Stuck In The Mini With You

I've been told to review the film not the person so I will try refrain from slander. It was a shot well, reasonably well acted but a bit boring. The ending was nice though and you stayed true to your genre. There were a couple of dry jokes in there that made me cringe unfortunately. I have to admit I lied to you, I didn't give you 3marks, nor did I give you two or even one. What happened Peter??? I waited for you up stairs, I wanted to tell you how much our friendship means to me! You didn't show man, I was heart broken. Peter, relationships are a two-way thing, I saw your film so I think it's only fair you right your wrong and come to my film. It's tomorrow, heat 11, I'm from Lugosi. Can't wait to see you, champ!

Really enjoyed this film. Nice interplay between characters, really nicely shot and put together, solid acting all round by the all-female cast and a nice twist which I didn't guess until as it was about to happen. Top stuff.

Another great showing from these guys. This is my favorite of theirs so far. The concept was really good and it was really nicely paced with some great acting.

One of my top 3 of this heat. I think the acting and casting let it down a little bit to be honest, like a lot of kiwi films ;) But all in all interesting story and well shot. If it was in a different heat I think it would of shone more!

Well structured and good technically, but a little dull slow and predictable.

Oh Haynesfilm.Ow, how I love thee. Once again a top-drawer effort, and one of my favourites from this heat. Solid story, and some nice performances all round. Comedy was a bit low this year, but the film's approach was clearly serious and that's why it worked so well. Auckland finalist again? Highly likely :)

Not sure if everyone saw the same short, kind of a nothing short for me. But props for technical achievement and being one of the only shorts with a really serious tone in the heat.

This is a very provisional rating - I can guarantee it will go either up one star or down a star on a second viewing. Unquestionably well made, but I found the first two/thirds really frustrating from a character psychology perspective. The big reveal was either a. incredibly clever in casting everything before in a new light, suddenly validating the entire movie or b. completely unrealistic and out of tune with the way the characters acted before. I honestly don't know which. Either way, it's the movie from the heat I most want to see again ...

I really enjoyed this film. I liked the idea of it and thought it was nicely acted. I could guess the ending quite early on but it didn't detract from the tone or story for me at all.

This is a truly great team. The concept to this was clever, but I do suspect that on a second viewing some deliberate misdirects wouldn't hold up. Maybe I'm wrong? Dying to see it again. The technicals were great. Very tasteful story telling as we've come to expect from this team. And by team I mean "affluent syndicate". Just kidding ;) I thought the performances were a bit hit and miss. The two English girls were a lot better than the two kiwis in my opinion. The girl with the angelic face was gorgeous! Would really love to see her in more stuff. I did not see the twist coming at all, but as I said above, I suspect that's due to some misdirects that maybe would not hold up on another viewing. Hope I'm wrong, need another viewing to tell! Definitely a contender for the finals.

In the past I've described Haynesfilm as making 'awesomely cute' films... so this one surprised me. They took a much more serious tone as 4 girls travel together to do something (we don't know what yet) for Bobby Young. Interesting dynamic and some nice reveals - did anyone else notice how foreign accents seem to be in this year? - and flawless visuals leading up to the big twist at the end. I really liked it... but on first viewing I don't think I love it as much as I love some of their previous films. The darker tone left me a little cold (so tough to do a well-recieved serious film in 48 hours IMHO), but I think on a second viewing this might actually stand up better knowing the twist at the end. Wouldn't be surprised to see this in the finals so will hopefully get that chance :) All in all another excellent outing from Haynesfilm/Ow

Not a bad effort but didn't quite think the story had enough time to make the ending emotionally effective. But good acting and technical ability nonetheless

I thought this was brilliant. Loved the story and thought that the performances were pretty damn good too. I honestly cant think of any criticism to level against it. Perhaps it's a bit presumptuous, but I'm looking forwards to seeing it again at the finals

OK little short. Great location Peter! You won me over with that. Good techniques used but some of the acting really let it down

* Viewed from the Screening Room Four women take a somewhat obligatory ride in the Mini of a former love interest (Bobby Young). They each recount how they were wronged by Bobby and through their journey together seek some sort of closure. There's been a a bit of discussion about this one and it seems to have polarised a few (although personal motives may be behind this!). Having viewed it a couple of times I can perhaps see why. On the one hand, it's a nicely told story, well written and technically proficient. The acting is sound and the music suits the nature of the journey. On the other hand, I found it difficult to empathise with the characters at all, as their complaints about Bobby seemed born out of their own gullibility more than anything. Just shut up! Maybe I'm just an insensitive male though. No doubt that this film would appeal more to a female audience! Bobby also seemed more like a manipulator than a bully, but maybe there is no difference! The "purpose" of their journey was obvious for me early on too, (I've seen a few Road movies with this purpose) but that's certainly not a negative - it was played out well. The standard must certainly be high in Auckland for this not to make the finals. Should be in the running for the Mini though! Nice work as usual.

First of all really nice cinemitography, was beatifully shot. Second I thought the girl with the short cropped hair was really good, had such a natural presence in front of the camera. her expression when te brown haired girl said about the shrink, priceless! Really nice to see a story driven movie, bold move. All the characters we nicely defined and didn't really fit any stereotypes. Music and sound, spot on. Like all the best films it was subtle and effect without being in your face. Nice use of the prop too. Were the girls friends? I felt a good connection between them, really natural... almost felt like a girl myself watching it! Good acting by all the girls. I really liked the mix. I felt... relaxed watching this film. I was happy with no action, I could have watched a feature film like this to be honest, amazing production by Peter Haynes. The ash urn really surprised me, nice ending! The editing I didn't even notice, which for a film like this is a sign of perfect editing.. well done. A couple of pieces of creative critism, - I felt a really artistic finsih would have been amazing.. the ash blowing away in the wind would have ended the film perfectly (instead of it sort of clumping out) - The music at the end was slighty too "western" sounding. Apart from that, great great film! I felt relaxed and free after watching it (perhaps the feelings of the girls portrayed back to me). I'm giving it 4 and a half stars... not because I didn't like it, but because as far as use of my time goes I feel another type film could have made a bigger impact. Looking foward to seeing your film next year! Ah I feel so peaceful at the moment just feel like drifting off on a cloud...

I've been told to review the film not the person so I will try refrain from slander. It was a shot well, reasonably well acted but a bit boring. The ending was nice though and you stayed true to your genre. There were a couple of dry jokes in there that made me cringe unfortunately. I have to admit I lied to you, I didn't give you 3marks, nor did I give you two or even one. What happened Peter??? I waited for you up stairs, I wanted to tell you how much our friendship means to me! You didn't show man, I was heart broken. Peter, relationships are a two-way thing, I saw your film so I think it's only fair you right your wrong and come to my film. It's tomorrow, heat 11, I'm from Lugosi. Can't wait to see you, champ!

One of my top 3 of this heat. I think the acting and casting let it down a little bit to be honest, like a lot of kiwi films ;) But all in all interesting story and well shot. If it was in a different heat I think it would of shone more!

In the past I've described Haynesfilm as making 'awesomely cute' films... so this one surprised me. They took a much more serious tone as 4 girls travel together to do something (we don't know what yet) for Bobby Young. Interesting dynamic and some nice reveals - did anyone else notice how foreign accents seem to be in this year? - and flawless visuals leading up to the big twist at the end. I really liked it... but on first viewing I don't think I love it as much as I love some of their previous films. The darker tone left me a little cold (so tough to do a well-recieved serious film in 48 hours IMHO), but I think on a second viewing this might actually stand up better knowing the twist at the end. Wouldn't be surprised to see this in the finals so will hopefully get that chance :) All in all another excellent outing from Haynesfilm/Ow

First of all really nice cinemitography, was beatifully shot. Second I thought the girl with the short cropped hair was really good, had such a natural presence in front of the camera. her expression when te brown haired girl said about the shrink, priceless! Really nice to see a story driven movie, bold move. All the characters we nicely defined and didn't really fit any stereotypes. Music and sound, spot on. Like all the best films it was subtle and effect without being in your face. Nice use of the prop too. Were the girls friends? I felt a good connection between them, really natural... almost felt like a girl myself watching it! Good acting by all the girls. I really liked the mix. I felt... relaxed watching this film. I was happy with no action, I could have watched a feature film like this to be honest, amazing production by Peter Haynes. The ash urn really surprised me, nice ending! The editing I didn't even notice, which for a film like this is a sign of perfect editing.. well done. A couple of pieces of creative critism, - I felt a really artistic finsih would have been amazing.. the ash blowing away in the wind would have ended the film perfectly (instead of it sort of clumping out) - The music at the end was slighty too "western" sounding. Apart from that, great great film! I felt relaxed and free after watching it (perhaps the feelings of the girls portrayed back to me). I'm giving it 4 and a half stars... not because I didn't like it, but because as far as use of my time goes I feel another type film could have made a bigger impact. Looking foward to seeing your film next year! Ah I feel so peaceful at the moment just feel like drifting off on a cloud...