Joseph N. Zolfo Movies

Tim Robbins, Bridget Moynahan, and William Hurt star in writer/director Henry Bean's topical urban comedy following one man's quest for a little peace and quiet in the big city. The noise was bothersome when David Owen (Robbins) first moved to New York City, but back in those early days it was almost endearing in an odd sort of way; a forgivable manifestation of urban vitality, or so he had led himself to believe. These days the incessant barking of car alarms, traffic, and frustrated commuters seems to be driving David insane, never allowing him the opportunity to concentrate or focus on the task at hand. While this distraction is at first only bothersome on a superficial level, however, the thing that really riles David is that he is completely powerless to remedy the problem. As the days go on and the noise on the street seems to amplify in David's ears, he makes the decision to take up arms against the unseen intruder. Initially, David is content to simply let the air out of tires or leave notes on windshields when the owners of cars fail to turn off their alarms. When this approach fails to yield acceptable results, David's subversive urban sabotage techniques quickly evolve into full-blown acts of vandalism. Eventually, David is caught in the act and arrested by the police. After spending a night in jail, David confesses to his wife that he is in fact the urban folk hero who has come to be known by the public as "The Rectifier" for his repeated attempts to hold those responsible for urban noise pollution accountable for their auditory transgressions. When his wife voices concern about such extreme and irrational behavior, David dutifully agrees to give up his career as a noise-fighting vigilante. But try as he might, David simply cannot repress his lingering urge to strike back against such a formidable enemy. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Things that Hang from Trees constitutes American director Ido Mizrahy's debut feature. As adapted by singer-songwriter Aaron Louis Tordini from his own novella, this defiantly eccentric drama unfolds on a surreal, southern gothic landscape. Eight-year-old Tommy, incorrectly read as mentally-impaired by many of the local townspeople, lives alone with his skanky mother (Deborah Kara Unger), a sex shop owner. This emotionally troubled child also struggles with painful memories of his abusive, estranged father (Ray McKinnon) - whose mistreatment he recreates in a self-flagellating manner by systematically subjecting himself to the sadism of the local bully (Ryan Parker). While the town barber (Daniel von Bargen) - a psychotic religious nut - obsesses over Tommy's mother, Tommy fantasizes about watching the town fireworks from atop the local lighthouse. The boy finally realizes this dream, but when he descends, he happens upon a shocking discovery that changes his world forever by bringing a permanent end to his childhood innocence. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide