Reviews

"Extramundane" was written, directed, filmed and edited by Joshua Sowden. The suspenseful independent movie stars Brant Rotnem as Trevor Wilkinson, a man who takes a new position as a property manager during the height of a pandemic. Trevor does not know the building's dark history and when the tenets begin disappearing, he takes it upon himself to solve what is going on.

I need to start by giving huge props to Sowden's cinematography, which is not only beautiful but it sets the perfect mood of isolation. This helps pull us into the mystery of the building, and helps bring it to life as its own character. I love when independent movies look and sound fantastic. Watch this if you are looking for a thriller that keeps you in the dark as the story unfolds.

Rounding out the cast is Craig Gellis, Brock Jones, Cherie Corinne Rice, Vinnie Coppola, and Tony Bartele. This suspense feature is available on Tubi and YouTube.

"Ramsey: The Vandy Case" is directed by Tom Ryan and written by Chris Suarez.

The movie is an indie noir that follows a PI named Kevin Ramsey as he tracks down the murderer of a wild television star. The story unfolds as a mystery of who killed the star with a twist ending. The acting is perfect for a modern noir, which is helped by the cinematography and scoring to move along the mystery and suspense.

The movie features a stand out performance by Jim Thalman as the title character and he is joined by Jeanine Bartel, Nixon Cesar, Derek Michalek, and Sebastián Ospina. The whole cast is very strong.

The movie is available to watch on Tubi as "Ramsey". I highly recommend checking it out! Especially if you are a fan of noir and crime dramas.

"Thor: Love and Thunder" is a fun ride from start to finish. I love that we keep getting new takes on the superhero genre and in "Love and Thunder" we get a true super rom com with lovable leads and an awesome villain. I hope we continue getting Thor movies that change of the sub-genre.

"Six Years Gone" is a heartbreaking and emotional indie drama that is driven by powerful performances. The cinematography works perfectly for the tone. This story focuses on every parent's worst fear, the disappearance of a child and the repercussions that follow.

Disappointing. I wanted WORLD'S FINEST. Instead we got a movie with no hope, no wonder, that is dark, brooding, & depressing. The ending left a sour taste for this lifelong DC fan.

"The Boys" is not the superhero show or movie that you are used to. It is very dark and 100% not for kids (or teens). And the show is awesome. The series looks at society and asks "what if super heroes existed, and they were treated ed like actors/sports players?" Just how horrible would they be?

Superman & Lois knows and loves the DC Comics character and his extended family/supporting characters. This is the Superman on film/TV that I have been waiting for. Good, hopeful, happy. Superman doesn't need to be dark and moody to be interesting. His dynamic with Lois, and his family is fantastic. I hope they continue to include new villains we have not seen over used in past movies/TV shows. I highly recommend this show to fans of Superman (& Lois!).

"Older" is part drama, part romance, but most importantly it is a slice of life movie that feels authentic. The movie is well shot- it looks beautiful, the pacing is good, and the cast is very likable. We follow Alex, who is torn between the girl of his dreams and an old high school friend he has not seen in years. We have all had experiences where we have wanted something so badly, but maybe, just maybe it wasn't the best thing for us. "Older" plays with that theme in a way that feels real and relatable. I recommend giving it a watch.

"Banging Lanie" is just the type of movie we need right now. It is a lighthearted coming of age movie about a girl (the title character Lanie) who decides she wants to lose her virginity to the boy of her dreams.

The movie is equal parts fun and awkward and reminds me of the light hearted coming of age romantic comedies we used to get in the 90s. If you are looking to relax and check out an enjoyable movie, I recommend giving this a chance.

"The Paraseekers: Charlie's House" is a reality style paranormal focused series. Taking style from Ghost Hunting shows with a bit of a travel show mixed in, the group investigates a haunted house in a small town. Lots of engaging talk and they bring in a medium as they look into the history of the town and house. The end will leave you wondering if it was real.

I love all types of horror; ghost stories, slashers, monsters, horror/comedy, chase thrillers, etc. I really enjoy when horror tries to make its own identity and stands out with a unique visual style. "Distiller" is a campy horror flick with its own unique visual style that also feels like a fun throwback to classic horror movies with comedic elements (like Ghostbusters and the Frighteners).

In the movie, a ghost hunter goes missing and years later his niece inherits his house unknown that the basement is filled with trapped spirits in bottles. Add in the fourth of July and a party and things get fun fast. If you like campy horror that doesn't take itself to serious, you'll enjoy this.

I did not know what to expect when I started watching "Miss Multiverse - Australia" and I'm a few episodes in and pleasantly surprised. The unscripted series follows a group of women as they go through challenges to become Miss Multiverse Australia. This is not a normal beauty pageant, but plays out more like a reality competition where someone is eliminated each episode. I'm going to keep watching and I'm looking forward to see who wins!

I love when movies are able to twist history on its head to create a compelling story that is familiar but forms a whole new way to look at old events. Hex is set during the English Civil War and features two soldiers trapped in a forest and being tormented by a witch. The movie uses the location and small cast to effectively set the tone for the psychological suspense and the horror of feeling trapped by a witch and not knowing what to believe. We are just as trapped as the two leads. The cinematography is great and the location lends so much character to the movie. I highly recommend Hex for fans of horror/suspense movies.

I love smart horror. "Us" is smart, suspenseful, and does not hold back any punches. I highly recommend it for fans of horror movies and thrillers. The movie is striking in atmosphere and symbolism. The direction is engaging and the acting is amazing.

I watched "Space Jam" for the first time in years with my 6 year old son. I was so happy that the movie really holds up. My son loved it just as much as I did as a kid and I was so happy that it really holds up. The movie can be enjoyed by multiple generations.

"The Fight of Our Lives" is beautifully shot, the audio and technical elements are spot on and overall it is well put together. A lot of work went into the movie and it shows.

It is important to me to see different sides of stories, and I'm happy to watch movies with different viewpoints. Panelists and ideas talked about in this movie are not ones I personally agree with.

Horror anthologies are a lost art. When I was really little I read "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" in repeat, then as I got into TV I'd watch "Twilight Zone" reruns and quickly graduated to "Creepshow" and "Tales from the Crypt". I love the idea of watching multiple shorter horror tales that can be completely different. It is the rush of meeting the characters and knowing something is going to happen very soon. The lengths vary, the characters, and settings. There is something so exciting, and keeps you so off guard. These are not stories told in three acts or over the length of a movie's runtime.

"Bugs: A Trilogy" is an anthology movie that takes me back to the old days of horror anthologies. I went in not knowing what to expect - except for the inclusion of bugs - and I'm happy that I went in fresh. What I discovered was three very different short horror stories with a central theme (and some shared casting). The horror is not in your face gore (although there is some grossness), but more of a psychological build through the stories with a underlining sense of dread. If you want a clean straightforward movie, this isn't that; this is a true horror anthology that will leave you questioning some of what you just watched and will make you come to your own conclusions.

I did not know what to expect going into "Purdah". Would this be a sports, culture, or political documentary?

What it ended up being was an inspirational and heartbreaking look at a young women's journey and its impact on her family, mainly her mother and sisters. The story follows Kaikasha Mirza, a young women in a conservative Muslim family in India who is trying to realize her dream of playing professional cricket. I honestly didn't know much of the culture going into the documentary, but the movie showcasing the struggle and uphill battle Mirza, and other women, face in a very real way. This is a look into their lives. I recommend it for both sports fans and non-sports fans.

Josh is a likable but goofy nice guy real estate agent. Used to turning the other cheek and avoiding conflict. While ordering a coffee Josh is un decisive and attempting to flirt with the barista, when a grown up "high school" bully heckles him in front of a huge crowd of customers. After hyping himself up, Josh fails to properly respond to the bully. So he does what anyone at the end of their rope would do, he gets a couple friends and tracks the bully down. What follows is a series of bad choices, misconceptions, and comedic hijinks.

The movie pokes fun at the characters and situation while showcasing toxic masculinity- which makes it very timely. This is an entertaining comedy, that does not take itself seriously. Watch it if you are looking for a fun and sometimes goofy indie. The production value is good and the cast remind me of people I know (for better and worse).

I don't usually go out of my way to check out documentaries, but I love having them on while I work or am getting stuff done. I heard about "Chasing the Win" through a friend that had checked it out and recommended it. I threw it on in the background while working, but quickly got into, put my work aside, and watched the rest.

The movie gives you an inside look at horse racing and the world around it. I knew nothing going in, but now I feel like I can school others on the ins and outs of training and how to win races. The movie focuses on Kinsale King, an underdog race horse, his trainer Carl O'Callaghan, and owner Patrick Sheehy and the horses unexpected rise from unknown to a champion race horse. I don't want to spoil the build, but the movie has heart and kept my attention. I recommend the movie for fans of horse racing and those that want to learn more about the sport (and love a true underdog documentary).

I love sports movies. They bring me into a world I don't know a lot about with characters who have heart and drive. "Warrior Pride" has both heart and drive as it tells the story of Dylan Baxter, a basketball coach who needs to keep his team from falling apart as he pushes them harder and harder towards the national championship. This indie feels real and is directed/shot with a street level vibe and a cast that feels natural. No one feels out of place, this is a diverse cast of real people that help ground the story and make it believable. The movie is good for the whole family and has a through-line of faith. I highly recommend it for fans of sports flicks.

Reunions usually end up much different than you expect. I think the main characters in "A Legacy of Whining" can agree with that. The movie is a fun/quirky flick with a dark yet funny side. It doesn't take itself too serious, which makes it that much more enjoyable.

The direction and acting from Ross Munro is on point, as is Robert David Duncan and the supporting cast. The film is shot well and the pacing is even.