Commentary – Computer Love

As is often the case, Tinsel & Tine goes through posting feast or famine. This weekend begins the Philadelphia Film Society Spring Preview Film Festival, sponsored by Pennsylvania Hospital, and by coincidence a new acquaintance, Harwood Duncan, (pictured) (see Cafe Centennial post) had his film premiere for a film called Computer Love Thursday night, so my weekend of screening got off to an early start!

You can’t so much as own a hot dog stand without having a facebook page anymore; the reason being, it is an amazing marketing/promotional tool. The film’s producers told me it was how they got the word out and IHouse (350+ seats) was packed! Plus, the co-writer/producer and director, Mike A. Pender seems to have been making a name for himself locally with a number of shorts.

Speaking of short, I think the women in attendance thought they were auditioning for another season of VH1’s reality show Real Chance of Love. Skin tight dresses barely covering thighs and hooker heels was the main attire of the evening (sorry no example pic). I suppose they decided a movie about internet dating might lead to some off-line meeting and greeting. I didn’t get the memo, I arrived in jeans, although paired with a really cute new spring blouse. I also met up with an old friend, Cindy Wood (see pic) she didn’t get the memo either to dress for a club scene. She’s pictured with yet another person associated with this film, Lloyd Booker. I swear, this film has producers, associates and partners coming out of the woodwork; even after going to the website, I can’t get it straight as to everyone’s involvement in the film, but it does take a village.

Computer Love features the film’s co-writer/ producer, Atif R. Lanier as Kwe (profile name: 1XXXlongfellow) a buff, motivational speaker, writer and mentor, basically a brother who seems to have it going on, yet his materialistic girlfriend dumps him when he proposes with too small a ring.

When I watch Dancing with the Stars, I feel strongly that Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno should judge each performer on a curve based on their past experience in performing in front of an audience, age, agility, familiarity with training and I even feel like the women should be judged more leniently from the men in that they actually have more to learn.

So I try to follow my own sense of fair play when it comes to reviewing or as I prefer, commenting on independent films shot on digital, no gloss, no studio influence, with little backing. With that in mind, things like very poor lighting (especially for dark skin), music drowning out dialog and repeating scenes can be over looked if the script is good. The humor of Computer Love seemed to hit the right note, judging by the audience guffaws, but also judging by the early departure of many audience members, the script needed some major tightening, it feels really long, it doesn’t arc or change levels, until the overly action packed ending, which is a complete departure from the anecdotal style of the rest of the film.

Lanier’s acting ability is strong, he’d be particularly good in a TV sitcom. The film’s opening and closing graphics are also done extremely well and fit cleverly with the internet dating theme.