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Reviews
Trouble Is My Business (2018)
True Vision and Panache
What's so impressive about Tom Konkle's homage to 1940's film noir is that he not only writes, directs, and stars with the confidence of a modern-day auteur, but he also manages to pull off an incredibly difficult genre and aesthetic using modern day visual effects on a micro-budget.
The best FX and digital environments, however, can never substitute for a good story. Trouble Is My Business has all the story beats fans of noir crime dramas would hope for but it's really the passion and talent that Konkle possesses in conveying that story that really shines. And appealing to fans of the genre with style and humor is only one measure of that type of storytelling prowess.
The mark of a great director - and what's on display here from Jesse Arnold's and P.J. Gaynard's cinematography to Thomas Chase's and Hayden Clement's score - is Konkle's ability to assemble and lead an excellent team of like-minded artists with true vision and panache.
Greatland (2020)
Bold and Primed for Cult Following
With echoes of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, Dana Ziyasheva has created a wholly unique piece of dystopian science fiction in the spirit of Fellini and Gondry. Especially at a time when indie filmmakers need to take bold risks into the avante-garde and experimental amidst a sea of studio-generated franchise films, Ziyasheva and team emerge with a movie primed for cult following.
With striking allegory to our current political climate, pandemic, and our obsession with technology and social media, the film is both social commentary as well as a surreal coming-of-age story.
Susannah Lowber's production design and Megan Spatz's costume design, especially, create a tactile (albeit psychedelic-inspired) landscape that compliment the impressive, low-fi visual effects.
Ziyasheva's unique, international voice is a refreshing reminder that indie filmmaking is alive, well, and unconventionally thought-provoking.
Psychosynthesis (2020)
A Creepy, Atmospheric, Slow Burn of a Thriller
Reminiscent of both Bergman and Soderbergh, Noam Kroll has crafted a creepy, atmospheric, slow burn of a psychological thriller. A trailblazer of micro-budget filmmaking, the multi-hyphenate Kroll is supported by the excellent cinematography of Matteo Bertoli (shooting here in a bold, 4x3 aspect ratio) and an impressive score by Craig Saltz.
Stephanie Pearson leads a terrific and intimate cast, as Kroll's team proves that compelling stories can be achieved on a budget ... and at a time when the collaborative spirit of true, indie-filmmaking is needed the most.
Vampire Burt's Serenade (2020)
A Wild, Sexy Fever Dream
A wild, sexy fever dream of a movie musical, Vampire Burt's Serenade is a bloody, good romp filled with plenty of fetish and camp. Kevin Scott Richardson leads a terrific cast fully committed to a dark, twisted, and very funny alternate reality bathed in sex, drugs, and violence reminiscent of the best of cult B-Horror flicks.
While the homages to Lynch and Raimi abound, it's the Rocky Horror meets Bob Fosse musical numbers that elicit the most laugh-out-loud moments, providing genuinely clever songs by composer Paul Goldowitz. Low-fi effects, gore, and a killer ending make this short, horror-comedy-indie perfect viewing for these existential times.
Curry Munchers (2011)
Cultural Harmony
Aunanda Naaido and Alison Titulaer lead a terrific ensemble cast in this romantic dramedy filled with laughs, culture clash, and very relatable life-and-love struggles. Cristobal Araus Lobos' lively direction and Padma Akula's unique script showcase fresh voices in the global, independent film community, juxtaposing several cultures that American audiences, especially, may be unfamiliar with. At a moment when the world is more and more in need of cultural harmony, this feel-good movie couldn't come at a better time.
The Stand Up Doll (2019)
An Extraordinary Piece of Documentary Filmmaking
The Stand Up Doll is an extraordinary piece of documentary filmmaking not only because it celebrates the indefatigable life of Risa Ingelfeld, a centenarian whose life philosophy becomes an absolute ideal to which one aspires by the film's end, but also because it features the honest, human, and artfully empathetic storytelling of filmmaker, Evelyne Tollman Werzowa.
In many ways, Risa's journey and Evelyne's portrait of her are in parallel. Happiness, we learn, is a choice (at first) but is truly found in its committed practice. Risa's life is a practice in seeing hardships as gifts as she finds strength in overcoming the worst of history's tragedies and devastating personal tragedies, as well.
Telling Risa's story over fifteen years, Evelyne has a long-term practice of her own as she seeks to truly understand and capture the humanity of her friend and the potential for joy that each of us have inside. It's not surprising that both women have sought out roles in life that teach, entertain, and give generously to others.
Ultimately, love and friendship transcend tragedy and nowhere else in the film is that more poignant than in the relationship between these two amazing women.
Lion Killer (2019)
The Visceral Journey of Wounded Warriors
Writer / Director Derrick Fury excellently captures the visceral journey of wounded warriors and survivors in this terrific indie set against the backdrop of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - a discipline that's perfect for an imperfect hero, striving to heal himself. Michael and Noelle's story ultimately becomes universal as they learn that love transcends trauma and that self-development is only as good as it is when it becomes a shared experience.
The Droving (2020)
Very Evocative and Gorgeously Shot
A very evocative and gorgeously shot dark fairytale from UK based Rubicon Films. George Popov and Jonathan Russell deliver a suspenseful and atmospheric, psychological mystery that is palpable for the viewer as we dive deeper into Martin's intense past and otherworldly present. Carried by the excellent Daniel Oldroyd, this truly unique indie is well-crafted with excellent locations, cinematography, score, and production value.
The Evil Down the Street (2019)
The Dread in Family Dynamics
Espinosa and Ahrens deliver a creepy and intimate horror / mystery that's as much about family dynamics as it is about demonic possession. The dread of not knowing your loved ones as well as you might think is amplified in the context of an indie genre film. Because it's based on true events, the viewer can't help but ask him or herself, what would you do if your spouse became ominously unrecognizable?
Dirty Beautiful (2015)
Thoroughly Enjoyable Comedy with Depth and Heart
In the tradition of the best 80's odd-couple romances like Weird Science, Roxanne and Splash, Writer / Director Tim Bartell crafts a very funny and poignant tale with a fresh, modern-day sensibility. Production value and cinematography are excellent and Mabe and Monaghan deliver terrific, nuanced performances. A thoroughly enjoyable comedy with depth and heart.
Marlo Lasker (2020)
The Great Tradition of Auteur Comedy
In the great tradition of comedian filmmakers like Jerry Lewis and Danny McBride, Rotella writes, directs, and stars in a memorably funny comedy with a larger-than-life character. The gags are great (and numerous) and Rotella's likable Marlo made me laugh-out-loud.
Into the Void (2019)
Intimate Indie Horror at its Best
More than just crafting an excellently shot narrative with great performances and locations, Cantello firmly establishes himself as part of a new breed of intimate, indie horror filmmakers interested as much in ideas and character as he is in thrills. His Resonant Production company is aptly named and no doubt will create more content that resonates with audiences in exciting and thought-provoking ways.
Purdah (2018)
Beautifully directed and photographed
Director and cinematographer Jeremy Guy captures such a specific, cultural subset of India so intimately and personally that the filmmaking, itself, is as inspiring as Kaikasha's story. A beautifully directed and photographed doc about the fundamental human right to follow one's own path and life purpose.
The Unearthing (2015)
The new-wave of Gen Z filmmakers
Jensen squarely establishes himself as a trailblazer of the new-wave of Generation Z filmmakers. With The Unearthing, he pulls off an engaging and family-friendly story about friendship in the context of a supernatural mystery. Impressive execution and filmmaking prowess from a young indie filmmaker with a very bright career ahead of him.
Poustinia (2013)
Beautiful.
A fantastic work about the nature of art and artistry and a wonderful portrait of Gendron Jensen. Excellent direction by Kristian Berg.
The filmmakers' love for their subject matter is infectious and the film allows the viewer to look inside Jensen in such a beautifully subtle and intimate way.
Greg Feinberg's organic and evocative editing is of particular note here. Like Jensen, himself, Feinberg has the rare ability to draw the viewer into the piece inexorably without revealing the precision and skill with which he did so.
Highly recommended.