Author: Mike Szymanski

Movie Review

Don’t Monkey Around With Endanger Species in “Escape from Extinction Rewilding”

“Escape from Extinction Rewilding” Rating: 9/10 Director: Matthew R. Brady Writers: Alex Vincent Blumberg and Peter Meadows Style: Documentary Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSF5F6Ff-so Review by Mike Szymanski The mark of a good documentary is one that will make you take notice, react emotionally, or angrily, and go out and do something about it. Usually right away. Usually you are researching on your phone … Continue reading Don’t Monkey Around With Endanger Species in “Escape from Extinction Rewilding”

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Movie Review

As a Baseball Movie, ‘You Gotta Believe’ is in a League of Its Own

“You Gotta Believe” Rating: 7/10 Director: Ty Roberts Writer: Lane Garrison Style: Family Sports Time: 1 hour, 44 minutes Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r_nbHSOyDE Review by Mike Szymanski Funny, poignant, charming and delightful in every way, “You Gotta Believe” is more than a kid’s baseball movie — it’s a feel-good family film for everyone of every age. It may have moments that remind you of “The Bad News Bears” … Continue reading As a Baseball Movie, ‘You Gotta Believe’ is in a League of Its Own

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Movie Review

This Documentary of ‘The Mandela Effect Phenomenon’ Will Blow Your Mind About Your Failed Memories

“Mandela Effect Phenomenon” Rating: 7/10 Director and Writer: Robert Kiviat Style: Documentary Time: 1 hour, 32 minutes Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwjXuTs5Ycg Review by Mike Szymanski OK, this is going to blow your mind. Remember spreading Jiffy Peanut Butter on your sandwich? Or your grandmother putting on Depends diapers? How about the evil queen in Snow White saying, “Mirror Mirror on the wall”? Or remember Forrest Gump saying “Life … Continue reading This Documentary of ‘The Mandela Effect Phenomenon’ Will Blow Your Mind About Your Failed Memories

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
HORROR, Movie Review

See and Hear an Up-and-Coming Great Film Hyphenate Moviemaker if You ‘Listen Carefully’

“Listen Carefully” Rating: 8/10 Director and Writer: Ryan Barton-Grimley Style: Horror Time: 1 hour 22 minutes Trailer: https://vimeo.com/953775859 Review by Mike Szymanski Sometimes big things come in little packages, and this odd quirky indy film is one of those. In a film noir motif (actually, everything is really pretty dark in the entire film), it has a small cast with oddball characters, misguided motives and dark … Continue reading See and Hear an Up-and-Coming Great Film Hyphenate Moviemaker if You ‘Listen Carefully’

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Movie Review

This Charming Documentary ‘The Last Keeper’ Explores All Sides Only Too Well

“The Last Keeper” Rating: 9/10 Director and Writer: Tom Opre Style: Documentary Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI8wPU-5kZo Review by Mike Szymanski Very few places on the planet are more beautiful than the Scottish countryside, with all the lush greenery, the large stags, the beautiful birds. It may be surprising that it could all come to an end because of warring factions that all … Continue reading This Charming Documentary ‘The Last Keeper’ Explores All Sides Only Too Well

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Movie Review

Real or Not, this ‘Protocol 7’ Will Scare You

“Protocol 7” Rating: 7/10 Director: Andrew Wakefield Writers: Terri Rossio and Andrew Wakefield Style: Drama Thriller Trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=o-NyF2d_hVY Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes Rating: R Review by Mike Szymanski This is a thriller, and it’s frightening, because it’s real. From the outset, I am not an anti-vaxxer, and do not support the anti-vaxxing campaign. I have always received my vaccinations, including my Covid shots, and … Continue reading Real or Not, this ‘Protocol 7’ Will Scare You

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Movie Review

Changing the Foster Care System with ‘Sound of Hope: The Story Of Possum Trot’

“Sound of Hope: The Story Of Possum Trot” Rating: 8/10 Director: Joshua Weigel Writers: Joshua and Rebekah Weigel Style: Biopic/ Drama Trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=-nyh9tcGFcI Time: 2 hour, 18 minutes Review by Mike Szymanski Inspired by true events, this is one those stories that sneaks up on you and you wonder, “Why didn’t know I know that happened?” “Sound of Hope: The Story Of Possum Trot” is … Continue reading Changing the Foster Care System with ‘Sound of Hope: The Story Of Possum Trot’

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Movie Review

There’s Nothing Like ‘The Mimic’ in Quirky Dark Comedy

“The Mimic” Rating: 7/10 Director and Writer: Thomas F. Mazziotti Style: Dark Comedy Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_nwNNRlxC8 Time: 1 hour, 22 minutes Review by Mike Szymanski This quirky dark comedy is reminiscent of a Wes Anderson film, with all the odd-ball characters. And, it’s also like a Todd Solondz film, but without the meanness. Anderson, of “Rushmore,” “Asteroid City” and “The Royal Tenenbaums” fame, is also known for … Continue reading There’s Nothing Like ‘The Mimic’ in Quirky Dark Comedy

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Movie Review

Can ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ Break Box Office and Awards Expectations? I’ll Bet it Will

“A Quiet Place: Day One” Rating: 9/10 Director and Writer: Michael Sarnoski Story by: John Krasinski and Michael Sarnoski Based on characters created by: Bryan Woods and Scott Beck Style: Horror Trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=YPY7J-flzE8 Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes Rating: PG-13 Review by Mike Szymanski OK, let the Oscar campaign begin right now for Lupita Nyong’o for her work in “A Quiet Place: Day One.” A … Continue reading Can ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ Break Box Office and Awards Expectations? I’ll Bet it Will

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski4 Comments
Movie Review

Tense Moments Explore Inside the Scope of ‘The Sniper’

“The Sniper” Rating: 8/10 Director: Dastan Khalili Writer: Chris Calzia Style: Short Drama Time: 20 minutes Review by Mike Szymanski Ever have a bad day at work? You know, when you bring work home with you and you can’t escape the anxiety of it. Now, what if you were a sniper? This brilliant metaphor of work-stress anxiety explores how all of us obsess too much … Continue reading Tense Moments Explore Inside the Scope of ‘The Sniper’

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Movie Review

Inspirational ‘Sight’ Puts the Real World in Focus

“Sight” Rating: 9/10 Director and writer: Andrew Hyatt Style: Biopic/Drama Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes Review by Mike Szymanski Just when you think you know everything about every possible true story, some amazing tale makes it to the big screen and overwhelms you. I am particularly tuned in to medical breakthrough stories — and with a special interest in eyes and blindness — yet I never heard of this … Continue reading Inspirational ‘Sight’ Puts the Real World in Focus

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Movie Review

Jean-Claude Van Damme is Back in Gritty Noir Action Thriller ‘Darkness of Man’

“Darkness of Man” Rating: 8/10 Director: James Cullen Bressack Writer: Alethea Cho and James Cullen Bressack Style: Action / Thriller Time: 1 hour 48 minutes Rated: R Review by Mike Szymanski It’s great to see Jean-Claude Van Damme in a gritty crime drama after the rumors that he was hanging up his martial arts belt. Apparently, if there’s anyone who can keep him going in … Continue reading Jean-Claude Van Damme is Back in Gritty Noir Action Thriller ‘Darkness of Man’

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Movie Review

These Wise Guys in ‘Jersey Bred’ Don’t Think Change is Funny, But it is

“Jersey Bred” Rating: 8/10 Writer and Director: Greg Russo Style: Crime/ Action / Drama Time: 1 hour 31 minutes Review by Mike Szymanski Change in the mob game isn’t always a good thing. When the gangsters like those from the days of “The Godfather” (and all the violence involved) get mixed up in online gambling and crypto-currency, some people can’t give up their old ways. … Continue reading These Wise Guys in ‘Jersey Bred’ Don’t Think Change is Funny, But it is

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Movie Review

A Wild and Crazy Take on ‘The Take Out Move’ 

The Take Out Move Rating: 7/10 Director and Writer: Andrew Simonian Style: Comedy Time: 74 minutes Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV2stp7Md6s Rating: R Review by Mike Szymanski This clever comedy is like a small-scale “Animal House” where two guys try to fulfill some assignments to get into a fraternity. It’s rife with all the dick jokes you can handle, and as juvenile as that may sound to you at … Continue reading A Wild and Crazy Take on ‘The Take Out Move’ 

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Movie Review

You Should Look Forward to ‘An Egypt Affair

An Egypt Affair Rating: 8/10 Director: Marlin Darrah Writers: Will Patching, Eric Weinstock Style: Adventure Thriller Rated: PG-13 Time: 1 hour and 23 minutes Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a66fUIli24 Review by Mike Szymanski A languid trip down the Nile turns into a sensual nightmare as an unexpected couple boards the boat. With a steamy cast, twisting plot and a stunning backdrop, “An Egypt Affair” is one affair you won’t … Continue reading You Should Look Forward to ‘An Egypt Affair

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Cultural issues, LGTQ

Fencesitter Films Creates a Unique Film Festival for All Shades

By Mike Szymanski All kinds of film festivals exist: those focused on vampires, or cannabis, or veganism. Filmmaker Kyle Schickner’s has dreamt for the past three decades to have a festival of movies that cater to his specific interests: telling stories that focus on women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ communities. Of course, some quite prominent individual film festivals exist for each of those, … Continue reading Fencesitter Films Creates a Unique Film Festival for All Shades

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Historical Fiction, History, Movie Review

A Strong Dose of ‘Effigy — Poison And The City’ is Well Worth it

Effigy — Poison And The City Rating: 7/10 Director: Udo Flohr Writers: Peer Meter, Udo Flohr, Antonia Roelle Style: Historical Crime Drama Rated: PG-13 Time: 1 hour and 24 minutes Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sIi_eniA6c Review by Mike Szymanski Female serial killers aren’t common in historical reality or in fiction. So, a film about one of the earliest known real-life murderess is unique and fascinating. Director Udo Floor put together this … Continue reading A Strong Dose of ‘Effigy — Poison And The City’ is Well Worth it

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Activism, Cultural Arts, Cultural issues, History, Social Issues

The Golden Age of Hollywood: MGM Turns 100 and A Little Girl Turns 97

By Mike Szymanski (all photos by Mike except as noted) It’s a true Hollywood story. On April 19, 1935, MGM Studio chief Louis B. Mayer had a brainstorm and celebrated the joint birthdays of the studio’s youngest star Cora Sue Collins along with one of the oldest stars May Robson. It was to be a great publicity stunt with every major star on the lot … Continue reading The Golden Age of Hollywood: MGM Turns 100 and A Little Girl Turns 97

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Movie Review

You Don’t Want to Let These ‘Sleeping Dogs’ Lie — It’s an Unforgettable Noir Thriller

Sleeping Dogs Rating: 8/10 Director: Adam Cooper Writers: Adam Cooper and Bill Collage Based on: “The Book of Mirrors” by E.O. Chirovici Style: Action Crime Thriller Time: 1 hour and 50 minutes Rating: R Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2S9unF0f-s Review by Mike Szymanski A noir thriller these days generally consists of stark, dark indy gritty movies with simple, but clever plots, and a big-name star who normally wouldn’t do … Continue reading You Don’t Want to Let These ‘Sleeping Dogs’ Lie — It’s an Unforgettable Noir Thriller

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Movie Review

Hallelujah! ‘The Reverend’ Proves Without a Doubt He is the Minister of Music

The Reverend Rating: 7/10 Director and Writer: Nick Canfield Style: Music Biography Time: 1 hour and 26 minutes: Review by Mike Szymanski Very few documentaries are as inspiring and joyful as this one. Religious or not, spiritual or not, a believer or not, you will be inspired by “The Reverend,” just like his band mates who are not reverent at all! “The Reverend” features a … Continue reading Hallelujah! ‘The Reverend’ Proves Without a Doubt He is the Minister of Music

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski