Audience Member
A Dozen Summers is an ingenious independent film that explores coming of age from the perspective of two twelve year old girls and the results are hilariously accurate. The emphasis on self-awareness throughout; constantly reminding the audience that it is just a film and playing with our expectations by interrupting the narrative are strokes of genius that really draw you in and bring the characters to life whilst celebrating filmmaking as an art.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/25/23
Full Review
Audience Member
About the twin girls, a documentary-style feature film.
This is a very unique film, at least the presentation, but the story was plain. More like a documentary film where it revolves around two twin sisters aged 12 and they decide to make their life as a film with a finger snapping whenever to alter the event whatever way they want. In the first two acts, it was an aimless narration. Like they are introducing us to their separated parents, friends, school and other activities. But the final act was different, now it has an agenda, it also reason for a new trouble to surface and how the tale ends from was told in the remaining.
Written, directed and starred by a father with his two daughters playing the lead roles. A small budget family film, quite beautifully made. Looks almost everybody had no experience, particularly the kids, but it does not look that bad. Don't expect something like a normal children's film, it was an experimental film and overall a decent one. It was a short film with sweet performances, so worth it if you are interesting. Other than that I won't suggest you to force yourself to watch this.
6/10
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
01/30/23
Full Review
Audience Member
This is a beautiful little film; the director and writer cracked the code and present a film that appeals to everyone, young and old. Young viewers will see parallels in their own lives while older viewers will experience the poignant moments that went on to shape and inform the people they became because of them. Witty, touching, and with equal parts drama and comedic beats, this is a movie that deserves every accolade it garners. Well done from all involved.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/25/23
Full Review
Audience Member
As a fan of low-budget independent films (especially British ones), and also a Doctor Who geek, it was inevitable that I would cross paths with A Dozen Summers.
Made on a budget that might cover a Hollywood film's hotel expenses for one evening, this delight puts twin sisters (on-screen and in real life) centre stage, in a tale of two 12 year-olds coping with school and family life.
While this summary may sound a bit dull, the film is anything but that, with the writer and director Kenton Hall delivering the story in a rather unique way.
Kicking off with narrator Colin Baker and roving camera, initially following two other much younger schoolgirls, in a mock wildlife documentary fashion, the film is promptly hijacked by Maisie and Daisy McCormack, who decide that the initial project is too boring and that a movie about their lives would be far more interesting!
From that opening scene onwards, we are plunged into the world and imagination of Maisie and Daisie, as we see the problems they face at school and at home, interspersed with a series of offbeat, and often very funny, fantasy sequences, with nods to various classic and popular films along the way.
The witty script also deals with serious topics, such as bullying and parental separation, but does so in a way that the humour, charm and vibrancy of the story is always at the forefront.
The performances of the twins Scarlet and Hero are natural, believable, and often amusing, while the parents played by Kenton Hall and Sarah Warren deliver scene-stealing moments with their quirky humour.
Like all micro-budget films, because of the financial, and therefore time, restrictions, there are some technical blips, perhaps the sound recording could have been better in a few scenes, but that's a minor rock in a sea of pleasures.
For British viewers familiar with the children's shows Grange Hill and Tracy Beaker, there's common territory in A Dozen Summers, only with much more humour and a delightful whimsical style.
So overall A Dozen Summers gets a solid 8/10 for me. I look forward to seeing more from Kenton Hall in the future!
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/16/23
Full Review
Audience Member
loved it, hugely enjoyable family film :)
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/24/23
Full Review
Audience Member
This film is a real delight! It appeals to kids and adults alike, as the story explores issues and themes which we are all familiar with. It is really quite extraordinary how on the mark Kenton Hall is with his writing here, creating a film which resonates so deeply with so many different people. The girls are hilarious to watch, and indeed the whole film is, for want of a better word, FUN! From start to finish, this film is a joy to watch; it's entertaining, thought-provoking without going TOO deep and it's a real signal of intent from the independent film world that small budget films can achieve great things! A must-see, and a film I will certainly watch again, and again, and again. Bravo
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/20/23
Full Review
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