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’?

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’

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

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

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

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

‘Discontinued’ Mixes Teen Angst and The End of The World for a Pleasing Comedy

Discontinued Rating: 9/10 Director: & Writer: Trevor Peckham Style: Sci-fi/Comedy Time: 91 minutes Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUQBAbZ6B1g Review by Mike Szymanski It’s tough to make a teen comedy that’s smart and for an overall audience. Mix in sci-fi elements and a good teen film is practically non-existent (a good one, that is.) “Discontinued” is not necessarily a teen comedy, in fact, it’s for everyone — and perhaps for … Continue reading ‘Discontinued’ Mixes Teen Angst and The End of The World for a Pleasing Comedy