It should be clear that 'Dog Days of Summer' is not a formulaic film crafted for box office success. It is an independently produced film often compared to 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' -- whose screenplay Paramount bought but then allowed to lapse and Disney bought, reworked, filmed, and reworked more before its release, earning $8.4 million on a $19 million budget.But the comparison is based on two young boys having significant leading roles and the use of mysticism in the screenplay. Whereas 'Something Wicked' maintained a level of mysticism throughout, 'Dog Days' begins in total realism and ends in total mysticism without revealing whether its central character, Eli Cottonmouth, has mystic powers. It also eliminates any family-friendly audience draw by eliminating one of its young leads.To producer/director Mark Freiburger, it's the story of a man going back to rediscover the faith of childhood before it's too late – not faith in God, but faith in humanity, that people are good and just. Jaded viewers will be unable to see this quest, convinced that, to a child, ignorance is bliss that the filmmakers mistook for faith.

We live in eastern NC and saw this movie at the theater. What a special film! I heard the director say that this was his first film but it sure did not seem like that. He pulled a great performance out of the child actors and you could tell that Will Patton (one of our favorites) really brought his 'A' game. This movie is a really special coming of age film that really had us thinking.A great message... and interesting story...It kind of reminded us of Ray Bradbury story... almost like Dandelion Wine... More than anything, it captured the laid back pace of a small southern town. This is a great 1st film.

I felt this film was very special, as I am an aspiring kid out of college and going on to do film/video production at university, it was a great inspiration to me, and definitely an encouragement during my gap year to work hard at my own ideas. Mark has everything that makes a good director, Determination, a good cinematic eye, and kindness. Which i think clearly shows through each scene during the film. It had a warm, yet sinister atmosphere. With a very down-to-earth approach, therefore holding the brutal truth for some characters. He matched the soundtrack well with the scenes (especially the opening scene), which I picked up on a lot as I am looking to first go into music video production. Overall, I think mark and his crew made a first film to be very proud of, and I can sympathise with how much effort and patience it must have taken to get the film to where it is today. I can't wait to see what else Mr. Freiburger has up his sleeve!

This was a good coming of age/growing up and life changing type film but more in depth about what and how the changes came about. The odd stranger that comes to the small town gives the boys a new way to look at people and things. He guides them. The way the boys perceive the town and how the stranger does also changes the town. It comes full circle for one of the boys as he loses part of his childlike hope and youthfulness in a way but is able to get it back when he comes to understand the things that occurred during that time about that particular summer and small town life.The time period was transcendent but it worked.The story was great and could have happened in any time period.The Cinematography was great and it was shot in 35mm film.The look was marvelous. It was nice that it was not all digital like so many movies. The area they filmed in had a great look and feel. It was a very interesting movie and a bit twilight zone like but not overly.I hope this breaks out of the Indie roll as it was an outstanding movie.