Student Film Reviews

Film reviews from theaters, couches, and film festivals

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1. Alejandro Vergara 03.23.21 / 10pm

   This film exceeded my expectations. As mentioned from previous reviews this film was shot with an iPhone 5, and it did an outstanding job! The form was executed effectively even with lackluster equipment the film was an interesting watch. The inclusion of transsexuals and African Americans playing a leading role in a film means that our society is heading in the right direction by normalizing the LGBTQ+ and African Americans in leading roles in films. The storyline was hilarious though it did have an emotional touch to it! The actors were surprisingly pretty good considering the film had a low budget. Ultimately, I highly recommend this film to any adult due to its uniqueness and humor.
2. Jasminder Thind 07.24.21 / 10pm

   With this entire film being shot on an iphone 5, expectations may be low for most viewers, but it is not as bad as it sounds. In fact, the low budget of this film adds to its realism as a movie that features multiple individuals that are part of the LGBTQ community in the city of Los Angeles. That being said, my overall reaction to this film was not the best, as there were multiple additions in the film that distracted away from the actual storyline. Upon reading the plot, I had higher hopes and thought that the film would be more interesting. The worst part of this film was the dialogue, which was very difficult to understand at many points in the movie and it is especially a problem when there is added background and scene music. The background music volume is too intense and it drowns out the dialogue, which takes away from creating a connection with the characters in the film. Although I personally did not enjoy the film as much as I had hoped, I still believe it may be worth a watch just to show a contrast and comparison between traditional high budget Hollywood films. Movies like this can help us appreciate the amount of money and effort put into traditional Hollywood films.
3. Anahy Rodriguez 03.11.22 / 8am

   The low-budget film Tangerine was recorded entirely on an iPhone 5s camera. I really enjoyed watching this film because of the cinematography and the way it reminded me of the video game Grand Theft Auto. The film is very exciting to watch because there are not many movies shot from the perspective of a trans woman working as a hooker in West Hollywood. The film was overall very funny and felt super realistic. The acting was also really good and I felt very connected to Sin-Dee’s character.
4. Cassidy Dickson 06.04.22 / 11pm

   Hi Ashley,

   When I read in your review that this movie was shot on an iPhone, I couldn’t believe it. For being filmed on an iPhone 5, this movie was very well put together, and the visuals were much better than I expected of an iPhone. While reading your review, I found that I agree with your point on how the director creates a large sense of relatability with their camera work, as they are very close up and personal with the girls in the film, and the messier, not leveled iPhone camera makes it very personable – almost as if you’re walking along right next to them. It was a very original feeling film, and not super high tech, which I didn’t think I would like as much at the beginning. However, the acting in the movie seemed quite real, and the unprofessional camera highlighted the setting of the streets of L.A. and really gave the viewer that type of feel. Great job on your review!
5. Donna Lyka Roxas 07.04.22 / 4pm

   The film was definitely interesting, but I found the movie confusing and distracting for the most part. I say it’s confusing because, while it was interesting that the film had a plot duration of one day, the story being set in one day where everything had be taken in at once was overwhelming. I also say it’s distracting because of the use of camera; It’s cool that the use of an iPhone made it possible to shoot intimate and candid frames, but the camera was too shaky for me and it held many awkward angles. Your review definitely makes it sound like it was a cool movie, which it was, but I think I focused on the little details more than the entirety of the film.
6. Hayden Postin 07.24.22 / 11am

   Although it was impressive that this film was shot on an Iphone 5 I did not enjoy it at all. I feel that the film Tangerine was very repetitive and the plot of the story was not my favorite. I think that the writer of the film should have gone into more details about the different characters and should have had something more going on because it was so repetitive. There were also many parts in the film that I did not think were needed, like most of the cab driver scenes.
7. Paige Halter 10.20.22 / 3pm

   It surprised me to hear that this movie was a hit in the box office. I had no idea it had gotten so many nominations and awards. I loved the “single day” shot of the entire film. It made me feel like was there walking with Alexandra and Sin-Dee the entire day. I also felt like the low budget feel to the film helped the viewer understand the setting of downtown LA better.
8. Tanya Sanchez 03.17.23 / 10pm

   For this film to be a low-budget movie, I was impressed with how the overall movie was put together and the quality of the movie. Especially since the film was all recorded on an iPhone 5. I enjoyed the movie, and from reading some of the reviews, I did not know this movie got nominations and awards. I found some parts of the movie funny, and I enjoyed how the film was supposed to be all in one day. There were some parts in the film where the background music did power when the character would talk. There is also some scene that I think was unnecessary, the cab driver and some of his clients driving throughout downtown Los Angles.
9. Hayden swanson 06.24.23 / 5pm

   Hi Ashley, I am currently student in a film studies class, which is one of the summer classes I am taking. I thought that this was a great review and analysis of the movie “Tangerine”. Although it is crazy how this movie was filmed on an iPhone 5, I thought this might be the worst movie of all time. Not to mention I watched this movie with my parents since it was the first movie I was doing a report on for my summer class so that was pleasant. There were a lot of unnecessary scenes throughout this film like when it kept going back to the gay muslim cab driver who was driving around looking for trans prostitutes. I don’t know what movie you were watching but I wouldn’t recommend.
10. Jesus Chavez 03.24.24 / 3pm

    Hello, Ashley I really enjoyed watching this film and it makes it more impressing that it was filmed on an Iphone 5 at the time. What I enjoyed most about this movie was the fact that it was filmed and in day. It allowed me to connect to all the characters in an emotional stand point. I also admired that it showcases some of the issues of prostitution in Los Angeles and how much people struggle to make amends. It was really cool seeing people like you give the props this movie deserves because it’s one of my favorite movies.
11. Drake Zimmerman 07.17.24 / 12pm

    I think Tangerine was the first film I had watched in the Film & Media Studies class I was taking @ the time of reading your review that really stuck with me. The premise of the film, the stylistic choice to film Tangerine in its entirety using an iPhone 5, and having the plot duration be over the course of Christmas eve are all incredible!

    Weirdly enough (though I’ve spoken about it previously with others), the most immediate thing I feel as if I can compare Tangerine to is Grand Theft Auto V. I feel as if it’s because, much like you acknowledge, both pieces of media take place on the streets of Los Angeles which are thoroughly explored.

    In many ways, Tangerine felt like a personal exploration of the lives of a few people in such a massive place, and Baker’s decision to have the lead roles be filled by inexperienced actresses made it all the better.

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