JOKE IS WELL-PLAYED AND PRODUCED IN INDIE 'GREAT WORLD OF SOUND'.Byline: BOB STRAUSS >FILM CRITIC An engagingly nervous little indie, "Great World of Sound" exposes a scam by being something of a swindle swindle v. to cheat through trick, device, false statements or other fraudulent methods with the intent to acquire money or property from another to which the swindler is not entitled. Swindling is a crime as one form of theft. (See: fraud, theft) itself. It's a hall of mirrors kind of thing, cleverly so and -- at least according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. director/co-writer/perpetrator Craig Zobel, anyway -- only underhanded in the most conscientious way. The subject is song sharking, something first-time director Zobel's dad made his living at for a while. Ads are taken out in various Southern publications: "Record company seeks new acts," something to that effect. Musicians audition at the rehearsal room or motel, the producers invariably in·var·i·a·ble adj. Not changing or subject to change; constant. in·var  i·a·bil agree that
they've got potential, then try to sign them to a recording deal
that only requires a "good faith" co-payment from the artist
to prove that they're serious about a music career and to help
cover studio costs and the like.
If they ever get professional-sounding CDs out of this, of course, it's a miracle It's a Miracle was a television show that aired on PAX-TV (now Independent Television) between September 6, 1998 and September 1, 2004.[1] Initially hosted by Richard Thomas[2], and later by Roma Downey, [3] . Martin (Pat Healy, currently on display in "The Assassination Assassination See also Murder. assassins Fanatical Moslem sect that smoked hashish and murdered Crusaders (11th—12th centuries). [Islamic Hist.: Brewer Note-Book, 52] Brutus conspirator and assassin of Julius Caesar. [Br. of Jesse James ...") and Clarence (Kene Holliday Kene Holliday (born Kenneth Earl Holliday on June 25, 1949 in Copiague, Suffolk County, New York) is a prominent character actor best known for his role as Andy Griffith's first private investigator, Tyler Hudson, on the TV series Matlock (1986-1989). -- "Matlock," lots of other episodic TV) are two fairly aimless guys who think it would be cool to become record producers when the Great World of Sound operation opens its "branch office" in Charlotte. As susceptible to their shifty shift·y adj. shift·i·er, shift·i·est 1. Having, displaying, or suggestive of deceitful character; evasive or untrustworthy. 2. new bosses' promises of a glamorous future in A&R as their marks will be to assurances of "American Idol American Idol is an annual American televised singing competition, which began its first season on June 11, 2002. Part of the Idol franchise, it originated from the British reality program Pop Idol. "-ish glory, mousey mous·ey adj. Variant of mousy. Adj. 1. mousey - infested with mice mousy 2. mousey - of something having a drab pale brown color resembling a mouse; "a mousy brownish-grey color"; "mousy hair"; white guy Martin and brash, African-American Clarence make an unlikely team. But they prove the most effective contract closers and become good friends -- until the reality of their situation, and varying degrees of willingness to accept it, comes between them. Funny, often cringe-inducing (from both talentless music acts and the salesmen's increasingly uncomfortable circumstances) and, at heart, a real moral drama, "Great World" has a lot to say about the state of culture, commerce and self-delusion in our celebrity-craving society. It's nicely crafted in all departments, although after awhile you feel like you've heard more than enough pathetic, sub-karaoke performing to get the point. But that's also where the film's delightfully wicked formal subterfuge sub·ter·fuge n. A deceptive stratagem or device: "the paltry subterfuge of an anonymous signature" Robert Smith Surtees. kicks in: Except for a few key singers who know they're making a movie, most of those we see in the film are in real bands and thought they were auditioning for a real record deal. Zobel hid cameras and Martin and Clarence played their parts right up to the moment when money was about to be exchanged (or the musicians indignantly stormed out). At that point, the trick was revealed, the film crew introduced, apologies made if necessary, and anyone who didn't want to appear in the film was kindly accommodated. Many of the musicians were taken out to lunch if Zobel and the producers thought it would make them feel better. That sounds like a story with as much rich, human semi-tragi-comedy in it as "Great World of Sound" has. Maybe Zobel could make a movie out of that some day. Bob Strauss (818) 713-3670 bob.strauss@dailynews.com GREAT WORLD OF SOUND - Three stars >Not rated: language. >Starring: Pat Healy, Kene Holliday. >Director: Craig Zobel. >Running time: 1 hr. 46 min. >Playing: Landmark's Nuart, West L.A.; University Town Center 6, Irvine. >In a nutshell: Realistic comedy-drama about a record-producing scam. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Kene Holliday stars as Clarence, a man caught up in a record-producing scam in "Great World of Sound." |
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