Winged Creatures Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
You have to lose your way to find it.
A group of strangers form a unique relationship with each other after surviving a random shooting at a Los Angeles diner.
| Whittni Wright | Hannah |
| Debrah Neal | Casino Lounge Singer |
| Marshall Allman | Dan the Bellhop |
| James Babson | Bike Shop Owner |
| Ankur Bhatt | Cubicle Neighor |
| Kevin Cooney | Travis Carlson |
| Michael Drummond | Prayer Group Kid #2 |
| Kevin Durand | Bagman |
| Andrew Fiscella | Numbers man |
| Soren Fulton | Howard |
| Ted Garcia | Funeral Reporter |
| Troy Garity | Ron Abler |
| Walton Goggins | Zack |
| Tim Guinee | Aaron Hagen |
| Jackie Earle Haley | Bob Jaspersen |
| Rowan Woods |
6.40 out of 10 (1087 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Fly away little creature
posted on 31 May 2009Profound Attractive Characteristics:Promising, Intriguing, Indie look, Whitaker,Fanning ,Pearce.Might contain slight **SPOILERS**Thoughts while watching: Uncomfortable in my old chair, thinking about the NBA match that's coming up, pausing it several times to read "photoshop for newbies guidebook" , watching "Big Bang theory" simultaneously ,preparing the DVD of Andrey Rublyov so i could feel some cinematic pace, Kate's sexy ,Fanning still has it, a useless guinea pig dwelled in the movie, jump mute msn-boy jump, more tears from the characters, more tears from the baby, Whitaker bets it all and the director leaves empty-handed in despair while i wait with a rock outside his creativity's casino.
Snippets
posted on 11 Apr 2009A California diner serves as the backdrop of this story in which several different lives happen to be at the wrong time. A lone gunman enters the place and proceeds to shoot people without any apparent motive. The dead victims at least are at peace, the survivors must make adjustments to their lives, as they must go on suffering individual tragedies. The consequences of a criminal act affects the principals in different ways.Faith is something Anne, the young teenager, is what she has a lot of. When her father dies in the tragedy, she becomes a sort of religious fanatic, trying to get all her friends, especially the disturbed Jimmy, into her way of life. The pathetic waitress Carla, secretly pining after Dr. Bruce Laraby, uses the excuse of her baby being sick in order to see him at the nearby hospital. Charly, a cancer patient, is affected in a different manner by going to a casino where he wins a fortune, only to see it disappear, while her daughter worries about him. Jimmy, who was with Anne at the moment of the killings, becomes paralyzed with fear and can't speak as a result of his trauma. Dr. Laraby's troubled marriage to his wife Joansuffers also as he flirts with Carla."Fragments" was the title of this film as it was distributed locally. Australian director Rowan Woods, whose "Little Fish" was a revelation, doesn't bring anything new to the movie. Perhaps was the adaptation by Roy Frierich, who wrote the original novel, that doesn't translate well to cinematic terms.What Mr. Woods got was good acting in general. The director moves his large cast effortlessly. Dakota Fanning is amazing, as always, playing the born-again Anne. Jeanne Triplehorn is seen as her grieving mother. Kate Beckingsale appears as the waitress Carla. Forest Whitaker has some good moments as Charly. Guy Pearce and Embeth Davidtz are fine as the couple facing a crisis.Although flawed, the film makes a valuable statement.
A very effective and accurate ensemble piece.
posted on 30 Mar 2009It's hard to be an ensemble drama in a time when the other films in this sub-genre have a very sturdy track record, with "Crash" being a Best Picture winner, "Babel" and "Traffic" being Best Picture nominees, and "Magnolia" being a cult favorite, among many other popular multi-storied films. Yes, these ensemble pieces all are quite distinctive from one another, but it's very hard to not compare them to each other, as their common goal is the same: to tell many stories and convey one focused message.In my opinion, films like "Crash" and "Babel" are hurt by the fact that they are forced to cheat the viewers in order to come to the film's end message, whereas a film like "Magnolia" or "Traffic" arrives at it through brilliant film-making and storytelling.Luckily, this adaptation ensemble piece manages to land itself far closer to the likes of "Magnolia" or "Traffic" than "Crash" or "Babel." While I consider that a very good thing, some may not. Some may want a film that focuses on leaving a strong emotional impact more than telling its many stories as well as possible, and they may in fact be disappointed by "Winged Creatures." But if you appreciate low-key films that are effective without hitting you over the head in any way, this film is definitely a must-see.One of the first things praise-worthy in this ensemble film is, of course, its terrific ensemble cast. Many of these actors provide performances that prove they have more potential than I had previously thought. The film is about numerous characters who witness a murder, and the PTSD that follows them around afterward, and most of the actors have to portray a different PTSD side-effect with his or her performance, and all of them do it very well.I never believed that Kate Beckinsale had anything to her name besides hot looks, but she plays a stressed-out mother very convincingly. After his ridiculous over-performance in "Vantage Point," I thought that Forrest Whitaker's fabulous performance in "The Last King of Scotland" may have just been a fluke. But his portrayal of a man whose luck is all over the place after the event is spot-on. As Dakota Fanning moves towards adulthood, she handles a particularly tricky (and religion-heavy) performance with ease. Heck, even Jennifer Hudson (how the hell did she win an Oscar?) gives a performance that indicates some talent, even though her role is small.Then you get to the direction, and all that goes with it. The film moves between its stories just as well as the higher-budget, more mainstream ensemble pieces, transitioning very well without ever killing the mood with a sudden shift. The film's score adds to this , as it keeps the same feel throughout the movie, giving the film an unchanging pace and mood, so even though you're watching a bunch of stories at once, it's one wholesome experience.I don't know if this will get recognition come Oscar time, but frankly, it doesn't need to. This is a movie that shows talent out of a lot of actors about whom you may have been skeptical, and is a very worthy addition to the ensemble piece genre.
Migrate to this film.
posted on 14 Mar 2009I love ensemble dramas. Especially when they have the whole "stranger's lives intertwined" thing going on. However, as much as I enjoyed this film, it is not for everyone. It is slow and heavy, but I can't find much wrong with it. There were a couple of scenes that were poorly developed or written, maybe. All in all, if you're like me, and you like superbly acted and directed films you will enjoy this.I won't give too much away because I know many have not had the chance to see this yet; it is a simple story of how random lives are affected and forever changed by a pointless and tragic event.What I liked is how each individual was affected differently. Each character acted and reacted in a different way, and it is watching these behaviors play out that make up the film.I felt Kate Beckinsale stood out the most in a subtle role. She is going to win an Oscar someday. Of course Forest Whitaker and Dakota Fanning were good, which at this point goes without saying. (Maybe I should erase that last sentence then.) Jush Hutcherson and Jackie Earl Haley, as father and son also stood out. Troy Garity, as the county mental health worker was my favorite though. Again, a subtle performance and the one character I keep thinking about afterward. This film won't win awards or break any new ground but I like it. It's a small movie about human behavior and getting through tough times and coming out the other end of the tunnel, with a bit of light breaking through.
Absorbing, but dismal.
posted on 08 Mar 2009Rowan Woods directs a well gathered cast in this provocative and dour drama about a deranged man disturbing the early morning tranquility in a diner by pulling a gun and letting the lead fly randomly. Those in the diner must face a way to pick up the pieces and realize that sometimes bad situations presents a new beginning. That doesn't necessarily mean changes for the best. Kate Beckinsale is a waitress that loses interest in feeding her infant son. A wounded Forest Whitaker considers himself lucky and ends up losing every cent he owns. Dakota Fanning plays a teen with a new urgent faith in the Lord's ways. A doctor (Guy Pearce)loses every bit of self confidence and begins second guessing his actions. Bad things happen to good people and survival sometimes means change forever. Have yet to figure out the meaning of the title WINGED CREATURES. Also in the cast: JeanneTripplehorn, Jackie Earl Haley, Josh Hutcheron and Embeth Davidtz.
Fragments still remain.....
posted on 20 Feb 2009I enjoyed the psychological drama of the film, but it did leave me with some questions, which I'll get to at the end of this comment. I thought Forest Whitaker was excellent as the cancer patient/gambling addict who has nothing to lose. Dakota Fanning was good, but her character really annoyed me. I still don't quite get the whole God thing. Kate Beckinsale actually looked sort of horrible in this film, which was 100% in character, so I suppose she was effective portraying a lonely, often haggard-looking, neglectful single mom of a colicky baby. (She should never go bottle blonde again!!) What I didn't quite understand (aside from Dakota Fanning and the God thing) was why the doctor kept on poisoning his wife and then rescuing her. Was it to play God? To be her hero? I don't get it. Also, he kept looking up the same things (drug side effects) on the internet. Why? Was his wife a guinea pig? A lab rat? Why did he want to cause her pain?? Another scene I still don't get is a very brief sex scene, mainly in shadows -- who was that? What was that? AND, the biggest question of all (and it is most likely intentionally left a mystery) is WHY did the man shoot up the diner in the first place???
Long and Slow
posted on 18 Feb 2009The acting was fine but the story was just not that good. This movie just seemed odd. All of the characters have their own story, yet as a whole it is unrealistic - too many unlikely reactions to an event happening at once. I can see that one or two people would loose it a little after going through a traumatic event, but all of the people involved going crazy in their own way just seems overdone. I was bored and wondering how long the movie was, and was shocked to find out it was only an hour and a half long because it felt like it went on forever. I hate to be so negative because I think the actors did the best job they could have given that the story just drug on. I probably wouldn't recommend this movie... regardless of the title they give it!
Doesn't quite take flight
posted on 21 Jan 2009A popular place to die in America is sitting in a diner. I only know this because of countless movies where people go into a diner, ostensibly for a cup of coffee, but basically so they can get shot. You think I'm kidding. They don't really go into diners to get shot. They go into diners so they can be immortalised in movies when they get shot. Remembered by millions. Either way, they get shot, and hopefully something else happens to make it interesting.Fragments follows the lives of various people after one such incident in a diner. One woman becomes obsessively promiscuous. One man is convinced he has a miraculous power of luck at the casino tables. One teenager becomes obsessed with born-again Christianity. Another stops speaking. 24/7. The life of the waitress in the diner. The man who held the door open on the way out and let the killer in. Everyone is affected in different ways. Beneath the placid exteriors there is deep sorrow needing to come out.At least that's the story. It is, unfortunately, only mildly interesting. Both the youngsters are played by charismatic individuals. Forest Whitaker works overtime to imbue his lamentable character with something worth watching. Kate Beckinsale is easy on the eye, even playing neurotically bedraggled. The list of names goes on, and includes many actors worthy of better material than this.We tend in the UK to give bereavement short shrift. An hour or so over cheese and ham sandwiches at the funeral – then like any trauma that goes with it – it's supposed to be over. But although the American tradition is better at giving death its due, it is also more fond of the psychoanalyst's couch. And endlessly obsessing over one's worries. And endlessly expecting us to care. 'Get over it,' is not something a sensitive person would ever think, much less say to a friend. That each of these people eventually find an exit from their vicious cycle of senseless sorrow is more down to the determination to spin it out to feature length and then cut before we wonder what would happen if they had any real problems.I would like to be more sympathetic to such navel gazing as eulogised in Fragments. But if the characters are in any way believable, it is very, very sad that they are so. This is an ensemble performance in the psychopathology of feeling over-dramatically sorry for oneself. Of being at the mercy of circumstances. In a frankly tedious, self-indulgent, predictably downward spiral of a film.The movie is nicely bookended, starting with scenes of an abandoned kitchen montaged with respectable surburbania. It is meant to convey a suggestion that these horrors happen to 'nice' people too. The treatment of the two iconic US derangements – guns and religion – is refreshingly non-judgemental and manages a balancing act that neither supports nor opposes. The production values are generally good and it has the advantage of being a mainstream weepie that is neither sugary nor patronising towards the audience. The drama is well-paced, and if you can tolerate the storyline there is no reason why you shouldn't effortlessly while away some time in front of it (if my hard-hearted reservations haven't put you off).From the viewpoint of dedicated cinema-goers, violence in diners has good and bad points. On the plus side, we get a lot of great movies. Like History of Violence. Or Natural Born Killers. And more gangster films than holes in Al Capone's raincoat. But of course there's sadness too. Subjecting your loved ones to Fragments would be a prime example.
Too many ideas at once... spoils the broth
posted on 26 Dec 2008This appears, to me, to be a film about how people react to a horrific experience, both during but mainly afterwards. This is a very interesting topic, and has many possible angles and ideas. The film tries to deal with at least five of these at once: the closed, the lucky, the selfish, the denier and the one who would have saved.These characters are all very deep and complex, and could have - no SHOULD have a film each. I really do not think that an hour and a half is nearly long enough to explore and explain these characters sufficiently, and as such the film ends up leaving me feeling empty about each character, not engaging with them. This in turn means that I become very aware that I am watching a film, and as such start to question and criticize, and not live myself into the film and story.I am left asking questions that I never get answered (why did Whittaker not just pay them a bit of the 100 grand he made - did he WANT his arm broken?, why did the gunman attack and who was he, what did Bekinsale do after the incident other than visit the doctor after the shooting).Overall the movie becomes unenjoyable and I become uninterested, and in the final lines of the film, rather than a beautiful thought provoking poem it seems little more than meaningless drivel...I hope you get more out of it :)
Unpredicted Terror, Unexpected Consequences
posted on 14 Dec 2008FRAGMENTS (AKA Winged Creatures) is an uncomfortable movie: the subject matter of spontaneous unsuspected violence and the subsequent impact on the lives of those who survive a near death situation is terrifying. FRAGMENTS takes a moment in time and then reveals how that moment alters the psyche and behavior of numerous people from children to adults. It is disconcerting to watch, but at the same time it makes us face the possibilities of how isolated cracks in the universe can alter our lives. As the tag line suggests 'You have to lose your way to find it.' The film opens with a day in a Los Angeles diner where a gunman enters and randomly opens fire on the customers at the tables and the staff serving them and then kills himself. We are forced to watch this happen but through the eyes of the people attempting to dodge the attack. Among these are a waitress (Kate Beckinsale), a man seated at the counter being denied attention as he glances at his new brochures on dealing with cancer (Forest Whitaker), a doctor (Guy Pearce), a young girl (Dakota Fanning) who witnesses the murder of her father, a young boy (Josh Hutcherson) whose terror results in his becoming mute, among others. The film then abruptly clips to the fragments that remain - the lives as being lived by the survivors as well as their families - a cast of brilliant cameos by Jeanne Tripplehorn, Jackie Earle Haley, Robin Weigert, Jennifer Hudson and Embeth Davidtz. While none of the characters seem to be people about whom we would care under normal circumstances, the fact that the writer and director (Roy Freier and Rowan Woods) have placed us in the midst of the initial incident allows us to watch the strange transformations that happen to these people as a result of being struck by post traumatic stress - maladaptive behavior toward spouses and children, hiding behind becoming an instant religious zealot, gambling as a disease, and the other splinters the impact of murder and suicide observed at close range can cause. Very little is resolved by film's end but the film does force us to witness something that could happen to any of us and make us re-evaluate our values and abilities to cope with trauma. This is an ensemble cast film, strongly projected, and if the producers and creators of the film merely allowed us more time to get to know each character better the film probably would have been a success in the theaters instead of going straight to DVD. A provocative work. Grady Harp
Turgid twaddle a-go-go
posted on 15 Sep 2008Attracted by the ensemble talent on offer, together with an interesting narrative premise, Fragments looked like a safe bet. The promising opening left the viewer in little doubt that in such a horrible situation a) there but for the grace of god go I, and b) bearing first-hand witness to an unexplained and seemingly random shooting must unleash a spectrum of traumatic reactions in any group of strangers. But - and it's a really big 'but' - I fear that only in America would such subsequent emotional lid-blowings include poisoning your wife, disappearing off on a casino binge, or developing a messiah-like and very 'adult' god complex when you're only 9 years old. Yawn. Call me a stiff-upper-lip-Brit if you like, but where did all this bullshit come from? It says more about the geographical isolation of USA than anything else.Any redeeming features? Well the director Rowan Woods managed to weave the various narrative threads together seamlessly enough, and at least it was only just over an hour and a half long, even if it did feel like double. To my mind though, Rowan didn't manage to generate any degree of empathy for his characters, and I was left wishing the gunman had blown away a few more of the diners' customers, to save us all from such turgid twaddle.So in summary - dear oh dear America, you really do need to get out more. And I don't just mean day-trips to Canada. Meantime, if the reader wants to see a decent film about random shootings, then can I suggest you grab a copy of Gus Van Sant's 'Elephant' off E-bay instead - it's far superior to this self-indulgent drivel. 3/10.
Good but it tries to do too much with too many for too short a running time
posted on 24 Aug 2008Film about the aftermath of a shooting in a diner on the lives of the survivors, including the doctor who treats some of them and who just missed being part of the tragedy. Good multi-character story doesn't quite soar like the titled characters. There are too many characters for its brief running time (Man feeling lucky as a result decides to go on a gambling spree, the gambler's daughter, a waitress with a small baby, a doctor, two kids who bond but have their own problems, and the people around them) which means that some of them feel more rounded than others. Forrest Whitaker as the gambler seems to come off best, certainly he's the most likable. Kate Beckinsale is very good in what seems like a bland role as the waitress. It takes a great deal of effort in order to be that run of the mill and real. On a personal level I wasn't really thrilled with the tone of the film. I know this is a contemplative film but to me every moment seems to be dripping with deep meaning and almost lost in thought. Its not bad as such but the film seems to be screaming "Look at me! I'm deep and Meaningful!" as if its afraid to let the film's characters and situations speak for themselves. Worth a look, just don't expect the next "Crash" which this film seems to be trying to be.
Flawed, but still good.
posted on 06 Aug 2008Although the movie could have been produced much better than it actually was, the story is still a good one. The story of such a touching tragedy which has become all too common in our day, and the way people react to it, directly and indirectly, intentionally and inadvertently. There is nothing unique about it that make this movie stand out from the mountain upon mountains of movies that just build dust on my book case, there is no cinematography, no amazing camera shots, and no memorable lines to be completely honest. But if you're looking for a movie that is just a good adaptation of a well received novel, then this is the movie to see. Not life changing, but enjoyable nonetheless.
Simply Stunning
posted on 04 Aug 2008Wow occasionally films like this break the waves of normality in film making much like films such as Magnolia and Grand Canyon before it, and try and pull a cast together that is willing to really submerse themselves into the roles, the dialogue and the coming together of all the pieces needed to make a story like this work. And boy does this film work.From the opening credits to the voice-over ending its compulsive, brutal, gentle and intelligent. It has an emotional intelligence in its writing that sets the bar that little bit higher. It doesn't shock you into compassion it takes you on that journey of shock, denial, desperation and the coughing stumbling stuttering realisations which grow and release from living (and surviving) life. I wont mention any specific performances other than to say look at the cast list, pick a favourite, and you are rewarded with stunning lead worthy performances even from the much smaller parts. You can get wary of cinema that tries too hard and cinema that does not try hard enough this hits it straight down the middle, and is testament to the skill, talent and vision of everyone that worked on this film.Sincerely "Thank you" for making this film.
Random and otherwise
posted on 25 Jul 2008Certain events may be random, but their effect on the people they touched are not. The random event serves as a catalyst to enhance psychological and social conditions that have always been part of these people. In some cases the end results are perilously close to getting out of control. The event referred to is a random shooting in a diner by a psychopath. The movie however is not a study of the traumatic effect on the survivors (although it does look like one initially). What it does is to intensify, heighten and sharpen the problem they already have.The case of the waitress (Kate Beckinsale) is perhaps the simplest and most common. Here we have a single mother who is too young and pretty to be tied down by a consistently crying baby. But as her tolerance shrinks, the baby becomes a useful excuse for her to make romantic approaches to Doctor Laraby (Guy Pearce) who has treated some of the victims (both physical and emotional, including herself) of the shooting. Disappointingly for her, the doctor's mind is elsewhere.The doctor's situation is more complex. He is often troubled by his inability to save lives even though his buddy colleague keeps telling him that doctors are not God and there is a limit to what they can do. By sheer chance, he was at the crime scene just before it happened, buying a cup of coffee and even holding the door for the murderer to enter. Failure to save one of the victims sent to his hospital hit him really hard. To compensate for his feeling of insecurity, he administers to his wife (whom he loves) medication that, while treating certain symptoms, has a side effect of creating others (e.g. migrant). That way, he derives a sense of security from his wife always looking towards him as her saviour.The man whom the doctor has failed to save was in the diner with his young daughter Anne (Dakota Fanning) her friend Jimmy (Josh Hutcherson). Losing the father in a random shooting is of course traumatic but the girl seems to have a nerve of steel, fortified by an evangelical religious zeal. She starts talks about her father's heroic bravery, first to small group, then larger assemblies. But the truth is bottled up inside her.Jimmy has his own domestic problems. Introvert and timid, he has a brother in a coma from action in the Iran War and parents who simply do not understand him, as most parents with kids in early teens do. His is probably the worse trauma, with the gun pointed at his head as he and Anne were hiding under the table. What is most fatal, however, is Anne calling upon him to witness (in a religious sense) together with her the father's heroic bravery.The true hero is a compulsive gambler (Forest Whitaker) who could have been shot fatally but gets away with a scratch. Believing that luck is on his side, he lunches into a stint of desperate gambling, gets involved with loan sharks, and then more gambling, all this time with his daughter (Jennifer Hudson) frantically looking for him. While his story is not intended to provide comical relief or balance, it is comparatively lighter, and comes even with a twist that will get a chuckle.On performance, Beckinsale's role is so commonplace that on the surface it offers little challenge. On the other hand, this makes the portrayal that much more difficult, and Beckinsale is convincing, which says a lot. Whitaker's versatility is amply demonstrated in his role here which cannot be more different from his Oscar winning performance as a psychopathic despot. As a compulsive gambler, he maintains an excellent balance between comedy and pathos. Pearce's is the most awkward role, lacking a clear indication of how much depth is there, psychologically speaking. Going into early teen-hood, Fanning continues to be eerily mesmerizing to watch. Hutcherson, who has been impressive in "Bridge to Terabithia" (2007), continues to show promises. In addition to these main characters, there is a large ensemble cast - aforementioned Jennifer Hudson, plus Jeanne Tripplehorn, Embeth Davidtz, Troy Garity, Jackie Earle Haley and others – giving solid support.This is not a movie that is entertaining in the conventional way, but satisfying to an appreciative audience.
The Aftermath of an Urban Violence
posted on 17 Jul 2008In an ordinary day, a deranged man has a rampage in a diner and randomly shoots the costumers. The survivors of the tragic episode are deeply affected by the shooting and have the most different reactions: the youngster Anne Hagen (Dakota Fanning) becomes popular at school telling her version of the shooting and shows a great faith on God; her friend Jimmy Jaspersen (Josh Hutcherson) becomes mute and closes himself to the outer world like an autist; the waitress Carla Davenport (Kate Beckinsale) neglects her baby and has a vulgar behavior with men; Dr. Bruce Laraby (Guy Pearce) loses his self-confidence and tries an experimental treatment to the migraine of his wife; and the compulsive gambler Charlie Archenault (Forrest Whitaker) believes that he is lucky in the game and gambles all his money but he has a jinx. "Winged Creatures" is a depressing movie about the aftermath of an urban violence that every now and then happens in North America – shooting in a public space. There are rich characters developed in a short running time that deserved a longer time to explain their motives better. The bleak experiment of Dr. Bruce Laraby with his wife is weird and bizarre, and it is hard to understand his motives. Why Carla neglects her baby is also very strange since the viewer does not know her behavior at home before the tragic incident. Charlie deserves his fate since he is an addicted gambler. However the kids Jimmy and Anne are perfectly developed and have the best drama in the story, with a heartbreaking conclusion. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "O Efeito da Fúria" ("The Effect of the Fury")
Interesting character study and gives much room for thought
posted on 06 Jul 2009This film is about how the lives of different individuals are affected by a shooting in a local café."Winged Creatures" is not for everyone as it is a tough film to watch. Though the story is held together by an initial central event, the characters' reactions and coping mechanisms make the film seem fragmented. Maybe that's why the new title of "Winged Creatures" is "Fragments"? Each of the victim's reactions give much room for thought and reflection. Out of all the reactions, I find Dakota Fanning's detached and dissociated state the most dramatic; Kate Beckinsale's reaction is the most realistic; while Guy Pearce's reaction is scarily morbid."Winged Creatures" could have been a thought provoking and touching drama. However, it tries to show so many different characters' reactions that it becomes fragmentary. It would have been more satisfying to just concentrate on less characters but in more detail.