Tag: Justin Krohn

SNACK SHACK (2024)

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Written & Directed By: Adam Rehmeier

Cinematography: Jean-Philippe Bernier

Editor: Justin Krohn

Cast: Conor Sherry, Gabriel LaBelle, Mika Abdalla, Nick Robinson, David Costabile, Gillian Vigman, June Gentry, April Clark 

Nebraska City, 1991, two best friends get the chance to run the swimming pool snack shack, that later comes to be the perfect scenario for transgression, fun, personal discovery, and romance.

This film was kind of a quiet victory as it slowly rolled out and released a lot of people praised this film so I took my time before watching it and I have to say it’s heartwarming and a good film.

Even though it’s familiar, it doesn’t talk down to its audience and while being rebellious it still feels a bit suburban where it feels perfect for teens, even though set in 1991 as it gives them respect and hints of a little bit of nostalgia for the audience watching it.

Casting Nick Robinson in this film was a mini-stroke of genius for audience members who remember him starring in another coming-of-age summer film called KINGS OF SUMMER here it feels like he is passing the torch to the actors here.

This film has mostly what you would expect a romantic triangle and a love story best friends who might be growing apart, rebellious against strict parents who mean the best for their children, but also seem like strict disciplinarians for no reason smoking, drinking gambling, and scoring 

Though I do applaud the characters for being so financial and business-minded at such an early age and being go-getters, but also go a little wild, not only for the profits but even the ideas.

The film and the characters have a certain charm that carries the film to the finish line and goes over the audience. It seems a little more random even though you know that they’ll probably come the way in which they are handled seems a bit looser.

The film isn’t as plot-structured.  as a lot of these summer coming-of-age films usually are and there’s no real villain or deadline or person that they’re fighting against. It’s just the lazy hazy days of summer where one day everything seems to be normal and slow and then the next day full of excitement, then something shattering the next. There doesn’t seem to be an ultimate plan.

Though the film has many female characters, there’s only one female man, and it would’ve been nice if maybe there were some others to provide either commentary support or temptation, even if the main female is quite fetching so that you can understand why the boys are quite head over heels for her. Luckily they give her enough personality to be a character who could stand on her though rarely give her a chance played by the impressive Mika Abdalla.

It took me quite a while to recognize Gabriel LaBelle as the character of Mike. He played in another coming-of-age film MEET THE FABELMANS starring as a younger version of Steven Spielberg who directed the film. So once again he is in another coming-of-age story as one of the leads. Quite impressive and strong character. 

What is also impressive is that the film is written and directed by Adam Rehmeier, whose previous films have been riskier and, shockingly, he goes here for more of a family film vibe that while it has its vices never out of place or even racy. It’s nice to see his range as this is an enjoyable independent film just as his previous film KIDS IN AMERICA was enjoyable but a lot more hard-core and punk rock and its rebellion.

Won’t say believe the hype that it is a sweet surprise of the easy-going nostalgic coming-of-age cinema. 

Grade: B

PERPETRATOR (2023)

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Written & Directed By: Jennifer Reeder
Cinematography: Sevdije Kastrati 
Editor: Justin Krohn

Cast: Kiah McKirnan, Alicia Silverstone, Christopher Lowell, Tim Hopper, Audrey Francis, Ireon Roach, Josh Bywater, Melanie Liburd, Taylor Kinkead 

Jonny, a wild and impulsive teenage girl living precariously in a town where young women continue to go missing, and the power she’s forced to unlock to survive.

This film is quite interesting as it has an amazing amount of ambition. Yet it tries to be low-key about it and treat what happens as business as normal. Even though we in the audience realize that everything is just a little off. Even the so-called normal scenes.

The film comes across as campy but at odd times. As it will go through a terrifying or dramatic scene and then just go off on its own. At first, the film is mysterious, but as it introduces teen characters it gets predictable. 

Especially Alicia Silverstone’s performance and character. She is a delight though she seems like she is in another film which helps keep this one off-kilter. She plays a pivotal role but comes across more as a guest star. 

Just as Christopher Lowell seems game for whatever is thrown at him. His character changes personalities and has varying intensities so often. 

This film floods itself with different stories and issues and it tries to solve as many as it can in its time. While still leaving other mysteries. So that it feels like the first of a series.

One can appreciate that not everything is tied up in the end. Those problems persist, but a new phase has been entered allowing the protagonist to understand herself more. 

That there is a mystery that drags you along and creates others. The film mines small-town weirdness and high school once again. 

Director Jennifer Reeder has a David Lynch-like command of direction. A mastery of soundscapes that are haunting but tend to intrigue the audience. While this has similar beats and owes to Lynchian suburbs and weirdness bubbling underneath the normal.

The film has a great soundtrack that allows for atmosphere and a bit of attitude. It sets a mood. 

Though some details leave you guessing. As in a majority of scenes, it seems like this is an all-girls school, but then there will be a random boy in a scene there. 

Some of the special effects can be lackluster but more so when they are digital rather than practical. 

The film seems to want to say a lot about body image. As even a guidance counselor throughout the film seems to be there to advise the young students but it always seems to be in recovery from one cosmetic surgery or another. This would also explain the constant body horror themes and scenes of various bodily Fluids splattered about. It gets gooey and is disgusting at times.

For all the surreal mayhem though explained at times it never quite comes together cohesively. Though as a film about coming of age and metamorphosis, it does go hand in hand as material. Metaphors themselves. 

After it’s over it does haunt you. as it gets you thinking about it and leaves plenty of questions. Though it is likely to frustrate most. 

Grade: C