The Rideshare Killer is a film that explores (with unapologetically melodramatic strokes) the fear and struggle of women living in the age of rideshare services and the threat they can pose. It also explores the glass ceiling so reinforced by corporate America. The film is held together by the the cast with standout performances by Victoria De Mare, James Balsamo, and the perpetually playful Eric Roberts. Grab your popcorn, a glass of chilled wine, and hold on for the ride!
Reviews
9 Reviews
Metamorphosis
(III) (2022)
A domestic nightmare
13 July 2022
Metamorphosis is a brooding dive into a dysfunctional relationship. The creamy, full-frame-esque photography is rich, bringing a suffocating perspective to the film. What the film lacks in dynamics and rhythm, it triumphs by the dedication of the lead actors. If you're feeling bad about a relationship, watch this and know someone else has it worse. You just might feel better.
Booked
(II) (2021)
Nuanced and Beautiful
3 July 2022
BOOKED explores the realities of exploitation. Brutal and complicated. The horror of the story is contrasted with vivid cinematography.
The strength of the film resides in Shawntay Dalon's screenplay that explores an interconnected web of exploitation targeting vulnerable women in America, particularly Black women. The recurring use of a white mask worn by both white and black characters is a constant reminder of the systemic causality linked to that exploitation and no one is untouched by its Horror.
The words of Sojourner Truth bookend the film with powerful resonance and the end credits outtake draws a chilling line connecting the extremity of the subject with a common interaction.
Strong performances on average with a visually expressive climax that shouldn't be missed.
The strength of the film resides in Shawntay Dalon's screenplay that explores an interconnected web of exploitation targeting vulnerable women in America, particularly Black women. The recurring use of a white mask worn by both white and black characters is a constant reminder of the systemic causality linked to that exploitation and no one is untouched by its Horror.
The words of Sojourner Truth bookend the film with powerful resonance and the end credits outtake draws a chilling line connecting the extremity of the subject with a common interaction.
Strong performances on average with a visually expressive climax that shouldn't be missed.
Ava
(2021)
Refreshing and Youthful
26 June 2022
This debut film by Catherane Skillen quickly establishes its voice by subverting the ageist narrative tropes of Hollywood. Skillen paints a thin but sincere tale about reclaiming identity in the face of death. A reminder to always keep growing.
Dirty Beautiful
(2015)
A true Hollywood Indie
26 June 2022
Dirty/Beautiful reminded me of a time I lived in Los Angeles and the unique toxic relationships that form in that identity-less dustbowl city. The Valley setting (I picked up North Hollywood vibes) was authentic in its naturalism. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is referenced at the beginning...and for a reason. Jordan Monaghan keeps her manic-pixie-dream-girl character grounded while Ricky Mabe channels Woody Allen and a mormon elder as the suburban-nerd-genius-screenwriter David. A true LA story from the mind of Tim Bartell.
Charlie
(I) (2022)
A formalistic family drama
8 April 2022
Charlie takes a formalistic look on domestic themes in Alec Ybarra's claustrophobic psychological drama. The plot unfolds in a non-linear manor which will keep the audience guessing (perhaps indefinitely). Ybarra delivers airtight mise-en-scene that owes much to the observed social realism of contemporary European masters. A stronger exploration of character and theme would have equaled the inspirations, but writer/director Ybarra's vision makes this suburban-American portrait easy viewing.
Boosters LA
(2022)
Clunky Yet Funny
4 April 2022
Melanie Comarcho's BOOSTERS is a mosaic, a collection of escapades involving a group of LA hustlers as they creatively swipe from retail stores and resell the goods in their community. The film maintains an airy sense of playfulness, Robinhood meets The Little Rascals in LA. While the mechanics of this movie are shaky (to say the least) the humor is palpable and the performances, led by Comarcho, are enthusiastic. Shoutout to the late John Witherspoon (Boondocks, Friday) who's cameo as an opportunistic ride share driver should not be missed.
A Naughty Cornucopia
2 April 2022
C. J. Julianus' "The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater" delivers sentiment, camp, action, and melodrama, through an irreverent blend of style and genre in XXXL proportion. If you're expecting standard genre fair you will be terribly disappointed. If you are looking a little naughty, a lot Indie, and a pinch of "The Room", and driven by a Badass performance from Lorrisa Julianus, then hold on for a film that delivers the whole basket...the kitchen sink...and more than you'd expect.
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