XX Where the Heart Should Be

By: giltreys

This is one of the worst movies we have ever seen. It came off as the work of a hack artist trying to pose as high art. The movie is disgusting and comical without meaning to be. We only watched it until the very end because we couldn't believe how horrible one movie could be. Warhol was a real artist. These "movie makers" are just wannabes with no real talent. Some parts were so gross that I almost . Other parts were so ridiculously over-the-top that we just laughed hysterically during what the artist probably considered a serious moment. Do NOT waste your money on this movie. If you are dying to see it, please rent it first. We made the mistake of buying it and we can't even give it away to any of our friends!

By: Marty

I readily admit to not understanding modern art. This movie falls under the same heading - just didn't get it. Made myself to watch the entire thing, although I did fast forward through a few sections. Now that it's over I can put it on the shelf and get back to movies that tell a story...

By: Amos Lassen

"XX Where the Heart Should Be"
New from Todd Verow
Amos Lassen
For as long as I can remember I have been a fan of Todd Verow's film and I think that is because he dares to go where others do not dare. While his films may not always succeed, they always push the envelope and I really admire that. In fact as I write this, I have been enjoying looking at his films once again and discovering ideas that I missed on previous viewings. I just finished "Between Something and Nothing" and realize what a brilliant film it is.

However, I am here to review his latest, ""XX Where the Heart Should Be" which is released by WaterBearer Films and I must say, it is not like anything I have seen before. This is a collection of 20 short films that according to the subtitle "herald the end of times". We have characters that are waiting for something although they are not quite sure just what it is although we know that it is apocalyptic. We sense the fear and the longing that the characters feel. Naturally this is an experimental film because none of us can have any idea what it is liked to sense the end of time.

It is interesting to consider how we might act in such a situation. In Verow's film some try to escape either sexually, physically, emotionally or by a combination of these and then there are others who eagerly await the end and we see that there are no crimes at the end of time. Therefore anything goes, fantasies are lived, violence comes to fore and life changes when death knocks on the door.

I love Verow's in your face, f*** you attitude. He doesn't just give us a film, he gives us an experience and not many have the ability to do that. Something tells me that this is a very personal film that shows us just how he feels about both sex and love and I had the sense that both had outlived their primes. This is a hard film to watch and I have learned that the text of the screenplay is based upon letters that Verow received from ex-lovers. Verow, himself, is in the film and we see him and his boyfriend having sex and then are other actors who assume the role of Todd Verow at various stages of his life. We get some of his memories which are quite painful. More than anything else we are faced with a graphic film which some may find offensive and that is because it is so realistic. People do not like to face a future of which they are not sure while realists are ready and eager to find the truth in what is coming. Verow gives us that truth and he gives us a beauty that is uniquely his. He shows us detachment in the guise of beauty, something we do not usually see. Verow bombards us with emotions and with hose emotions and the truth that he provides we feel that we have indeed done something rare by sitting thorough the film. The film rattles us and yet it is also comforting in a very strange way.
Do not ask me to classify the film or say what kind of film it is because I can't. I find myself thinking a great deal about it and not because of its brazenness but because it makes me think.