Ingenious (2009)

One of my all time favorites.

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

So, basically you get a re-telling of the American dream for the n-th time, this time in the form of two barely-functional drunken gambling addicts who struggle to become rich by creating the ultimate piece of junk that can pollute the planet AND be sold for $6.99 retail.In the meantime, the usual happens: they fail a couple of times, they get ripped off (and try to sue), one of them get dumped, his ex wife try to quit a successful, well-paid, loved job to engage in a long career in self-hating by becoming a real state agent alongside her sister -who she clearly cannot stand- (why is she doing this? we never know. why are the filmmakers telling us this? we never know), until they finally struck gold in the form of the most useless trinket ever imagined by men, proving that in America you only need a good idea (and cheap Chinese labor) to become a millionaire.If you like modern Cinderella-like stories, go ahead and watch this. Otherwise, avoid.

I was stuck in traffic the other day and decided to put on this film to help pass the time (don't worry, both hands were on the steering wheel and it was only generally stopped traffic.), this film caught my eye was because of the tag-line "All it takes is one big idea." which is something that struck because of its relation to the recent book I've read entitled "Think And Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. The poster also had a fairly young (or young looking) Jeremy Renner as an added pull for me to watch the film. Jeremy Renner stars along Dallas Roberts (Milton Mamet, he's a scientist from The Walking Dead.) and Ayelet Zurer (Lara Lor-Van from the 2013 Man Of Steel film.). The film is based on the true story of Mike Cram, an inventor (played by Dallas Roberts) and his friend who's a salesman (Jeremy Renner) who have tried to execute a bunch of ideas until they come to a point where they're really down on their luck, still in search of that one big idea that will turn everything around. The on screen chemistry between the 2 lead actors was very natural, they fit their roles of best buddies quite well which helped make the film very easy to watch. The film had a warm tone to it, perhaps because the film was shot in a desert town/city, Arizona if I'm not mistaken. The film was put together very well, no wild camera angles or sequences, just simple and straightforward storytelling.This film is one of those inspirational films, after watching, it leaves you with the feeling like you need to go and create something, make something that's yours. With that feeling like you gotta rack your brain for that one idea that could change everything. I know how that feels, because that's something I've been doing for years now. Trying things, taking small steps in executing my own ideas or innovating on current ideas. It's frustrating at times but this film helped serve as a reminder to keep pressing on. To keep on trying, because amidst all the difficulties and the challenges you'll face, the next great idea is just beyond the horizon. Your big break is right there if you can just have the strength and the courage to push forward. This film takes you on a roller coaster ride into the life of an inventor, basically into the life of anyone who has ever had an idea and pursued it and did whatever it took, until the very end, no matter if that end was success or a learning experience. This film is an expanded portrayal of the saying "necessity is the mother of invention.", you'll see what I mean once you get a chance to watch it.I highly recommend this film, I have a strong feeling that it will be something you'll enjoy. Who knows, this might give you that extra inspirational push you've been looking for to pursue that idea you've had in your head for the longest time or even spark the creation of a new one. :)For my other reviews, feel free to check out tomhuang03.blogspot.com

Matt (Dallas Roberts) and best buddy Sam (Jeremy Renner) are always inventing things...and are unable to save them. Matt's patient wife Gina (Ayelet Zurer) loves him but is getting fed up with it and is ready to leave him. Matt is depressed but can't let go of his dream.Purportedly based on a true story but you could have fooled me! This is yet another story about a failed man at the end of his rope who (improbably) comes up with an invention that makes him famous and wealthy. This plot has been done to death and this adds nothing new to the story. I saw it at the Provincetown Film Festival and I'm guessing I was in the minority--the audience applauded long and loud. I was bored out of my mind and knew what was coming every step of the way. It gets a 3 because the actors are attractive and VERY good (especially Roberts and Zurer), it's well-directed and there's some beautiful cinematography here but (all in all) this is boring and predictable.

I saw this movie at the 33rd Cleveland International Film Festival, where it bore the honor of being the Opening Night flick. As such, it worked well, being an accessible, pleasant crowd-pleaser. Based on producer Mike Cram's own story, it follows the travails of several young adults seeking to make their own way in the business world by marketing their own inventions.Dallas Roberts as Matt, Ayelet Zurer as his wife Gina and Jeremy Renner as business partner Sam make up an interesting triangle (of sorts). We are thrown into Matt and Sam's business with opening scenes that represents the failures they have had up to this point: numerous failed "can't miss" inventions are mentioned, we find they are not at all business-savvy as they are involved with a unctuous telemarketer (played with a shark-wide smile by Richard Kind) and we find out about their shared gambling addiction. Oh, and Matt gets his ideas by standing on a small mountain surrounded by numerous communication dishes and "listening". Gina provides the regular income in the family, and has been through enough as an addict's co-dependent. She gives Matt his last "last chance", putting us into the heart of the story.There are enough unpredictable elements to provide a good narrative structure, with pretty good acting all the way around. The film was fine technically, I was told a story and I cared/knew about the characters. I especially liked the scene of "grand-theft cactus" and the conclusion up on Matt's mountain, ambiguous in a satisfyingly Indie way.Lightbulb delivers a good package of entertainment, some comedy and a load of empathy for anyone who has endeavored to make their own way in the world.