Titreenp SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

Cortechba Overrated

Blake Rivera If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

Billy Ollie Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Wuchak Released in 2006 and directed by Jason Matzner, "Dreamland" is slice-of-life drama about several people at a small trailer park called Dreamland in the New Mexican desert. A blossoming poetess (Agnes Bruckner) and her sickly Miss America wannabe bestie (Kelli Garner) are both stirred by a newly arrived basketball protégé (Justin Long), which eventually creates conflict. Also on hand are a drug-addled "boy toy" (Brian Klugman), a father struggling with grief & alcoholism (John Corbett) and a couple musicians (Gina Gershon & Chris Mulkey). This is a subdued and mundane indie drama with beautiful New Mexican cinematography, a spiritual soundtrack and reverential tone. From the get-go it is pictorially established that the looming transmission towers represent the Fountain of Life (the Creator) and the healing powers thereof, which draw the physically, mentally or spiritually broken. The cast are at various stages of searching, lost-ness or suffering. One critic panned the film on the grounds that it seemed like "Debbie Downer" wrote the script, but this simply isn't accurate. Yes, there are some sad or foolish facts-of-life addressed, but there's something intangibly beautiful and transcendent going on behind the scenes throughout. Not every loose-end is tied up at the end, but the movie leaves you with a sense of hope. It also leaves you wondering. The film runs 88 minutes and was shot in New Mexico (Placitas, Rio Rancho & Albuquerque). WRITER: Tom Willett.GRADE: B/B- (6.5/10)

kennoth-sasa I would have normally never watched this kind of movie, or even heard about it for that matter, had I not caught it on TV this evening. However, once I did start to watch, it sucked me right in.Story-wise it is nothing extraordinary, a teen coming of age story that we've seen a hundred times. But add a little of strange, solitary atmosphere, quirky characters and lovely cinematography, and you get something worth your time. I especially appreciated almost a noir-like feeling present in the movie. The movie manages to be on the verge of hopelessness, but at the same time it projects an aura of hope. I suppose the bittersweet ending is therefore somewhat fitting.Last touch was also subtle, but important soundtrack that helped create the ambiance of a beautiful desert solace. The actors themselves did a stellar job, though I don't find them to be the strongest points of the movie. Overall, a surprisingly good indie film. 6.8/10

miker75058 I've been really down on independent movies lately for their tedious pace and bland characters. However in Dreamland, while we do have a slow pace so common in independent movies, the characters here a very interesting to watch and there is an emotional story in the movie. In the movie, we have an eighteen year old high school graduate whose life revolves around taking care of her alcoholic father and her best friend diagnosed with MS. She has a chance to leave the trailer park for college but feels that she would be selfish to move away from the people that depend on her. She even lets her best friend date the new guy in town even though she has feelings for him. We see that it is her father and her friend who are actually being the selfish ones for for being too dependent on her kindness and not letting her move on with her life. The performances here are outstanding and the characters are interesting especially John Corbett and Gina Gershon in a bit role. But I do have to agree with some reviewers here that Justin Long was miscast as the basketball prospect/ love interest. It would have been more believable if he were a track star and not a basketball star.

rushmore-6 This is an excellent film about love, friendship and believing in yourself. The cast does an awesome job - especially Justin Long as the guy caught in the middle of two best friends. I also really liked John Corbett's performance - he really had me routing for him.Agnes Bruckner plays Audrey, the faithful friend and dutiful daughter. Instead of pursuing her dream to go to college, Audrey worries that her widowed father and best friend couldn't survive without her. When a new cute guy arrives on the scene, Audrey is forced to choose between love and friendship. In the process, she learns how to let go and fulfill her dreams while those around her learn how to embrace their independence.Dreamland is a place I'd like to visit!