HOW TO BLOW UP A PIPELINE (2023)

Directed By: Daniel Goldhaber 

Written By: Daniel Goldhaber, Ariela Barer and Jordan Sjol

Based On The Book By: Andreas Malm

Cinematography: Tehillah De Castro

Editor: Daniel Garber 

Cast Sasha Lane, Ariela Barer, Forrest Goodluck, Jayme Lawson, Marcus Scribner, Kristine Froseth, Lukas Gage, Jake Weary, Irene Bedard 

A crew of environmental activists plot a daring plan to disrupt an oil pipeline.


This is an interesting little thriller. As it starts off so anonymously. Then turns into an ecological heist movie. It lives up to its title but the strength is in the storytelling 

We see how the plan is all coming together and what everyone’s duties and responsibilities are.

Meanwhile, we get glimpses into the characters’ reasons origins, and what brought them here.

Only in pivotal moments of the storyline. This also shows how the group all came together in the first place. As characters sometimes overlap in these moments.

The film provides plenty of drama, but also plenty of twists, turns, and double-crosses. Even when you think you know what’s going to happen, the film throws either a monkey wrench or what you think will happen but in a different way that you weren’t expecting.

The film is loosely based on the book of the same name which talks about the dilemma and the history of the problem. it is more dramatized and focused on this group of characters and their individual reasons as to why they came together to do this.

The ensemble works as each one is definitely passionate and works well with one another and you are on the edge of your seat plenty of times as this plan goes into effect. Even the aftermath is fascinating. As there is more to tell even during the credits as to the character’s fates. There is still the question was it all worth it?

This film is definitely worth watching even if you’re not necessarily into the politics of the character it works as a heist, film, and as a thriller and a film that examines the issues they are protesting against. Wow, the film provides plenty of suspense.

The film does feel like you are a fly on the wall, including your access to the information as a lot of times the film feels shot on the fly and feels as organic do it yourself and homemade the characters in their plan are. 

Oh, the MVP of the film  is Ariela Barer as she is the producer, writer, and one of the stars of the film. The film is an ensemble actor and character gets their moments to shine.

Grace: B

DANIEL ISN’T REAL (2019)

Directed By: Adam Egypt Mortimer 
Written By: Adam Egypt Mortimer & Brain Deleeuw
Based On the novel “IN THIS WAY I WAS SAVED” By: Brian Deleeuw 
Cinematography: Lyle Vincent 
Editor: Brett W. Bachman 

Cast: Miles Robbins, Patrick Schwartzenegger, Sasha Blane, Mary Stuart Masterson, Hannah Marks, Chukwudi Iwuji, Peter McRobbie

A troubled college freshman, Luke, suffers a violent family trauma. He then resurrects his charismatic childhood imaginary friend Daniel to help him cope, not realizing how dangerous Daniel is.


This is a film I truly looked forward to watching and I will say that it is the work of an original filmmaker. Who definitely has talent, unfortunately, the film never seems to rise to how strong it seems to lead. 

The film offers a tale of a schizophrenic That can be compared to or seen as a dual personality. Here that other personality corns across as a long-lost imaginary friend. Who comes back during a mental break though the film presents as more supernatural.

Though a film that is more willing to examine mental illness and the effects it can have not only on you but those around you and how it can be hereditary. 

Which leads the film to be a strong and tight thriller. As the other personality is more of a bad boy, yet comes across as a hipster jerk or A frat brother type you would think most would want to avoid. who comes across as charming to most of the female characters. 

Which makes him more believable as a sociopath. Eventually, the Film reveals why the other personality is so murderous. That might be one of the few parts of the movie that feels like it needed to be stronger or at least have a stronger explanation.

The film attempts to make the supernatural elements help to build a world. Though even once it is explained it feels a bit vague. As you want more information. Though it does leave you guessing as to whether it is truly him or a split personality or something else altogether 

One of the perks of the film is seeing Mary Stuart Masterson in a film again. Here she as usual is strong in her scenes. 

If looking for a psychological thriller that has originality and doesn’t walk the familiar beaten paths this is the film for you.

Grade: B