sense. There are a few "huh?" moments but it's classic film noir and that is to be expected. If you are a fan of the classic film noir genre, you will love this film.I went in half expecting the lead actors from Buffalo to be just okay, but they held their own with the big names and the acting from the the former to the later is seamless, nobody outshines anyone else in the movie. I was very pleased with Greg's performance and knowing that he produced and starred, I can absolutely appreciate what an amazing accomplishment that is. If you have never either had a lead role in or produced a film, that gravity of that last comment will be less than for actors and producers but trust me the workload IS doubled and one job on a film set is enough to drive you up a wall.I was interested in the story from start to finish and would definitely recommend other indie film lovers give this one a watch!!