The Mentor

A fun meta-narrative that bobs and weaves its way to a satisfying conclusion, while effectively mixing different genres in an unexpected and fresh way. A fascinating watch.

A nice little Indie flick that was greatly entertaining from start to finish. The acting was strong, especially the two female leads, and there were more twists and turns than a mountain road, It never got stale, drawn out or boring. Action packed and a strong outing from the writer and director of the film. Great fun that is highly recommended,

Moez Solis's first feature is a sort of madcap take on how filmmaking itself can go to ridiculous extremes (starting with kidnapping). While it plays somewhat like an insider piece to the multitudes within the greater industry, THE MENTOR showcases Solis's ability to deliver a solid story and sustain intrigue through twists and turns that don't stop until the conclusion, and thus can be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys a dark comedy. The lead cast delivers solid performances (Brandi Nicole Payne and Mike Bash especially), which are wacky-enhanced by the fact that the majority of them wear bird masks while running around Oakland throughout the movie.

An insightful exploration of the creative process and the pursuit of authenticity in filmmaking. Creative-types, filmmakers and cinephiles will gain the most from this film as they will get the film references and understand the lengths artists go to find their voice (while also having to deal with time and budget constraints.) The story unfolds cleverly with plenty of twists and fun moments, and builds up to a really satisfying ending.

It's rare for me to enjoy a movie about the film business, as they're often too self-indulgent, but "The Mentor" is original and insightful. The film biz is simply a backdrop, although being familiar with the industry will aid in understanding terminology, motivation, and plot. On the other hand, if you don't know about the film business, it's a way to learn about it while you enjoy a well-written, and wonderfully-acted caper film. Great job.