Reflective, Small, Quiant Masterpiece Courtesy of Steven Soderbergh!

Top: Steven Soderbergh bottom: A Creepy ass Doll Head












Another crowd pleaser from a man that pushes the boundary for cinema from a small scale to a big Hollywood epic scale. Either way you really don't notice and could care less, because Soderbergh is a man finding a level for cinema. Is latest as been said to be "daring" and "innovative". A movie that is being banned from certain theatres because the way it is being released. It's giving the option of the audience to choose the way it wants to be seen. A movie released simultaneously in theaters and HDnet. On the web and later released on DVD. I rather like the ideas that are behind it, but if the movie is good. While surpassing it's innovation on releases it has done the same in film, story and character. After signing to a deal for directing 6 movies for HDnet, he begins with "Bubble" and carries the responsibility of doing it his own way.

All shot on digital, but not meek shaky handi-cam but with really drawn out cinematography. Mostly used with natural lighting, it's like a "Dogme 95" but without the "Dogme". Soderbergh uses non-professional actors that are neither bad or good but hits their mark for what Soderbergh was going for. The notion of using non-professional actors and the seemingly digital photography is that of a New Wave Robert Bresson. Running on 76 minutes, it's not overlong or too short but right on the nose where it wants to be. It is small masterpiece!

The movie takes place in a small town in Ohio where three people work in a doll factory. Martha(played by unknown Debbie Roechener), the oldest worker, as a fond crush on one of her fellow young co-workers Kyle(played by Dustin Ashley). Soderbergh looks like he was going for realism that later turns poetic. While not having any condensation towards these characters and no small detailed humor to point at their small town existence. Soderbergh doesn't go for those conventions, but instead shows it as is! Kind of like a cinema verite style driven piece, but takes an unexpected turn into a murder mystery.

During Martha's work relationship between somewhat develops, Rose a new girl comes into work who is more Kyle's age. You see Martha's eyes flare, but not to extremities for her actions towards her are for you to decide. Rose played by another unknown Misty Wilkins gives small sinister depth to her character but to the point of taking advantage of people. The main focus isn't on these three but mostly on Martha, before and after a murder investigation piles up when Rose is found dead in her apartment. Before, it shows Martha going through her daily tasks while taking care of her sick old father that is not used for sentimental cliche or sympathy, but rather depth to Martha but no piece into her actions. If you watch the extra features and watch the deleted scenes that Soderbergh took out, there is a scene that gives an answer. I think Soderbergh didn't want that, but rather gave a question and a true mysterious ending.

The other thing I noticed hen I watching it with my mom(yeah, that's pretty sad), she pointed out that through the montages with Robert Pollard's score in the background and shows Martha having a dense stare into the camera with a blue lime light surrounding her. My noticed that she looks like the dolls she makes in the factory. Rather not dull or bland and lifeless like the dolls, those orchestrated montages give depth to Martha that is neither creepy or relentless. Through the end of the movie Soderbergh shoots another closing montage of sculptures for baby dolls that is quite creepy. After the murder, Martha is still consistent that she was not involved in the murder even having evidence proving she did. Even when she is jail, we still don't know if she does believe or not....we are left another question and more!
This is Aliye Nyoka saying "PEACE OUT, PLAYA!"