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Reviews
Kill the Habit (2010)
A compelling fun indie ride!
This movie took advantage of limited locations and resources with a tight script and excellent performances. Compelling from the first minute to the last. A great ride!
The Midas Touch (2020)
Uniquely funny indie
This movie has a lot of unexpected comedy and commentary on office culture, as well as society in general. Original, off-beat, and very funny. You won't see anything like it!
Lemonheads (2020)
A Junkie Tale Well Told
A compelling, dark tale which fits nicely with drug tales by Quentin Tarantino, Guy Richie, and Jeremy Saulnier. Two junkies on a search for their next fix could be cliche, but the filmmaking and storytelling keeps you surprised and entertained. If this is your genre, you will not be disappointed.
Occurrence at Mills Creek (2020)
Dark, Intriguing Thriller
Moody, visually exciting, and dark story of family horror/thriller that keeps you engaged from opening shot until final door slam. A family's cursed past rears its ugly head in the present. This film movies quickly and entertains. Worth your time!
When the Fever Breaks (2019)
A Zombie movie that is actually about the characters
What I love best about zombie movies, and all disaster movies, is how the characters respond. This movie understands that, and boils a zombie epidemic down to just a handful of people, trapped in a house. The tension starts high and ratchets up throughout this movie. At the core is a wonderful mother/daughter relationship, and we tensely follow how, and if, they will survive the others in the house, let alone the zombies outside. A great ride.
Older (2020)
Funny and dramatic Indie
This charming indie, about an unemployed 30 something who lives at home, avoids many traps that lesser films would find. The dialogue pops and is funny, and the cast is all excellent. Extra points to the hilarious parents of the lead. Guy Pigden wears many hats (writer/director/actor) and wears them well. The jumping back in time to see our characters younger adds a nice detail. Well done!
The Extraordinary Ordinary (2019)
Heartfelt and Moving
Writer/Director Natalie Rodriguez has tapped into the residual trauma of PTSD in this excellent indie. Lead actress Maddison Bullock shows a lot of depth and emotion with very little dialogue, a sign of a rising star. In lesser hands, this movie would have been over written and over acted. A great film for those interested in a drama dealing with depression, PTSD, and mental health.
Greatland (2020)
Visually stunning dystopian journey
Every frame of this dystopian, sci-fi drama is lush, gorgeous, and extremely well thought out. The details of the production design are a journey of their own, and a marvel on a lower budget indie. Compelling, entertaining, and highly relevant. If you enjoy a fantastical dystopian story, this one will not fail to surprise and entertain.
The Stalker (2020)
A quick thrill ride
This 1980s-inspired thriller gets your attention right away and moves quickly. The excellent and uneasy camera work and great score push the pace as the action and stakes heighten. A good and quick rush.
It Hits You When You Know It (2020)
Tight Ensemble Drama
A very good entry in the micro genre of "friends gathering at a house for a weekend" movie. The stakes are high, the tension escalates, and surprises are discovered. Overall, the cast is solid, as is the directing and tight script which keeps the pace moving. If you enjoy watching relationships develop or fall apart (no spoilers here!) then this is one to watch.
Ab Negative (2019)
Big concept Indie that Focuses on the Right Elements
A Sci-Fi film that is heavier on the science than fantasy, which is to my liking. Definitely a timely piece in the wake of our current worldwide pandemic. All these are pluses; however, at its core it is a character piece exploring individuals dealing with difficult choices in their world. Low budget, but it uses the simple locations and minimal effects in the right way. An enjoyable ride and a great example of lower budget filmmaking.
Everlasting (2016)
An excellent, compelling indie
Everlasting is exactly what you want in an Indie: great performances, compelling storyline, and a director who knows how to shoot a movie. While dealing with dark subject matter, there is a lot of humanity here. The protagonist is a teenager dealing with lost love and seeking answers in a way that is relatable to viewers of any age. A great way to spend 90 minutes.
The Berlin Bride (2019)
Unique, Entertaining, Fascinating Art Film
This movie set in Berlin in the 1980s is a lot of wonderful things: a highly-stylized period piece that evokes Hitchcock and Bunuel, a character study of two different men with similar obsessions, a cautionary tale of objectification, but most of all a fantastic piece of cinema. Writer/director Michael Bartlett is firing on all cylinders here, with each shot reveling in important details. Despite almost no dialogue (the dialogue we hear is dubbed into English from German) this story moves quickly, keeping the viewer simultaneously entertained and on edge. The attention to detail is extremely precise. Wonderful music as well. Check this one out; there is nothing quite like it.
Silent Panic (2018)
Nice Ensemble Drama/Suspense
This indie gem mixes suspense and drama. Three friends find a dead body in the trunk of their car after a camping trip. What follows is a nice morality tale, definitely putting the viewer in a "what would I do" frame of mind. Writer/Director Kyle Schadt maximized his budget with solid acting, memorable dialogue, and some gorgeous visuals.
Turnover (2019)
Heartwarming, Endearing, and Well-Made
From the beginning (a delicious dessert making montage under the credits) this film is robust, enjoyable, funny, and special. Embracing a broad spectrum of people (including multiple people who are hearing impaired or have Downs Syndrome) this story embraces food, relationships, family, in a humorous and uplifting manner, thanks to skilled director/writer Linda Palmer. Veteran actor Paul Guilfoyle heads the cast, but from top to bottom the actors are unique and fun to watch.
Breathe Breana (2019)
Inspiring Doc about living with Cystic Fibrosis
Breathe Breana is a lovely mix between a story of an inspiring young woman living with Cystic Fibrosis and a beautiful tone poem. With much footage from Breana's life starting at birth we see a young woman simultaneously living her best life while fighting a chronic disease. A worthwhile, uplifting film that doesn't shy away from the realities of life.
The Mentor (2020)
Two Different Genres That Go Great Together
It is not easy to pull off both humor and suspense, but writer/director Moez Solis manages to find that tricky balance between the two. A quirky and fun script and the acting of Brandi Nicole Payne and Liz Sklar keep this film moving quickly. Plus, a great cinematic look at Oakland. A worthwhile indie adventure!
The Droving (2020)
Great Suspense and Mystery
A suspenseful thriller, with beautiful cinematography and terrific acting - this melancholic film captures the return of its lead character Martin (played wonderfully by Daniel Oldroyd) looking for his sister who disappeared during "The Droving" festival. As this mystery unfolds, there's no telling where this tense and terrifying journey is headed - until the festival takes a dangerous and vengeful turn. Looking forward to George Popov's next film.
Somebody's Mother (2016)
A parent's worst nightmare makes for a worthy film
Beautifully shot with an excellent script, this is a worthy story of parental love and a sibling relationship. The journey on the road to recovery is long and unflinching, which is exactly what you want in an indie drama. The fact that some of this movie is based on a true story makes it even more impactful.
Curry Munchers (2011)
A fun story with a solid cast, script and direction
A great fish out of water story for those who love a mix of humor, drama, and the heart of every culture: food and cooking. Stars Aunanda Naaido and Alison Titulaer are great, along with the rest of the cast. Tightly and expertly directed by Cristobal Araus Lobos' and a solid, fresh script by Padma Akula. A great look at Indian and New Zealander cultures. Other than the sound design and recording, this is a top notch indie film.
Risen: The Story of Chron 'Hell Razah' Smith (2020)
A must for 90s hip hop fans
This documentary not only explores the early days of Hip Hop, but the story of rapper Hell Razah and Sunz of Man who are part of the Wu-Tang universe. This is also an unflinching look at the result of a massive brain injury and the difficult road to recovery, told not only by the protagonist but those in the Hip Hop community. Definitely an inside look on a fascinating subject.
Yesterday went with Yesterday (2019)
Intriguing Lebanese story checks multiple boxes
This movie, expertly told, manages to do a lot in under 90 minutes. It is a story about family and how to make amends with a tumultuous past. It is a travelogue about Lebanon, showcasing the culture and breathtaking beauty. It is a love story. And it is a cautionary tale about the horrors of land mines. There is much to go on here and a great cinematic journey.
Purdah (2018)
Beautiful and Heartfelt doc
This beautifully shot movie is also a compelling look at sisters in India and the struggles they endure in a traditional Muslim upbringing, but what sets the film remarkably apart from other similar stories is that it that we are introduced to the characters through the sport of Cricket, specifically the very small minority of women who play the game. While this movie could have just followed traditional sports movies tropes, this one takes the viewer on a highly unpredictable journey through the struggle of Muslim Indian women in these modern times. A high quality, vibrant looking film.
The Evil Down the Street (2019)
Evil is knocking at your door and wants to borrow a cup of sugar... and your Ouija board.
A fun and scary indie horror film that starts on the day the Ryan family moves into the new neighborhood - not realizing about the bad things that happened to the Harris family that lived in the house just before.
Creepy and creaky - there's never a dull moment in the Ryan's new house - this is one you don't want to watch all alone - especially if you have a basement!
Father Bob, please come back!
Miss Multiverse - Australia (2019)
More than just a pageant show
This unique show is a fun and refreshing take on a beauty pageant competition. Of course it's fun to watch for the beauty and fashion catwalk stuff, but I really enjoyed seeing the girls take on different challenges in more real settings. A fun watch from Down Under!