ecsd-41839 Reviews

Stockholm (2018)

Great Movie!

[9/10 · 25 April 2019]

Stockholm tells the true story of a hostage situation in a supremely entertaining way, while bringing light to the origin of the term Stockholm Syndrome. This film gives us a look at how people interact when isolated and portrays how connection and empathy can emerge in places that seem illogical. My favorite part of the movie was the characters and cast in this film. According to Matthew Passantino from FilmThreat, "Hawke is a blast as Lars, playing it big and broad but registering as a man on a mission, even when he doesn't seem to have anything resembling a plan. Hawke has always been an underrated actor, creating a simple, everyday realism in projects like The Before Trilogy or Boyhood and playing loud and fun as he does here. He and Rapace have a great captor-captee relationship, playing off each other with a mix of irrational behavior from Lars and a more rational way of thinking from Bianca". Hawk's character also comes off as very sensitive at times which lends to him being a well-rounded and intriguing character. This is a bittersweet story that I highly suggest to heist movie fans, or those who want to know the origin of Stockholm Syndrome. This is a great movie, especially for psychology fans, as it touches on the surprising ways that can connect when in stressful situations.

Soul to Keep (2018)

Unique Horror Film

[9/10 · 4 April 2019]

Soul to keep is a solid film to watch. It commanded my attention and was backed by a superb cast that felt both close and genuine. The film combines spiritual, religious, and philosophical elements which adds to the complexity of the movie. The film follows twins Erin (Aurora Heinbach) and Josh (Tony Spitz) who have just inherited their grandfather's family farm. The siblings invite a few friends for a weekend of binge drinking and getting high. While exploring the basement the friends find a spell book that can summon a demon named Beelzebub. Bored without cell service or internet connection and not taking the dark arts seriously, the Wiccan of the group Grace (Kate Rose Reynolds) is chosen to summon one of the seven Princes of Hell. As the demon goes from body to body, they may have to kill if they want to make it out alive. My favorite part of the film is the performances of the actors and cast of characters. My favorite part of the film was the group of friends and how genuine and realistic they felt. In my opinion Tara was the standout character in the film as she, and the actor playing her, are deaf. Sandra Mae Frank, whose powerful performance as Tara really helps to tie everything together, is also supported by an outstanding group of cast members. This is a very suspenseful possession movie that I would recommend to any horror fan.

Saint Judy (2018)

It's a Must See

[8/10 · 8 March 2019]

Saint Judy is the story of Judy Wood and how she saved millions of women's lives by changing the interpretation of political asylum in the United States. In the Film, Wood is an immigration attorney who truly believes that the U.S. should welcome people seeking asylum. She fights for these people, particularly women, to save them from deportation and death. Director, Sean Hanish, did an excellent job with the flashbacks which serve to reveal depth and complexity in both the characters and the situation. I believe that the acting in the movie is excellent, and the message the film is promoting is profound. I think this film is good enough to recommend it to everyone. If you're an attorney or a human rights activist, it's a must see.

Life and Nothing More (2017)

Great Film!

[10/10 · 5 March 2019]

Life and Nothing More is a full-bodied, raw look at a northern Florida family, that dives headfirst into the subjects of family, race and the working class in America. It is an authentic depiction of life's hardships told through the eyes of a single mother who struggles to raise her oldest teenage son and youngest daughter while having to work a waitress job at a local diner. Many bigger topics are presented such as racial profiling, the 2016 election, and the challenges of being a single mother while working for minimum wage. These are problems that persistently get brought up in the film, but are seen in the background as the main goal of the movie is to present the lives of the characters as they are lived moment to moment. These moments were filled with nuanced performances from the cast that explore the relationships between the characters. The talented actors in this film gave excellent performances but the story line and arc of the heroes is what gives the film life. Director, Antonio Mendez Esparza has created a nuanced, authentic, and emotionally intense piece of work that is truly inspiring.

Darkness Visible (2019)

Great Thriller

[10/10 · 19 February 2019]

"Darkness Visible" takes place mostly in the mysterious setting of Kolkata, India. The cinematography is excellent with beautiful establishing shots and stunning displays of the local architecture that add to the dark and gritty tone of the film. While this film delivers a lot of horror and suspense, the most captivating part of the film for me was the main character, Ronnie. He goes on a journey to India to find his mother only to discover a dark and troubling past that he is forced to confront. He learns more about his family and how he is connected to his hometown in more ways than he thought. The way that the supernatural is connected to that idea of going back to your roots is extremely unique and unlike anything I have ever seen before. I really enjoyed watching this movie and recommend it to anyone who likes a good thriller.

Number 37 (2018)

Recommend to Rear Window fans

[10/10 · 19 February 2019]

Director Nosipho Dumisa definitely had the goal of paying homage to Alfred Hitchcock's "Rear Window" with "Number 37" and thankfully, it does so while managing to stand out as a thriller in its own right. In the film, Randel takes to watching his neighbors with a pair of binoculars after a recent illicit deal gone wrong leaves him wheelchair bound and in the ghettos of South Africa. He is indebted to a violent loan shark who comes knocking on the door and demonstrates what will happen if Randal doesn't settle his debt before the end of the week. While spying on his neighbors, he notices that one of the neighborhood gangsters has a stash of money in his apartment. With his girlfriend's aid, he plans on stealing the money before the deadline. Much like "Rear Window," much of the tension comes from Randal looking through his binoculars and observing events unfold from his wheelchair. The performances from all the actors are top notch, especially with Irshaad Ally, who gives a particularly captivating performance as the disabled Randal. "Number 37" offers a lot of high tension, heart-stopping moments that I recommend to Hitchcock fans for the way it transplants the premise of "Rear Window" in a contemporary setting.