In Circles – Indie Film Review
Synopsis:
The clandestine world of crop circles is threatened when an ambitious TV journalist plans to expose the truth drawing her into the enigma of lights, Celtic mythology and UFOs to discover both the beauty and danger in the mystery she seeks.
Review Summary:
In Circles offers a unique and exciting look into crop circles. However, some of the more dramatic story elements seem to get in the way of the more interesting story telling.
The Good:
Documentary Style: Most movies use the documentary style of filmmaking as a horror device. Honestly it is getting a little old. However, this is where In Circles shines. It uses this technique to unravel the story, just as a journalist will encounter it. This provides a unique look at crop circles as viewers investigate the events along with the characters.
The Story: For decades crop circles have been the topic of supernatural stories. The only problem is that they have been almost completely debunked. But what if there is a deeper meaning behind why they are made? This is what In Circles attempts to answer.
The Ehh:
Switching Film Styles: While I enjoyed the use of documentary style, it is juxtaposed with a more normal filming style. This normal filming style is important to tell some of the fantastical story elements. The problem is it invalidates most of what is learned from the journalist. Overall, I didn’t mind either of the two styles, but combining them together just made it worse.
The Audio: In my reviews for indie films I usually try to stay away from more of the technical aspects of filmmaking. This is because most of the time budget constraints limit the quality of the audio/visual quality. However, sometimes the quality is so low that it inhibits my ability to enjoy the movie completely. In Circles has many portions where it is near impossible to understand what was being said. I kept having to adjust my volume, bass, and treble levels just to understand better.
Verdict:
In Circles strives to answer why there are some that make crop circles and why there are many others who are attracted to them. While it does a great job in exploring these questions, a slight tweak in the filming style would increase the films enjoyability.
In Circles is directed by Jonnie Hurn and Ian Manson and stars James Fisher, Cassandra Thomas, Chloe Farnworth, Dan Burman, Jon Campling, Nayo Bonita. Directed by Jonnie Hurn and Ian Manson
I apologize for appearing dismissive to the notion of crop circles. I fully admit that my knowledge of crop circles is extremely limited. That is why in reviewing “In Circles” I attempted to review the story that was presented in the movie. The entire film is about the people who make crop circles and why they do it. The film mentions that most of them are faked and are just different groups trying to our do each other. I know I stated that “they have been almost completely debunked,” but my reference to that was based on how the film was presented.
As i said I apologize for my lack of knowledge and will consider your advice for future review.
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The mystery of crop circles seen all over the world in 51 countries will survive the snarky out downs of ill-informed reviewers.Michael Glickman, one of the most prominent crop circle investigators in the UK says “Only the close-minded have certainty. I cannot approach the crop circles with a closed mind. The delight in the crop circles is in the not knowing.” and, he continues, “After more than twenty years of focussed involvement with the crop circles I am delighted to confess that I do not know what is going on here. I have many ideas, hypotheses and speculations but I realise (and perhaps this is the charm of this phenomenon) that they are all hollow! Anyone who claims “to know”, anyone who professes “certainties”, is either a fool or a liar. This, I suppose, is as clear a statement of my position as is possible.”
Your reviewer would do well to dispose of rhetoric such as “they have been debunked” and do some research into the phenomenon that defies facile interpretations,