Change Your Image
csm1072000
Reviews
Silent as the Grave (2023)
Great Film Noir indie
Based on true events, its an effective crime drama focusing on a documentary filmmaker who sets out to make his second feature investigating the decades old death of his uncle who may have been murdered. Written and co directed by Brad Podowski (and Dan Gremley), the film is paced well, acted by a strong ensemble with a nice subtle approach. As our filmmaker hero, lead Chris (what a great name, lol!), Michael Kunicki gives his role the right amount of nerdish determination to make him charming and likable. He's surrounded by a good ensemble cast. Podowski and Gremley make good use of the Chicago locations and the moody score by Raphael Dargent is a highlight. This is a stylish film noir whodunnit (set during one Christmas) and worth a look on Tubi.
Twisted Vines (2022)
Fun engaging mystery
Watched a delightful new indie whodunit on Prime- Twisted Vines. Filmed on location in a California Winery-it's an humorous engaging isolated drawing room mystery that would make Agatha Christie proud. Vivica A Fox (hamming it up with her Diva best) leads a fine ensemble in this look at a wine country wedding interrupted by a mountain fire and unexpected murders. The raging fire of course traps the guests in one setting leaving a rookie Sherriff and his girlfriend (the vineyard's sommelier) to guess the identity of the murderer. Director Jihane Mrad Balaa and writers Corrine Sbeith/Tom Stohlgren wisely know this type of material needs a fast pace/whimsy and camp. The fine cast is up to this. Always great seeing Streets of Fire star Michael Pare in a supporting role. If you like mysteries this is a fun watch. Hope to see some more adventures with these characters.
Dash (2022)
Eclectic creative indie film
Writer director Sean Perry does a fine job helming this one take only film involving a ride share driver going through a night of hell. Similar to 2013's fine film Locke, we are witness to one man's nightmarish evening while driving his ride share car.-one disaster piling up after another. Lead Alexander Molina is terrific giving his angst filled character the edge/anxiety/vulnerability needed to make this wild ride work. I love finding indie gems such as this on streaming sites. It's an inventive/eclectic and one dark/funny thrill ride. Perry is a talented filmmaker, hope to see more of his work!
Superman (2022)
Poignant look at a father/son
Watched it yesterday. I really love stories about family/connection and how we can be vulnerable to our feelings. The performances are very moving here. The theme of a grown son connecting with his recently deceased father is something that we can relate to-the bond between children/their parents/forgiveness/the chance to connect one more time to say I love you. We have all had our ups and downs in regard to our relationships with our parents/sibling etc. The film explores this theme effectively. Michael Cuomo and Rocco Sisto are excellent as the son/father giving their characters the right amount of passion and vulnerability. Writer director Danny Ward helms all of this with a compassionate/observant eye.
See You Next Christmas (2021)
Charming romantic holiday comedy
Watched a fine gem of a holiday film on Prime-See You Next Christmas. It's a well written/directed engaging romantic comedy that is effectively low key and high on charm. In the film, we meet Annie (Christine Weatherup, who also wrote the screenplay and directs with a sure hand!) and Tom Clark who throw a "Clarkmas" holiday party each year. When two single guests Natalie and Logan create some sparks at the film's initial first party, it becomes a "will they or will they not" hook up as we see them meet year after year at the annual Clarkmas party. Weatherup sets this up this creative device effectively and with a witty script and help of a strong ensemble cast. Weathrup and Vin Vescio are terrfic as our anchor couple the Clarks. They are very engaging and down to earth-the type of friends anyone could wish for to hold an annual Christmas party. It's also wise Weatherup allows us to get to know these two as we witness each Christmas event enfold. And Elizabeth Guest (niece of Christopher Guest and Jamie Lee Curtis) and AJ Meijer are a dynamo here as our off on couple. They have strong chemistry/sexual tension that makes us root for them. Guest is a fine combination of insecurity/and humorous vulnerability and Meier allows us to see angst/desperation behind his machismo. What really makes this soar is we get to know these characters over the course of several years-as lives changes, families grow and who knows- singles can become a couple. Due to the fine direction/screenplay and ensemble, we care and look forward to seeing what happens at the next Clarkmas party. This is one of the best indies I've seen in a while and an all too rare terrific romantic comedy.
Off the Rails (2018)
Fine coming of age film
Watched a wonderful small gem of a coming of age film on Prime- Across The Rails. It's a sweet/affecting look at three 20ish young men in a small seaside town in Florida who aspire to open their own bar. Along the way we witness their trials/tribulations and their discovery of what they really want out of life. Yep we've seen this film done dozens of times but the leads have good chemistry and it's great a see an indie film lovingly filmed in Florida. The Boynton Beach and Delray Beach locales are shot beautifully by Colin Watkinson. A wonderful new surprise to discover on Prime!
The Passing Parade (2018)
Terrific indie gem
This is just a gem of a film. It's an observant/affecting look at a young playwright with writers block wrestling with the choices she has made for her career and personal life. After meeting a fine prospective new boyfriend her tie to an old lover turns her life upside down. It's a poignant/real look at how our choices can create conflict and insecurity. Writer/Director John Hindman does a fine job giving his scenes bite and an aliveness. The cast is terrific-lead Tessa Ferrer has a lovely openness to the camera and is wonderful at conveying vulnerability/spunk and humor. She is supported well by a fine ensemble and the crisp black and white cinematography give the LA locale a sub text of romance and mystery. I love films like this that are character driven/avoid spoon feeding the audience and brave enough to end with a ray of hope without that happily ever after assurance. This is one of the best romantic comedies I've seen in a long time because it's honest!
Cold Feet (2019)
Fine ensemble dark comedy!
Watched the new indie dark comedy Cold Feet-a fun twist on the bro bachelor comedy with a terrific ensemble cast. It's great to see my friend Allen C. Gardner reunited with Brad Ellis (they directed the fine/funny 2016 comedy Bad Bad Men) as directors with another fine script by Gardner. It's a fun look at a group of best buddies who rent at home to celebrate the upcoming marriage of friend Eddie (Gardner). What begins as a fun/laid back weekend suddenly goes awry with murders/horror and some ghostly activity. I love how Ellis and Gardner keep this character driven with a lot of heart. We can see how much these characters care about each other. It's also a kick to twist in the horror element into this bro drama- a fresh exciting aspect of telling this type of story. The ensemble of fine actors (along with Gardner, Matt Mercer, Nathan Ross Murphy, Adam Burns, Gabe Arredondo, Matt Gilliam, Matthew Stiller, Kenneth Farmer, Lindsay Roberts, Najarra Townsend Drew Smith, Drew Paslay, Hayden Blaine, and John Speredokos) work very well here and all have moments to shine. Cold Feet is both off-beat/thrilling and funny-a black comedy that keeps us rooting for the characters and gives us a satisfying conclusion that ties up all the horror/comedy in an effective manner.
Older (2020)
Fine romantic indie
Writer/director/actor Guy Pigden (who also stars) does a fine job here creating a humorous/heartfelt realistic character study involving a 29 year old man who resists growing up while wrestling with the dream of his fantasy high school crush and his long time loyal BBF who has never left his side. Pigden and Liesha Ward Knox are terrific and have strong chemistry together as two besties who may have deeper feelings for each other than ever imagined. It's often hard sadly to pull off a really effective romance in modern cinema but Pigden does it so beautifully here with conviction/grace/humor and bite. There's not a false move and such intimacy and personal commitment to the work. It must have been a labor of love for this team to make and in turn, a joy for the audience to bestow! This is free on Prime and highly recommended!
Up There (2019)
charming/affecting indie
Watched a terrific indie gem on Prime tonight- Up There. Written and directed Daniel Weingarten and Michael Blaustein (who also star), it's an affecting/heartfelt look at a down on his luck Journalist (Weingarten) who hopes to jump start his career with an assignment in a small Michigan town. We've seen this fish in a water story before but there's much charm here and a terrific blend of whimsy and pathos. In addition to fine work by Weingarten (as our journalist protagonist) and Blaustein (top form as an over protective brother), the film is really elevated by a top notch performance by Zoe Kanters as a young woman whose dream of becoming a writer is marred by grief and a tragic past. It's a lovely heartfelt watch beautifully shot in Upper Peninsula Michigan (one of the most beautiful locals in the U.S) in the small town of Norway near the Wisconsin border. This is charming indie filmmaking at its best!
Fray (2012)
Terrific, bold film!
Director Geoff Ryan does a fine job with this quiet, observant character study. It's a slow and deliberate film that allows us to discover moments as the characters in the film do. Another plus is a terrific, understated yet bold performance by Bryan Kaplan as the angst filled protagonist. One of the joys of indie films is that they highlight character development through observance and raw honesty.