Movie Reviews

Kicking Bird

"Run. Because it's the only thing left to do". The story, remember the story. But first, the numbers... 0 (the amount paid to the actors, but you wouldn't know it), 2 (the number of different public schools and track facilities), 3 (this is Kelley Baker's third feature film in the last six years), 18 (how many days it took to shoot all the footage "guerilla style"), 23 (the number of cuts on the soundtrack from four different artists), 49 (how many people gave $100 each to finance this film), 70 (thirty credited cast members and forty more extras to fill out the scenes), 100 (the running time of this truly independent feature film). "Run. To seek the truth. To escape the beating". Now for the story. This original screenplay is based on really believable characters as they confront a series of emotional challenges. The raw emotion, mixed with the hope through running, is well paced, and has an original soundtrack that rocks this story as often as the characters can be seen running. Although set at a high school level, this is not a feel-good-make-lots-of-money-for-the-fancy-studio kind of film. This movie is not just simply "entertainment" either. It is about life's struggles exposed and you will be thinking, reflecting, hoping, and plotting as the story of Martin Johnson (Ian Anderson-Priddy) is revealed. It is not too often that feature films use running as a method of story line (run from problems, run to avoid pain, run for hope of the future, run to find yourself, run to save your life), and that is what stands this movie apart. "Run. For the purity of it". Oh yeah, the running. The first image is the word "Run" on the screen and the first scene is of Martin "Bird" Johnson running out of the school and down the street. He continues to run from the cross country team that want to beat him up and after he is in a fight, he joins the team to get out of detention. The coach has a speech about how running could be his "out" from being a "loser" and how he can make it into college with his talent. Yet first he must train, and compete in some races to really show his true potential. Although Martin discovers where he stands, the motives of those around him are much more questionable. If you are a running purist and want to sit back and nit-pick the clothing, shoes, surfaces, training methods, and race logistics then skip this title and move onto the documentary films instead. If you want a fictional, thought provoking tale with twists and revelations along the way, then take notice of "Kicking Bird". In the end you will be glad it is over, yet you will want more. Although not rated, it would get an "R" listing for language, violence, and adult situations. The screen may not be filled with the richness and depth of a multi-million dollar blockbuster that you are used to seeing, but that is the price for a great story on a shoestring budget. You may order this DVD in widescreen format directly from the filmmaker, Kelley Baker at his website AngryFilmmaker.com.

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