Category: Independent Film
‘The Persian Version’ Review: Vibrant, Richly-Layered Generational Gap Story Is Full of Laughs
As our cultures evolve and our values expand, our understanding of the family dynamic changes, too. Such is the way of the mostly true story of The Persian Version from writer-director Maryam Keshavarz, which is expanding in theaters this weekend.
Film Review: ‘Failure’- A Great Ted Raimi Anchors A Gripping Thriller
Alex Kahuam’s “Failure!” is a well-written character piece that gives actor Ted Raimi a role that shows off the actor’s underused depth of talent. As James, a man teetering on the precipice of financial and familial ruin, Raimi is
Film Review: ‘The Adults’- Regret, Ennui, And The Bond Of Family
Giving the first deeply layered performance of his career (his best to date), Michael Cera is extremely good in Dustin Guy Defa’s smart, moving, and ironically titled “The Adults”. Cera is Eric, a thirty-something who has come home to visit
Film Review: ‘Biosphere’- Gender Fluidity And The Saving Of Humanity
For decades, Science Fiction films have been used to examine almost every aspect of society and humanity. Mel Eslyn’s “Biosphere” uses its “Silent Running” tinged Sci-Fi surroundings to probe the insights of male friendship, and the perceptions of masculinity, sexuality,
Film review: ‘You Can Live Forever’- Love, Sex, And Individualism
Writer/directors Mark Slutsky and Sarah Watts’ debut feature “You Can Live Forever” is a film filled with truth, tenderness, and an understanding of character. Set in the early 1990s Canada, Jaime (wonderfully played by Anwen O’Driscoll) is sent to live
‘Death Count’: Movie Review
Director Michael Su and writer Michael Merino’s “Death Count” (with revisions by Rolfe Kanesky) is the new independent horror release whose tagline is, “8 contestants. 8 cells. 1 deadly game.” There will certainly be comparisons to James Wan’s “Saw” (and
Sundance 2022: ‘Emily the Criminal’- Film Review
Sundance 2022 Premiere: “Emily the Criminal” Aubrey Plaza and Theo Rossi do excellent work headlining writer/director John Patton Ford’s intense character study, “Emily the Criminal”. Ford has crafted a tale very much of our times. A tale of never-ending debt
Sundance 2022: ‘Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.’- Film Review
Sundance 2020 Premiere: “Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul” Faux documentaries are nothing new and hard to pull off successfully. Adamma Ebo’s “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.” is a fierce, funny, and ultimately powerful takedown of the MegaChurch ministries
Sundance 2022: ‘Sharp Stick’- Film Review
Sundance 2022 Premiere- “Sharp Stick” Lena Dunham has a distinctive voice, and it entertainingly comes through in every project she creates. “Sharp Stick” is her second feature-length outing as writer and director. As was her first film (2010’s “Tiny Furniture”),
Sundance 2022: ‘A Love Song’- Film Review
Sundance 2022: Opening Night- “A Love Song” Wes Studi is a national treasure. His presence has always been strong and throughout his 34-year career, the actor has given us many award-worthy performances. Studi has a naturalistic style that finds him