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Massacre at Femur Creek (2024)
I loved it!
Massacre at Femur Creek is a raucous, blood-soaked horror comedy that blends stoner humor, raunchy antics, and nostalgic homages to classic slasher films like Friday the 13th and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Directed by Kyle Hytonen, the film strikes a delicate balance between gut-busting laughs and gut-wrenching gore, delivering an experience that's both wildly entertaining and surprisingly heartfelt.
At its core, the story explores themes of friendship, loss, and self-discovery. While the blood flows freely and the scares come fast, the movie never loses sight of its emotional grounding. The five main characters, whose chemistry and performances breathe life into the narrative, guide viewers through a journey that's equal parts absurd and meaningful. Their growth from clinging to the past to embracing the future adds surprising depth to a film that could have easily relied solely on its gory thrills.
That said, the film's low-budget roots are evident in its production design, which may be a sticking point for some viewers. Certain effects and settings come across as rough around the edges, and the cinematography occasionally lacks the polish of bigger-budget horror flicks. However, these trappings never detract from the movie's charm; if anything, they lend it a scrappy, DIY authenticity that aligns with its irreverent tone.
Hytonen's direction and storytelling are compelling enough to rise above these limitations. His understanding of the horror genre is clear, with expertly crafted tension, inventive kills, and a winking nod to horror classics that seasoned fans will appreciate. The energetic soundtrack also helps smooth over the film's rougher edges, adding fun and atmosphere to every scene.
Ultimately, Massacre at Femur Creek might not be a technical marvel, but it's a wildly entertaining ride with heart. Even with its shoestring budget, it delivers laughs, scares, and surprising depth, making it a must-watch for fans of horror comedies.
Glistening in the Snow (2024)
loved it!
Holiday themed films almost always never surprise but Glistening in the Snow is different. Written and directed by Evin Gibson, this holiday themed film hits it out of the park, bursting out of its sub genre conventions and soaring far above everything else.
On the surface, it does seem like a cute little holiday film that hits all the right notes. But look under the hood, and you see a real story with real stakes and consequences. Gibson should be commended for introducing something original here into a genre that had not been reinvented in a long time.
Gibson is a tour de force here; pulling double duty as both writer and director. Gibson's script has all the necessary bits and bobs of a holiday picture but Gibson manages to infuse and expand some original ideas here, one that makes the film even better. I was moved by both the film and the performances which is testament to the great work done by the cast and crew.
Everything from the acting to cinematography works in perfect unison here. Jahmai Jones as Donovan and Tiffany C. Ivy as Anaja are fascinating and the lively cinematography coupled with heartfelt music does its magic. Equally impressive is the narrative pacing that keeps the film chugging along quite nicely.
Glistening in the Snow is thus a solid holiday feature that manages to impress. This film will put you in the holiday mood and its feel good story is just what I needed. I will be watching it again with my friends and family during the holidays. Loved it!
Pocket Princess (2024)
Fascinating!
Written and directed by Olivia Loccisano, 'Pocket Princess' is a 2024 animation fantasy horror short film. The film features the voice talents of Camille Blott, Naiya Novak, Maya Malkin and Natasha Brault.
After her mother passes away due to disease, a young Anna who collects dolls finds herself in the care of her cruel uncle. As her life is turned increasingly dour by her violent and perverted uncle, Anna's miniature friends come to her rescue, pushing her to take drastic measures to attain her freedom.
Running at a little over 9 minutes, Pocket Princess is a fascinating short film about how one young girl manages to turn the tide over her oppressor. Featuring richly layered characters and a potent central narrative, the film sucks you right in from the get go. The narrative pacing is on point and there is not a single dull moment in the entire film. The film's dim and grim aesthetic, coupled with a Coraline-like visual sensibility is perfect for its mature plot as director Olivia Loccisano conjures this dark and violent animated film about how children lose their innocence in bad environments. According to Loccisano, demons come in all shapes and sizes and sometimes, those who are supposed to protect us might even be demons themselves.
Equally impressive is the stop motion animation that manages to infuse a sense of both desperation and darkness as the young girl's life becomes progressively worse and worse. Everything from the character movements to their facial emotions works perfectly here and I found myself marvelling at the sheer detail of the characters as well as the dearth of emotions imbued by their voice acting counterparts. The colours, although dour and reflective of the narrative, are intense and the character designs (both human and nonhuman) are quite creative.
Although it looks like a kids film from the outset, this is anything but. With themes such as sexual exploitation of orphan children and sexual misconduct by priests woven into the narrative, the film does not shy away from shedding light on society's grave ills that most people pretend are not there. The finale is especially violent as a desperate Anna is forced to do something shocking to protect herself. The ending is both sad and cathartic as Loccisano reminds the viewers that life is not a fairy tale and sometimes, in order to protect oneself, a significant price must be paid.
Thus, Pocket Princess is a fantastically grim animated short, one that takes you on a dark journey down a rabbit hole of darkness and fantasy. Olivia Loccisano has made a film that manages to impress in more ways than one. Both a potent film and a fantastic example of Olivia Loccisano's talents as a filmmaker. I loved the film and can't wait to see what Loccisano manages to accomplish next!
Murderfest (2024)
Loved every moment!
Written and directed by Tim Hannigan, 2024's 'Murderfest' is a horror feature that stars Deniella Alexis, Alexxis Marcia, Aida Madani and James Ferreira. The film finds five live streaming serial killers competing against each other as they stalk and slash their way through a group of unsuspecting victims for the twisted pleasure of their dark web audience.
After sifting through hundreds of horror movies in the past decade, I can safely say that I found this film to have a relatively original idea. Combining streaming with slashers, the film breaks new ground in the horror genre in regards to its concept. For a horror film, the acting is great. The five streaming serial killers are as repulsive as ever and their audience is equally revolting, if not more. The kills are creative and since they are live streamed on body cams, the body cams provide a new perspective in recording the carnage.
Working with a story that is in line with the technological world of today, Tim Hannigan strives to keep things fresh. He mostly succeeds in this regard as the story takes a few unexpected twists and turns along the way. Pulling double duty as both writer and director, Hannigan ensures the story moves along at a breakneck pace as he injects several moments of sheer terror and carnage at perfect moments. Hannigan makes us care for the ten victims first, only to put them at risk later, making for an effective story that keeps you on edge for the entirety of its duration.
With a plethora of jumpscares and a tense, brooding atmosphere; Murderfest is a valiant effort by director Tim Hannigan to bring his own sensibilities to the horror genre. Fresh and original, the film manages to leave an impact on the viewer with its gory kills and nihilistic undertones. Hannigan tries to go for the fences and hits it out of the park.
A Good Day Will Come (2024)
Powerful and poignant!
Starring Sia Alipour and Mehdi Bajestani, Amir Zargara's A Good Day will Come finds Arash, a professional wrestler, dreaming of representing his country and winning gold medals. But, his country is in turmoil and its people are suffering and Arash must decide between using his platform to stand up to tyranny, or put his head down and remain silent.
Powerful and moving, Amir Zargara's short film was inspired by the plight of Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari. Zargara chooses to highlight the moral conflict within the protagonist in a number of astute ways, and as the story progresses, we witness Arash slowly and gradually transforming from a meek bystander into something else entirely. The seeds of resistance take root in his mind and we see the wrestler change as a result, both inside and out.
The dark and shadowy cinematography alludes to the hopelessness within the narrative as powerful performances from the cast force you to take notice. Sia Alipour as Arash is a revelation, conveying his internal conflict perfectly while Mehdi Bajestani as his coach is fantastic in his own right. The narrative pacing is on point and the film never manages to drag on, courtesy of its sharp editing.
Inspiring and subliminally powerful in select moments, A Good Day will Come benefits from a poignant and original story that takes inspiration from real world events to say something powerful about the world we live in. While the film will have its share of naysayers, I think it nevertheless manages to get its message across with ease. A win for Amir Zargara, A Good Day will Come soars above the clouds as it celebrates resistance against tyranny and oppression. Four stars out of five.
American Night (2021)
Loved it!
Picking up 2021's American Night for my weekly Saturday binge, I never thought I would see Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Emile Hirsch and Jeremy Piven in the same film. Directed by Alessio Della Valle, the two hour action bonanza sees Emile Hirsch play Michael Rubino, a crime family hier in search of a famed painting. On the other end is private art gallery owner and indecisive critic John Kaplan (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and as the two collide, we find ourselves witnessing an odyssey of blood and carnage.
The action is well done and cinematographers Ben Nott and Andrzej Sekula ensure that the colours really pop on screen. The fast moving action sequences are really well choreographed and Alessio Della Valle ensures that the action here is both seamless and chaotic. The zany soundtrack that accompanies the action adds a layer of flavour to the entire production and the overall result of this audio visual bonanza is a really good looking film that has crazy characters and good fight scenes.
Marked by high stakes, crazy characters and spectacular action, American Night is a highly engaging and spectacularly entertaining action film that succeeds in more ways than one. Alessio Della Valle has managed to make a film that has fantastic characters, a terrifying villain and enough one liners and violent deaths to put most other action films this year to shame. Perfect for a slow weekend to relax with your friends, American Night is absolutely worth its price of admission.
The Hurt We Share (2021)
Incredible!
Directed by Vega Montanez, 'The Hurt We Share' is a 2021 thriller that stars Bryce Jones, Francis Mancho and Kimberly Edwards.
The Hurt We Share sees Terrence (played by Bryce Jones), a man falling into depression slowly. As he feels his world falling apart, Terrence's life begins to spiral out of control. Not only this but serious mental issues also begin to emerge, charting the man on a collision course that will have no happy endings. How does Terrence remedy his situation and will he be able to save himself and those he loves?
The Hurt We Share's first and foremost strong point is its direction and script; and Vega Montanez manages to tackle both effectively. The script is deep; it aids its characters in developing organically as it seeks to present a viable solution to the moral dilemma that it offers. Montanez then builds up the script during his direction, punching up some moments while adding more character depth. All this contributes to a film that manages to be surprisingly emotional and hard hitting.
Visually speaking, the film bursts out of its own shell. The cinematography is crisp and the teal blue filter over everything gives the film a distinctly unique look. The cinematographer has done a fantastic job ensuring that the tense moments look and feel as real as possible and those tense, unnerving moments of interaction between characters look as energised and unpredictable as possible. Not only does this help keep the film apart from dozens of similar films in the market, it also makes for an exciting and novel viewing.
Another aspect that is frequently overlooked by reviewers is the sound design. The sound mixing team has done a terrific job here, invoking a true sense of dread in all of the tense scenes and ensuring a consistent theme of fear and confusion as seen by the protagonist throughout the story. The sound design of a thriller has a significant part in ensuring that the story feels true to its roots and the team here has done really well in this regard.
The acting by the main cast is good and everyone does a well enough job. Bryce Jones settles well into his role as the lead Terrence. Bringing a towering persona, Jones manages to document his character's descent into madness pretty accurately. Chi Mancho as Benny is also impressive and Kimberly Edwards as Susan also manages to knock it out of the park. The cast does a terrific job with what they are given and they manage to elevate the script by infusing their characters with as much pzazz as possible.
Also, from costumes to set design, the production looks highly polished in all its aspects. With a seemingly mid-sized budget, it is fascinating to see how the production team managed to make the film look so incredibly good..
Full of twists, turns and a dark, foreboding sense of violence, The Hurt We Share manages to soar despite its disturbing subject matter. Thrillers are always hard to pull off from a thematic and emotional standpoint but the film here manages to make the audience root for the protagonist as we go down the rabbit hole. Although it doesn't break the genre mould, The Hurt We Share is good enough to stand on its own two feet. Well shot and well acted, the film is director Vega Montanez's first and provides him with some serious cred on his resume for his next project. We hope to see much more of Montanez in the future and pray that he gets his hands on a major Hollywood production a lot sooner than later.
1888 (2023)
Hard Hitting!
After a long time, I have come across a potent film that dives deep into the sage of Indian demonetization and how various power groups were affected by it. Written and directed by Sourabh Shukla, this film is 1888, a 2023 Kannada feature shot using guerilla filmmaking techniques. The film stars Neethu Shetty as Sandhya Shetty, Prathap Kumar as Vikas and Adhvithy Shetty as Ankita.
Being both the writer and the director of the film, Sourabh Shukla has his work cut out for him but he manages to do justice to each of these roles with ease. The script is exciting and has plenty of twists and turns as the trio are put through a series of tumultuous tests. The characters are fleshed out; the superstar turned aspirant politician, the insurance agent and the mysterious man will make an uneasy alliance to get a life changing sum of money. However, things don't always go according to plan and once self interests come into play, anything can happen.
As this central twist simmers in the background, Sourabh Shukla packs the story with plenty of human drama as the multitude of characters collide together in a chaotic struggle, each working in the service of their own goals and desires. The ending is unexpected and manages to give closure to our characters' journey, offering a mix of redemption and melancholy for the audience as compensation.
The narrative pacing is on point and the guerilla filmmaking techniques employed elevate the film both thematically and visually. Shukla does not let the film's budget get in the way of his aspirations and thus, manages to create an epic that will cement his rise as the next great Indian filmmaker.
Thus, 1888 is a potent drama that manages to say so much about demonetization and crime in India as it takes the viewer on an unforgettable journey into the country's criminal underbelly. The film looks fantastic, boasts great performances and goes into unexpected directions that we seldom expect it to. As Sourabh Shukla's first film, this is nothing less than a home run; one that manages to impress in more ways than one. We give the film five stars out of five.
The Kingfish 2 (2024)
Great film!
Written, directed and produced by Tab Edwards, 'The Kingfish 2' is a 2024 feature that serves as a sequel to the TV pilot 'The Kingfish' released some years ago. Bringing back the same cast as the prequel, the film stars Xavier Edwards as X, Britt Starghill as Flip and Taylor Myrick as Bobby.
In Kingfish 2, X, Flip and Bobby return to follow another secretive box once again crossing paths with the Kingfish. Balancing love, sidequests and a whole lot of shenanigans, the trio will need all the help they can get if they are to succeed.
Considering the character work, the three protagonists feel more mature than when we last saw them. Xavier Edwards, Britt Starghill and Taylor Myrick bring a mature charisma this time around, showcasing how time and age have developed their characters as compared to when we last saw them. The supporting cast brings their A-game as well. The script, by Edwards, manages to infuse wit and character drama into the mix, ensuring that the story is developed organically.
From a technical aspect, Tab Edwards' direction is praiseworthy. Visually, the film soars way above the original and the top notch cinematography makes the feature a sight to behold. In the sound department, the background music is a good choice and it greatly aids the narrative pacing that Edwards manages to balance just right.
Thus, The Kingfish 2 is a solid feature that expands the story whilst exploring new avenues for our beloved characters. The film is funny and original and it features good performances encapsulated by a feel good story. Tab Edwards has thus succeeded in making a film that elevates the prequel whilst allowing the franchise to grow simultaneously.
Mind Altering Stories (2022)
Succeeds in more ways than one!
Written and directed by Nicolle M. Whalen, 2022's Mind Altering Stories is an anthology film that stars Cristal Bubblin, Imani R. Green, Larry Greene and Jemel McWilliams.
Featuring three short stories that each subvert expectations, this anthology film is a creepy foray into scenarios that go too far, resulting in unexpected circumstances that will shock you.
The best thing about these stories is how original they are and how easily they manage to get under your skin. This is due to both fantastic writing and equally fantastic turns by the actors who manage to bring the script to life. The underlying theme in all three stories is non verbal communication and how it can result in totally unexpected scenarios that one never intended to take the conversation in.
The cinematography is stunning. From the lighting to the sets, everything aids the story. Equally impressive is the sound design that introduces a new level of creepiness. The direction is good and the fast pace keeps everything chugging along pretty quickly. Since the script is strong, the technical aspects of the production elevate the story, resulting in three short films that manage to impress in all aspects.
2022's Mind Altering Stories is therefore a tour de force in cinematic storytelling. The characters are fantastic, the stories shocking and the overall feel avante garde. Nicolle M. Whalen has created a work of art, one that works on multiple levels. It invites the viewers into its twisted world and then turns this world upside down. Highly recommended!
The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater (2020)
A whole lot of fun!
Written by Lorrisa Julianus and directed by C. J. Julianus, The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater is a feature length action comedy that stars Lorrisa Julianus, Mickey O'Sullivan, Shannon Brown and Molly Morgan. The film finds a struggling dominatrix forced to con a priest after being saddled with a massive loan. As the two reluctant protagonists are paired together, secrets come to light amidst an action packed globe trotting adventure.
The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater has several things going for it and one of these is actors that perfectly embody their characters. From Lorrisa Julianus who plays Ava Moriarty to Mickey O'Sullivan who plays Radovan, the film brings these fantastic characters to life in a way that feels both organic and fun. In addition, the outlandish premise of the film aids it, rather than working against it. The premise of a martial artist priest going up against Russians with the help of a dominatrix turned art historian would incite chuckles anywhere but kudos to the creative minds behind the project who approach the story in a way that embraces this weird fantasy instead of making fun of it directly. Yes, there is a lot of wit and humour in the film but it doesn't detract away from its emotional stakes.
In addition, it is in its writing that the film finds its strongest suite. Lorrisa Julianus, who both stars in the film and is credited as the sole writer for it, seems to know the action comedy genre inside out. Not only does she successfully manage to avoid the several tropes and cliches of this genre, she pushes the envelope in this regard; formulating a story that feels both fresh and exciting. Making up characters that we can both relate to and root for, Mrs. Julianus has made a rollicking adventure film, one that gets better as the film chugs along. The premise is interesting, the plot clever and the characters likeable and all of this makes for a story that makes us root for its protagonists.
A witty and unexpected tale of betrayal and love, The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater succeeds in a variety of unexpected ways. The writing is sharp, the actors are perfect and the underlying tension between the leads makes for some interesting twists and turns. C. J. Julianus has made a terrific film, one that mostly succeeds in its soaring ambitions to be a brisk, breezy genre hopping adventure.
Dinghy (2022)
Powerful, impactful and mesmerizing!
Written and directed by Sangeet Prabhaker, 'Dinghy' is a drama short that stars Jack Bradley, Laura Bay and Faheem Hussain. The film chronicles the unexpected difficulties that a group of refugees encounter after reaching ashore a European coastline. Faced with unexpected danger, a game of mayhem ensues that ends in disastrous consequences for all.
I never expected a film featuring the European refugee crisis to be full of such monstrosity and gore and one would not put the two entirely different aspects together in any capacity. However, against all odds Dinghy works perfectly as it is; a mishmash of two completely unrelated genres that writer and director Sangeet Prabhaker aces in a glorious way. As the refugees descend on a European shore, one expects the locals to put up some resistance (as xenophobia and racism do indeed find a way to make themselves visible in such situations). However, what follows is completely unexpected. If Sangeet's intention was to horrify and surprise the audience, he succeeded and he did so with flying colours.
Amongst the film's strongest suites are the performances. From the actors portraying the refugees to those who play the natives, each performance is authentic and nuanced. AJ Jones and Laura Bay portray the crazy natives with zany energy whilst Faheem Hussain and Iman Borono authentically bring to light the refugees escaping the war back home. Their meeting is expectedly tense and what follows is a game of life and death that will have no winners.
Equally impressive in Dinghy are the makeup and the special effects. From the practical effects of the demon seemingly aiding and abetting the natives in engaging in an orgy of death and blood to the bloody and brutal violence that follows, the effects are what make the short what it is. Selling the outlandish nature of the story without fail, the effects are not only masterful; they are an important aspect of the story itself. In addition, the narrative pacing and the editing are also top notch and there is not a single dull moment in the entire film.
In addition, it is the work of cinematographer Deane Thrussel that gives the story it's zany energy. Combining fast paced drone shots with facial closeups to replicate the chase of a thrill, Thrussel uses a variety of visual techniques to depict the desperate fight for their lives that the refugees find themselves in. The sound mixing and sound editing also impress and the whole audiovisual aspect of the production succeeds in every way imaginable.
Violent, unexpected and wholly original, Dinghy is a short that will stay with you long after it has ended. Featuring a different take on the refugee crisis that has come to Europe's shores after wars in the Middle East and North Africa, the film will shock you to your core. Featuring a resonant central story, good acting and fantastic special effects, Dinghy is a film that succeeds in more ways than one and is a commendable effort from Sangeet Prabhaker.
The Kingfish (2023)
Fun and adventurous!
Directed by the duo of Saint Martin and Tab Edwards, The Kingfish is a 19 minute film that stars Xavier Edwards, Taylor Myrick, Britt Starghill, Jordan Webber and others. Billed as a television comedy, the pilot follows the adventures of three Philadelphia based teens who find themselves navigating a series of difficult situations that they find themselves in.
The pilot follows X, Bobby and Flip (played by Xavier Edwards, Taylor Myrick and Britt Starghill) who decide to go to North Philadelphia on a whim. In pursuit of a package whose contents are not known, the trio will cross paths with shady individuals, some of whom have nefarious designs as well. The adventure gets a bit tricky as the trio is forced to use both their brains and their wit to survive.
In an endless landscape of comedy films and pilots, The Kingfish is an interesting project that has a lot going for it. The story is organic and the central McGuffin, the mysterious box, is used intelligently to further the plot in creative ways. The leads are likeable and there is not a single dull moment in the entire film. Some of the more tense moments could have been further fleshed out but this is a minor complaint when looking at the overarching picture. The fact is that the story works and it works pretty well.
In the acting department, the three leads; Xavier Edwards, Britt Starghill and Taylor Myrick all do a wonderful job of bringing their characters to life. Tapping into their energetic charm, the trio work well as a gang of teens who use wit, humour and sharp thinking to get ahead of every possible obstacle that could come their way. The antagonists played by Keron Morton and Omar Long are equally impressive and provide significant competition to the protagonists during the course of the story. In addition, the technical aspects of the production are fantastic as well with the editing, cinematography and music all working in tandem to create a fantastic adventure.
The Kingfish does a good job of laying the groundwork for what is sure to be a whole season of the adventures of X, Bobby and Flip. With likeable leads, adventure and wit, The Kingfish finds a way to make itself distinct from most of the comedy fare out there and manages to succeed in more ways than one.
Malibu Crush (2022)
Hangover, EuroTrip Vibes
Written and directed by James Pratt, Malibu Crush finds two young men on a journey to stop the wedding of an ex-girlfriend in Australia. A fun ride from start to finish, Malibu Crush is the perfect film for a slow Saturday evening or when you need to disengage from the world. The premise is exciting, the characters are lively and there is enough fun and adventure in the story to keep you hooked for the entire duration of the film.
Set in the same vibe as The Hangover or EuroTrip, I was surprised to be entertained this much by the film. It's straightforward, hilarious and a refreshing change of pace compared to the 'funny films' of this day and age. James Pratt and Billy White as the klutzy duo are great, and Bella Valentini as Emma is a breath of fresh air. Yuan Lin who plays Tiffany has some funny scenes with her father as well who has come to Los Angeles to visit his daughter.
The 78 minute film thoroughly entertains and by the end the chaos and drama surrounding the wedding reaches a towering crescendo in the third act. 10/10.
Who Needs It? (2023)
Fantastic!
Co-written by Marcus D. Spencer and Eduardo Castrillo and directed by Marcus D. Spencer, 'Who Needs It?' is a feature length comedy drama that stars Michael Grayson, Sherill Quinn, Felix Harry and Spencer himself.
Marcus D. Spencer plays Kieth D Real, a therapist who helps couples get to the root of their problems. When three different couples come to him for help, Real will find his hands full and as secrets are revealed and passions rekindled, will Real be able to help them as much as he wants them to?
'Who needs it?' approaches race in an interesting way and showcases three distinct ways how modern African American men approach cohabitation and love. From marrying into a Caucasian family, to marrying single mothers to financial issues; the film presents distinct problems facing African American couples and comes up with novel ways of handling these issues.
In the acting department, the star of the show is Spencer himself. Not only does he bring a charm and gravitas to the role, he is the linchpin on which the entire story rests. The rest of the cast, rounded out by Michael Grayson, Sherill Quinn, Felix Harry and others does a nice job of bringing their characters to life. The dialogue heavy script not only fleshes out the characters but also throws in realisations about relationships and life itself. This makes the entire endeavour worthwhile.
Spencer's direction is great as he brings his own co-written script to life in the most meaningful way imaginable. The story moves along at a potent pace as the narrative pacing and editing ensure that there is not a single dull moment in the entire film. In regards to the cinematography, the aerial shots at the start of the film set a nice tone for the story as the rest of the film mostly takes place in one single room.
Therefore, to conclude, 'Who Needs It?' is a light, funny comedy that will not only entertain you but also make you think about therapy and couples counselling. The characters are great, the wit is sharp and the feel good nature of the story works in more ways than one. Marcus D. Spencer's comedy drama ticks all the right boxes and is a perfect watch for a slow Saturday evening.
Feel the Dead (2017)
Fantastic
Tense, gripping and bloody; John Real's zombie apocalypse drama 'Feel the Dead' pits an unsuspecting American family on vacation against hordes of flesh eating zombies in an adventure that will keep you glued to the edge of your seat. Taking cues from the renaissance of the zombie genre in recent memory, Real spares no expense in delivering a bloody spectacle, one that is marked with twists and turns at every corner. Estella Warren is fantastic and both Sabrina Culver and William McNamara give moving performances that elevate the story. The six episode season is not afraid to thrust its protagonists into life and death situations and as the story progresses, the mystery regarding the zombie epidemic slowly reveals itself as the protagonists cross paths with a variety of both allies and unsavoury characters in the pursuit of survival. John Real ensures that well written characters and absolutely terrifying zombies propel the story forward and what follows is a tense journey of survival and gore as flesh eating monstrosities go on an unstoppable rampage of violence and terror. With gritty cinematography, fantastic special effects and a heartfelt story at its core, 'Feel the Dead' is a win by any measure of success and a worthy addition to the zombie genre.
Yesod (2022)
Spectacular!
Written and directed by Nizar Nassar, 'Yesod' is a science fiction short film that stars Tarek Bob and Nermin Habib.
The film follows an unnamed protagonist in a desolate landscape who survives in a hideout below ground to escape from the harsh environment above. On one such expedition foraging for food and survivors, the protagonist comes across a female sub-human. The discovery of another human ensues chaos and what the protagonist chooses to do from here onwards will define if he lives or dies in the hostile environment.
Yesod is a great film from all aspects. From the actors to the makeup and from the cinematography to its dialogue absent narrative, the film has all the ingredients needed to make a resonant, well rounded story.
Utilising minimal exposition and dialogue, Nassar chooses instead to make the audience explore the world through the protagonist's actions. This approach works wonders as it enables intrigue right upto the very end and transports the audience into the main character's shoes as he tries to survive in this very hostile world. It is creative choices such as these that elevate the film substantially.
From a visual perspective, the film is absolutely stunning. From the above ground desolate landscape to the underground sets, each visual aspect of the production rivals any well funded Hollywood production. In addition, the sound mixing and sound editing are also impressive, helping to fully immerse the audience into the hostile and desolate world that the story takes place in.
Beautifully shot, expertly paced and full of intrigue, Yesod is a cool little scifi gem that is way better than it has any right to be. Nizar Nassar has created an absolutely gorgeous science fiction marvel, one that utilises minimal dialogue to tell an expansive story that bursts out of its canvas and soars into the sky.
Planet Blue: Journey to Eco (2020)
Inspiring and resonant!
Created and written by Victoria Lauren and directed by Rickey Boyd, Planet Blue: Journey to Eco is a multiple award winning animated short film that showcases the voice talents of Kerry Butler, Buddy Dyer, Luke Drewell, Rickey Boyd and the creator Victoria Lauren.
With their home, the rainforest, smouldering and bare after devastating wildfires; Wizard the Blue Dart Frog, Toucan Petey and Blinky the Tree Frog undertake a magical adventure to find their friend Frazzie the monkey. This journey takes these cute animals to outer space where Planet Blue and Sunny Sun spin through the galaxy. Together, the friends hatch a plan to save the rainforest and the world from a climate catastrophe.
Planet Blue: Journey to Eco is for family audiences and as a prelude to several more shorts and feature films in the franchise, it gets a lot right. The visuals are attractive, the voice actors fantastic and there is a discernible push to get the kids involved in saving the planet. Films made for social messaging often get preachy but this short thankfully manages to avoid the complexities and pitfalls that often come with such an approach. Lauren and Boyd have thus made a cool animated short, one that manages to introduce the characters and sets the course for future adventures all in a slick time of five minutes.
Perhaps the most stunning thing about this film is how clean the CGI looks. The anthropomorphic animals look photorealistic and their natural movements (in line with how their real life counterparts would behave) show the level of detail that the visual artists have managed to infuse into these characters. This adds a layer of realism that makes the film even better.
Every film ultimately boils down to its message and the message here is clear: save the rainforests or the planet gradually wilts away. Walking amongst the burning remains of the forest, the main characters discuss their next plan of action. Utilising both the detailed sets and the witty dialogue, the filmmakers not only display the urgency of acting upon mitigating climate change but manage to convey the risks as well if the planet is not saved in time.
Perfect for inspiring children to apprise them of the importance of saving our rainforests, Planet Blue: Journey to Eco is a win in more ways than one. Not only does it have a resonant central message but its colourful characters and stunning CGI will make this short an instant hit amongst young audiences who will be both awed and inspired by this effort. Victoria Lauren and Ricky Boyd have created a film that hits it out of the park in more ways than one and acts as a solid foundation for the expansion of the franchise.
#THEDISH (2022)
Awesome!
Created by Adam Barta who also appears as one of its stars, #TheDish is a short comedy feature that stars Debbie Gibson, Daya Betty, Adam Barta, June Shannon and others.
The plot goes as follows. "Mama June" Shannon journeys to the Treasure Coast to help wannabe TV star, Adam Barta, seize the opportunity of a lifetime. However, standing in the way of this plan are two vengeful frenemies: Tan Mom and Cynthia Beaumont, a rich widow. As lines are drawn and characters collide, who will come out on top is anyone's guess.
The best thing about #TheDish is its characters and its comedy. The makers have really created the most outlandish caricatures and then employed them in the most ridiculous manner possible. The end result is a product that is, for the lack of a better word, insanely funny and entertaining as the makers pull out all the stops to create a story that hits all the right notes.
Funny, satirical and above all self-aware, #TheDish is television at its best. From quirky hijinks to crazy characters, this television show has it all. Adam Barta and his team have made a show that hits all the right notes whilst making sure that the audience is not bored for a single moment of it all. #TheDish is therefore a winner that succeeds in more ways than one.
We give the feature a rating of four out of five.
One More Dream (2022)
Loved every moment of it!
Directed by Ricky Burchell, One More Dream (2022) is a coming of age drama that hits all the right notes. David Rand plays Jeremy, a high school teen struggling with adolescence, friendship and romance whilst navigating the various pitfalls of high school life. There is a sense of authenticity in the film, one that has been very hard to capture in recent teen dramas. Burchell has captured the essence of adolescent life perfectly, populating the story with characters that are both relatable and funny and rounding out the story with a message that will resonate with all audiences.
A feel good story that will stay with you long after it has ended, One More Dream is subtle in its messaging and emotional at its core. Full of heart and positive energy, the film tackles the problems that the youth of today face in a unique way. The characters are lively, the story heartfelt and the acting superb. Director Ricky Burchell has made a banger of a film, one that will resonate with the youth through its theme of strength, camaraderie and friendship. I am not ashamed to admit that I loved every bit of it.
Still Human (2022)
Fascinating!
A deep dive into the relationship of poverty and mega cities, Still Human is a highly informative documentary by David Albert Habif. With help from various experts, Habif goes into depth regarding a variety of issues, prying open the various complications and contrivances that ensure poverty remains haunting us without any meaningful solution to the problem itself.
The narrative voice-over is on point and the striking visuals ensure the audience realise the gravity of the situation at hand. Comparing Mumbai to Los Angeles, Habif not only illustrates the different ways in which poverty manifests in first and third world countries but also shows how greed, corruption and blatant apathy results in dysfunction in two of the world's biggest economies.
Putting front and centre the scale of human catastrophe, Habif apprises the severity of the problem at hand and how this unchecked human catastrophe breeds a multitude of problems that then threaten security and stability of the entire region. The two hour documentary is packed with both data and interviews, providing a much needed informed perspective on the entire issue. One shortcoming that may be noted is the film's narrative pace. The pace lags in parts and some brisk editing here and there could have made the entire production a little better in terms of its message conveyance.
Thought provoking and poignant, Still Human tackles the demons of poverty flawlessly. Using both interviews from experts and vivid animations, the film moves to give the audience a sprawling birds eye view of how poverty shackles the human spirit and ultimately prevents us from living to our potential. The film is both impactful and informational and should be mandatory viewing for any individual looking to dive deep into a megacity's various problems.
Memory Lane (2022)
Crazy and exciting!
Directed by Ross Holman, Memory Lane (2022) stars Bianca Holman, Ross Holman and Steven Wilkins. A science fiction adventure shot in B-movie style, the film finds its protagonist, Arcadia Smith, who discovers he can travel both into the past and future which leads him to relive and recalibrate his life.
Holman, who both directs and stars in the production, balances both roles pretty nicely. With the weight of the entire narrative on his shoulders, Holman approaches both his character and the production with a form of B-movie energy that is perfect for the tone of the story. Fabulous directing aside, Holman brings his zany energy to his characters as well; charting an illustrious story that takes the audience down a path of timeless adventure.
With interesting and quirky characters introduced throughout the narrative, the film keeps things moving along nicely. From the costumes to the dialogues, every character has a different flair to him or her that speaks to the level of dedication and complexity that the makers wanted to infuse in the production. Of particular note are the sets where Holman has made effective use of both green screen and real locations to shoot the various skits in the story. One particular locale that pops on the screen is the green hillside where the conclusion of the film takes place. Furthermore, the interspersed footage of the protagonist's past also invokes some much needed depth in the story and makes the protagonist more relatable to the audience.
Running at just over an hour, Memory Lane (2022) has just enough action and adventure to satiate everyone. It is obvious that the production is a labour of love by its makers who have tried to make the very best film possible within the creative and fiscal limitations handed to them. Although this is very much in the realm of a student film, the technical choices in regards to editing and narrative structure are very much in the vicinity of a Hollywood level production.
To sum up, Memory Lane puts Ross Holman on the map, illustrating his gifts as both a visual artist and an avant garde filmmaker who will go to the edges of what is possible to bring the most unique film ever made. It is fairly obvious that Holman has a terrific future ahead of him and we can't wait to see what he comes up with next.
Black Site (2022)
Loved it from start to end!
A solid thriller that is not only well made but also keeps you on your toes, Black Site stars Michel Monaghan, Jason Clarke and Jai Courtney. The acting is fantastic, the action is well choreographed and there is a foreboding sense of doom peppered throughout the narrative, ready to burst at any moment. While narratively, the film may tread familiar beats, the execution is anything but; resulting in a satisfying film that impresses.
Den enda vägen (2017)
Loved it!
I am seriously impressed after finishing this movie. The acting is potent, the story is complex and the narrative flows smoothly. The cast really gives it their all, and it shows. I loved the sound design as well. However, the thing I am most impressed with is how the makers behind the project weaved a complex issue into the overarching narrative. Visually crackling and action packed, this is one movie that made quite a mark on me.
You're Hired! (2021)
Crazy and funny in equal measure!
I must admit that I was put off by the trailer but gave the film a chance regardless. Pleased to say that I wasn't disappointed. The film is a rollicking adventure that mixes fun and comedy, transforming into something crazy by the end. Not only did I love it but I recommended it to all of my friends.