Author: jbg

THE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE (2024)

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Directed By: Magnus Von Horn

Written By: Magnus Von Horn And Line Langebek 

Cinematography: Michal Dymek 

Editor: Agnieszka Glinska 

Cast: Vic Carmen Sonne, Trine Dryholm, Besir Zeciri, Joachim Fjerstrup, Tessa Hoder, Ava Knox Martin, Ari Alexander, Benedikte Hansen 

Copenhagen 1919: A young worker finds herself unemployed and pregnant. She meets Dagmar, who runs an underground adoption agency. A strong connection grows but her world shatters when she stumbles on the shocking truth behind her work.

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This is a film that is hard to talk about as it is definitely a film. You should watch before fighting out too much information about the film so that you can discover what the film offers.

So if you haven’t seen it already, please stop reading this review as to discuss it. You can’t help but spoil part of it, though I will say this is definitely an experience. 

A historical tale filmed in black and white in Germany. This is a film that you admire the acting in the filmmaking, but it’s not a film. You will watch repeatedly due to it subject matter as it is definitely a hard watch after a while. 

The film does start out bleak, but it also at time seems to offer mercy and forgiveness that you think that the main character might still have a chance at a good life or things turning around for her only for it to become bleak again and things turned tragic.

especially when you get to the third act of the film, which is where the audience will be tested as to whether they can finish the film and go further it’s not what is shown on screen, but what the characters do that will be the thing that will be upsetting for most of the audience. Especially where in the end it reveals that this is based on a true story.

as when you’re watching the film, you’re just wondering like what kind of sick mind came up with this storyline and did it have to be as harsh but then the truly scary part is that it’s not necessarily an extension of the writer directors imagination, but presenting the facts to a certain extent 

The film is breathtaking in a way in which it begins at first you think it’s gonna be a rags to riches story but it seems to be a rags with hopes of riches gets a taste of riches get thrown back into rags and at the worst moments sort of gets lifted up only to be thrown down and even lower than they were before.

It humanizes even the violent characters giving a twisted reasoning for their behaviors as the film tries to end with a little bit of hope that you wonder is it too late and have the characters gone too far for that 

One of the amazing aspects of this movie is the lead played by Vic Carmen Sonne. as an actress she is quite a chameleon because though her character is pretty here, she’s so run down and grab that she has common looks, but has a look that stands out and then as a film goer, you remember her from the controversial movie HOLIDAY in which she played pretty much a cat woman, a sugar, baby, who all these men desired and literally were harming each other over her and here she’s treated like a little nothing

If anything this film ends up being a survivor story the cinematography black and white film is so beautiful and timeless that even though it’s said in the past, it feels like something that could still happen today when people are at their lowest.

This is one of those films where you know you’re never going to watch it again necessarily more because of the subject matter because it’s a beautifully made film. The filmmaking is exceptional, but the subject matter is hard for anyone to take and watch, even if not showing graphically just the thought of it the horror, the horrors. 

No one can understand why the story needs to be told but also you wonder once you know the twist does it lose the power of it as if you go into this film blind and let it build you’re going along a journey where you don’t know where it’s going to lead, and then that choice happens And has its effect on subsequent views if you choose to, is the filmmaking still powerful now that you know the twist, does it stay as strong on a repeat view it or was this meant to be a one and done?

For all the praise that movies like the sixth sense for instance gets and it is a well-made movie, but it doesn’t hit as hard once you know the twist so would it be quite as remarkable or stand the test of time without it. As always, I guess that is up to the individual. As some will keep watching just for the innovations or the filmmaking or the performances or they’ll find something to come back for. No matter how grizzly it might eventually become or even just to study it to see the clues if any early on order to see how it affects them slowly going to where they know the film is going to go.

as always, I will warn this is definitely not a film for everyone. If you are highly sensitive I would definitely say skip this movie maybe read up about it instead as again the film isn’t glory or even a violent, but it is subtle and it’s horror that will haunt and disturb you. 

Grade: A 

THE CLOVEHITCH KILLER (2018)

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Directed By: Douglas Sikes

Written By: Christopher Ford 

Cinematography: Luke McCoubrey

Editor: Megan Brooks and Andrew Hasse 

Cast: Dylan McDermott, Charlie Plummer, Madisen Beaty, Samantha Mathis, Emma Jones, Lance Chantiles-Wertz, Jonathan Riggs, Mark Nash 

A picture-perfect family is shattered when the work of a serial killer hits too close to home.

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This film is an interesting take on a serial killer. Where it asks what would you do if you found out that your parent might have been a serial killer.

What is most inventive of the film is that for a film about a serial killer and his killings. There is only One scene of true violence and luckily it’ not that explicit. Even as it delves into the killings throughout. 

The killisngs take place in the midwest in a heavily religious Community. Where it is happening right beneath their noses, by one of their own.

The true reason for the killings is more about power and control. Though eventually what seems to have kept him at bay was if he couldn’t have the actual thrill of the kill. It was the memory and having evidence as reminders. 

The second half shows that while this is based on various serial killers. It’s not a true story. As no one would admit to the actions of the third act.

The film presents it’s story bare and matter of factly. It doesn’t go for anything gratuitous or exploitive. It plays more like a racy Tv-movie of the same subject. Only not trying to put it down or diminish it’s strength in storytelling. It just feels there is little subtlety and goes for just straight shooting. Though there is a narrative disturbance that is creative and effective to

A degree. Maybe because it also revolves around an actor who was a big television star.

The strength of the filmmaking shows in that ot’s a horror film, built on tension and not gratuitous violence or sex ABD again for a film that couldneasilt have been a television movie on the subjects. It’s still haunting the audience after the film is done. Putting it’s Characters to make the hardest decisions in the worst situations. 

Dylan Mcdermott and Charlie Plummer both hit it out if the park in their roles. Which have so many layers and depth. That you constantoy believe them. 

In the end thenfiom breaks down into a character study of a father and son. The actions and suspicions set forth. As at first it plays like a mystery and then once learning the truth. The consequences of each actions.

Grade: B- 

THE HONEYMOON KILLERS (1970)

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Written & Directed By: Leonard Kastle

Cinematography: Oliver Wood

Editor: Stanley Warnow And Richard Brophy 

Cast: Shirley Stoner, Tony Lo Bianco, Doris Roberts, Mary Jane Higby, Kip Mcardle, Barbara Cason, Marilyn Chris, Dora Duckworth

An obese, embittered nurse doesn’t mind if her toupee-wearing boyfriend romances and fleeces other women, as long as he takes her along on his con jobs.

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This is a failure for me personally. As I heard about over the years, but never took the leap to watch it until recently, as I had even seen a more modern retelling of the tale that it is based on. The 2006 film Lonelyhearts, which starred John Travolta, Salma, Hayek, James Gandolfini, and Jared Leto. This is way better

This film is based on a true crime case of a con man who specialized in romancing and marrying women and stealing their money, and then he met a lonely nurse who fell head over heels for him, and then helped him and his cons but soon they turned deadly as they would begin to kill their victims rather than Just abandon them and run away

What is surprising for this film is that you feel like an accomplice as you watch it you still have an overview, but you’re always there with them and all points of this time and it just has a gritty realism in it that is so believable so that even when eventually, the film turns violet it feels more realistic and you feel sorry for the victims as we have gotten to know them a bit

So at no part, do we root for these killers but we somewhat find ourselves repost, but also a little bit emotional when the nurse part who is seems to be the most cold hearted as she seems to be the one who does the killing most of the time just continuously keeps finding out that her partner has slept with these women that he promised he would never do 

He seems to be the one more in charge at first shocked at her behavior, but soon giving the orders and she seems to become his henchman of sorts, as well as as his partner 

This film was originally supposed to be directed by a young Martin Scorsese, but he ended up not making it past pre-production and was taken over by another director Donald Volkman, who then was fired and finished with another director 

This is one of those treasure cast of films that at first seems like it’s gonna be a cheap bee movie that you would see at a drive-in though it’s so surprisingly well made and the fact that it also takes you off guard when you were expecting, maybe a more harmless, exploiter film and you find this film, surprisingly dramatically resident and more of a thriller than an out and out horror film

It also works again by us, getting to know the victims, even as we know they’re fate and know it’s coming up if personalizes their deaths a little more, and makes it more gruesome and sad than originally intended, especially one victim that you don’t expect them to really carry out and while it happens off screen. You feel like they have reached a new low.

As violence is introduced slowly in the sub at first the killings, though torturous, we don’t really see the handiwork though soon we’re pretty much in the same room as the violence is happening it seems like with each victim, the film and the killers up the game and the violence.

No, this film is definitely a gem not only for true crime aficionados. It truly stands out in the field and sets itself apart. That feels more truthful than a lot of them out there. 

As even the 2006 film Lonelyhearts, based on this case focuses more on the cops in a bit on the killers, this film, we only truly see the killers point of view and a bit of the victims point of view.

This is one of those films that packs such a punch you want to learn all about the true crime case right after you watch it. 

Grade: A – 

OPUS (2025)

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Written & Directed By: Mark Anthony Green

Cinematography: Tommy Maddox-Upshaw

Editor: Ernie Gilbert

Cast: Ayo Edibiri, John Malkovich, Juliette Lewis, Murray Bartlett, Tony Hale, Stephanie Suganami, Melissa Chambers, Amber Midthunder, Tatanka Means

A writer travels to the compound of a pop icon who disappeared years ago. Surrounded by his cult of sycophants, as well as a group of fellow journalists, she soon discovers his twisted plans for the gathering.

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this is a strange film that seems to fit into the darkly Comedic cult figure film, think a film such as THE MENU. It seems to be a commentary on the cult of celebrity taken to a new level.

Where something mysterious is going along and it’s usually at an exclusive location cut off from the world or a kind of celebrity is at the center and all of his disciples where it’s kind of an eat the rich revenge tale. 

Now this film lives up to its story, even though it’s very predictable, and there are some points of originality when it comes to the story and the filmmaking. 

As the film goes from a dark comedy to a thriller very quickly, the one based on believing John Malkovich playing one of the best selling in popular rock stars of the 1990s it starts off already with this ridiculous notion not that he can’t play the role, but you just have trouble seeing him as that character with that history but once you get past that you should be fine but for a film, that’s already going to give you that kind of ridiculous notion

It becomes shocking that the film doesn’t follow suit in that manner when it comes to tone as everything else has played a little more seriously even the so-called twist at the end isn’t that surprising 

Though I can’t admit there is something captivating about the film. Maybe it just seems like a lost opportunity that it seems to go more for surface level when it could’ve been so much deeper and explored maybe the love and seduction of musicians or rock, stars pop stars and their audience and how just like a song or an instrument they can play their audience, especially when they’re willing and the things that they can make them do we’ve all her tails in gossip columns, or even in some biographies of what Rockstars can make seemingly ordinary people do or what people can do when supposedly influenced by music.

It shows how easily we can be led to believe the beliefs or philosophy of a celebrity with very little evidence or basis more than we will listen to an expert as we are trying to figure out the experts agenda, but we believe the celebrity is speaking from the heart and we trust them more as we’ve spent more time getting to know them

Luckily, the music in the film isn’t that bad that comes from John Malkovich‘s character.  (Having Nile Rogers do the soundtrack is a plus) Believing that getting him in the cast was such an achievement that nobody questioned the validity of him playing the role and he does his best with the role that he can, and he is believable That the film doesn’t quite pack the punch that it seems like it desperately wants to

Not to mention that half the comedy doesn’t quite land the way it expects itself too. It’s sort of like someone who thinks they’re funnier than they are as the film seems to think that it’s smarter than it is and while at times it makes good points and also grossly is overconfident 

Once the film gets to the third act and all his revealed, it also seems to want to go for a grossness factor to a certain extent. As it seems expected and also to show true pain in torture for the victims. 

Ayo Edibiri is very well cast in the lead and while she is compelling, I wish that the film could follow suit with her and for her and give her the necessary material to truly ground her in a film that is more worthy of her character and her natural talents 

Grade: C

RATS! (2024)

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Written & Directed By: Carl Fry and Maxwell Nalevansky 

Cinematography: Carmen Gilbert 

Editor: Carl Fry

Cast: Danielle Evon Ploeger, Luke Wilcox, Darius Autry, Luxy Banner, Khali McDuff-Sykes, Ariel Ash, Jacob Wysocki, John Ennis 

In Fresno, Texas, graffiti artist Raphael’s arrest leads to his involvement in a chain of events involving a sting operation, suicide, drug deals, criminal suspicions, weapons, a newswoman, and a plutonium deal gone wrong, creating chaos.

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This film is truly indescribable as it is all over the place, but in the best way it’s offkilter and crazy yet unbelievably funny and a bit my car definitely a future cult movie that audiences didn’t know they wanted and they and that they have been waiting for.

It definitely is a colorful midnight movie comedy that has a strange ensemble and packs up a sucker punch that you don’t see coming that can be sweet, but also disoriented

As this is a punk rock movie and like the main lead character, it feels dressed and has the vibe of a 1990s warped tour with pop punk, dungeons, and hot topic shoppers. There is plenty of drug use and colorful art direction to match the characters.

The film has anarchaic spirit reminds me of the spirit of the movie FREAKED as it seems to keep inventing itself along the way and stays comedic as it goes along and has new scenes to wrap around or throw back to characters or situations that we might remember with running jokes and not much necessarily makes any sense

It’s a film that just seems full of distractions as when someone you know tells a story, but then gets deep into a side story that they feel will help explain the main story that’s going along and it does to a certain extent, but these distractions also seem to go on a different wavelength of information you didn’t need to know, but the storyteller felt it was important and even though it could equally lead nowhere, you’re happy for it as at least it serves up a chuckle or a laugh.

As even at times it presents certain characters who seem like they’re going to be part of the major storyline, but are only around for one or two scenes and then disappear completely even as you were getting used to them. 

Actress, Danielle Evon Ploeger,  steals the show as she is so committed in her performance where her character has no shame and has an intensity that comes out of nowhere in for no reason that she truly shines throughout 

At times, the film can get gory and violent. Which might explain why it’s on the streaming service shutter, despite not truly being a horror Film. So though thankful bruschetta as it does carry a lot of independent films that aren’t exactly horror films that they still share on their channel usually more independent productions that most would’ve never known if not for the service . Truly helping a lot of indie films.

The film starts off simple and weird. As a kind of study of the absurdities of the suburbs, especially for younger characters and the older characters who have stayed around. as it builds up and comes together in the end. 

It bathes itself in broad humor and presents more shocking humor that for some we have no substance to really grab onto that makes it feel like most of what happens is random, but that is how life can be and especially for these characters.

It reminds me of Joseph Kahn‘s detention to a degree absurd in all over the place exploring youth culture while also feeling like it’s rebelling against something like traditional cinematic rules.

The film is messy offbeat not for everyone that has that spirit of youth that can be random. Silly doesn’t always make sense and can be quite wrong in certain situations, but you still have to move forward and clearly want to see where it goes. A stoner comedy

THE HOLE (1998)

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Directed By: Tsai Ming-Liang 

Written By: Tsai Ming-Liang and Pi-Ying Yang

Cinematography: Pen-Jung Liao

Editor: Ju-Kuan Hsaio 

Cast: Kuei-Mei Yang, Kang-Sheng Lee, Miao Tien, Hui-Chin Lin, Hsiang-Chu Tong, Kun-Huei Lin

While never-ending rain and a strange disease spread by cockroaches ravage Taiwan, a plumber makes a hole between two apartments and the inhabitants of each form a unique connection, enacted in musical numbers.——————————————————————————-

This film about two stragglers in a doomed neighborhood on the verge of the new millenium of the year 2000. As it seems they are the last ones left in their neighborhood and trying to avoid a virus that is passed from roaches that makes those who get the virus pretended and act like insects.

Before this happens a plumber trying to find a leak into the apartment downstairs exposes a Pipe and a hole into the apartment downstairs

As the film goes along constantly rains and the female who lives downstairs apartment keeps getting flooded. While the man upstairs who runs a shop keeps smoking.

Both are lonely and after awhile they start to communicate and you can see how lonely they both are and long for connection. In between we see musical scenes usually starring the female. Which seem to be her inner monologues of what she wants to say or share. 

The film is about two lonely people finding one another imnthe middle of chaos. 

There are long moments of nothing really happening. Except for each of them going through their days or killing time. Not really doing much, but those moments make us become much more closer to them. As they are more identifiable. Especially In their loneliness. As they are so close yet far away from one another.

This is one of those films where you will either be into the film or you won’t as it can be hypnotizing, but it can also be seen as boring. 

By the end It’s a romantic poetic moment where we hope for the best. As it ends literally on a happy note.

As the film goes along it’s easy to get what it is supposed to be about and the story of making a connection in desperation. At the worst of times and your perfect partner was there all along.

this is one of those films again that when I used to work in a video store, I used to see the DVD cover for all of the time, but never ventured past the cover art to venture to find out what the film was about as the cover looks so plain it just never really interested me or at the time looked way too artistic for me to truly find an interest or try to find an interest in.

At heart a romance. Though. Definitely not a comedy. Though it has  enough quirky details To be shaped or Designed like one.

As two neighbors,Really strangers become connected

Once  a plumber leaves a hole in the floor of

An apartment that is the roof of another. As there is a pandemic in a nearly Empty housing unit. Where the disease is being spread by insects randomly and there is non stop rain outside. Though again some how this is the aesthetic and background to explain why these two characters firnthe most part stay home and other then work Or food shopping, Go nowhere. Yes it’s One of those films. High concept in theory, but focused on the minutae of the characters and dramatics. Where the musicsl numbers are the action scenes. As well as

Kind of the loveScenes. As it is where the characters innermost thoughts and feelings actually come out and are on display. 

Where it feels like it’ going to change scene to scene, but for every curve like the musical sequences. It stays true to it’s path and vision 

It’s a film where it feels like you fully understand where the film

Is going and what it wants to come

Across, but insists on do I g it in it’s

Own way and you have no choice but to follow.

Then rather then going the conventional it chooses to make you watch the most mundane actions of the characters and make it seem poetic or that it means something deeper.

While Also getting the audience to feel thencharscters to be more identifiable. 

While one can admit this is the type of film that feels more like A Statement or Expression.

Definitely not justncintent or disposable. It’s a Film That is clearly not meant for all audiences.

As it is the type of Film you are going to either get with or not.

Unfortunately for me it never connected with me

Or never got  on the same wave length. As it felt tedious and you question not only what is it all about and why am I here. Even a question of consciousness.

Though I can see why others might dig the film. It never quite comes alive. It’s certainly unconventional. So I can’t really rate it. As it is more artistic cinema for you to ponder rather then just grade. 

when it comes to art, we all have our own interpretations as it is so bold and different than what we are accustomed to, while

being creative In anyway, that is not universal

Unfortunately,  i also felt most of the minutes and the film is under 90 minutes. 

SUMMER OF 69 (2025)

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Directed By: Jillian Bell

Written By: Jillian Bell, Jules Byrne and Liz Nico

Cinematography: Maria Rusche

Editor: Casey Brooks 

Cast: Sam Morelos, Chloe Fineman, Nicole Byer, Liza Koshy, Paula Pell, Natalie Morales, Matt Cornett, Alex Moffat, Charlie Day, Jillian Bell, Fernando Carsa

Abby seeks to impress her crush by learning a specific sexual position, enlisting a stripper’s help. However, she realizes true self-discovery and lasting friendship are more valuable.

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This film is the directorial debut of actress Jillian Bell. It’s more of age film than I can say a teen film, as it’s a little too raunchy and risqué for family viewing or for parents to allow their teens to watch, even as strangely the humor is more sophomoric. Though the film also has an earnest heart and charm

Which then makes the film very confusing as to who exactly it’s aimed that or which audience, as it’s too raunchy for teens, but might be a little too silly for adults. 

The wet one can appreciate about the film. Is that instead of it usually being guys with gross out or juvenile humor, now it’s more of the women, and it doesn’t have so much gross out humor as just sillier, stupid humor, but there’s a point to it all. 

Luckily, the cast is filled with comedic supporting players like Nicole Byer, Liza Koshy, the hilarious Paula Pell, who is funny and everything I’ve ever seen her in, and is a comedy writer herself,. when only wishes there was more of them or a spinoff movie for their characters. Director Jillian appears in a small role herself and Chloe Fineman of Saturday Night Live as one of the leading ladies in this film .

She is attractive, funny, tough, yet stays believable throughout the film, and can see a big screen career, though would have loved it if the film played a little bit more with what was expected and had either Eliza Koshy or Nicole Byer in the Chloe Fineman, typical beautiful blonde in the lead

Newcomer Sam Morelos is quite a find, quick and she can play the heartbreaking parts of her character as well as the funnier scenes. She comes across as the character as genuine makes you root for her. She’s a burst of sunshine.

Not to mention why this film deals with some more adult and a little dark subject matter. It’s surprisingly just stays light and keeps a smile on your face, as it just kind of has this cheer about it that you and it don’t have any cynicism to it, that you would think this film would be filled with. Also it also pays on March teen films of the past.

One has to give it to Hulu they seem to fund an honor, female, driven comedies, and dramas that are more coming of age, but find way to make their mark and be quiet not only charming but noteworthy they’re not necessarily going to change the world cinematically, but they’re good comfort entertainment. Films like PROM DATES and PLAN B

Which is why, though this film even from its title is more of a double entendre, and has plenty of sexual material. It’s still plays it pretty clean and safe as this is a tail that involves strippers that has no nudity and we never see them quite now for some, who might feel that’s a cop out this is not the film for you and it never was gonna be but those just looking for almost like comfort movie that has stakes, but aren’t that high give this film a chance. You might surprise yourself with how much you enjoy it.

Grade: C+

TIGER STRIPES (2023)

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Written & Directed By: Amanda Nell Eu

Cinematography: Jimmy Gimferrer

Editor: Carlo Francisco Manatad 

Cast: Zagreen Zairzal, Piga, Deena Ezral, Jun Lojong, Khairunazwan Rodzy, Shahiezy Sam, KhairFatimah Abu Bakar, Bella Rahim 

An 11-year-old girl who is carefree until she starts to experience horrifying physical changes to her body.

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This film is like the Pixar animated film TURNING RED. Teaching us about the nature of puberty in females and gaining their periods. How it turns them into something you barely recognize. Their own vicious beasts. That they canmt help. 

Here ItMs a little more literal and violent then the animated film. As this film deals more of this happening in a repressive community and literally the character becoming possessed.

While she seems to affect others. It is never quite explained why or how. As she seems to be the most not one who goes through a complete head to toe change. Though at heart is still a little girl. No matter how dangerous or vicious she becomes.

Which is usually a result of her defending herself from her so-called friends. Who generally turn on her once she goes through changes. They at times come across as the true villains.

The film even throws in a charlatan doctor. Who believes he can cure her and save the town. 

What we get is a body horror film that treats puberty as a horror to all those involved in an individuals transformation. 

For all the metaphors and striking visuals at times. The film feels pretty basic and shows its hands constantly. There is nothing wrong with that. It just doesn’t make things all that exciting or interesting. 

The things there are to admire other than the performances. How the film stretches out her transformation bit by bit. As the film goes along we know something is going on with her but it seems like each scene with her reveals a new part of her ultimate transformation.

This is ultimately a supernatural coming of age story that offers parallels that are universal. It’s a bit grizzly but still more cute with a bit of cruelty than anything.

Grace: B- 

THE MOTEL (2005)

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Written & Directed By: Michael Kang

Based on the novel “WAYLAID” By: Ed Lin

Cinematography: Lisa Leone

Editor: David Leonard and Colleen Sharp

Cast: Sung Kang, Jeffrey Chyau, Jade Wu, Samantha Futerman, Clint Jordan, Eleanor Hutchins, Ron Domingo, Jackie Nova 

Thirteen-year-old Ernest Chin lives and works at a sleazy hourly-rate motel on a strip of desolate suburban bi-way. Misunderstood by his family and blindly careening into puberty, Ernest befriends Sam Kim, a self-destructive yet charismatic Korean man who has checked in. Sam teaches the fatherless boy all the rites of manhood.

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Even though it offers a coming-of-age story from A different viewpoint. It also shows how universal themes and experiences most of us all have at some points.

It barely offers any answers or true endings, but that is how certain aspects and problems are in

Life also. Especially wanting to be an adult but still acting like a child. 

The film Feels unfinished to a certain extent. As it is already short in running time. That you in the audience wanr more from the film and the characters. You want to stay with them showing how much they mean to you and how strong the filmmaking is, that you have formed a bond with them.

The film is kind of a downer and has quite a few explicit material that might make some in the audience uncomfortable.

Showcasing a young man going through puberty with no male role Models. No real emotional support for his interests. Forced into the family

Business. Bullied and in the friend zone with his crush. 

It also showcases Sung Kang in an early

Role before being in the FAST & FURIOUS franchise. In a role that has the character who comes and shakes things up. Who becomes a debauched role model of sorts. Though has a tragedy behind him.

The film feels like a short story that was needed to be shared. A rarity that unfortunately is never followed up, but serves as an example of something shiny and worth your attention.

Though as an adaptation it seems like lighting in a bottle for both. 

Grade: B- 

KPOP DEMON HUNTERS (2025)

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Directed By: Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang

Story By: Maggie Kang 

Written By: Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang, Danya Jimenez and Hannah McMechan

Head Of Cinematography Layout: Gary H. Lee

Editor: Nathan Schauf 

Featuring the voices of… Arden Cho, May Hong, Ji-Young Yoo, Ken Jeong, Daniel Dae Kim, Ahn Hyo-Seop, Yunjin Kim, Lee Byung-Hun,Liza Koshy, Joel Kim Booster

When they aren’t selling out stadiums, Kpop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey use their secret identities as badass demon hunters to protect their fans from an ever-present supernatural threat. Together, they must face their biggest enemy yet – an irresistible rival boy band of demons in disguise.

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Trust me, this film came totally as a surprise to me as the title pretty much says it all and I didn’t at first have too much interest in it but heard so many glowing reviews and word-of-mouth that I decided to check it out and I’m glad I did 

As this animated film was truly a marvel to experience and caught me totally off guard. It’s dramatic. It’s funny. It’s silly has supernatural elements, but is also a satire of K-pop music and the whole industry or phenomenon around it well also exposing the heart of it and how meaningful the music can be to not only the artist, but especially the audience

It also works as a full-blown musical with not only the stage performances of the songs, but also in their singing their emotions after certain dramatic scenes

This is also a film that could only be told truly an animated form as to make a live action version of this film. You couldn’t exactly get the angles and the budget would have to be super inflated, and it just wouldn’t lend itself to the silliness at certain times.

Now the film has action sequences, but it’s not heavily an action film. It seems to care more about emotions and humor as well as being an outcast.

This one just has an energy and excitement that feels contagious and you’re willing to follow the film wherever it goes. 

It’s quite enjoyable and I have to say so far one of the better films that I have seen this year I can say it certainly not for everybody but if you ever just wanna have fun and get lost in a film with a pretty good soundtrack to boot or just a fan of musicals you should definitely give this film a try

Grade: B