Reviews

As The Village Sleeps is a creative take on a "living game" story. I've always been interested in movies where games start affecting reality, like Ouija, and even wondered what a horror version of Jumanji would be like. As The Village Sleep has its own take on the genre, with pretty good results, and let's give it some credit as an independent horror/thriller. If you are like me, you don't mind that a more modestly budgeted indie might not have the multi-million dollar polish of a Hollywood film, especially when the concept is fun and interesting, and the actors give it their all. I think the fact that this movie has such a high view count on Youtube channels and on other platforms is indicative that people are enjoying the film. I'd definitely recommend As The Village Sleeps for the indie horror fans out there.

Metamorphosis is a truly beautifully shot independent film that I really enjoyed. Set on a gorgeous island in upstate New York, a couple tries to fix their marriage and make things back to how they used to be. The shooting location is amazing and honestly looks like somewhere I'd like to vacation if not for some of the creepy things I saw occur there in the film. The cinematography in Metamorphosis takes full advantage of the setting and skillfully establishes the mood as we see the husband slowly going through a disturbing metamorphosis. The two leads also provide impressive performances. If you are looking for a slick, compelling indie horror/thriller, I'd definitely recommend watching Metamorphosis.

Spoken is a new release indie horror flick that I stumbled upon on Amazon. The movie is just the right amount of eerie -- complete with off-putting little crab-like critters. I tend to really enjoy these fun, scary, and kind of raw horror/suspense films, and I know there's plenty of other people like me out there, so you'll probably want to check out Spoken.

The Shattering is a tense indie thriller and its film festival awards attest to its quality. One of the film's leads is Timothy Ryan Cole, who I actually worked with many moons ago and you may remember from several of those Geico commercials where he's playing guitar. It's great to see him doing well, and I have to say that he and the other actors do a really good job and drive this psychological film. Definitely an indie worth checking out.

Astro Loco is fun indie sci-fi film that likes to revel in paranoia and the bizarre. The sci fi genre is one of my favorites and I'm always impressed at what indie films can do in a genre that seems, on the surface, to require a massive budget. But what Astro Loco and others like it do, is show that sometimes talented and hustling indie filmmakers can make a dollar really stretch far (and can have some really convincing fx shots in space), and that they often can bring a bit more creativity to more formulaic Hollywood-fare. If you can appreciate indie sci fi films like me, and you're interested in a modern take on a space crew slowly growing mad, then check out Astro Loco.

Finding Ophelia is a unique, highly creative, and beautifully shot film.

Wade In The Water is a well-made indie film. If you are not totally tuned into the film festival world, WITW was an official selection at the Austin Film Festival and won the Audience Award at Dances With Films, which is quite the accomplishment. The film is an interesting one that combines a sullen tone and methodical pacing with some darkness and shocking elements to create a really unique and fascinating story that I appreciated. The pretty cinematography and solid acting also elevate the film. Definitely worth a watch for those looking for a high quality independent film.

The Terrible Adventure is a fun family adventure film. I haven't seen many indie kids adventure movies before, but it is kind of refreshing since I feel like many Hollywood kids movies can get a little repetitive and lack the original, creative vision that is so necessary for the genre -- perhaps other fellow parents will agree with me after watching the same stories over and over again. The child actors are cute and charming in the film as well. My son enjoyed the film and I'd bet that your kids will like it too.

Mexican Moon is a brand new release cartel movie that just came out on Amazon. It's a moody flick that combines drama, action, and western genres. Visually, the film has a unique, almost stylized look and feel that likes to play in the shadows, almost reminding me a bit of a music video aesthetic at times, which is kinda cool. The plot has plenty going on between the cartel, our Vietnam-vet protagonist, and a whole bunch of cash on the line. The film is not without some minor imperfections, but they are ones that any independent film without a multi-million dollar budget would have. I personally enjoyed the film and would recommend it for someone looking for an indie with a modern western type of vibe.

Framed is a well acted and well directed indie drama. The setup had a hint of Rear Window, which I love, and it really was a fresh and distinct film, full of intrigue, ambiguity, and morality questions. An interesting watch for those in the mood for a good indie film.

Let me start this off by saying that I saw the title Northwood Pie and I was very happy to confirm that the film is set in a Northwood Pizza, which was my pizza spot when I was a kid living in Irvine, CA! What an unexpected blast from the past! Great mushroom pizza too, btw. Anyway, Northwood Pie the film is an enjoyable and charming suburban hangout comedy. I thought it was a well made indie film with plenty of the indie vibes that I like. Definitely a hint of Linklater and Kevin Smith. You'll notice that the film has plenty of festival laurels and I believe a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, so it's a quality flick and you don't just have to take my word for it.

The Next Big Thing is a fun and funny indie comedy. Chuck wants to film his reluctant friend Julian's everyday life and make it into a movie. I really liked the line: "We're making a movie about being famous... so I can become famous." It felt like that really spoke to modern day celebrity culture and the seemingly near universal yearning to be the next breakout Youtube or social media star. But what I think makes The Next Big Thing refreshing to me is Julian's reluctance and unease about all of this, and the messiness that ensues, as well as the raw nature of a friend just kind of picking up a camera and following you around that felt more realistic and unpolished as compared to what would occur in a Hollywood production of a similar plot line. The acting is also pretty good here and you'll notice some familiar faces like Jonathan Lipnicki ("the human head weighs eight pounds" haha), Lou Ferrigno (The Hulk!), and others. Enjoy!

The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater is a new release indie that I discovered on Prime. The bold plot has elements that feel a bit like a throwback to films I loved -- part comedy, drama, caper, and romance. Our lead has 30 days to pay back her debt and is forced to extort a priest when she discovers his hidden masterpiece. The film may have some understandable indie imperfections, but it's a solid effort and I really liked the performances of the lead actress, Lorissa Julianus I believe. Worth a watch for appreciators of indie film.

Pungo: A Witch's Tale is a fun indie sci-fi/horror flick. There's really a lot going on here both in terms of plot and visuals. For an independent film, the visual elements are remarkable -- specifically the effects and locations. The story concerns two men trying to rescue a woman from a witch in another world, which is more than enough of a jumping off point for a fun horror film. Sure, some of the actors are better than others here and there's some of the inevitable imperfections of an indie production, but Pungo comes off as one of those horror movies that was really fun to make and I personally really enjoy watching those. Sometimes it's the most audacious moments that are the most fun to watch. It's a film that will give you some wows, laughs, and some surprises. Enjoy!

I stumbled upon this indie that popped up as newly free on Prime and honestly it was the refreshing true to life film that I needed right now. In a time when I dearly miss socializing, partying, going to bars, and hanging out with my eccentric friends, Party Hard was able to give me a glimpse of that again. It's a low budget, raw, slice of life style of film, but this all creates the feeling of really being there -- almost like a documentary. If you're looking for an interesting indie comedy/drama, then take a look at Party Hard.

Your Color (Deine Farbe) was a really pleasant surprise that I found on Amazon Prime. It's a well-told story, with good acting from its leads, and some pretty location shooting as well. It's no surprise that Your Color has received multiple festival awards. Please don't let subtitles stop you from watching this quality indie film.

A Killer Rising is a solid entry in the serial killer genre where we watch the FBI trying to track down the one responsible. I found the film impressive for an indie in that it remarkably possesses the same look and feel of a Hollywood thriller that would typically require a gargantuan budget. I can appreciate this refreshing take on the story in that we watch our own protagonist really become unhinged herself in the journey to catch the killer, presenting some interesting questions about morality and righteousness. Intriguing stuff for indie thriller fans.

The Hunter's Anthology has an interesting premise for an anthology series -- six different people are trapped inside a subway car and one of them claims that there's a demon amongst them. The narrative is propelled forward by analyzing each person and their story. For an indie series, it's definitely impressive. Honestly even getting access to a subway car or subway car set is more of a feat for an indie production than people probably realize. The cinematography is great. Some actors are better than others (isn't that always the case?), but overall they maintained my interest and I was very curious to find out if any of them were a demon. Worth a watch if you're an appreciator of indie filmmaking.

Koko surprised me with a remarkably sincere take on what you might think would be an over-the-top comedy premise: a man wanting to marry his dog. There's still comedy in this indie film, but it definitely deals with real emotions and drama. As a fan of dogs myself -- though I can't say I want to marry one -- I appreciated the film's notion that dogs can feel like a soulmate, particularly when one is dealing with tragedy or abandonment by the people around you. I think some people may view this film as a bit provocative or even controversial, but I would imagine that would only drive more people to watch it.

I Was a Simple Man is a beautiful, haunting, and rewarding film. I recently saw the film's premiere at Sundance (virtually) where both of the virtual screenings sold out, which is an indicator of the film's intrigue. In I Was a Simple Man, director Christopher Makoto Yogi tells the story of a dying man named Masao on the North Shore of Oahu. We realize after some interactions with family that Masao is in no way a simple man and has quite a complicated past. He is a man who fell deeply in love with his wife, but after her death decades ago he chose to have very little involvement with his children, which leaves him mostly isolated on his deathbed. I connected with this storyline deeply, particularly during this pandemic when many of us are confronting death to an extent that we never have before, and also feel incredibly isolated at the same time. Days later the film has me grappling mentally with deaths in my own family and the complex, sometimes flawed personal relationships that greatly complicate our emotions when death comes around.

The story touches on a lot of interesting topics, some that might be familiar to those who have seen Yogi's previous work. The characters and script are nostalgic for an old Hawaii, one not littered with high rise hotels and apartment buildings, and one that is more green and untouched. Hawaiian nature is deeply linked to the characters and is a focal point visually, aurally, and symbolically. The complicated issue of Hawaiian statehood also creates a layered backdrop to the story that unfolds in the past.

The performances by the actors and cultivated by Yogi are impressive. Constance Wu is probably the draw here, but this is not your typical Wu project. In fact, I was most appreciative of the subtle acting of relative newcomer Steve Iwamoto in the lead role, whose tanned and weathered face expressed so much. I was also impressed by Tim Chiou who played "Adult Masao" during some of the most difficult times for his character.

Regarding the film's style, I Was a Simple Man would be categorized in the genre of Slow Cinema and is rewarding to those with some patience. Perhaps this pacing will not be for everyone, but I found that it created a meditative and thoughtful tone that felt intentionally and deeply in tune with the Hawaiian environment where "time moves differently," which is also a reference to the film's fluid chronology. Though some of the boldest choices come later in the film, most of which I'll refrain from spoiling, I found the film to be quite dynamic as it builds towards its conclusion. The film's cinematography is quite gorgeous, showcasing a less familiar side of Hawaii, and featuring frames reminiscent of Ozu. The sound design is incredible, providing the Hawaiian environment life and vibrancy through powerful crescendos and hard cuts. When combined with the haunting score, I found myself quite moved or even rattled emotionally as the drama unfolded. Overall the film is quite the unique and profound sensory experience.

Ultimately, I Was a Simple Man was the perfect antidote to so much binging of generic Netflix series that I think we all are having to resort to these days. I was deeply affected by the film and I'm still thinking about it days later. If you're looking to watch something refreshing, different, and thoughtful, then I would highly recommend checking out I Was a Simple Man. I think it will go down as one of my favorites of the year.

Cicada Song is a complex new release indie film. It takes place in a small rural community, one that is quite pretty (and beautifully shot for that matter), but there are some dark things going on here. The story addresses multiple relevant issues, while still maintaining a compelling mystery/thriller narrative. It's tough for an indie film to compete with the big budgets and polish of multi-million dollar Hollywood films, but this indie holds its own with its story, performances, and pretty locations and cinematography.

The Process is an authentic look at two friend trying to make it the local rap scene. As you might expect in a film about music, the film has a great soundtrack. The Process was refreshing and real, which goes a long way for me. If you're interested at all in films about rap then you're going to enjoy this indie.

I really liked this music doc. It's refreshing to see a film in this genre that's a bit different. All or Nothing is the true story of a prolific band that didn't quite make it, which actually made the narrative that much more complex and interesting. In addition, the band, August Christopher, puts on quite a show! Looks like All or Nothing had some film festival success too, which speaks to the merit of the doc. I definitely recommend for music documentary fans.

Threebound has a fun premise: Sarah and Matt decide to sleep with three other people to sow their wild oats to prevent a rebound relationship (hence "Threebound"). This setup keeps things interesting, whether exciting or cringeworthy. I'm a sucker for films set in New York too. It's definitely a solidly made indie film and worth a watch if you're looking for a relationship movie.

Several days into their withdrawal, two heroin addicts embark on a dangerous job to try to get their next fix. Lemonheads definitely had me intrigued with this setup. The indie film is a dark and moody experience with great cinematography and camerawork. This film might be a bit too dark and intense for some, but if you're like me, sometimes that's what I'm looking for in a film. I was very much invested in the plot. Kudos to the filmmakers for bold filmmaking choices.