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Reviews
Death of a Saleswoman (2006)
A nicely dark indie film
Death of a Saleswoman is a really nice black comedy that I highly recommend. It deals with, well, uh, the death of a saleswoman - specifically a plasticware saleswoman in a small town - and who committed the crime. It's a lot of fun to watch and pulls the viewer right in. If you're in the mood for dark comedy, this one's the ticket.
Donna Wheeler deserves kudos for her work on this film, as does her team. It's no small feat putting an indie like this together, and they succeeded very well.
Honestly, the team deserves kudos just for their tagline - "6 housewives. 1 dead body. A trunk full of plastic storage wear." Doesn't it make you want to watch the movie? I know it did for me.
Maybe Forever (2024)
Lovely romantic film
Maybe Forever is a stylishly told, poetic story of a relationship. It's beautifully shot and told. It feels simple, but there is also great depth to it. The performances are affecting, and the story pulls the viewer right in as the two main characters look back at their history together. The soundtrack is also really nicely done and matches the feel of the film exactly as it should. The natural-feeling chemistry between the leads is also notable.
Kudos to Ruby and George Capacete for what they have made. It's an uplifting, dreamy film, obviously made with a great deal of love. Lovely and well worth watching.
Ordinary Things (2024)
Sweet and engaging movie
Ordinary Things is a sweet movie, beautifully shot. It starts out as a comic farce but takes twists and turns that venture into more complicated emotional territory. The story takes twists that are quite unexpected, keeping the viewer engaged and invested.
The use of music here is noteworthy. It's very easy, especially in indie film with its constraints, to use music that feels too heavy or inorganic. Yet all use of music here feels perfectly well earned.
The editing is also of note. The pacing is excellent, keeping the film feeling tight throughout. Therefore, the length feels earned - never too long.
"Ordinary Things" is a cute indie that would be a great movie-night choice. Definitely recommended.
Perfectly Good Moment (2023)
Clever indie thriller that's a pleasure to watch play out
Amanda Jane Stern's feature "Perfectly Good Moment" is a smartly written, clever thriller with a twist you really don't see coming.
Stephen Carlile and Amanda Stern are completely believable in their roles as David and Ruby, and the two play off of each other well. The pacing is excellent and the film trim, keeping viewers engaged throughout, and the story's payoff is excellent. "Perfectly Good Moment" is an excellent, tightly paced indie and well worth a watch.
Worth mentioning that the film deals with domestic abuse, but in an entirely cathartic and ultimately satisfying way.
Bravo to the team behind it.
Toxic Impulses (2022)
Excellent indie thriller
My hat is off to the team behind Toxic Impulses for their excellent work on this film. "Toxic Impulses" is well written and cast, beautifully shot and skillfully edited. Director Kyle Schadt has done a great job of creating a noir ambiance. The actors all turn in excellent performances as well. In addition, it is so nice to see that an indie thriller can be made on a budget and this should serve as an excellent guide to indie filmmakers who want to do the same. Kudos to the team for making a great product and keeping their audience on their toes into the bargain. Definitely recommend this film.
Daddy's Divas (2022)
Nicely done!
"Daddy's Divas" is a well-made indie comedy series that's a great deal of fun, with solid performances all around. It's well directed, shot, and produced, and the ideas behind it are creative. The dialogue is well-written as well, and the child actors do solid work. You don't often see independent sitcoms, so it's especially nice to see this out there in the world. In general, it's lovely to see indie, character-driven work of all stripes get made, so I hope "Daddy's Divas" will garner the attention it deserves. Kudos to David Klinginsmith and the rest of the team for their work on this series.
The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater (2020)
Well done
Solid, tight, intelligent writing and acting make this "The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater" a success all around. Lorrisa Julianus is a delight to watch and the film is cleverly done on all levels. The dialogue is thoroughly smart and well delivered; the film is well-paced and above all never predictable. I would recommend "Mistress Maneater" to anyone who enjoys quick-witted comedies and/or high-quality indie films. Kudos to all involved in its making for delivering an enjoyable experience. It isn't even "my kind of movie" and I found myself instantly entertained - a testament, I'd say, to the fact that it works on many levels.
Opus Cope: An Algorithmic Opera (2021)
Algorithmic creativity on display
Opus Cope: An Algorithmic Opera is a thoroughly interesting look into a facet of creativity we don't get to look at often. It's an absolutely perfect documentary for today, as society ruminates on things like ChatGPT and their role in the world. David Cope has been making his music for a long time, and the way he does it and the results he gets are fascinating. I'm glad Jae Shim and team saw fit to make this film documenting him and his composition work. It's a film that makes you think about the nature of creativity and creation, and the different forms it can potentially take. Well worth watching.
Solid Rock Trust (2022)
Rock solid movie!
Solid Rock Trust is a very well made independent film! Both the directing and the editing are consistently tight and on point, while the plot is always unpredictable throughout, in all the right ways. The technical elements of the film are excellent, in particular the cinematography - and the actors turn in excellent performances into the bargain.
Solid Rock Trust is a heavily suspenseful film that will keep viewers on the edges of their seats throughout. I highly recommend this film to all looking for a suspenseful, wild ride of a movie. Kudos to Rick Ives and team for their excellent work!!
Under Spanish Skies (2022)
Beautifully made, well done
Nathan Buck's independent film "Under Spanish Skies" has a great deal going for it. The cinematography is excellent, the story concisely yet effectively told, and the plot and characters keep you engaged throughout. While not all performances are necessarily equal, the actors fit their roles well, and you do find yourself engrossed in their drama and wanting to know how it will all play out. The economy with which writer-director Buck tells his story is also commendable; at no point does it drag. As a viewer, you are invested in the sad souls whose intertwining stories are being told here, and you want to see how these stories will come to conclusion. Making an independent film is a murderously hard task, so major kudos to Buck and his team for making it look essentially effortless. And it's beautiful to look at, into the bargain.
Angel by Thursday (2021)
Beautifully made indie
The independent feature film Angel by Thursday is a lovely movie to behold, with gorgeous cinematography - it's filled with shots of Hawaii that really make you want to travel there. It's also a beautifully told and acted movie, full of strong performances from its actors. Director Jeff Wallace, Olga Kalashnikova and her team do an excellent job, both technically and artistically, of telling a story about destiny and how we overcome tragedy. It's a story told with real feeling and it captivates the viewer right from the start. Making an indie feature is certainly no mean feat, and I hope we will see more work from this team before long. Kudos to the crew and cast behind Angel by Thursday.
Tytöt tytöt tytöt (2022)
Lovely and arresting film
"Girl Picture" is a wonderfully compelling, beautifully directed and shot story about three young women growing up in Helsinki and their relationships. The actresses quickly ensnare you and you find yourself feeling the characters' feelings along with them. I loved the figure skating plot line. Highly recommend.
Cohabitation (2020)
A suspenseful watch
COHABITATION is a suspenseful, tense film that keeps you riveted. Performances are strong and compelling throughout, and you become invested in the characters very quickly. The drama is thick but not over-the-top, and the film is well put together. Kudos to Lauren Barker and her team for their work. Recommend!
AVA: A Twist in the Road (2021)
Compelling film about starting over
Ava is a sensitively made film anchored by compelling lead performances. The film and its lead, Catherane Skillen, draw you in quickly. It moves along at a good pace and you care about the characters; it's refreshing to see a film about a character like Skillen's. It's enjoyable and well-done. Kudos to Skillen and her team for their work.
Love N Quarantine (2022)
A film of the moment
Love N Quarantine is a very topical, very heartfelt indie that speaks of the present. It moves along at a good pace and the performances feel genuine. Nicely done.
Myth (2020)
Smartly done indie
An intelligently made, appropriately unnerving film. Love to see indies like this with premises you wouldn't necessarily find in the mainstream. It feels novel and fresh, with excellent performances. Kudos to director Brian DiLorenzo. Recommend.
Dirty Beautiful (2015)
Well worth watching!
Dirty Beautiful is a well-directed, well-acted indie full of wit and chemistry between characters. The editing and pacing are commendable and the story feels consistently fresh and unique. Kudos to director Tim Bartell.
Sold Out (2021)
Enjoyable indie
Lovely work here - a well-made indie drama and a story we wouldn't normally see in mainstream film. The musical elements and soundtrack are very well done. Kudos to director Tim Dahlseid, writer Susan Brightbill, and team for bringing Sold Out to life.