Author: Mike Szymanski

Arts, Movie Review

Capping Off Bruce Willis’s Action Career with Satisfying ‘Independence’

Detective Knight: Independence Rating: 9/10 Director: Edward John Drake Writer: Edward John Drake Style: Action/Crime Thriller Time: 90 minutes Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt-hyQE-sIA Rated: R Review by Mike Szymanski This crime thriller trilogy of the Detective Knight series is a fitting finale to Bruce Willis’s action movie career. Of course, everyone hopes and expects Willis to conquer his aphasia, which is a language disorder that affects a person’s … Continue reading Capping Off Bruce Willis’s Action Career with Satisfying ‘Independence’

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Action and Adventure, Movie Review

Bruce Willis Gets Redeemed in One of his Final Films: ‘Detective Knight: Redemption’

Detective Knight: Redemption Rating: 8/10 Director: Edward John Drake Writers: Edward John Drake and Corey Large Style: Action/Crime Thriller Time: 93 minutes Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXMbkKzvpHY Rated: R Review by Mike Szymanski This second in the Detective Knight trilogy, perhaps Bruce Willis’s last film role, is called “Redemption.” In the first part, “Rogue,” the celebrated Willis’s character Detective Knight is in prison for murdering the bad guys, Winna … Continue reading Bruce Willis Gets Redeemed in One of his Final Films: ‘Detective Knight: Redemption’

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Action and Adventure, Artist on the Rise, Arts, Movie Review, Suspense/Thriller

You Will Want to Give in to These ‘Toxic Impulses’

Toxic Impulses Rating: 8/10 Director: Kyle Schadt Writer: Kyle Schadt Style: Thriller Time: 89 minutes Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peAqVQjqspU Review by Mike Szymanski “Toxic Impulses” is truly one of the best examples of a modern film noir thriller than any movie that has been made in a long time. Film noir (or “dark film” in French) is characterized by stark lighting, unkempt anti-heroes, twisting plot lines, and heavy … Continue reading You Will Want to Give in to These ‘Toxic Impulses’

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Artist on the Rise, Arts, Cultural Arts, Drama, Movie Review

A Washed-Up Rock Star Hiding from the World Realizes He’s ‘Lost Inside’

Lost Inside Rating: 8/10 Director: Jeff Hindenach Writer: Jeff Hindenach Style: Drama Time: 95 minutes Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ipVr5C6Yws Review by Mike Szymanski “Lost Inside” delves into the feelings of isolation and loneliness we all get, whether famous or never famous. It’s labeled a drama, but it’s very funny, too. We’ve all dealt with isolation during these years of the pandemic, but for this movie it’s more than … Continue reading A Washed-Up Rock Star Hiding from the World Realizes He’s ‘Lost Inside’

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Arts

The ‘Aves’ and the Have-Nots: Finding a Team to Create a Memorable Short Film Showpiece

The amazing program in the Masters of Fine Arts at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles allows students to focus on six disciplines of filmmaking. (See related story: AFI Film Fest Focuses on the Up-and-Comers) Over the two-year course, like-minded students come together to share their expertises in Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting and create a short film that will in all … Continue reading The ‘Aves’ and the Have-Nots: Finding a Team to Create a Memorable Short Film Showpiece

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Arts, Movie Review

Dramatic Steps to Tell ‘An American Ballet Story’ No One Knows

An American Ballet Story Rating: 7/10 Director and Writer: Leslie Streit Style: Documentary Time: 94 minutes Trailer: vimeo.com/672952777 Review by Mike Szymanski Even if you are a dance aficionado you may not have heard of Harkness Ballet. Even if you are — or were — a professional dancer (and I know more than just a few) you probably never heard of Rebekah Harkness, who founded that … Continue reading Dramatic Steps to Tell ‘An American Ballet Story’ No One Knows

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski