genchock
Jul 02, 2008 02:47PM

I liked the set up and the acting. The visuals were very well done, especially the opening shots (which feature a girl's legs). In terms of a narrative, very good through the mid-way point, then the film falters. A near miss in my eyes. Good work!

crackerjacks
Jun 18, 2008 09:34AM

The doctoroftruth said the soundtrack was "loud and abrasive"? Maybe you don't like the metal soundtrack but that's no reason to insult the film. Same goes for the acting - (stilted?) - the acting is very good in this film. This guy is wacked like a wino on Hollywood Boulevard.

doctoroftruth
Jun 17, 2008 12:47PM

This film is okay, not good, just okay. The acting is stilted, the soundtrack is loud and abrasive, and the story cliched. However, the cinematography is superb. The lush blues and neon reds really convey the city of Hollywood and this more than makes up for what I've stated above. Worth a look but the story could use a jump.

crackerjacks
Jun 13, 2008 08:44AM

I wanted to add another comment concerning the music selections in this film - very eclectic. You get to see the lead actress shake her ass to Warrant's "Cherry Pie" and you get to see a Detective make a phone call to Skid Row's "Wasted Time." Odd choices but hey, it does suit the film - just like stuffing on Thanksgiving.

bostonfilmmakeer4reel
Jun 10, 2008 09:27AM

Being a filmmaker myself, a guy once told me "If you get into adult videos, you’ll never work on a legitimate film as long as you live." In other words, you might make a lot of money, but like 'The Godfather Part III,' once you're in, you're in. Christopher Golon's 'Hollywood' explores the seductive nature of the porn world and truth be told - it’s gritty, nasty, and dirty. At least that's how he sees it. Los Angeles is where Sara came to make it big and be a star. Instead she's ended up in skin flicks showing the world her goods. Why? The 'why' is never really looked into - it's more of a character study in which the Detective who is searching for the girl in some sort of way to redeem himself. LA seems to house hundreds, maybe thousands of teenagers who go there to make it big but few do. Most go back from where they came, some stay toiling at underpaying jobs, and some fall into adult videos - easy money to have sex. What they don't think about is the price that comes with the easy money. The Detective goes into the depths of this world and enters a world of exploitation. As he grows more desperate, he becomes more violent and the film heads towards a sad finale. Every performance shines and the setting is so genuine. This film deserves your attention.

crackerjacks
Jun 05, 2008 09:44AM

There's no question that the strength in the film is Kevin Michael Turner's monumental performance filled with an intensity and ferocity, that makes the viewer believe everything that is on display from the character. 'Hollywood' is an effective film, very impact-worthy with sexual content that is handled very tastefully. Very pleasing for the eyes, this film has it's blacks and blues on display and I must commend the director who also shot this. Well done, like a burger at a cook-out.

7upfilm
Jun 02, 2008 01:46PM

'Hollywood' is a fascinating depiction of a detective's personal descent into the dark reaches of the soul. The film presents a terrific performance by Mr. Turner as the Detective and Ms. Gomez as Sara, the girl who's gone missing in LA. There is an interesting theme concerning the search for moral redemption for the Detective. This film is effective and 'real.' I would recommend it.

lasagnamaker
May 23, 2008 10:52AM

My daughter passed this film along to me since she said it was one of the most interesting shorts she'd ever seen. Directed by Christopher L. Golon, 'Hollywood' is not a great movie (merely a good one in my opinion), yet it is so watchable and chock full of zest and life that one can deal with what seems like a ridiculous conclusion. The film is a cautionary tale with a true feel of the world it depicts. It is the story of a Detective in LA who ventures into the porno underground to find a woman's missing daughter. To me the film's journey was similar to The Searchers and Hardcore which both feature a righteous man who's looking for a young girl who has been soiled by miscreants. My problem is the film's ending is a mess as if Golon wasn't sure how to end it. Not a "satisfactory" conclusion but overall it's riveting and disturbing and worth a look simply for its premise and performances.

crewroyals
May 19, 2008 12:38PM

Great film. I liked the tour of the city, it really helped add to the feel of the film. The photography was very well done. The blues and whites and greens were awesome!

stingray76
May 13, 2008 08:55AM

I liked this film. It was different than most short films. To me it was like a mini-feature. I enjoyed Mr. Turner's performance as well as Ms. Gomez's. In fact, the cast was very well rounded. This was a short that more people should see. Kudos to Christopher Golon.

mamonkey
Mar 20, 2008 10:13AM

Very involving, bleak film noir that really sucked me in. I enjoyed the performances and the subject matter was handled very well.

karebear
Jan 31, 2008 07:20PM

The film was pieced together quite well. The main actors (Detective, Sara) were very good but some of the supporting players appeared to be 'going through the motions.' The cinematography had a unique look. Congrats on showing a new side to LA!

patsrule
Jan 09, 2008 02:36PM

The cinematography was awesome! The girls were hot! The acting was grade A! What else can be said? Hollywood is a great short! Kudos!!

terrythetoad
Jan 02, 2008 02:58PM

Odd, intelligent,disturbing,sexy, and did I mention F U N ? This film has it all. And it has it all with a certain flair, a swagger of sorts. The film has a definite atmosphere permeated by sex as well as the disgusting aspects that the pornographic industry brings to all of America. It takes nice, attractive, young girls and turns them into desireable whores. And for what? I'm glad the Detective in this film treated the girl and his job with a degree of respectability. The moral: be true to yourself, not the almighty dollar which makes whores of us all.

realdealholyfield
Jan 02, 2008 01:14PM

Intense and real in that 'documentary' way. The film was very well put together and it had power.

steedjak
Dec 31, 2007 08:24PM

GREAT soundtrack, awesome cinematography, director has a keen eye, keep up the good work, you've a bright future in this town, I'll be watching...

turnerk2
Dec 31, 2007 11:16AM

Probably one of the best new filmmakers of our generation, but enough about me, let's talk about Golon, "HOLLYWOOD" is a good film, some sound issues with detective's voice-over, overall entertaining and provocative, loved the porn director with blond hair, great character, film was cast well, story was solid, this guy has mucho potential and I look forward to seeing more of his work, if this short is any indication of what's to come from this director then I'm glad I know him now!

barryfilm
Dec 30, 2007 08:35AM

Keep pushing that envelope! I liked a lot of the shots and I thought the film was oozing with a strange sexuality. I only wish it was longer and that I got to know the detective a little better but other than that: a very good film.

pdans
Dec 27, 2007 12:43PM

I recently viewed this short and I must say, very interesting. I've seen Mr. Golon's work before and this short is his most impressive accomplishment. It is a stark portrayal of life on the edge with a special kudos to the cast especially the Detective and 'Sara.' I really liked the set-up at the beginning of the film which allowed one to get an overview of the world these characters were inhabiting. Well done.

scotthastintgs
Dec 27, 2007 11:39AM

Congrats to the cast and crew, I look forward to the next film.

visions-of-violence
Dec 27, 2007 10:48AM

I attended the New York Film Academy during the fall of 2007. My final short film for the program was entitled, 'Hollywood.' Here's more detail on the story: Hollywood, California, Present Day. A Detective is ready to leave LA and head east to be reunited with his estranged wife and child. That is until the case of a missing teenage girl is presented to him. An 18-year-old girl from Kansas City has runaway to LA to become a big movie star. Her mother tried to find her but to no avail. Now the Detective must find her and perhaps in the process, find himself. This film was shot entirely on location in Hollywood and other So-Cal locations (including Santa Monica & West Hollywood to name a few).