“Stamped”, a film by Bryce Hatch | Bakotopia
by Kbabe, Bakotopia.com contributor
There was a movie premiere tonight (2/27/09,) here in Bakersfield, California. Stamped made its debut at the Fox Theater.
Upon arriving, I was quite impressed to see the crowd of people spilling out onto H street. This premiere was complete with limousines dropping off the actors, a red carpet and a huge search light going around and around in the night sky. Waiting for my date to find a place to park the car, it was down right fascinating to see such a gathering in my humble hometown. Once inside this charming theater, it was clear that this would be a memorable night for everyone in attendance.
Stamped started with much fanfare from the audience. You could instantly recognize the youthfulness. Lots of shout outs to Bryce Hatch and the assorted actors as the opening credits rolled onto the screen. It was as if being in the gymnasium during a pep rally in high school. With an abundance of energy in the room, I was now prepared for an enjoyable experience.
The movie started off being quite comical. Mitchell (Brian Kubach) is hilarious as the class clown. His facial expressions (think Jim Carey) are so good that I truly believe he can go far in the acting field if he so chooses. Lindze Letherman portrays Victoria, the perfect student who we come to find out lives a not so perfect life. I have seen Ms. Letherman before as Georgie on General Hospital. She is talented and I was pleasantly surprised to see her listed as an executive producer. Wow, if only the celebutards running around Hollywood today could be so sharp.
My only suggestion is that there could have been more depth to each character. I would have loved to see how Mitchell became so nutty and full of such wisdom for a teenager. Cody, DeSahwn and Vanessa were the outliers in a story focusing on mostly two characters. There is also the teacher who is both strange and lovable at the same time. It is not until the end of the movie that we get to see him show some true emotions.
I feel fortunate to have seen Stamped. Bryce Hatch is a brilliant filmmaker. What a gift Frontier High School has in Mr. Hatch. Judging by audience response and the packed Fox Theater, he just might have found his calling. This guy deserves a big budget to make big movies! I can’t imagine what a little more funding would do for this clever mind. I appreciate all of the hard work and long hours that was put into this project.
For a local guy to achieve this is just amazing.