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Reviews
M.O.M.: Mothers of Monsters (2020)
Really Good Movie
Tucia Lyman does a masterful job with her actors and her camera. This indie film is brilliantly conceptualized and executed on all levels. Melinda Page Hamilton is terrific in the lead role as is Bailey Edwards. M.O.M. shows you can do a lot with a little if there's real intelligence behind the filmmaking. This movie might not be for the squeamish, but if you can handle it, it's well worth the time. Watch it.
Closure (2018)
Comedy, Action, Drama seamlessly woven
"Closure" is a delightful blend of tones, and Alex Goldberg handles all of them expertly. He gets excellent performances from his entire cast, particularly the lead Catia Ojeda whose journey to find her sister takes her into comic and sinister settings in an L.A. world that is entertaining and gripping. The technicals in this indie film are first rate, and, with many unexpected twists and turns, "Closure" is worth the time. Take a look.
Sweet Sunshine (2020)
Heartfelt Film. Great music.
Sweet Sunshine is a thoroughly professionally made and enjoyable movie. Craig McMahon does a great job with all the technicals and his actors. John Way and Savanah McMahon give excellent, emotion filled performance. This top rate indie film will bring a tear and a smile. Well worth watching.
Eleven Days (2018)
A good movie about an important subject
"Eleven Days" casts some intelligent light on the issue of prejudice from several different angles, and wraps it all in a compelling and heartfelt story of a 12 year old's arduous journey to find his brother. Jaginder Singh does a terrific job with the Australian landscape, his actors and his incidents, weaving in all the human moments beautifully. This film is well worth the time. Watch it. It will stay with you.
Carving a Life (2017)
Heartfelt and Moving
This film deals with an important subject and shows how the lead deals with his demons and makes the decision to overcome them. Terry Ross and Lisa Bruhn do a terrific job depicting how a person can descend into alcoholism despite having every incentive to overcome it. "Carving a Life" has an edge and a message. Well worth watching.
Ring Ring (2019)
Fun and Freaky
All the technicals are top notch. The acting is excellent. Adam Marino does a great job putting all the pieces together. The camera work is exceptional, the performances are solid and the script is smart and, at times, slyly funny. Take some time out and watch it.
Loners (2019)
Funny Premise. Lots of Laughs
There's some pretty astute social commentary in this indie film, too. The comedy delivery is excellent, and Eryc Tramonn does a great job of putting everything together in an entertaining package that is well worth your time.
A Slice of Life on Barcelona (2015)
An Edgy Film About The Seedy Side
Maria Galindo gives us a view of the dark side of Barcelona. This film is very effective and often disturbing. If you're looking for travelogue, this isn't the film for you, but if you like your indie films with edge and character depictions that don't hesitate to take you to the boundaries of audience sympathy and sometimes way beyond, then check this out. There's a fearlessness about the depiction of this world that I appreciated.
The Stand Up Doll (2019)
A Most Extraordinary Life
In "The Stand Up Doll," Evelyne Tollman Werzowa documents Risa, a woman with a life full of tragedy and a heart full of joy. And that is her triumph. Evelyne mines the depth and meaning of a life that's lasted over a hundred years and a woman who has survived by not letting misfortune turn the journey bitter. Risa's remarkable gift is her ability to appreciate the good and to forgive and accept the bad. You get a lot of both when you live to be a 100. Inspiring and heartwarming, Evelyne's documentary is well worth the time.
Only Humans (2019)
An effective coming of age story
Everybody does a little growing up in this well acted and directed movie by Vanessa Knutsen. With the somewhat morally problematic central storyline of film, the director makes some strong choices and depicts a very real and believable tale of characters that are "only human." The use of music is first rate, and, regardless of your personal feelings about the shortcomings of the characters, this movie has a lot of merit and is well worth watching.
The Longest Straw (2017)
An important subject handled in a really accessible way
There's a spirit in people who really care that inspires us to do better, whether it's water conservation or just taking the time to learn where our water comes from. The charm of "The Longest Straw" is that it's not a didactic rendition of how we procure and use our most precious resource, but rather a documentary populated with people who come across as authentic, concerned, level headed and informative. Sam Bode is particularly endearing as we trek with her up the length of the aqueduct and visit places in California that we would otherwise never have been aware of. At times, it is even a bit touching to see her devotion to the journey.
Take the time to watch this documentary. It is well worth it.
On the Corner of Ego and Desire (2019)
Funny and thoroughly entertaining
Alex Ferrari's depiction of three passionate, naive and semi delusional indie filmmakers is humorous and sly with surprising moments of pathos. The performances are great and the tone is spot on. Well worth watching. Definite 5 stars
Loon Lake (2019)
My kind of horror
This movie has some really great scares and uses some excellent old school tropes that never fail to give me the suspense and shock moments I'm looking for in my horror flicks. Ansel Faraj does a great job in all aspects of the film. Easy on the gore and strong on the horror, this one is worth watching.
29 to Life (2018)
Slacker makes good
A charming, fun loving film with a lot of humorous moments and a lead that wins you over. Alex Magana does an admirable job with his actors and other technicals. Worth a look.
Chasing the Win (2016)
For lovers of horses and animals and stories about people
Laura Sheehy and Chris Ghelfi gives us a beautifully photographed and directed story of the ups and downs of horseracing. But you don't have to be a fan of racing to enjoy this documentary. It involves you in the human story of struggle which we all relate to and takes us to the pinnacle of success which we all hope to achieve. Well worth the time. Five stars.
Tag Team Truckers (2018)
Charming Indie Comedy
Fun story about two contrasting brothers. Michael Morford is particularly likeable in the lead. Jason Ancona does a fine job putting all the pieces together... acting, music, cinematography are all great. Worth the time.
Silent Panic (2018)
Twists and turns that keep you guessing.
Kyle Schadt keeps up the tension with a story about three guys who discover a dead body in the trunk of their car. The movie takes some unexpected turns and revelations about the three complex characters. It begs the question, what would you do in this situation? Watch what these guys do. It'll keep you involved.
Purgatory Road (2017)
Dark, dark, dark...
...If you like films that way, then this one has everything... monsters, murder, sex, psychotic killers and even some heartfelt moments. Kudos to Director Mark Savage for giving us a mix of all these horror elements in such a well made film. The acting, music and cinematography are first rate. This film is more fun than a barrel full of Babadooks.
Beyond the Spectrum (2017)
Footage I've never seen before.
Beyond The Spectrum" presents some very interesting images of UFOs. I don't believe or not believe in life on other planets and the fact that they're buzzing around earth. As Darcy Weir posits in this film, perhaps they are here and we can't see them because of our limited spectrum of sight. Either way, there's some very new and official footage in this film that gets you thinking and keeps your attention. I love watching docs about the subject matter.
Unlawful Justice (2018)
Powerful drama, well worth watching
Chris Baxter has made a fine film about the cycle of pain on the streets of L.A. Following the story of a cop and a college bound teenager, Baxter avoids cliches and gives us a deep and powerful look at the circumstances of these two characters that lead to decisions which put them on a collision course. Both actors (Emmanuel Vega and Marlon Fisher) give excellent performances as does the rest of the cast. The technicals of this film are first rate all around. Watch it. It's worth the time. Ten stars for sure.
Hesperia (2019)
A journey to the dark side
Two kids in Hesperia get exposed to the dark side of their community. This raw, indie film depicts the gripping and disturbing results of a vicious cycle. To learn more, watch it. Warning... it's not for everybody.
Love Is Not Enough (2019)
Entertaining and heartfelt
Sean Woodward's comedy/drama is a love letter to Detroit populated with funny, endearing people struggling to navigate love and career paths.
Hidden Light (2018)
Tense and Complex thriller
Kept me involved all the way through. Interesting lead character does a fine acting job.
The Evil Down the Street (2019)
Entertaining movie, good scares
Director David Espinosa keeps us on our toes with his flair for tension and scares. Was entertained all the through. If you're a horror (not slasher) buff, you'll enjoy this one.
Dirty Beautiful (2015)
A complicated, engrossing romantic dramedy
Get ready for some twists and turns in an unusual love story. The two leads do an excellent job and the writer/director takes us to unexpected and interesting places. Worth the time.