Review: ‘The Houses October Built 2’ scares up some déjà vu.

Recovering from the trauma of being kidnapped last Halloween by the Blue Skeleton – a group who take “extreme haunt” to another level – five friends decide they must face their fears in order to move on. Heading back out on the road to visit more haunted house attractions, signs of the Blue Skeleton start appearing again and a new terror begins…

 

THE HOUSES OCTOBER BUILT 2 is the sequel to the 2014 cult hit, and marks the return of Brandy Schaefer (“coffin girl” from The Houses October Built) along with the original filmmaking team of Director and Co-Writer Bobby Roe, Producer and Co-Writer Zack Andrews , and Producer Steven Schneider (Split, Insidious, Paranormal Activity).

This sequel essentially picks up where the first ends… so (SPOILER ALERT) everyone is actually alive. Surprise! The cops come to the rescue and it has all been for publicity and extreme scares thanks to The Blue Skeleton crew. Convenient, but alright let’s roll with it. What we’re really getting with The Houses October Built 2, is The Houses October Built but with even less of a narrative. The first hour, exactly like the first film is a massive ad for all the top haunted houses across the US. The only added storyline is the fact that Brandy a.k.a. “coffin girl” is famous on Youtube and now everyone wants the group to visit their attraction and they will pay them… as long as Brandy is present. Problem being, she is understandably traumatized by her experience being kidnapped and emotionally tortured. Cajoled into a tentative travel schedule, our five experience The Zombie 5k, Zombie Pubcrawl, and a few other new Halloween fan favorites. Every once in a while we get what appears to be a snippet of plot thrown into the roughly hour and a half runtime, but basically, it doesn’t really amount to much until the final 25 minutes. Yes, it’s got a clever ending but that doesn’t save the fact that the acting is underwhelming and the guys, consistently disregarding Brandy’s feelings are kind of the only real villains in the film. If you’re looking to try out haunted houses of various kinds but don’t actually have the nerve to do it yourself, then The Houses October Built 2 might be up your alley. You can catch the trailer below for a sneak peek into the sequel and can catch it in theaters or on demand starting today.

RLJ Entertainment will release the upcoming horror film THE HOUSES OCTOBER BUILT 2 in theaters and available On Demand / Digital HD September 22, 2017.

Review: ‘CLOWNTOWN’ is as frightening as it sounds.

clowntown-final-dvd-artThanks to the likes of Stephen King, Poltergeist, and American Horror Story clowns are not cool. Lately, in fact, people dressed as clowns are attempting to lure small children into wooded areas in middle America. Why? That’s just sick! In Tom Nagel‘s new film CLOWNTOWN, a group of friends is stranded in what appears to be an abandoned town, until crazies dressed as clowns try to kill them. clowntown-still-8There is good, bad, and ugly about this film. We’ll start with the bad. The story is missing just enough explanation to bother me. The back story does not go  far enough into the connection of why. That’s all I’ll say for now, because I do think the film deserves an audience. The ugly, while I’m being relatively nit-picky at this point, is as follows. The film runs long. It could have been much tighter getting to the “good stuff”. That’s basically all in that category. And now, for the good or I should actually say, the great: the acting. I have to say, with the exception of one character, this film has exceptional performances. I have to give our leading ladies a shout out for the level of terror portrayed on their faces. It reads completely genuine to me. Our clown friends are beyond unsettling. On the whole, I was impressed on this front. My favorite part of the entire film has got to be the opening scene. It harkens back to classic horror tropes featuring a babysitter and the creepy kids, brief gratuitous nudity included. It was a fantastic intro  to a story that had all the potential in the world. Also, high five for the homage final shout. I’ll let you discover that fun gem on your own.clowntown-still-12

Clowntown  opens in theaters tomorrow, September 30th.

TITLE: CLOWNTOWN
IN THEATERS: September 30, 2016
DIRECTOR: Tom Nagel
WRITER: Jeff Miller
CAST: Brian Nagel, Lauren Elise, Andrew Staton, Katie Keene, Jeff Denton
SYNOPSIS: A group of friends get stranded in a seemingly abandoned town and find themselves stalked by a gang of violent psychopaths dressed as clowns.
GENRE: Horror
DISTRIBUTOR: ITN Distribution

Review: ‘I.T.’ sees Pierce Brosnon fight firewall with firewall.

i-t-posterIn a world where our entire life exists online, we are constantly in danger of being hacked. Think about it. We bank online, send photos, texts, emails, shop, pay bills, you can now lock and unlock your front door via an app. We take our security for granted. The recent yahoo hack should prove another warning to folks to check privacy settings, though no matter what we do, that vulnerability may never go away. In the new film, I.T., Pierce Brosnan plays a man whose life couldn’t be better, until one man decides he has too much. it_pr-still_06479Mike Regan is about to launch “the Uber for private jets” in a new app roll out. When his company hires new tech Ed, who seems to have all the quick fixes, Mike invites him inside his home to tweak the glitches in his smart home. Unable to understand social cues after a short period of time, Ed becomes obsessed with taking Mike down notch by notch. Nothing is off-limits. Ed put Mike’s business, reputation, and family in harm’s way. His actions prove detrimental, but Mike will not allow his entire life to be destroyed. He has to fight firewall with firewall.it_pr-still_01312
Brosnan is a solid is ever. His commanding presence is never in question and there are some great moments in this thriller in which I believe his former role as 007 give him a more natural physical step. With solid performances from Anna Friel as wife Rose, Stefanie Scott as his daughter, and Michael Nyquist as specialist Henrik, the film’s pace is quick and intense. The real star of this film is hands down our villain played by James Frenchville. His ability to change emotional direction on a dime is something akin to Ryan Reynolds performance in The Voices, combined with the creepiness of Robert Di Nero in Cape Fear. it_02844I.T. will do nothing less than make you rethink the devices in your hand and how you use them. In a present day where a foreign country is hacking a major political party in real life, that’s awful enough. Perhaps, though, we should be more afraid of the troll in a basement with nothing better to do than destroy others.
I.T. is in theaters today as well as on VOD.

TITLE:  I.T.
THEATRICAL AND VOD RELEASE DATE:  September 23, 2016
DIRECTOR:  John Moore
WRITER:  Dan Kay, William Wisher
CAST: Pierce Brosnan, James Frecheville,  Anna Friel, Stefanie Scott, Austin Swift
SYNOPSIS:  Mike Regan (Pierce Brosnan) is a successful, self-made man who has it all: a gorgeous wife, a beautiful teenage daughter and a sleek, state-of-the-art “smart home.”  But he soon finds himself in a deadly, high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse when his I.T. consultant, Ed (James Frecheville), starts using his skills to stalk Mike’s daughter and endanger his family, his business,and his life.  In a world where there is no privacy, and personal secrets can go viral by the click of a mouse, Mike needs to rely on his old connections to defeat a new kind of nemesis.
GENRE: Thriller
DISTRIBUTOR:  RLJ Entertainment

 

Review” ‘SOUTHWEST OF SALEM’ tells the story of ‘The San Antonio Four’ and their ongoing pursuit for exoneration. #FREETHESA4

SOUTHWEST OF SALEM: THE STORY OF THE SAN ANTONIO FOUR, opening in NEW YORK on SEPTEMBER 16 at CINEMA VILLAGE.SOUTHWEST PF SALEM posterMore often than not, when we think about our legal system today, perhaps the word that comes to the mind of many is “Injustice” How much does personal belief, whether religious or political, sway the decision of a DA’s office or a jury. My husband recently served on a jury here in Manhattan, on a relatively well known case. After his month long ordeal, he stated, “In some alternate universe, if I was ever thinking about breaking the law, well, God help me. A jury of my peers is anything but.” He explained that the particular jury he served on contained individuals who slept during proceedings, doodled in their notebooks, sighed audibly in court, and verbally fought to be excused on a daily basis. He cannot imagine what it would have been like had he been the defendant. In a very important documentary, SOUTHWEST OF SALEM, four women, who happen to be lesbians, were convicted of a heinous crime based upon a modern day witch hunt. In Texas, their jury was most certainly not comprised of their peers. sothwest-of-salem-san-antonio-4

“The San Antonio Four” — Elizabeth Ramirez, Cassandra Rivera, Kristie Mayhugh, and Anna Vasquez. They are four Latina lesbians wrongfully convicted of gang-raping two little girls in San Antonio, Texas. However, the evidence was never there. The San Antonio Four continues to fight against mythology, faux-science, homophobia, and the prosecutorial fervor in their continuous struggle for exoneration in this riveting ‘True Crime’ tale. The suffering, outlandish, and baseless accusations caught one man’s attention who helped to garner the support of the Innocent Project.

 In 2012, writer Maurice Chammah‘s New York Times coverage “Fighting to Exonerate Texas Women Convicted of Child Sexual Assault ” goes into details of the four women’s ordeal.  In February 2016, Texas-based Judge Pat Priest released the ruling that these women are entitled to new trials but not exoneration. The fight to free the innocent continues.

southwestofsalem3Directed by filmmaker journalist Deborah Esquenazi, this emotional documentary first made its big splash earlier this year at the Tribeca Film Festival and received audience accolades. It recently garnered Grand Jury Award at 2016 Outfest and Outstanding Documentary Jury Award at the 2016 Frameline Film Festival.

This film is so essential in aiding these four innocent women in their complete exoneration. In the 80’s and 90’s there existed this idea that satanic cults were operating inside day cares and preschools. This strange concept infiltrated DA and child protective service offices across the country. The suspects brought forth in these cases were predominantly homosexual or suspected to be so. In this case in particular, the children were labeled as being “offered up” as “sacrificial lambs”. Anna states the bias was ripe through the prosecution, essentially telling the jury, “this is what gay people do.” One man, a professor in the Yukon, gets wind of this story. A man named Darrel Otto, goes to bat for these women, reaching out to Liz Ramirez, then contacting The Innocence Project of Texas. The ball starts rolling. Changes in science, recantations, the changing of the times, people are finally getting on board with the truth. But the road is long and slow. These women need our help.

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Watching this documentary is devastating. The lives impacted by these lies, the damage done. I cannot imagine the heartache of Anna, Liz, Cassie, and Kristie, and their loved ones have endured during these many long years. What these four beautiful, strong women, need more than anything right now, is your support, belief, and fight. Call, text, tweet, share their story. They deserve new trials. They deserve complete exoneration. They deserve justice.

You can find out more about this extraordinary story by seeing the film now in New York, and September 30th in LA. Investigation Discovery has recently acquired the television rights and will be airing the film in October, if you’re unable to make it to the theaters.

Southwest of Salem – Festival Trailer from Deborah S. Esquenazi on Vimeo.

SOUTHEWEST OF SALEM- by Deborah S. Esquenazi

OPENING SEPTEMBER 16– NEW YORK- CINEMA VILLAGE

SEPTEMBER 30– LOS ANGELES – LAEMMLE MUSIC HALL BEVERLY HILLS


HERE ARE SOME CLEAR STEPS YOU CAN TAKE RIGHT NOW TO HELP THE SAN ANTONIO FOUR WITH THEIR EXONERATION BATTLE

 

1.  Call 1-210-335-2311 and ask for District Attorney Nico LaHood’s office.

Here’s what to say: “I am angered by Judge Pat Priest’s ruling to not recommend exoneration for Elizabeth Ramirez, Cassandra Rivera, Anna Vasquez, and Kristie Mayhugh. I want Nico LaHood and the District Attorney’s office of Bexar County to take a stand on the San Antonio Four case to declare actual innocence and have the women exonerated for their wrongful convictions.”

2.  Tweet/Facebook the district attorney’s office to take a stand!

Twitter: @BexarCounty @Nico4DA Take a stand about the @SanAntonioFour injustice! Recommend exoneration #FreetheSA4 @IPofTexas #southwestOfSalem

Facebook: I am angered by Judge Pat Priest’s ruling to not recommend exoneration for Elizabeth Ramirez, Cassandra Rivera, Anna Vasquez, and Kristie Mayhugh. I want Nico LaHood and the District Attorney’s office of @Bexar County to take a stand on the San Antonio Four case to declare actual innocence and have the women exonerated for their wrongful convictions. #FreetheSA4 #SouthwestOfSalem

Review: ‘THE VESSEL’ is a struggle between grief and belief.

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In Theaters September 16, 2016

Starring:

Martin Sheen (TV’s “The West Wing,” Apocalypse Now)

Lucas Quintana (Wing it, Death of an Ally)

Jacqueline Duprey (Under Suspicion, Entre Nos)

Aris Mejias (Gabi, “Incógnita”)

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Lucas Quintana; Credit: Courtesy of Outsider Pictures

When tragedy strikes, your universe can crumble. Everything you know can seem confusing or useless. Darkness takes hold. We search for the smallest meaning to turn our sadness into joy once more. In THE VESSEL, one man is burdened with being the guiding light for a small coastal town, following the sudden death of all its elementary aged children.

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Aris Mejias; Courtesy of Outsider Pictures

Martin Sheen‘s performance as a well-meaning priest is genuine and grounded as always. The Vessel was filmed in both English and Spanish, which is an incredible feat for any American actor. Once again teaming up with Terrence Malick (executive producer), the two would have the opportunity to seemingly readdress a series of meaningful conversations in Paris in 1981 in which Sheen’s Roman Catholic faith was restored. Playing our other leading man, Leo, is Lucas Quintana. His strong but never forceful presence is the perfect companion character for the audience to follow. We are 100% on his intellectual journey throughout. Both Jaqueline Duprey and Aris Mejias, as Leo’s Mother and Soraya respectively, give heart-rending performances as two women whose grief controls their daily lives and sanity.

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Lucas Quintana; Courtesy of Outsider Pictures

One thing that must be mentioned is the ethereal score of this film. It is, in itself, an entire character. The music is emotionally entrancing, at moments giving me chills. The Vessel presents a world in which religion and the supernatural collide. A town frozen in time and mourning experiences a miracle that breathes new life into its people. But disappointment leads to anger and hysteria. It’s a visually lovely film in which color plays a huge role. Bravo to director Julio Quintana for assembling a masterful piece of work.

Music, Dancing, Fireworks, Childbirth. In an unnamed coastal town somewhere in Latin America, these are just a few things that vanished from a small fishing village after a massive tidal wave crushed the local elementary school, washing forty-six children out to sea.  Father Douglas (Martin Sheen) urges the grief-stricken mothers to have more children, but they refuse, locked in a state of perpetual mourning. Until one night when a local young man slips off the pier and drowns, only to mysteriously waken three hours later.  “Could this be a sign from God?” the townspeople wonder.

Review: ‘MAX ROSE’ sees legend Jerry Lewis in his first live-action film in two decades.

Paladin logo

Presents

 MAX ROSE

Max Rose Poster starring Jerry Lewis

In Theaters September 2nd

Starring: Jerry Lewis, Claire Bloom, Kevin Pollak, Kerry Bishé, Dean Stockwell, Mort Sahl, Illeana Douglas, Rance Howard, and Lee Weaver

Written and Directed by: Daniel NoahMax Rose still Jerry LewisDrawing on personal experiences tends to be a pretty successful way to tell a story. Raw emotion tends to translate from page to screen, especially if you have a legend bringing your words to life. Jerry Lewis makes Daniel Noah‘s new film a beautiful and heart-wrenching winner. MAX ROSE tells the story of a retired jazz pianist whose world is sent into a tailspin after he finds a letter given to his wife. Who is the mysterious author? This could change everything he’s ever known.kerry bishe and kevin pollak

After the death of his beloved wife Eva, Max finds a relic from her past, along with a love letter from a man who is not him. Adjusting to a new life in which everything feels like a lie wreaks havoc on everyone connected to Max. His granddaughter Annie  becomes his surrogate caretaker, while he pushes away any attempt from his son to help. Max is on a mission to find the truth while attempting to maintain any sense of self or fraction of happiness. Noah’s script is delicate and intense. There is possibly  no other actor able to fill this role other than Lewis, who returns in his first live-action role since Funny Bones in 1995.

The cast is unreal. Kevin Pollak as Max’s son Christopher, is solid as ever. He plays a pragmatic man who yearns for the affection and approval of his Dad. The volatility between the two is so palpable on screen, it’s a joy to watch from any cinephile’s perspective. Kerry Bishe plays Annie. Soft and loving and seeking her own way in the world. Dean Stockwell‘s appearance, is surprising and welcome. Since Stockwell will forever be “Al” from Quantum Leap, seeing him as a much more emotionally stunted man on his death-bed was fantastic.Max rose still

The entire film revolves around the ability of Jerry Lewis to be on his toes. He does not disappoint. This film is a reminder of how truly incredible this man is. It’s not easy to tell the story of an octogenarian in a new and interesting way. There are so few films that center around an elderly main character. Cocoon and Driving Miss Daisy (both starring Jessica Tandy), Nebraska, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Amour, and Harold & Maude are a few wonderful examples, but even they must have a been a hard sell at some point. With Lewis as our main man, we happily sit up and take notice. Everything from tone to timbre is perfection. Noah should be proud of this exemplary sophomore film. MAX ROSE deals with many relevant issues, such as loss, life transition, and hope. No matter the age of the viewer, there will be an instant connection in both story and performance.

MAX ROSE comes to opens Friday, September 2nd

MAX ROSE, featuring the legendary Jerry Lewis in his first starring role in over two decades, is a deeply moving drama about a retired jazz musician whose beloved wife of nearly six decades has just passed away. Though his career wasn’t everything he hoped for, Max always felt like a success because his beautiful, elegant Eva was by his side.  Then, while going through her effects, he discovers a love note from another man, a shocking revelation that leads him to believe his entire marriage, indeed, his entire life, was built on a lie. Following a period of anger and withdrawal, Max decides to confront the man who “stole” his wife in the hope that what he learns will provide the answers he so desperately needs.  A film about reconciling the past, living in the present, and never stopping to plan for the future, MAX ROSE was written and directed by Daniel Noah,   Rounding out the cast are Claire Bloom (as Eva), Kevin Pollack, Kerry Bishe, Mort Sahl, Dean Stockwell, Rance Howard, and Lee Weaver.

Review: ‘BECOMING BULLETPROOF’ is a touching and insightful documentary.

Bulletproof posterI went to camp as a kid. It was pretty typical; arts & crafts, team sports, theater, and camp songs. I also remember being integrated with a few kids who has Down syndrome. As a little kid, this was pretty foreign to me, but as I attended high school, some of these same kids were now in my art classes. My mother’s second major in college, I would come to find out, was special education. As time passed and I worked in more and more private pre-schools, I was directly exposed, now as an educator, to a challenging world I had mostly experienced as an outsider. But… nothing was ever akin to the extraordinary summers that must occur each year at Zeno Mountain Farm.  Read More →

Review: ‘COOTIES’ is infectiously delicious.

Cooties poster“Circle, Circle, Dot, Dot, Now you have your cootie shot!” Let’s be real. We’ve all had our cootie shot at some point in elementary school. It was necessary  to survive the playground territory wars and/or avoid a horrible disease ridden classmate. Oh wait, that’s not what it was used for back then. The disease ridden classmate part, I mean. That’s the premise of the new horror-comedy COOTIES. Well, sort of.Cooties_image

Quick run down. Kid eats infected chicken nugget and becomes a cannibalistic zombie, infects other children, trapping a band of misfit teachers inside the school. Cooties‘ cast in kind of unreal. Elijah Wood, Rainn Wilson, Alison Pill, Jack McBrayer, Leigh Whannell, Nasim Pedrad, Ian Brennan and Jorgé Garcia. Wood plays Clint, a summer school teacher and aspiring writer of horror (from a fanboy’s influence). Wilson plays testosterone, jockhead gym teacher and I have to say, kinda of a badass. Pill is the ultra upbeat, former classmate of Clint and present 4th grade teacher. Pedrad kills it as the faculty bitch with a cutting sense of humor and lack of filter. Garcia, while we don’t see a whole lot of him, his presence always make me smile. He lights up the screen. McBrayer, plays a “confused” teacher with a gentle heart and a scaredy cat head. Brennan is Vice Principal Simms, a lovable weirdo. Finally, Leigh Whannnell, is what I can only assume is a science teacher, due to his lack of social skills and knowledge of things that you just have to accept as cannon as the plot rolls along. Totally forgiven as it adds to the absurdity of the storyline. Great casting choices… Mayhaps a sequel is in order? Please?Cooties 2nd image

The dialogue is hilarious and I am betting that at least 50%  of some of the best lines were improvised. I am really looking forward to a DVD release already, in hopes that there is a huge outtake reel. The practical effects are downright disgusting, even for a horror fan such as myself. Bravo for grossing me out. Even the opening title sequence shows the actual creation of a nugget from chicken to child’s mouth. It’s pretty vomit inducing, so you’re already set up for what is about to play out. The editing, both in picture and in sound are top notch. This film is wrought with catch phrases that I will admittedly be stealing. Besides all of these factors, Cooties makes some great statements about what we’re feeding our kids in school and at home. But even greater is the comment on parenting, or  lack there of. Once again, as a former teacher, kids these days can be real dicks. Sorry, but it’s true. Cooties calls out what’s wrong with our youth and throws it into our faces while being completely gross and damn funny all at once. If you’re already a fan of films like Shaun of the Dead, then you’ll love this flick. Cooties is hands down laugh out loud funny start to finish. Go see this film, but just a little advice, maybe don’t eat right beforehand.

COOTIES will be one of the debut releases of the newly-launched Lionsgate Premiere label, which will release the film on September 18th in select theaters and on demand.

Jordan’s Review: Why you shouldn’t ‘Pay the Ghost’.

For those of you who are excited for this October’s spooky festivities, you may be better off turning your attention away from Nicolas Cage’s new horror flick, Pay the Ghost. Alongside the lackluster Academy Award Winner is The Walking Dead actress, Sarah Wayne Callies, who out of the two of them, gave a more believable performance. The film was brought to us by critically acclaimed German director, Uli Edel, who’s 2008 film, The Baadere Meinhof Complex, was nominated for a Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Yet despite all the award winners and nominees, the film lacked immensely in its scare factor.

After a weak and not-so-scary opener, the story moves into modern-day New York City, where we see the lives of Mike (Cage) and Kristen Cole (Callies) with their son Charlie (Jack Fulton). The plot quickly shows signs of a supernatural presence outside Charlie’s bedroom window, which of course is immediately disregarded by his mother and father. It wasn’t until Halloween night that Charlie started seeing the ghost more closely. While he and his father were attending a Halloween Festival on their block, Charlie turned to his father and told him to “pay the ghost,” which as most parents would, Mike assume he was talking about all the costumes and decorations. Then only a few moments later, Charlie disappeared.

Pay the Ghost, never brought anything new to the realm of horror. If anything it felt as though it copied from other films, such as James Wan’s Insidious. The film felt lazy considering the amount of plot holes, which occasionally made the film funny rather than frightening. Overall, Pay the Ghost might appeal to some, however for the real horror film connoisseurs, this film might not be the scare you are looking for this Halloween season.

2 out of 5 stars

Review: ‘BLOODSUCKING BASTARDS’ we all know a few.

BloodSuckingBastards.Poster We’ve all been there at one time or another. Sitting in a cubicle, or the like, wanting  desperately to staple a co-worker’s mouth shut or just whiteout our own eyes. But we think, hey, if I work hard enough, I’ll get that  promotion and maybe, just maybe, this won’t suck as much as I think it does. Welcome to BLOODSUCKING BASTARDS, where all  your daydreams and nightmares come true.

Meet Evan Sanders (Fran Kranz), a low-level, dutiful employee stuck in a boring job at a soul-killing every corporation. Evan’s the kind of guy who does all the work and gets none of the credit, but at least he gets to spend his days with his beautiful co-worker/girlfriend Amanda (Emma Fitzpatrick) and his slacker best friend Tim (Joey Kern), so he soldiers on in the hope of one day getting his coveted sales director position. Unfortunately, it all falls apart in one fell swoop when Amanda breaks up with him and Evan’s boss Ted (Joel Murray) hands his promotion to his college nemesis Max (Pedro Pascal). And it isn’t just their sordid past Evan has to deal with. After his fellow officemates start going through disturbing changes (which, paradoxically, make them better employees) and bodies begin to pile up, Evan learns the horrible truth: Max is a vampire. And even worse… a vamp with a plan. Evan must find a way to stop the evil brewing amidst the cubicles, expose Max as the bloodsucking bastard that he is, and save his pals before his life and career go from dead-end…to just dead.BSBEmmaFitzpatrickFranKranzJoeyKernIMG_2684

This film can best be described as Office Space meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the film version. But it isn’t a far stretch to say Joss Whedon‘s television series wouldn’t fall into this fandom, as well. Once again, Whedonverse darling, Fran Kranz steals the show. His innocent air is perfect for this role. Wide-eyed naivete leads a pack of misfits on a battle to keep their heads (or necks) intact. Marshall Givens as the badass, Redbull fueled, security guard is an absolute riot. Where has he been? Joey Kern plays Evan’s #2, Tim. He is a king underachiever. Pornstache and all, his nonchalant attitude is the perfect foil to Kranz’s hyperactivity. Emma Fitzpatrick as Evan’s recent ex and head of HR, is quick witted and sassy, She kills it.The opening titles kick some major ass and the film’s pace pulls no punches. If you’re a fan of Shaun of the Dead, BLOODSUCKING BASTARDS is right up your alley. You can catch this film today, September 4th, in select theaters and on VOD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSzV9oG07lo

Directed by Brian James O’Connell and penned by the popular comedy troupe Dr. God and Ryan Mitts, Bloodsucking Bastards recently made its world premiere as the opening night film at the Slamdance Film Festival 2015.

Starring:

Fran Kranz (Cabin in the Woods)

Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones)

Emma Fitzpatrick (Significant Mother, The Collection)

Yvette Yates (Inherent Vice)

Joel Murray (Mad Men)

Joey Kern (Cabin Fever)

 

Review: Shedding Light on ‘Chloe and Theo’

Chloe and Theo posterIt all began with a dream. A dream that the world would receive a fatal kiss from the sun and the ice in the north would retreat. Director and screenwriter, Ezna Sands exhibits the concerns for our environmental well-being in his heartfelt cli-fi (climate change fiction), Chloe and Theo.

Theo (Theo Ikummaq), an Arctic Inuit man, was told about this dream from his elders, and if the “south” did not change their ways, destruction will overcome the earth. He was then sent to New York City to shed light on the world’s end, and he is immediately overwhelmed by the environment. The sun was blocked out by the skyscrapers, people constantly on the move; there was not a single moment of silence. This is where he meets Chloe (Dakota Johnson), a young runaway, and Bruce Lee devotee. “Together they will change the world.”

Dakota Johnson and first time actor Theo Ikummaq did a fantastic job with their roles as Chloe and Theo. The film brings a different side to storytelling, with both characters playing a sort of narrative role. Theo telling the story as it was occurring, and Chloe telling the story as though it already had happened. Mira Sorvino as Monica and Andre De Shields as Mr. Sweet, played crucial characters to Chloe and Theo’s story by showing how hard it is to get something globally recognized. Mr. Sweet, a man who Chloe is close friends with on the streets, opens Chloe and Theo’s eyes to the difficulty of getting people with power to listen. Although the sound mixing could have used more work, the shots and occasional use of animation were beautifully implemented throughout.

Overall, Chloe and Theo is a simple film, with a powerful message. Through a story of unlikely friendships, it brings light to our climate changes and their impact on our world. You can watch Chloe and Theo in select theaters and on VOD September 4th.

3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Hide Your Thoughts, the NEW Trailer and Poster for ‘Listening’ has been released

From first time director Khalil Sullins, comes an indie, sci-fi thriller about the technological discovery of telepathy. Listening, follows the lives of three grad students who figured out that the only computer that is smart enough to get inside the human mind is simply another human mind; together they create the technology to connect two human brains. Although, in spite of their miraculous discovery, they soon discover the psychological dangers that their technology has unfolded onto the world.

Starring: Thomas Stroppel, Artie Ahr, and Amber Marie Bollinger 

Listening will be in theaters September 11th and on Digital HD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMccYjMi0Ig

Liz’s Review: ‘HONEYMOON’ – to have and to hold from this day forward.

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They say things don’t change once you get married. That, my friends, is a load a crap. There is an inherent shift, albeit subtle for some. Maybe it is just a piece of paper, legally, but there is a certain emotional weight to being hitched to another human being… for life. Read More →

Liz’s Review: ‘Wetlands’… Gross and Glorious!

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I knew going into this film that the trailer alone was NSFW. I was in for a complete surprise when Wetlands as a whole blew the trailer way out of the water. Never have I ever experienced a movie so utterly disgusting and amazing at all once. Read More →

Liz’s Review: ‘Rocks In My Pockets’ – The extraordinary weight of sadness and madness.

rocks in my pockets poster

Mental illness is a hot button issue these days. We pretend to address it but if we’re being honest,  we continue to sweep it under the rug. In a brand new film by writer/director Signe Baumane, we follow the true story of her familial heritage, specifically with undiagnosed bouts of severe depression. Read More →

Liz’s Review: ‘And Uneasy Lies The Mind’ … the first feature shot entirely on an iPhone.

AndUneasy_Poster

Making a film is expensive. But it doesn’t have to be. The new film And Uneasy Lies The Mind is the very first of its kind; shot entirely on an iPhone. The story revolves around a young movie star named Peter. For his birthday and he aims to celebrate in his new ski resort mansion with expectant wife, Julie, and their best couple friends, Jack and Lauren. The day starts off all good and well until drugs and alcohol are introduced and the night begins to go haywire. Jealousy and secrets lead to misguided confessions and confusion. We’re not quite sure what is reality and what is insanity in this brand new psychological thriller. Read More →