Tag: Movies

Movie Review

Lots of Twists and Edges in ‘A Very Flattened Christmas’ 

A VERY FLATTENED CHRISTMAS Rating: 7/10 Director: Shane Wallace Writer: Key Tawn Toothman and Shane Wallace Style: Comedy Horror Time: 1 hour, 31 minutes Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJKG2IVHO_o Review by Mike Szymanski Sometimes, usually late at night, when you can’t sleep and you have the munchies, you need to watch something that is light, funny, exciting enough to keep you awake, but not so complicated you have to … Continue reading Lots of Twists and Edges in ‘A Very Flattened Christmas’ 

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Movie Review

Who is Being Conned in this Comedic ‘Con Job’?

Con Job Rating: 7/10 Director: Ian Niles Writers: Guy Harry and Ian Niles Style: Comedy Time: 1 hour, 33 minutes Review by Mike Szymanski Let these two friends, Chris and Angus, take you on a strange journey where they try to con just about everyone they know, and things get scary. And there are bodies. You will like not like a single person in this … Continue reading Who is Being Conned in this Comedic ‘Con Job’?

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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

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

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

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
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

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
Arts, Movie Review

The Secrets in this ‘Detained’ Mystery Don’t Hold Back

· Detained Rating: 8/10 Director: Felipe Mucci Writers: Jeremy Palmer and Felipe Mucci Style: Thriller Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes: Review by Mike Szymanski Buckle-up for a dark and mysterious ride that takes you on a rollercoaster ride of deception and intrigue. Noirish and simple, this thriller is continuously enjoyable and unpredictable. Abbie Cornish (from “Jack Ryan”) plays a seemingly befuddle woman named Rebecca … Continue reading The Secrets in this ‘Detained’ Mystery Don’t Hold Back

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Movie Review

A Miraculously Impressive Movie About the First American Saint Mother ‘Cabrini’ Is a Masterpiece

Cabrini Rating: 10/10 Director: Alejandro Monteverde Writers: Rod Barr and Alejandro Monteverde a Style: Bio-pic Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPwnYlJ2L_c DreamweaverArts is quote in the official movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-aA70YJmcQ&t=9s Review by Mike Szymanski Perhaps a story about a nun who becomes a saint is not a movie you’d sit down and care to watch, but this is not that. Maybe you think that … Continue reading A Miraculously Impressive Movie About the First American Saint Mother ‘Cabrini’ Is a Masterpiece

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Movie Review

A Clean Sweep of Good, Gritty Story in ‘The Dirty South’

The Dirty South Rating: 8/10 Director & Writer: Matthew Yerby Writer: Matthew Yerby Style: Action/Crime/Drama Time: 1 hour and 47 minutes Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hin7Q8ZBT7A Review by Mike Szymanski How far will you go to save the “family farm”? It’s an age-old question where families are constantly struggling to save the house they grew up in, or the farm they tilled for generations, or the business that the … Continue reading A Clean Sweep of Good, Gritty Story in ‘The Dirty South’

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Movie Review

This ‘Mid-Century’ House is Filled with Ghosts Alive and Dead

Mid-Century Rating: 8/10 Director: Sonja O’Hara Writer: Mike Stern Style: Fantasy/Horror/Mystery Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes Trailer: https://vimeo.com/672495577 Review by Mike Szymanski You know something is wrong when a woman takes a shovel and dispatches a bird that has flown into a glass wall of a window. She does it without passion or shame. It was the window who killed the bird, not her, she … Continue reading This ‘Mid-Century’ House is Filled with Ghosts Alive and Dead

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Movie Review

‘You, Me and Her’ Goes Shows a Funny and Ideal Bisexual Coming Out Experience

You, Me & Her Rating: 10/10 Director: Dan Levy Dagerman Writer: Selina Ringel Style: Comedy, Drama Time: 1 hour and 34 minutes Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn7S3J2MAbc Review by Mike Szymanski I have written decades of reviews about coming out experiences, and the most tragic circumstances, (and generally the most unhealthy) revolve around coming out as bisexual. Not here. “You, Me & Her” is a positive story and a … Continue reading ‘You, Me and Her’ Goes Shows a Funny and Ideal Bisexual Coming Out Experience

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
LGTQ, Movie Review

‘Summoning Sylvia’ Will Make You Squeal With Delight

Summoning Sylvia Rating: 8/10 Directors: Wesley Taylor and Alex Wyse Style: Horror Comedy Time: 75 minutes Rated: R Trailer: https://www.summoningsylvia.com/trailer Review by Mike Szymanski Three friends kidnap their friend for a bachelor party and rent an infamous haunted house. The friends are gay — very gay, and flamboyantly so. The reason they are so over-the-top (and we all know those who are actually that way) is … Continue reading ‘Summoning Sylvia’ Will Make You Squeal With Delight

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski
Arts, Movie Review

‘Boonie Bears: Back to Earth’ is Out of This World

Boonie Bears: Back to Earth Rating: 8/10 Director: Huida Lin Writers: Lin Jiang, Qin Wan and Rachel Xu Style: Animation/ Family/ Sci-Fi Time: 97 minutes Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9HdOW8Og3c Review by Mike Szymanski How did I not know about the Boonie Bears? Of course, if you don’t have toddler-to-elementary school-aged children, you may not keep up with children’s shows, but the Boonie Bears are going to be an … Continue reading ‘Boonie Bears: Back to Earth’ is Out of This World

Unknown's avatarMike Szymanski