Everything's Gone Green: A Komikazee exclusive review

by: bamf 1 year, 7 months, 1 week, 2 hours, 56 minutes ago 0

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Get there by 7:30 and you are in. That’s all I knew about the night that was ahead of me. I was traveling a distance from work to Hollywood that on paper said it would take about 50 minutes. In reality traversing the L.A. freeways would take more like two hours.  I left at 5 and wished for Moses like power to part the metal sea and bring me to the preview screening on Hollywood blvd on time. Just past Hollywood and Vine and 10 dollars for parking later I was hastily making my way to the screening.

A funny moment happened just before I reached CineSpace, the venue for the night’s attraction.  I saw a bum; with long black dreaded hair reaching into a trash can sorting through its contents.  Ahh, now I know I’m in Hollywood.  As I came closer I was preparing myself to watch a man take some food out of the trash and start eating.  Closer now, and closer.  Right as I’m about to pass his staked territory he pulls out his bounty.

A porno mag.

He began to flip through the pages like it was the Sunday Times and I had a quiet chuckle to myself.  Him and I may not be so different, except save a place to stay, we both reach into a barrel of trash to find porn.  My can is just called the Internet.

Everything’s Gone Green is a film written by Douglas Copeland and directed by Paul Fox.  It was filmed in Hollywood north, Toronto is another name the city goes by but unlike Smallville and X-men, this film never tries to hide where it was made.  Everything’s Gone Green is a fine romantic comedy, but without the romance, starring Paul Costanzo whom you would know from Road Trip, and newcomer Steph Song.  Moriarty of Aintitcoolnews.com was there to host the night and did a short Q and A with Paul and Steph before the film was screened.  I had no idea what I was going to be seeing when I arrived there.  I did not even know what kind of story it would be.  And damn did that pay off.

Everything’s Gone Green is a personal comedy with a hint of romance that really speaks to those 20 something’s out there.  It’s a cross between something Kevin Smith, Zack Braff and a young John Favereau might do sans poopy talk and painful phone calls.  With a great soundtrack behind it and more unique two shots then I can count.  This is one of those quiet films that will make you laugh in unexpected ways.  Supporting cast is eclectic and funny at all the right moments.  Ryan (Costanzo) is a 29 year old who has just lost his job.  As he is packing up his desk after being suspended and referred to a counselor, he receives an unexpected call from his mother.  The family has just won the Lottery, 4.3 million dollars, which makes them instantly rich.  With one caveat, they have to find the ticket that seemingly has been lost.  Ryan arrives at the house that is in total disarray and to say anymore would be telling. Suffice it to say the story takes off from there and Ryan begins his journey to find more substance in his life then powerball winners and Internet lust.

I will not spoil anymore then that because any trailer they put together for the film will most likely ruin the little twists of fate and humorous situations that arrive.  The audience was in stitches from beginning to end, as you never expect what is coming next.

It is a very candles in the dark sort of film underscored with situational comedy that never feels over the top or full of its self.  Mori commented how the story never gets trapped in long over embellished diatribes, unlike my reviews, and his observation is completely accurate.  Here are a few of my favorite lines.

“I’m fasting this week, you joining me?  All the lemons and chilies you can eat!”

“I have Franchises in 25 basements.”

“Mandarin, language of the future!”

These all absolutely killed the packed crowd at CineSpace.  The supporting cast all gave a flavor that compliment the general theme of the film and truly made this a delight to watch.  The main idea of Everything’s Gone Green is here you have a man living in a city that is constantly being made to look like somewhere else.  Fake palm trees, fake women, the illusion of winning through mafia washed money.  Before Ryan can find his happiness he has to find something realer then novelty breasts on a silver platter.

This is a date movie that will entertain the girl, but the guy will appreciate more.  It is funny and entertaining, which is not necessarily the same thing.  When you feel like you know where the story is heading it goes the opposite way with shocking little surprises that keep it all fresh and original.  Shot in only 19 days the movie never suffers for it.  Each scene is cleverly staged from slight camera moves to using Toronto as, well, Toronto.

The producer stated that they would be doing a limited release in L.A., New York and Boston starting April 20, with a larger roll out coming in the summer.  If you choose to see it, try and go in blind.  The story will really pay off if you do.

On a personal note, how strange it seemed to be walking down Hollywood Blvd stepping over the everlasting stars of Richard Pryor, Alfred Hitchcock and George Burns.  A year ago I was sitting in my house in Alaska, fearing the sub zero temps and dreading the thought that my truck my get cold soaked through the night.  I never could have imagined I would be in this place writing this review for you.  In the past 9 months, I have been within five feet of two people I have listed as someone I would like to meet on the myspace profile (Kevin Smith and Moriarty of AICN).  I still haven’t shaken their hands.  Ill leave that for next year, but for now, consider how different your life can be if you don’t take that chance to fail.  Ill end this as the film did.

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