Review: ‘GIRL FLU’ is contagious fun.

Growing up is awkward. No one is ever really prepared to deal with puberty, whether it’s the child or the parent. In Dorie Barton‘s brilliant directorial debut, Girl Flu, one little girl isn’t the only one that comes face to face with what it means to become a woman.

Synopsis:

Bird, 12, has to become a woman whether she wants to or not when – in the worst week of her life – she gets her first period, is ditched by her impulsive, free spirited mom, and learns that you can never really go back to The Valley.

 

Girl Flu is truly an endearing film. Funny, relatable, and just enough edge to surpass the afterschool special pigeonhole, it’s a directorial debut that Dorie Barton can be proud of. Whether the reality of the plot is who is really raising whom, we are treated to some incredibly sold performances from the entire cast. Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica) brings Jenny to life; an ill-equipped, young mother, raising a 12-year-old, who never quite grew up herself. Her crunchy and pot smoking morning rituals annoy the hell out of her daughter and her boyfriend, played by Jeremy Sisto (Waitress). Sackhoff is a beautiful balance of super flighty and genuinely sincere. Sisto, solid as ever, navigates his evolving feelings for mother and daughter alike adding to the heart and humor of a universal milestone. Heather Matarazzo (Welcome to the Dollhouse), as mom Jenny’s best friend, is damn hilarious. Not surprising for Matarazzo, as she lights up the screen in every role she plays. The real breakout star, without a doubt, is our major lead Jade Pettyjohn (School of Rock) as Bird. Humiliated and bullied, surviving on the resiliency she’s been forced to develop, she is whip-smart, vulnerable, and a total pro in this role. Irrational child logic is what makes this script so honestly entertaining. We laugh because we’ve been there. The cool soundtrack is the perfect addition. It’s been a fan favorite at over two dozen film festivals so far and it’s easy to see why. You can catch GIRL FLU on VOD (Amazon, iTunes, Google Play) today, September 29. Check out the trailer below!

 

‘Power Rangers’ Fan Film Starring Katee Sackhoff is Nothing Like You’d Expect

power-rangers-originalProduced by Adi Shankar (Lone Survivor) is back with another fan film, this time tackling the popular Mighty Morphin Power Rangers franchise. Much like his previous outings The Punisher: Dirty Laundry and Venom: Truth in Journalism, this is a dark, gritty R-rated take on the children’s show and, I must say, this may be his finest achievement yet.

The short stars Katee Sackhoff as Kimberly, the Pink Ranger and James Van Der Beek as Rocky, the (second) Red Ranger who has sided with the main antagonist of the fan film, the Machine Empire, who debuted during Power Rangers: Zeo. The film also features Russ Bain, Bree Olson,  and Will Yun Lee. Director Joseph Kahn has created a version of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers like we’ve never seen before! Check out the video below!

Why you might ask did Shankar chose the Power Rangers? Well…he answers that question in the video below. Enjoy

An actual reboot of the Power Rangers is in development at Lionsgate with a script by Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller. It’s set for release in theaters on July 22, 2016.