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Reviews
Last Flight Home (2022)
Poignant, soul stirring and everlasting
My wife and I just watched LAST FLIGHT HOME and it was incredibly powerful - wow what a truly extraordinary documentary! The director did such a tremendous job capturing the candor, humor and depth of those last sacred moments with her father, and with the family, his legacy - so poignant, so soul stirring. And what a powerful way to humanize the right to die too. Pure genius.
I was particularly moved by some of the moments with the director's mom, and the journey they both went through about whether she was connecting enough with her husband in his final days. It's interesting because the viewer also recognizes this almost immediately, the way mom hovers in the background, the chronic storytelling, the incredible place of pain it must be coming from. And when the director prompts her mother to just BE with him, we're all right there in the room with this family. Yes, just be with him, don't report back, now is the time! And yet it's all coming from such a place of unmistakable love. It's those raw uncomfortable moments that make this film so real, so familiar, so important.
And the relationship between the director and her sister is incredibly moving too. There's a moment when the sister (a rabbi) is leading their father through a final conversation of healing, of shedding his shame before he dies, and the director begins to contribute to the conversation, which frustrates her sister to no end, and there's this moment of subtle confrontation between them where the director ultimately recognizes where her sister is coming from, contemplates the importance of what she was trying to contribute, her role as the director maybe, yet yields the floor - the history between them is palpable, the history of sisters.
The history between the rabbi and her father is so poignant too, without gobs of backstory - just a beautiful bite about the irony of her father's initial reluctance to her becoming a rabbi, versus her own reluctance to truly recognize him as her father. But in his last days, she does finally connect with him as her father, and alas, he keeps calling her rabbi, rabbi, rabbi. It's so painfully clear that he is also recognizing her, validating all the choices she's made in life. That just slayed me.
The visual storytelling is extraordinary too. Like a beautiful transition from their dying father's bruised hands (from the IVs), to an old home video clip with his younger hands folded over his grandson's. And the posse of teenagers who ham it up in the yard, yet their final moments with their grandfather are so tender, so heartbreaking. Exceptional work on every level.
Plus, the patriarch of this family is not only hyper intelligent, but incredibly perceptive about the world around him, with a wry sense of humor that is everlasting. Some of his hilarious one liners are still floating through my mind... "horse's ass" "fully oxygenated" "bunch of saps" - my god what a remarkable spirit he is, and always will be. Thank you for making this film, for sharing it with us, and the rest of the world.
The Evil Down the Street (2019)
Creepy indie thriller that relies on solid filmmaking over special fx and gore!
What a great indie thriller! Good acting, beautiful lighting and cinematography, perfectly scored, and the dialogue is smart, succinct and really captures the language of teenage girls. A refreshing reinvention of the Ouija board possession horror only this indie packs more punch than a lot of big studio horrors I've seen. No special FX, blood or gore needed, which says a lot for the merit of the film itself. Well worth a watch!
Perfect Feet (2019)
A remarkably intriguing journey that is both authentic & entertaining
Who knew a documentary about finding the perfect feet could be so entertaining! The filmmakers did a great job incorporating just the perfect amount of humor, strangely intriguing insight, and authentic character and wit into what makes for a fabulous journey through life in someone else's shoes. Bravo!
The Stalker (2020)
Indie thriller with good premise
This indie horror has a good premise and is well executed from the writing to the acting and direction. It plays on real fears that everyone can relate to as a mysterious stalker seeks revenge on the Hamilton family. The filmmakers did a good job with a limited budget and if you're in the mood for a fun 80's throwback indie thriller then sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
The Town that Loved Bigfoot (2020)
Colorful cast of characters and voices that keep the legend alive!
As someone who is very familiar with everything Bigfoot, I found this documentary to be very refreshing because of how it captured the unique characters in Alabama who celebrate and pontificate about the sightings, the stories, and the always-mysterious legend. The interviews were well executed, the eclectic cast of experts and locals were fun to watch, and overall this was a very unique way to keep the legend alive, bravo!
Carving a Life (2017)
Feel gooder with poignant moments of reflection
This indie drama has a solid storyline with a great cast that explores the importance of self-worth when it comes to successful relationships in life. The use flashbacks were a creative way to present the significant moments from the character's pasts that informed both the audience and the characters in valuable way that made for an overall feel good movie that's worth a watch.
Everlasting (2016)
Emo horror ride with good actors and fresh writing
An enjoyable film that starts off as a sweet tale of teen love that slowly spirals into a suspenseful tragedy. I found the lead actors to be compelling, believable, and damn good looking! Fresh writing, stunning visuals woven into an emo horror ride where beauty disguises the darkness within and keeps your attention throughout.
Making Time (2020)
Delightful journey through time and true love
Clever concept, well executed considering time/budget, good twists along the way, and anchored in a good love story that's always fun to watch. The main character is quirky & flawed, which makes him easy to root for. The actress who plays his ex was pretty darn incredible, no doubt we'll be seeing her again in future films. Overall, an inspirational indie sci-fi romance with lots of heart, which makes for a delightful journey through time and true love!
Don't Call Me Bigfoot (2020)
Informative expert testimony and well executed
This is an informative and enlightening documentary about the ever-fascinating legend of Bigfoot. As a paranormal theology buff myself, I can say that this feature provides very insightful information from credible experts that helps distinguish fact from fiction and explores some compelling sightings that are hard to explain. It also does a good job establishing that the lack of evidence does not negate the fact that Bigfoot may actually exist. Intriguing content and well executed.
Turnover (2019)
Feel-gooder with Fantastic Cast
Turnover is an uplifting indie film about an unlikely collection of misfits who are brought together by circumstance and form an unbreakable bond by bringing out the best in each other. With a diverse cast of fantastic actors, solid writing, vibrant cinematography, and both humor and heart - this film is well worth a watch.
The Stand Up Doll (2019)
Intimate & profoundly inspiring
This is a truly wonderful documentary about the perseverance of the human spirit in the face of unfathomable tragedy. It is a beautiful tribute to Risa Ingelfeld, a zestful 99-year-old woman who manages to maintain an optimistic and inspiring outlook on life, despite the hardships and heartache she has endured over the last century. The filmmaker takes a very honest and grounded approach, which anchors the film in authenticity and allows us to experience, and appreciate, the humor, wit, and joy of its heroic main character throughout. From the first stirring images of an elderly woman's naked body to the last moment of Risa triumphantly singing "enjoy yourself, you're younger than you think," one cannot help but fall in love with the vibrant soul that inspired this documentary and will go on inspiring reverence for the elderly, and for life itself.
Silent Panic (2018)
Unique premise and well executed from start to finish
The premise of this indie thriller is very unique as it explores an intriguing predicament between one's morality versus one's loyalty to their friends. Not something I've really seen before - so bravo to the innovative filmmakers behind this one. The cinematography is terrific, the acting is solid and believable, and I thought the soundtrack worked well - not sure what all the gripes are about on that one. The story tracks, pacing is good, and it pays off nicely by the end with a cleverly crafted twist of fate. Nicely done!
Distiller (2016)
Fun indie horror ride
If you like throwback 80's horror flicks then sit back, relax, and enjoy the fun ride that Distiller will take you on. It's perfectly silly and overdone just like some of the campy original hits of this genre and you'll find yourself smiling throughout.
Dirty Beautiful (2015)
Tragically Entertaining Comedy Worth Every Minute
I thoroughly enjoyed this bizarre and comedic love story based on a unique premise of "what ifs" and "why nots" that manages to tell a very poignant tale of unexpected love. It reminded me very much of the unlikely coupling between Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen in LONG SHOT minus the million-dollar budget glitz & glam. The dynamics between the candid and quirky David and the disastrously dysfunctional Kat create an uproariously entertaining journey that is believable, moving and will undoubtedly make you laugh out loud.
El destello de la luna (2016)
Poetic and Hypnotizing!
The opening sequence of this film immediately arrested my attention with powerful parallels between youth & old age, between a man and his own reflection, between who one IS and who one THINKS one is. The cinematography and acting is superb and the pacing of the film presents much like a theatrical play with a poetic heartbeat that is hypnotizing throughout. What I found most fascinating was the reluctance the lead character had about playing a drag queen and how beautifully crafted his journey was to discover much of himself in the role he had such an aversion to playing. This film takes a bold, beautiful and intoxicating look into the confines of one's own soul.
Into the Void (2019)
Refreshing new take on the post-apocalyptic zombie space
This film takes us on a unique and refreshing journey into the post-apocalyptic zombie space by exploring the personal relationship between the lead characters, Josh and Maria. Haunted by regret, Josh's unconditional love for his zombie girlfriend provides a poignant storyline that is not typically explored in this genre. There are also some poetic parallels to what we, as a civilization, are experiencing right now during this pandemic, which makes for an especially intriguing experience overall.
Sweet Sunshine (2020)
Delightful Feel-Good movie with a positive message
This delightful indie drama about music, love, and the unflinching perseverance to overcome tragedy is the perfect film to watch with family and/or kids. It has a positive, feel-good message that's easy to absorb and the storyline sets a good example for how to follow your dreams, despite the onslaught of obstacles life always throws our way. The original musical performances are reminiscent of the great "A Star is Born," and the film is both well executed and very well acted. Kudos to the filmmakers behind this one!
The Mentor (2020)
Original one-of-a-kind film that charges full force into the desperation of the creative psyche
This film is one of the most original indies I've seen in a long time and the plot is ripe with unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout. I'm usually not a fan of films about filmmakers but this one is so unique, creative, and well executed that I thoroughly enjoyed this bizarre roller coaster ride. I mean, it takes some serious innovation and courage to make a film where the majority of the actors are wearing elaborate face masks for most of the movie, that's riddled with insider nods to the woes of film production and post, and infused with inventive characters like a mother who only speaks in Shakespearian quotes. It's a thrilling journey into both the psychosis of the industry and the human psyche in general.
I highly recommend this film to anyone who's looking for some inspiration for how to think outside the box and pioneer into the unknown with unflinching bravura.