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’
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
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
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’
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
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’
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
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’
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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’
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
‘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
‘The Shift’ Goes Into High Gear with Sci-Fi Intrigue
The Shift Rating: 7/10 Director: Brock Heasley Writer: Brock Heasley Style: Sci-Fi Time: 1 hour and 55 minutes Trailer: https://www.imdb.com/video/vi1880606489/?ref_=tt_vi_i_1 Review by Mike Szymanski “This is not my world,” the main character of “The Shift” says over and over again. He seems like he belongs in that world, as he falls out of the sky and then walks out of a lake with full clothes on, … Continue reading ‘The Shift’ Goes Into High Gear with Sci-Fi Intrigue
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