Finder’s Fee A film that is basically a one-act play, “Finder’s Fee” doesn’t let on what it’s about until the last reel. It is obviously deliberate, as well as being an obvious response to Probst’s decision, in his first feature as writer-director, to shoot on one set and rarely leave the confines of a New […]
Jacob the Baker A journalist has to interview Noah, who is the writer behind Jacob the Baker series which has been translated into 18 different languages. She does not want this assignment because she would rather cover more pressing news stories, but she does it anyway. She asks all of the right questions and with
Iona Iona, written and directed by Scott Graham, after his well-received first film Shell in 2012 which was nominated for a BAFTA Outstanding British Debut along with three awards at the Torino Film Festival, is a classic example of the infamous sophomore slump. It takes longer to watch than it does to read about worked
New Town Original Among the wide variety of British nobudgeters, “New Town Original” is unique for its newness, strong technique and performances that are genuinely likable. The film is a low-key portrayal of a young office worker who has an abrupt change in his life because of one passionate moment; it confidently avoids the typical
Sometimes Always Never It is odd that Bill Nighy has given his most natural and greatest performance in a gentle film like Carl Hunter’s Scrabble-loving debut “Sometimes Always Never,” but then, these are strange times. They were strange in 2018 when the British production premiered at the London Film Festival based on a screenplay by
Alone Yet Not Alone The film begins with a soothing soundtrack and beautiful scenery. It is set in 1755, when America was seen as a refuge for families seeking freedom to worship in a country of opportunity. Barbara Leininger and her family have just moved to Pennsylvania. They live in a log cabin deep in
The Titanic Inquiry To save the Titanic is an interesting mix of documentary and drama that explores how the engineers on board the doomed vessel fought to keep her afloat and ablaze for that little bit longer. In this docudrama, Liam Cunningham’s narration implies that it was only through their selfless bravery in the bowels
Astronaut: The Last Push I discovered Astronaut: The Last Push while perusing the live TV listings on my DVR. I recorded it because two names were associated with the film: Khary Payton (who I know as the voice of Cyborg in Teen Titans and Teen Titans Go!) and Lance Henriksen. I thought to myself, “this
Agent I’m continually curious about what new directors are doing, what stories they have, how they’re telling them whether it’s indie or super low budget or whatever. Agent The Movie is one of those movies that seems to encapsulate a lot of the good, bad and ugly of a limited budget movie world. I must
Amelia 2.0 2021 in Cedar Rapids. Carter, a cop, and a school teacher named Amelia Summerland are enjoying their marriage. They plan to have children as well. Suddenly Amelia has a brain aneurism stroke and falls into vegetative state at the hospital. Carter spends next two years beside her. To get support for their medical
