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Reviews
Scooter LaForge: A Life of Art (2023)
A Colorful Documentary about a brilliant Artist.
This colorful documentary follows the career of Scooter LaForge during a few tumultuous times in the United States.
As a queer teenager he struggled in a small town because he was not afraid to express his individuality. However, his struggles led him to San Francisco at the end of the AIDS crisis. After a few years, Scooter made his way to New York City, where most of the documentary takes place.
Scooter takes inspiration from his own past as well as the history of the world and the struggles of the present such as the COVID and the death of George Floyd.
I was most interested in his many collaborations and how they influenced and changed the way he expresses himself. As he began to collaborate with Patricia Field ( costume designer for Sex in the City) , fashion became one canvas he used to display his art. From paint to fabric he is able to express his unique vision of the world. He was even able to help the unhoused by raising money through the sale of his art on t-shirts.
Scooter LaForge is open and honest about his life, struggles and triumphs. The colorful cast of his friends, and collaborators makes this a very entertaining
look at a man and his unique art.
Hemisphere (2023)
A detective / crime movie in Space.
I did not know what to expected out this movie but as I was watching it, I can guess where Director Chris Maes's vision came from. It has a bit of 2001, A Space Odyssey, Alien, mars and more.
It's a story of Sandra Ramirez (Played by Paige Riot) , an astronaut / inspector who was dispatch to space station to find out what happened. At the station, she finds a body, non-working AI Computer and a crew Phoebe played by Julie Kashmanian.
Why is there a dead body? What happened to the other crew? What's new secret mission XD-17?
The Space graphic were pretty cool without being overdone. Actings were spot on. Sometimes some set design can take you out of the moment but I can see how they made work within their limited budget.
Making a Indie movie a big challenge, but making a space Sci-Fi is a huge task.
The producers and director did well with what they got and if you like a crime story. You 'll like this one.
Fighting Olympus (2023)
A modern twist on Classic Mythology
Fighting Olympus is a unique action film that dives into the world of Greek mythology. In this modern-day adaptation of the Odyssey, Rucker (Leslie A. Jones) goes in search of his kidnapped brother Biddle ( Devinar Mathis). He must endure many trials in his journey to Hades.
While it is evident that Writer/ Director Julian Hampton was on a tight independent film budget, he is able to effectively tell the story.
On a personal note, I wish I had studied Greek mythology a little more. While I was able to recognize many of the names of the Greek gods and goddesses, I would have liked to see how the characters paralleled their Greek counterparts.
Mother of Color (2023)
Compelling story and acting
A Nigerian proverb says" It takes a village to raise a child." Writer and director Dawn Jones Redstone explores what happens when a single mother must find the village within. Noelia, brilliantly played by Ana del Rocio, is a single mother of two spirited boys. She is given the opportunity to interview for a full-time dream job but things don't always go her way.
She visits with Che at her mother's request to deal with a ringing in her ears. This meeting sends her on a quest to learn from and learn to lean on her ancestors.
Portland is a beautiful backdrop to the story given its rich tribal history and recent political strife for Noemi to deal with the challenges of her very important day.
This movie challenges the thought that all people have equal access to the American Dream.
Howard Original (2017)
All He Wanted Was to Make a Cat Movie
Howard Original is a satire of the Hollywood movie scene. Howard (Kevin Michaels) is a screen writer struggling to get his screenplay "Space Kitties" produced. Natalie Rodriguez and Kevin Sean Michals are able to make a racist, sexist man sympathetic to the audience.
If you have heard the various steryotypes in the movie business, Rodriguez and Michaels flip it while making the characatures recognizable.
The original songs in the movie are quirky and gave me a laugh. I especially liked the one in the beginning with the various pick up lines.
If you are looking for a surreal look into a desperate man's life, this is the movie for you.
Token Taverns (2023)
Watch this then go out for a drink
In a time when we have become more and more isolated. "Token Taverns" reminds us why we should go out and socialize. Nowadays, we stay home and play video games in our rooms, but this movie shows that video games can be social in the right environment. This film follows 3 bar owners with a passion for craft brews and video games.
This informative documentary shares how these bars got started and follows their challenges through the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a feeling of camaraderie with owners and patrons as they celebrate the good times and adapt to the bad. They show this support through their love and passion for old-school video games and pinball as they teach the younger generation tips and tricks for console video games.
Now I'm off to see if I can find any local arcade bars.
Wild Boys (2023)
A Fun Film For the Family
Wild Boys is an action comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously. Kate ( Kate Frampton) insists on staying home and playing video games until her father dies. His final wish is that she goes on an adventure like they did when she was young. Kate, motivated by keeping the family home, sets out to find the treasure her father has hidden. On her adventure, she encounters many kooky characters in the woods, including the wild boys.
This was shot in a beautiful location. The variety of exterior locations sets the scenes beautifully and allows for the antics to play out. Drunk Dan ( Patrick J. Anderson) always seems to be in the right place at the right time to shed some light on a new piece of information and add a great comic element.
This was a fun, independent movie. The chemistry of the cast worked well on screen. This is a great movie for a family movie night if you want to support small independent filmmakers.
Move Me No Mountain (2023)
Strong Female Lead
Writer and director Deborah Richards has created an interesting character in Jenna Anderson, played by Cat Lellie. The story is an interesting tale of a woman who chooses to be unhoused. Jenna's overwhelming grief leads her to leave her home and job as she is no longer able to stand living inside. She crosses paths with many likable and unlikable characters who teach her important lessons about how to survive in her chosen lifestyle.
Lellie is able to hold her own as the lead, with many scenes that depend on her acting skill to explore the circumstances the character is placed. She is a strong female lead who carries this movie.
Richards previews enough of the story in the beginning to pique the viewer's interest and curiosity. While the sorry is somewhat predictable, there is a positive feel and a good message.
As an independent film, Richards was able to use her skills behind the camera to make scenes work to make the story believable.
This Is Your Song (2023)
Sever Year itch??/
This is Your Song tells the story of Jules (Briana Walsh) and James (Jordan Potch) on the night of their seven-year wedding anniversary. While the relationship is on the rocks Walsh and Potch create flawed yet likable characters. The costuming and set design are perfect for setting the mood and tone in this dark and gritty film. The camera work makes you feel like a voyeur through the passionate fight and make-up scenes. The highs and lows of the relationship are well-depicted through the music choices.
Both in lighting and theme, this story is reminiscent of the movie Biue Valentine, but it is unique. The way the director expresses the love and hurt that each has felt in the relationship keeps the viewer tuned in to see what will happen.
My one complaint is that the lighting made it difficult to read the actors' expressions during highly emotional scenes.
I loved the references to San Francisco both verbally and by the visual montage.
While the story is a slow burn it is worth seeing all the way to the end.
Toxic Impulses (2022)
A wild ride
If you like a cat and mouse chase thriller then "Toxic Impulses " is for you. Drone the start to end it doesn't let up but keeps you guessing throughout the movie. And great surprise ending too. Not going to spoil it here, you just have to watch. I have seen many Indie movies, and usually they are done very cheap way or acting is bad. "Toxic Impulses " never felt like an indie film, but felt like we'll crafted Hollywood movie. Also you don't see many locations on indie movies but in this movie you'll see many. The action is fun, the acting is superb, the direction and editing is well thought out. Highly recommend it. 9:10.
Solid Rock Trust (2022)
Awesome one location movie.
I'm not a real fan of movies that's set in one location. They usually get boring after a while, BUT, Solid Rock Trust broke that stereotype one-location movie. This is a high-tech movie & highly entertaining. The lead Koko Marshall really carried the whole movie, not an easy task when you are in every scene throughout the movie.
Director Rick Ives, took a one location script and made into a very entertaining movie, really use the set very well.
Beautifully shot, well written, well acted, well directed, and full of surprises, you won't go wrong with purchasing or renting this movie.
I highly recommend it.
Jovi & Lou (2023)
funny and thought provoking
This is funny, thought provoking and quirky. It's also hilarious. The acting solid and well written. The Cinemaotgraphy is al done well. What does God and Satan do to humanity? What kind of control do they have over us? The pace is great. It's a beat off-beat comedy, but well done. It's one of those movie you don't know what to expect but when you are finishing watch, you are glad there is movie like this available. Special effects are also well done too. There are some supernatural scenes but movie is about evil vs good, one's faith, god vs satan. But the movie does not push their faith on you. Overall, very fun movie.
Rarity: Retro Video Game Collecting in the Modern Era (2021)
Funny, Educational and GAMES!!!
I never knew about the people who collects old / older video games. This movie documents behind the popular video games and go deeper on people collecting games. It's funny, educational and also eye opening. Highly recommended it.
The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater (2020)
Pure Entertainment
Whether it's dramatic, tense, scary or funny, the movie has to be entertaining. People watch movies to be entertained and The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater sure delivered it!! Funny, full of action, and well-acted. Bravo.
When the Fever Breaks (2019)
Zombies and Viruses, a good horror thriller.
This movie has everything, Zombies, viruses, action, and suspense, and good action. Overall reminded me of "Night of the Living Dead".
Normandy Is My Name (2015)
Every kids should watch this. fun and charming.
Charming, fun, like someone, said in another review, it does remind me of Breakfast Club but more of modern-day version. Every kid who is attached to their "tech" devices should watch it.
The Crumbs (2020)
This is why I don't stay at a BnB
Creepy without being gory. This film makes me avoid staying at a BnB. Creepy, disturbing yet funny sometimes. Overall well-done movie.
Dirty Beautiful (2015)
Relationship is truly beautiful, dangerous and unpredictable
Relationship can be a wonderful thing, when everything clicks. Or it can be dirty and miserable when it doesn't.
Director Tim Bartell captures wonderful moments and messed up moments of the relationship in this funny, sad and beautiful movie.
I'm not sure I'll..... almost spoiled it. Relationship is hard, but it's harder to maintain when two people don't have much in common. David played by Ricky Mabe brings charms to his "nerdy" character, yet we feel sorry for him and at same time we want him find his true love.
Kat played by Jordan Monaghan done an awesome job. It's truly fun to watch her on a screen, she plays the disasterous woman very well.
It's a very charming, sweet, yet sad at all same time.
It's well written, directed and acted. Love can be anywhere, love can be strange and yet somehow it works.
I found myself rooting for these characters.
It's highly recommend it to everyone.
The Extraordinary Ordinary (2019)
Well Written and acted, Touching and emotional.
You will experience what people go thru every day with tragic experiences, mental issues in this movie. Done gracefully and with great acting. Check it out for yourself.
Greatland (2020)
Colorful, wild and Fun!!!
Hard to describe the movie, it's so crazy, yet sweet and loving. great acting, and just wild.
Abandoned Dead (2015)
Spooky,creepy psychological horror.
What a spooky and creepy movie. it's well-acted and also great imagery. if you like a great psychological horror movie, then Abandoned Dead is it.
Reaptown (2020)
Creepy as hell. love the location
A great location, a great production value, well acted, wanted to see more the "monster / Killer". over all very fun movie.
Call for Dreams (2018)
If you like Bladerunner, you would like this.
Visually stunning, reminds me of classic Bladerunner, interesting characters. murders. David Lynch style thriller.
Shadowlands (2020)
Interesting filmmaking style...
I wish it was a bit longer, but Shadowlands is a very interesting story with a mixture of traditional film and found footage filmmaking. intriguing storyline, don't want to spoil anything, it was fun to watch all the characters learning about themselves throughout the movie. .
The Stalker (2020)
great thriller.
The Stalker keeps you guessing till the last min. Great creepy factor and solid movie.