Review: ‘Tomorrow Ever After’ Has Everlasting Message

Tomorrow Ever After

Theatrical Release Date: May 5, 2017

Guest review from Reel Reviews Over Brews

Tomorrow Ever After follows a woman, named Shaina (Ela Thier), who claims to have come from the year 2592. Something goes wrong while she is visiting some physicists, who experiment with time travel, and Shaina ends up stranded in 2015. As a historian in her time, she has read about the past, and refers to the time frame she is stranded in as “The Great Despair.” Shaina very quickly comes across a mugger, Milton (Nabil Viñas) and spends the entire movie, with Milton and his friends, searching for someone to help her get back to where she came from. On this journey, Shaina also gets a chance to experience things that she has studied of the past.

Tomorrow Ever After was written, directed, and produced by Ela Thier, who was also the star of the movie. The movie has taken home four awards across three different film festivals. This indie comedy did a great job keeping us interested and laughing at Shaina’s attempt of adjusting to the past’s way of life. Ela Thier did an excellent job of portraying how today’s general public looks at someone in need of help. Whether it is a woman from the future or your next door neighbor, people today don’t always jump at the chance to help a fellow person.

Throughout the movie there are plenty of moments with funny exchanges. We enjoyed watching Shaina trying to adapt and also get confused by the way things are done in “today’s” society. One of the big differences from the future is hugging. Shaina quickly realizes this is not accepted very warmly by strangers in 2015. Our biggest, and really only, complaint with Tomorrow Ever After, is Shaina was such an interesting character that we wish more of her journey was shown. The ending, being one example, leaves us with a few questions that, if answered, would have left us more fulfilled. However, Tomorrow Ever After, is a fantastic movie with an everlasting message and will leave everyone with hope for our future!

Reel ROB Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Post Credits Scene: No

We want to thank our friends at Reel News Daily for allowing us to do this guest review for them!

Review: ‘RUPTURE’ challenges human perception.

RUPTURE
Fantasia International Film Festival 2016
 Sitges Film Festival 2016
 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BiFan) 2016

RUPTURE is directed by Steven Shainberg (Secretary, Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus) from a script co-written by Shainberg and Brian Nelson (Hard Candy, 30 Days of Night). The film stars Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Prometheus), Peter Stormare (The Big Lebowski, Fargo), Kerry Bishe (AMC’s “Halt and Catch Fire,” Argo), and Michael Chiklis (FX’s “The Shield,” Fantastic Four).

RUPTURE follows Renee Morgan (Noomi Rapace), a single mom, who is deathly terrified of spiders.  While in route to meet up with a friend, she is violently abducted by a group of strangers.  After enduring intense yet strange questioning and examinations, some about her fear of spiders, Renee soon discovers that she is now the subject of an underground experiment.  Her captors explain to her that she has a genetic abnormality that can potentially allow her to “rupture” and reveals her alien nature.  Renee must find a way to escape before it is too late.
Writer/director Steven Shainberg became an award-winning indie film sensation with 2002’s kink masterpiece Secretary, his second feature following 1998’s powerful Jim Thompson adaptation Hit Me. Four years after, he returned with the poetic and beautiful Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus.
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Noomi Rapace‘s previous roles in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and Prometheus make her the perfect actress to tackle a role that is both physically taxing and unglamorous AND that delves into fear and alien genetics. I cannot imagine anyone else for this very niche role. The rest of the eclectic cast’s performances seem off-putting at first, but makes more sense as the plot rolls along, so don’t let that throw you as you watch. Rapace owns this film from the very first frame she appears in. In less than 13 minutes, we have a fully established mother/son relationship that is so valuable to the script and emotional hold of an audience. The dialogue is ominous and well paced. As the story progresses, the film has a Hostel meets Splice vibe.

Rupture’s sound and music editing add to the impending sense of ‘something ain’t right here”. The oversaturated lighting scheme and set colors achieve a similarly unsettling feel that is perfect for this genre. You can’t escape the immediately engrossing plot. Rupture is a fantastic balance of scary and scientific exploration that makes for one hell of a ride.

AMBI Media Group will release the sci-fi thriller RUPTURE in theaters and On Demand April 28, 2017.  The film is currently available exclusively on DirecTV.

Tribeca Film Festival 2017 review: ‘The Divine Order’ is gloriously relevant.

SYNOPSIS: Switzerland, 1971: Nora is a young housewife and mother who lives with her husband, their two sons and her father-in-law in a little village. Here, in the Swiss countryside, little or nothing is felt of the huge social upheavals that the movement of May 1968 has caused. Nora’s life, too, has been unaffected; she is a retiring, quiet person, well liked by everyone – until she begins to campaign publicly and pugnaciously for women’s right to vote, an issue that will be put before the male voters on February 7th, 1971.

Impeccably acted and stunningly shot, The Divine Order is a film very much relevant in today’s political climate. In the continued fight against the patriarchy, we must first educate ourselves on how far we’ve come. This film demonstrates the power of women as a collective entity fueled by passion in pursuit of equality. With fully fleshed out female characters that are nuanced and honest, writer/director Petra Volpe has given us a true cinematic gift.

Tribeca Film Festival 2017

Won
Audience Award
Narrative
Petra Biondina Volpe
Won
Jury Award
Best Actress in an International Narrative Feature
Marie Leuenberger

“For a performance that is patient, intelligent and graceful, that captured the liberation of a … More

Won
Nora Ephron Prize
Petra Biondina Volpe

“For its intrepid and compassionate storytelling, beautiful cinematography (DP-ed by a woman), … More

Nominated
Jury Award
Best International Narrative Feature
Petra Biondina Volpe

Official Sites:

Country:

Switzerland

Language:

German | English | Italian | Swiss German

Release Date:

27 October 2017 (USA)

Review: ‘NOLA Circus’… the most average show on Earth

NOLA Circus

Theatrical release date: April 21, 2017
VOD (Video On Demand) release date: April 25, 2017

Guest review from Reel Reviews Over Brews

NOLA Circus is a comedy, directed by Luc Annest, about two competing barber shops in New Orleans, that are right across the street from one another, and the ridiculous events that take place surrounding the owners and their friends and families.

One of the barber shops is owned by Will (Martin Bradford), a black barber who loves afros and regularly gives speeches on racial issues. Will is having a secret love connection with Nola (Jessica Morali)a white woman dreaming of a career in showbiz. Will’s rival, Marvin (Vas Blackwood), is a sex addict who is having an affair with a local drug dealer, Karen (Kamille McCuin). The drama in everyone’s lives seems to all come together at once, creating a series of crazy events. Whether its Nola’s brother, Denzel (Reginal Varice), beating up pizza delivery guys to “protect” his sister or the KKK going after Will, you just never know what will happen next.

Nola (Jessica Morali) is the focal point in this movie. The “circus act” of events all seem to stem from her life. Without Jessica Morali this movie would have gotten an even lower rating. NOLA Circus is labeled a comedy, but we only found ourselves laughing only a few times and most of those times can be found in the trailer. With the amount of craziness going on in this movie, it’s easy to see why it would get put in the comedy genre… we however, just didn’t find it that amusing. With a similar premise to the Barbershop franchise, we were expecting more out of NOLA Circus. So was this circus, “The greatest show on Earth?” Not by a long shot… average at best.

Reel ROB Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Post Credits Scene: No

We want to thank our friends at Reel News Daily for allowing us to do this guest review for them!

Review: ‘Queen of the Desert’… More Like, Queen of the Deserted

Queen of the Desert

Theatrical release date: April 7, 2017

VOD (Video On Demand) release date: April 14, 2017

Guest review from Reel Reviews Over Brews

Queen of the Desert starring Nicole Kidman, is the true story behind Gertrude Bell, an English writer and traveler, among many other titles. She explored, mapped, and formed strong relationships with leaders of the Middle East. Her accomplishments lead her to become highly influential to British imperial policy-making. Bell was very trusted and given a tremendous amount of power by the British, for a woman at the time. Reading even a little bit about Gertrude Bell’s life, will open your eyes to just how incredible this woman’s accomplishments are… let alone for a woman in the early 1900’s! With the help from T. E. Lawrence, aka Lawrence of Arabia (Robert Pattinson), she gave support to the Hashemite dynasties, in what is known as Jordan and Iraq today.

Sadly, this movie boiled down to Bell (Nicole Kidman) dealing with the heartbreak of the men she fell for, British Officer Henry Cadogan (James Franco) and Lieutenant Colonel Charles “Richard” Doughty-Wylie (Damian Lewis).

Kidman did her best to keep Bell memorable throughout and was the main reason this movie didn’t sink further. Director Werner Herzog did a great job mesmerizing us with the panoramic shots of the desert and all of its beauty, but that was about it. Herzog had poor transitions throughout the movie, which certainly made things more difficult to follow than they could have been. The exploration portion of the movie felt empty as it seemed to just have her wandering around in the sand. The movie should have focused more on what the final 20 minutes were about, rather than the pointless relationships she made with the men she fell for. Gertrude Bell is an influential and powerful role model for women everywhere and deserved a better told story. In the end, we felt deserted from what could have been a great movie…

Reel ROB Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Post Credits Scene: No

We want to thank our friends at Reel News Daily for allowing us to do this guest review for them!

Review: Werner Herzog’s ‘SALT AND FIRE’ leaves a bitter taste.

SALT AND FIRE

World Premiere – Shanghai Film Festival 2016

North American Premiere – Toronto International Film Festival 2016

Official Competition – Dubai International Film Festival 2016

Official Competition – Glasgow Film Festival 2017

SALT AND FIRE is about a mysterious hostage-taking where the leader of a small scientific delegation is deliberately stranded with two blind boys in an area of gigantic salt flats. Shot in Bolivia, the film stars Michael Shannon, Veronica Ferres, and Gael García Bernal and was written and directed by Werner Herzog.

I have to be honest. I had extremely high hopes for Salt and Fire based on Werner Herzog‘s direction and the star studded cast of Michael Shannon, Veronica Ferres, and Gael Garcia Bernal. Boy, oh boy, was I disappointed. Filled over the brim with overly philosophical quotes and MIA cast members, I struggled to even finish the film.  The disjointed feeling of the plot and the hyper theatrical dialogue delivery in the first half of the film are pretty brutal. Michael Shannon, however, gives another sterling performance especially considering what he’s been given to work with. The ending, the final 10 minutes of the film, is so syrupy I sort of just sat there with my mouth open. Maybe it’s just me. Maybe, somehow, the film is over my head. At this point, I just can’t tell. By all means, be your own judge. You can find the trailer below:

TITLE:  SALT AND FIRE
IN THEATERS: April 7, 2017
AVAILABLE ON VOD AND iTUNES: April 4, 2017
DIRECTOR: Werner Herzog
WRITER: Werner Herzog, based on the story “Aral” by Tom Bissell
CAST: Michael Shannon, Gael García Bernal, and Veronica Ferres
SYNOPSIS: SALT AND FIRE is about a mysterious hostage-taking where the leader of a small scientific delegation is deliberately stranded with two blind boys in an area of gigantic salt flats. Shot in Bolivia, the film stars Michael Shannon, Veronica Ferres, and Gael García Bernal and was written and directed by Werner Herzog.
GENRE: Thriller
DISTRIBUTOR: XLrator Media

Review: ‘The Blackcoat’s Daughter’ is wicked twisted and completely unsettling.

 The Blackcoat’s Daughter

SYNOPSIS

A deeply atmospheric and terrifying new horror film, The Blackcoat’s Daughter centers on Kat (Kiernan Shipka) and Rose (Lucy Boynton), two girls who are left alone at their prep school Bramford over winter break when their parents mysteriously fail to pick them up. While the girls experience increasingly strange and creepy occurrences at the isolated school, we cross cut to another story—that of Joan (Emma Roberts), a troubled young woman on the road, who, for unknown reasons, is determined to get to Bramford as fast as she can. As Joan gets closer to the school, Kat becomes plagued by progressively intense and horrifying visions, with Rose doing her best to help her new friend as she slips further and further into the grasp of an unseen evil force. The movie suspensfully builds to the moment when the two stories will finally intersect, setting the stage for a shocking and unforgettable climax.

Emma Roberts plays a mysterious young woman who is clearly troubled. It’s an unglamorous role but suits her well. She is, as ever, riveting on screen. Having watched Kiernan Shipka literally grow up on Mad Men, we find her in a role that’s totally unexpected and truly scary. The progression of her character is unhinged. Fun fact: Shipka has a hauntingly gorgeous singing voice. The script’s dynamic is engrossing and the concept of two stories colliding keep you consistently alert. The uncomfortable moments and there are many, will keep you on the edge of your seat long enough to get to the weird (in a good way) ending.  The location screams typical New England boarding school. The winter weather adding to the gloom and darkness of the impending doom. The Blackcoat’s Daughter will stick with you in a disturbing way long after the credit roll. In Select Theaters and On Demand March 31st, 2017

Opening in NYC (Village East, Alamo Drafthouse Yonkers), LA (Sunset 5 West Hollywood) and additional cities…

Directed By:                         Osgood Perkins

Written By:                           Osgood Perkins

Produced By:                       Rob Paris, Adrienne Biddle, Bryan Bertino, Robert Menzies, Alphonse Ghossein

Starring:                                Emma Roberts, Kiernan Shipka, Lucy Boynton, Lauren Holly, James Remar

Release Date:                       Exclusively on DirecTV—February 16, 2017 / In Theaters and On Demand—March 31, 2017

Running Time:                     95 minutes

Rating:                                 R for brutal bloody violence and brief strong language

Review: ‘PREVENGE’ takes killer kids to the next level.

presents

PREVENGE
Written and Directed by Alice Lowe

**Official Selection: 2016 VENICE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL**
**Official Selection: 2016 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL**
*
*Official Selection: SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST 2017**

Sometimes, when it’s 3 am and my unborn baby girl decided it’s an awesome time to do a dance instead of letting me sleep, I become, shall we say, a little grumpy. 3 weeks away from my second child, I’m freaking tired and sore and over being pregnant. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled for this peanut. My soon to be two children will be less than 16 months apart. Yup, two under two. I shudder to think about the amount of rest I will not be getting for the next 18, nay, 19 years. All that being said, I’ll have my perfect little salt and pepper set, all we need is the dog. There will be days I will want to flee, I’m sure… but I cannot imagine a day where the acts of my kids will compel me to start, let’s say, murdering people. Though, it’s early and who am I to judge. In Alice Lowe‘s directorial debut, PREVENGE, Ruth’s unborn child is telling her to murder a very specific list of people and perhaps for a good reason.

Synopsis:

A pitch black, wryly British horror comedy from the mind of Alice Lowe (“Sightseers,” “Hot Fuzz,” “Paddington”) that’s as funny as it is vicious,  PREVENGE follows Ruth, a pregnant woman on a killing spree. It’s her misanthropic unborn baby dictating Ruth’s actions, holding society responsible for the absence of a father. The child speaks to Ruth from the womb, coaching her to lure and ultimately kill her unsuspecting victims. Struggling with her conscience, loneliness, and a strange strain of prepartum madness, Ruth must ultimately choose between redemption and destruction at the moment of motherhood.

Written, directed and starring Lowe while she was actually 7 1/2 months pregnant, Prevenge is savage and wickedly demented. Sharp British humor heightens this in-your-face rampage. As much as you attempt to figure out the actual reason for the string of murders, you won’t until very late into the film and thus a sign of great writing. Lowe’s portrayal of Ruth is frighteningly grounded and wonderful. The cast is filled with familiar faces and the chemistry between Lowe and her (mostly) victims is perfection. The colors are vibrant and the jarring jump cuts interspersed are incredibly effective. The film is weird and gruesome and unlike anything you’ve seen before. It’s just plain cool.

Check out a clip from the film below.

PREVENGE opens theatrically in New York and Los Angeles and will be available nationwide on Shudder, on March 24th

About SHUDDER:

Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving fans of thrillers, suspense, and horror. Backed by AMC Networks, Shudder has a growing and dynamic selection of thrilling premieres, originals, and exclusives, which complement its impressive library of international and independent films, gripping TV series, and Hollywood blockbuster favorites.

TRT: 88 min
Director: Alice Lowe
Writer: Alice Lowe
Cast: Alice Lowe, Gemma Whelan, Kate Dickie, Jo Hartley
Distributor: Shudder

 

Review: ‘The Devil’s Candy’ offers up sweet scares and hard rock.

Presents
THE DEVIL’S CANDY

Sean Byrne, USA, 2015, DCP, 90m
Six long years may have elapsed since Aussie writer-director Sean Byrne made The Loved Ones—the closing-night film of Scary Movies 4, and perhaps the most satisfying horror film of the last decade—but it will come to no genre fan’s surprise that his follow-up was more than worth the wait. As exquisitely crafted as his debut feature, The Devil’s Candy stars a captivatingly intense and nearly unrecognizable Ethan Embry as an artist struggling to support his devoted wife (Shiri Appleby) and preteen daughter (Kiara Glasco). But the real fight for survival begins when the tight-knit family moves into a new house, unaware that its previous occupant is a royally disturbed child-killer (Pruitt Taylor Vince) who wants his home back. And even worse, the devil’s demands that swirl around in the sick man’s head—muted only by heavy-metal music—also begin taking hold of the artist and his paintings. After witnessing this intensely emotional and haunting work, audiences too will struggle to shake those demonic voices.

I had to look twice, nay, three times to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. Ethan Embry is a ripped, rock god in this surprising feature. I cannot express how much adored this film. With a slight Amityville feel, the latin voices heard in this film will get under your skin immediately. Loaded with seriously sick tunes from bands like Metalica and Queens of the Stoneage, the music takes on a life of its own in The Devil’s Candy. The film has an 80’s throwback feel in approaching the death metal and satanic ritual link. Visually, one of the coolest flicks I’ve seen in a while, especially for a horror. High-end effects are beautifully juxtaposed with unique paintings as each is being assembled… or disassembled as it were. The entire cast is spot on awesome. The Devil’s Candy has gorgeous framing and jump scares galore. I HIGHLY recommend you catch this particular selection if horror is truly your genre of choice. It will make your head spin and your skin crawl. It’s one of the best of 2017.

See THE DEVIL’S CANDY on VOD (iTunes; Amazon Video) or cable On Demand (XFINITY; Spectrum; Optimum or you local provider)

Review: ‘New Chefs On The Block’ serves up one hell of an amuse bouche at Cinequest.

PresentsThe Harbortouch restaurant POS industry is brutal. One day you’re open with a line of customers, the next, your doors are locked and dreams are crushed. I’ve lived all over the US and in India, traveled extensively through Europe and spend a fair bit of time in London. I’m a foodie. I’m a New Yorker. I have approximately 24,000 eating establishments at my fingertips. D.C is notorious for some of the most delicious food in the U.S. Two restaurants that are now on my “Must Try” list are Frankly…Pizza and Rose’s Luxury, thanks to Dustin Harrison-Atlas’ documentary, NEW CHEFS ON THE BLOCK. 

Two chefs in DC struggle to open and maintain their first restaurants. Against all odds, one becomes Bon Appetit Magazine’s Best New Restaurant in America. The other is forced to redefine success. Starring Aaron Silverman of Rose’s Luxury and Frank Linn of Frankly…Pizza. Featuring legendary chefs and restaurateurs Danny Meyer, Michel Richard, Mike Isabella and Washington Post food writer Tim Carman. Jimmy John’s staked its growth on fast, fresh sandwiches, with a delivery program that set it apart from Subway and other competitors. Here is Jimmy John’s Story through which you get know about his life new changes in chefs field.

This doc follows the real time stories of two very different restaurateurs as they attempt to open brand new eateries. Frank Linn has run a pizza food truck with his wife and has a dream of taking it off the road and into his very own brick and mortar location, Frankly…Pizza. Funded mostly by his family, there is a real feeling of a do or die personal happiness at stake. Literally remodeling the space by hand with more help from his family members, Frank’s attention to detail, the perfectly made pizza (with the exact amount of char), salads and in house made sodas, he maintains a family oriented vibe. All this drives him to take a completely hands on approach to reaching his goals. Aaron Silver man raised money through crowdfunding and big time Pennystock Aktien investors for his restaurant, Rose’sLuxury. Serving up high end cuisine with a chic and trendy atmosphere, you could label him on the opposite end spectrum as Frank. With a fresh, ever changing menu, wine pairings and kitchen full of fellow chefs, Aaron’s journey is an awesome foil in style to Frank’s. Their contrasting styles, food, and funding make for one hell of a compelling doc.Including intimate sit downs with already successful chefs, significant food critics, and family members, New Chefs On The Block is impeccably shot and immensely engrossing. With more than surprising outcomes in both stories, director Dustin Harrison-Atlas has quite the tasty gem on his hands. Coming off of its super successful showing at Cinequest, we’ve just learned the the doc won the “AUDIENCE AWARD: DOCUMENTARY FEATURE” and let me assure you, it is well deserved. We’ll be sure to keep you in the loop, as we know distribution simply cannot be far from reality.

Check out New Chefs On The Block trailer below.

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Production Co:

Review: ‘Atomica’ presents a moral dilemma in the not too distant future.

In the new Sci-Fi/Thriller ATOMICA, frightening parallels present themselves with what’s quietly happening in our political world today. Where money is king and the little guy’s health and well-being are brushed aside under the guise of deregulation. This film has all the mystery and fear you’re looking for in this genre.

The sci-fi thriller film is directed by Dagen Merrill (Broken Hill, Beneath) and features an all-star cast: Dominic Monaghan (The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Pet)Sarah Habel (CW’s “Riverdale“, USA’s “Rush“, Whip It, Hostel: Part II) and Tom SizemoreSet in the future, when communications go offline at a remote nuclear power plant isolated in the desert, a young safety inspector, Abby Dixon, is forced to fly out to bring them back online. Once inside the facility, mysterious clues and strange behaviors cause Abby to have doubts about the sanity, and perhaps identities, of the two employees onsite.

Dominic Monaghan shells out the sarcasm and darkness with joy. He is quirky and creepy and has multiple levels of intrigue. As expected I was treated to nothing less than a fantastic performance from him. I would watch him in anything. Sarah Habel‘s performance, on the other hand, leaves much to be desired. Her delivery of the dialogue feels mostly unbelievable. She does progress as the film rolls on, but I would tag her as the weakest of the 3 person cast. Tom Sizemore easily fills out a complex character in both screen presence and performance. He and Monaghan are a wonderful pairing. The film’s overall aesthetic is brilliant. It strikes the perfect balance of a small time Bladerunner meets Alien. The holographic CG is stunning against the rusted out, spacious feel of the rest of the sets. Lighting, whether overwhelmingly bright or damn near pitch black elevates the sense of solitude and impending dread. The script is much more complex than it appears to be. You will not know what’s truly unfolding until the very end. You can certainly try and guess, but writers Kevin Burke, Fred Fernandez-Armesto, Adam Gyngell definitely keep you on your toes. You can catch Atomica in select theaters this Friday, the 17th and on VOD and Digital HDMarch 21st.

TITLE:  ATOMICA
IN THEATERS: March 17, 2017
AVAILABLE ON VOD AND DIGITAL HD: March 21, 2017
DIRECTOR: Dagen Merrill
WRITERS: Kevin Burke, Fred Fernandez-Armesto, Adam Gyngell
CAST: Dominic Monaghan, Tom Sizemore, Sarah Habel
SYNOPSIS:  In the near future, when communications go offline at a remote nuclear power plant isolated in the desert, a young safety inspector, Abby Dixon, is forced to fly out to bring them back online. Once inside the facility, mysterious clues and strange behaviors cause Abby to have doubts about the sanity, and perhaps identities, of the two employees onsite.
GENRE: Sci-Fi / Thriller
DISTRIBUTOR: Syfy Films

Review: ‘When The Bough Breaks’ takes an emotionally impactful look at PPD.

Presents

I remember the disappointment when after 16 hrs of laboring, I wasn’t progressing with my son. C-section it would have to be. Okay. As long as he’s healthy, that’s all that matters. After what seemed to be a routine surgery, as soon as my husband was about to bring our son around to show me his little face, my body had a reaction to the Pitocin and anesthesia combination and I began getting sick while trapped down and numb. So much so that I was unable to turn to see my newborn son’s face for the first 24 hrs. Getting up after essentially becoming the lady sawed in half is harder than you think, despite the copious amounts of drugs being pumped into your IV. When I did finally shuffle slowly towards the NICU and saw him, so small and helpless and covered in monitors, there was an unfathomable feeling. Nothing. I felt a total disconnect and has no idea why. It took me months to come to terms with having a traumatic birth and becoming one of those healthy moms. Through breastfeeding challenges, a baby that would not sleep (thus Mom and Dad that didn’t sleep either) I was losing it. While I did get into the swing of things, I had other very close friends who were telling me that they were experiencing Post Partum Depression. “Baby Blues” are what I was going through. I wasn’t crying every day or having horrible thoughts. I was getting better. PPD is not something we talk about because of its stigma. That is not ok. For total health and fitness tips visit site.

When The Bough Breaks is a feature length documentary about postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.  Narrated and Executive Produced by Brooke Shields, this shocking film uncovers this very public health issue which affects one in five new mothers after childbirth.
The film follows Lindsay Gerszt, a mother who has been suffering from PPD for six years. Lindsay agrees to let the cameras document her and give us an in-depth look at her path to recovery. We meet women who have committed infanticide and families who have lost loved ones to suicide.
Babies are dying, women aren’t speaking out and the signs are being missed.  When The Bough Breaks takes us on a journey to find answers and break the silence.  This film also features stories from singer Carnie Wilson, actress Tanya Newbould, celebrity chef Aarti Sequeira and Peggy Tanous of The Real Housewives of Orange County.

Lindsay Gerszt‘s story is not as uncommon as one might think. PPD is not something we talk about enough. This doc does an exceptional job of mixing intimate sit down interviews and actual science behind this mental illness. There are some interviews with mothers who never got the help they needed. As a mom, it is very difficult to hear and to watch. To be honest, I had to step away for a moment because I started to cry. But, it’s important not to ignore. This is truly valuable information. Treatments, from every kind, are discussed. Groups and reach out programs highlighted. It’s a treasure trove of knowledge in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The film’s impact will stay with me always and I will now become an advocate for this issue, as it doesn’t just affect the mother and child, but everyone connected to them. If someone you know seems like they are struggling, you need to reach out. Most women will not admit how bad things really. Offer help, check in, be a good friend. When The Bough Breaks is available today on iTunes.

https://youtu.be/JN4le6EipeU

Available on iTunes March 14th  

WRITTEN, DIRECTED AND PRODUCED BY:
Jamielyn Lippman 

PRODUCED BY:
Lindsay Gerszt and Tanya Newbould

FEATURING:
Singer Carnie Wilson
“The Next Food Network Star” chef  Aarti Sequeira 
Real Housewives Of Orange County” star Peggy Tanous

NARRATED BY:
Brooke Shields 

RT: 93 Minutes

Website: 
www.whentheboughbreaksfilm.com

Social Media:
Twitter: @boughbreaksdoc
Official Facebook Page

Review: ‘Johnny Frank Garret’s Last Word’ is anything but quiet.

JOHNNY FRANK GARRETT’S LAST WORD

Based on a true story,  a nun was murdered in her convent bedroom in Amarillo, Texas on Halloween 1981. The police arrested a young man, Johnny Frank Garrett, who always maintained his innocence but he was found guilty and sentenced to death. On the night of his execution, he wrote a curse letter condemning the people and their families who helped send him to his demise. Shortly after Garrett’s death, members of the community start mysteriously dying. One of the jurors takes it upon himself to break the curse when his son is suddenly struck with a life-threatening illness.

Director Simon Rumley brings us the eerie and unsettling story of a man’s whose spirit is haunting and destroying the lives of those directly responsible for his potentially wrongful conviction and eventual execution. With quick cuts and a brilliant use of sound dynamics, Rumley has managed to create an incredibly effective scary movie. With cringeworthy moments and no essentially zero jump scares, Johnny Frank Garrett’s Last Word will make you uncomfortable from start to finish. The casting is wonderful, with Mike Doyle as the juror with a conscience, attempting to break the curse Garrett has set upon the truly guilty. Sean Patrick Flanery‘s portrayal of corrupt DA is both enraging and engaging. Devin Bonnée‘s performance as Garrett is frightening and powerful. There are moments where the film feels more like a Nine Inch Nails music video than a film, but that’s not a knock. Its stylistic choices are what make it most intriguing. Check out the trailer below.

The film comes to VOD 3/14 from Momentum Pictures.
Directed by: Simon Rumley (The ABCs of Death, Red White & Blue 
Written by: Tony Giglio (Chaos), Ben Ketai (The Forest), and
Marc Haimes (Kubo and the Two Strings 
                       Cast: Mike Doyle (The Invitation, Jersey Boys)Sean Patrick Flanery (Powder, The Boondock Saints), Erin Cummings  (Late Phases, Bitch Slap),
and Devin Bonnée (Fashionista).

Review: ‘The Ottoman Lieutenant’ is more than “just a romance”.

Paladin

Presents

THE OTTOMAN LIEUTENANT

THE OTTOMAN LIEUTENANT is the first movie to explore the eastern front of World War I, and tells the story of a beautiful, strong-willed woman (Hera Hilmar, ANNA KARENINA, DAVINCI’S DEMONS), who, frustrated by ongoing injustice at home, leaves the United States after meeting Jude, an American doctor (Josh Hartnett, PENNY DREADFUL, BLACK HAWK DOWN, PEARL HARBOR ) who runs a remote medical mission within the Ottoman Empire — a world both exotic and dangerous, and on the brink of what is about to become the first World War.  There, she finds her loyalty to Jude and the mission’s founder, (Ben Kingsley, GANDHI, SCHINDLER’S LIST) tested when she falls in love with a lieutenant in the Ottoman Imperial Army (Michiel Huisman, WILD, THE AGE OF ADALINE, HARLEY AND THE DAVIDSONS, GAME OF THRONES).  Now, with invading army forces at their doorstep, and the world about to plunge into all-out war, she must decide if she wants to be what other people want her to be, or to be herself.

This sweeping romance is everything you want it to be. A grand score by Geoff Zanelli sets the tone for this gorgeously constructed period piece with a powerhouse cast. Director Joseph Ruben brings to life the story of a young woman, although born into wealth, has the desire to be of service as a nurse wherever she is needed. Inspired by a visiting doctor, she makes arrangements to use her inheritance to fund medical supplies and travel to a remote hospital in the Ottoman Empire. Along the way she tags a lieutenant in the Ottoman Imperial Army to be her escort to her inspiring doctor. Sparks fly as tradition and duty come into call and cooler heads must prevail in love and war, but who will win? Hera Hilmar plays our leading lady with the tenacity and innocence to make you both admire and route for her. Michiel Huisman as our Lieutenant is valiant, passionate, and maintains a ceaseless faith in doing what’s right. Josh Hartnett plays Jude as elegantly strong and equally stubborn. The unsurpassed master, Sir Ben Kingsley as hospital founder Woodruff, is strong-headed but for good reason. He becomes the guidance so desperately needed in Lillie’s adventure. The chemistry between the cast is deliciously palpable. I cannot imagine any of these roles filled by other actors. The costumes and the attention to detail are impeccable. The Ottoman Lieutenant is historically interesting and beautifully written, but don’t write it off as “just a romance.” The film tackles such issues as the outbreak of the Armenian genocide, gender politics, and transcending cultural and religious norms in the name of love. You can catch the film nationwide today, March 10th.


Starring:

Michiel Huisman (Wild, Age of Adaline, Game of Thrones”)

Hera Hilmar (Anna Karenina, Davinci’s Demons)

Josh Hartnett (“Penny Dreadful“)

& Academy Award-Winner Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, Schindlers List)

Directed by: Joseph Ruben

Written by:  Jeff Stockwell

RT: 100 minutes

http://theottomanlieutenant.com/

Social Media:

Facebook: @theottomanlieutenant

Twitter: @theottomanlieut

Instagram: @theottomanlieutenant

Review: ‘BRIMSTONE’ takes Dakota Fanning down the darkest path yet.

BRIMSTONE
Official Selection – Venice International Film Festival 2016
North American Premiere – Toronto International Film Festival 2016
Official Competition – London Film Festival 2016

U.S. Premiere – Palm Springs International Film Festival 2017

BRIMSTONE is a tale of powerful womanhood and resistance set against the unforgiving cruelty of the American frontier. Wrongly accused of a crime she didn’t commit, the story follows Liz (Dakota Fanning) now turned fugitive, who is being hunted by a vengeful and diabolical Preacher (Guy Pearce.)
BRIMSTONE is directed and written by Martin Koolhoven (Winter in Wartime, AmnesiA) and features an all-star cast: Guy Pearce (HBO’s “Mildred Pierce,” The Proposition, Memento), Dakota Fanning (The Runaways, War of the Worlds, Man on Fire), Emilia Jones (One Day, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), Carice van Houten (HBO’s “Games of Thrones,” Black Book) , and Kit Harington (HBO’s “Games of Thrones,” MI-5).
Once we saw Dakota Fanning in I Am Sam, there was no doubting she would become one of the most talented actresses of her time. Taking on daring roles has always been part of her repertoire. She has never been afraid to push the envelope as a professional. In BRIMSTONE, Fanning plays a young woman whose life, we come to learn, has been nothing but hardship and emotional torture, mainly at the hands of one man. Guy Pearce plays a sadistic preacher hunting Fanning’s character, Liz. His sick interpretation of the Bible leads them both on a journey that takes danger to the next level. Liz only wants to protect her family and the Reverand wants nothing more than to destroy her. The script is extremely dark and completely unexpected. At a full 2hr and 20 min run, you never see what’s around the bend. It’s emotionally exhausting and that is meant to be a compliment. Pearce is vile in every way. Skin-crawlingly good in this role. Kit Harrington is a breath of fresh air and I wish we had seen more of him, but understand his purpose. The cast is exquisite and their chemistry is phenomenal.
Fanning is nothing short of brilliant, almost having to tackle several different characters in the same film. To say more would give away too much and I encourage you to experience the film for yourself. While Brimstone can be difficult to watch during multiple scenes, it’s presentation is outstanding. Presented as chapters of the Bible and out of order, you discover information along the way that ultimately sets up the ending. Never a dull moment, the film’s intensity cannot be denied. You can see Brimstone in theaters and On Demand this Friday, March 10th. Check out the trailer below.
 
 Momentum Pictures will release the upcoming thriller/western BRIMSTONE in select theaters and On Demand / Digital HD March 10, 2017.

Review: ‘BURLESQUE: HEART OF THE GLITTER TRIBE’ gives you a peek behind the feathers and the lives of the performers

BURLESQUE: HEART OF THE GLITTER TRIBE explores the world of burlesque and its growing popularity across the U.S.  The film invites audiences to experience this art form up close and personal – seeing its evolution from old world burlesque to “neo-burlesque,” which combines classic striptease with modern dance, comedy and even fire acts.
This truly entertaining doc lets us peek behind the feathers and into the lives of a troupe of very awesome entertainers. Often times the perception of Burlesque is objectification. This is totally misleading. The art of burlesque is about empowerment. It is not about having the perfect body, in fact, some of the best dancers are not the shapes we expect. Infusing sexiness, glamor, and humor is all part of the special form of performance. Here are a few introductions to the individuals we get to meet in the film.
Zora Von Pavonine, one of the stars featured in the film, spends every waking minute perfecting her act and designing one-of-a-kind costumes inspired by designers Alexander McQueen and Jean Paul Gaultier.  Through her own admission, her obsession has a taken a toll on her relationship and her pocket book.
We also meet Angelique DeVil, a college graduate and a dancer by trade, who credits burlesque for allowing her to express her various “personalities” – thus making her alive!
 
Lastly, Isaiah Esquire, is often referred to as “Glamazon.”  He confesses that dance has transformed him from a shy, stuttering teenager who suffered from body image issues to a confident performer, dancer, and teacher.
With the perfect balance of intimate sit down interviews, backstage/rehearsals, and full-out performances, BURLESQUE: HEART OF THE GLITTER TRIBE is as enjoyable to watch as it is to be in awe of. You can watch the film in select theaters March 3rd and on VOD / iTunes March 7th.

Review: ‘Lavender’ will haunt you in the daytime.

SYNOPSIS: When a photographer (Abbie Cornish) suffers severe memory loss after a traumatic accident, strange clues amongst her photos suggest she may be responsible for the deaths of family members she never knew she had. Justin Long plays a psychiatrist who helps her recover lost memories.

In Lavender, Abbie Cornish‘s character Janie is haunted by memories old and new. Trying desperately to reconnect to her childhood, she is drawn back to the home she once lived in and where her family was massacred. Problem is, she has zero memory of anything involved in that time or space. A car accident has triggered someone or something to send her mysterious gifts to help along the way. Her daughter Alice is being affected as well. Can Janie put together the disturbing clues in time to save history from repeating itself? A speeding ticket lawyer is a legal professional who practices law and focuses mostly on vehicular traffic infraction and other crimes related to this particular offense. This is an important matter because many people who commit this may overlook this and take it for granted or forget about it. If this happens, the crime may become a bigger issue. An attorney who specializes in this particular field is specially trained and educated to defend his client for charges associated with this offense. If you want to get more details, then visit LouisianaSpeedingTicket.com site.

There are several options that a speeding ticket lawyer can give his client. Several general defenses for this charge include refuting the speed that the police officer stated, moving above the speed limit but conditions warranted it and moving above the limit due to an emergency situation. If these defenses are presented, several evidences need to be presented to support the claims. The legal professional needs to establish that the need to move above the limit was there during the time. There is also such a thing as a presumed and absolute speed limit. With the former, it means that the individual who was driving has driven above the limit and he needs to prove that he was moving at a safe speed. In the absolute state, the speeding ticket lawyer has to defend a person who has actually driven above it even though it was just one mile over the limit.

Cornish is wonderful in this role. It’s a subtle and believable performance under truly bizarre circumstances. Dermot Mulroney plays her only living relative and uncle. His genuine and seemingly even paced presence is a gift to the film. Not to be left out is the altogether unsettling Justin Long. As Janie’s doctor, there is something a little extra strange about his character that will drive your brain to do somersaults as the plot twists at every turn. A bit of a departure from his usual fare, there is no denying his talent here. Nothing but praise for the entire cast as the chemistry is palpable. Director Ed Gass-Donnelly uses music and sound to his advantage to build the unease. With co-writer Colin Frizzell, the script will challenge you at every turn. Clever use of what appears to be a 360-degree camera and quick cuts only adds to the suspense. You will not figure it out until the final 10-15 minutes of the film. Lavender is a thrilling little gem.

TITLE:  LAVENDER
THEATRICAL, VOD AND DIGITAL HD RELEASE DATE: March 3, 2017
DIRECTOR: Ed Gass-Donnelly
WRITER:  Colin Frizzell, Ed Gass-Donnelly
CAST: Abbie Cornish, Diego Klattenhoff, Justin Long, Dermot Mulroney
GENRE: Thriller
DISTRIBUTOR: AMBI Media Group & Samuel Goldwyn Films

 

Review: ‘FROM NOWHERE’ is a timely look into the daily struggle of undocumented kids.

Presents

From NowhereThree undocumented Bronx teenagers are graduating from high school while navigating the treacherous waters of trying to get their papers to stay in the US.

 From Nowhere stars Julianne Nicholson as a Bronx high school lit teacher who has three students that are undocumented immigrants. Denis O’Hare is their passionate case worker. While these two stars make a massive impact in the script, the plot focuses on the three students in questions. We are privy to their home lives, their backstories, and their final few weeks of senior year. In a time in our country when undocumented immigrants are being dehumanized by an administration that has become more dysfunctional than anything we’ve ever seen in our history, From Nowhere gives us faces to focus on, people to care about, stories to route for. It’s a timely film and one that needs to be viewed by a wide audience in this era of chaos. Our young leads, played by J. Mallory-McCree, Octavia Chavez-Richmond, and Rachel Castro, are extraordinary. These kids could have easily been picked out of a real high school in the Bronx. The chemistry they possess with both Nicholson and O’Hare must be applauded. Nicholson, also appearing in a drastically different role with Sophie and The Rising Sun, shines as per usual. Her ability to connect with her fellow actors in uncanny. Not surprising is the incredible performance from Denis O’Hare. His chameleon acting chops, which I thoroughly enjoy on American Horror Story every season, serve him well. It was really lovely to see him in a role like this. Anytime you give a great actor a great script, you have the potential for movie gold. From Nowhere’s screenwriters, Matthew Newton and Kate Ballen did their homework on the immigration process. Taking a realistic look at the difficulties that can tear families apart. Also directing the film Newton does not pull punches with a surprisingly honest ending. You cannot wrap this subject in a pretty bow. We are experiencing this crisis in real time and From Nowhere brings the struggle into our homes.

  • Opens tomorrow
  • FEBRUARY 17, 2017
  • (Limited NY/LA/National)
  • NR, 1 hr 29 min
  • Drama

Review: In ‘MY NAME IS EMILY’ Evanna Lynch leaves Hogwarts behind.

Monument Releasing

Presents

 MY NAME IS EMILY

 A Film By

Simon Fitzmaurice

Opening Theatrically In US Cities On February 17

VOD To Release On February 24

MY NAME IS EMILY, the debut-feature written and directed by the amazing Simon Fitzmaurice, is a life-enhancing story starring Evanna Lynch (Harry Potter), Michael Smiley (The Lobster, Kill List) and newcomer George Webster (City of Dreamers, Blood Moon).

After her mother dies and her visionary writer father is institutionalized, Emily is placed in a foster home and a new school where she is ostracized. On her 16th birthday, when her father’s annual card fails to arrive, Emily knows something’s wrong. Enlisting Arden, her only friend at school, she sets off on a road trip adventure across Ireland to find her missing Dad and break him out of the psych ward. They are an odd couple, this pale girl and the boy in the velvet suit, and along the way, they both come to realize important truths about the nature of relationships, both to their parents and to each other. MY NAME IS EMILY is a story of madness, sadness and love.

In  2008, director Simon Fitzmaurice was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (ALS). Now completely paralyzed, Fitzmaurice typed the script for the film, through the movement of his eyes and iris recognition software, Eye Gaze. This is also how he communicated with cast and crew during the film’s six-week shoot. Given four years to live, Simon credits writing and filmmaking with having saved his life.My Name is Emily is a stunning coming of age film. Evanna Lynch shines in this complex role of a sad and brilliant young lady. The layers of this character come from the outstanding script from writer/director Fitzmaurice. Infusing philosophy, literature, poetry, loss and teenaged angst all intertwined into a story of finding oneself through letting go and letting people in. Michael Smiley is as wonderful as he’s ever been, touching the cornerstone of every possible emotion. George Webster, in particular, is one hell of a find. His natural ability to draw you in is reminiscent of the late Anton Yelchin. He will seduce you with his awkwardness and charm the pants off you all in the same scene. The honest chemistry between Lynch and Webster makes this film what it is. Another high note (pun not intended) is the glorious soundtrack. Each song evokes a familiarity that seems to fit perfectly into the moment. With a cool mix of voiceover moments and flashbacks, My Name is Emily is a true delight.

 

Review: ‘I AM MICHAEL’ places James Franco on emotional seesaw in this true-life story.

A film by Justin Kelly

Starring: James Franco, Zachary Quinto, Emma Roberts
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY:
Justin Kelly (King Cobra)
Based on The New York Times article “My Ex-Gay Friend” by Benoit Denizet-Lewis

EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY:
Gus Van Sant (Milk, Good Will Hunting, To Die For)

PRODUCED BY:
Rabbit MandiniJames Franco and Vince Jolivette (Palo Alto, Spring Breakers, Lovelace), Michael Mendelsohn (I Am Wrath, Lord of War, Air Force One) of Patriot Pictures, Scott Reed and Ron Singer of That’s Hollywood.

I AM MICHAEL is the incredible true-life story of Michael Glatze (Franco), a high-profile queer youth activist who created a national controversy when he claimed to no longer be gay and became a straight Christian pastor. The film follows Michael from his life in San Francisco with his boyfriend Bennett (Quinto), where he pursues political activism, a journalist career at XY Magazine, social awareness, and sexual exploration, to his days of personal self-discovery. After a traumatic scare, Michael is plagued by doubt and paranoia, and begins a religious reawakening. Michael renounces his gay lifestyle, rejects his friends, and endeavors to find his “true self.” He explores Buddhism and Mormonism, yet ultimately lands at a Christian Bible school in rural Wyoming where he meets his girlfriend, Rebekah (Roberts), and becomes the pastor of his own church. This powerful new film captures one man’s haunting journey through modern concepts of love, denial and redemption.

Crisis of conscience, fear, confusion, exploration, self-loathing, and everywhere in between. I Am Michael follows the unusual journey of Michael Glatze, a man whose inner turmoil pulls him every which way. Emotional tethers bring Glatze back and forth between his intellectual desire to live in God’s light and path, or whatever that means to him at any moment in time, and the natural desires that come with being a human being. Not wanting to be labeled as a gay man, his oftentimes outwardly offensive exploration comes at the cost of personal relationships. The story rolls along at a rapid pace, which never takes away from the tumultuous up and down in Michael’s life. Franco, is brilliant, as per usual. If you haven’t delved into the huge range of his work, you are genuinely missing out. The man is a PR genius and I still wonder when he has time to sleep. Quinto, as boyfriend Bennett, also bring a beautifully grounded performance and is the perfect foil for Franco’s energy. Emma Roberts plays what some might call a tragic role, as Glatze’s eventual fiance’. A young Christian girl willing to look beyond the past and love Michael for who he claims to presently be and believe. The film features the song “Crucify” by Tori Amos (Which I’ve conveniently shared underneath the trailer!). Its placement is both poignant and perfect in tone and lyrics. Overall, I am Michael gives us a glimpse into a place where religion and sexuality collide and perhaps illustrates the intolerance from both angles. The film comes to theaters and on VOD today, January, 27th.

 

Opening in Theaters and VOD on January 27th

Official Selection at the Sundance Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, Frameline Film Festival, Provincetown International Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival.
RT: 101min