Change Your Image
zieglerstephen
Reviews
Stockholm (2018)
Fun, dark, and incredibly funny!
Based in 1973, this period piece and true story from director Robert Budreau tells the origins of the Stockholm syndrome condition. In Sweden, we see this crime drama meets comedy explode with entertainment from the cast which besides Ethan Hawke as the bank robber, we receive a phenomenal role from Noomi Rapace who plays one of the bank employee hostages. There is incredible pacing and craft in relaying this 6-day event which transpired in Europe during this time. Music selections such as Bob Dylan and Margaret Lewis give an added aesthetic from the 70's that really ties the films authenticity together.
Soul to Keep (2018)
New and fresh horror film
On a weekend getaway to the country, siblings Tara and Josh take their friends out to their grandfathers farmhouse to party. The group takes time to look around the property and everything is normal until something in the basement causes major concern for the friend group. They all discover a mysterious triangle made of blood and bones with a satanic spell book close by. The group feel that it would be fun to read and attempt to perform the ceremony of bringing back a demon from the other side. Quickly things turn sour and individuals are beginning to act of sorts, which leads to the realization that they have summoned an extremely dark and twisted demon from hell. Director David Allensworth has done a masterful job of telling a story that is new and brings audience members a thrill that just keeps on delivering.
Saint Judy (2018)
Powerful story of empowerment
Judith Wood, an immigration attorney in Los Angeles has taken on a controversial case surrounding a young woman from the Middle East seeking asylum here in the United States. The young woman Asefa had started a school for girls to learn how to read and more importantly think independently in a culture where the man determines almost every outcome of a woman's life. Her actions were seen as a threat to their religion and she was captured, and tortured. The film title of "Saint Judy" gives us this depiction of Judith as the defender and protector of Asefa's right to educate not only herself but the girls who seek knowledge and independent thought. This film caused myself powerful internal reflections of what happens in the world, especially outside our own American bubble. Saint Judy will be one of the more important stories of 2019, and will continue to get people discussing these injustices that need to be brought to light.
Life and Nothing More (2017)
Unbelievable film!
There is something really powerful about director Antonio Mendez Esparza's latest piece "Life and Nothing More". The film really stands alone as an authentic story of life's hardships told through a single mother's journey of raising her oldest teenage son and youngest daughter while having to work a waitress job at a local diner. Each scene emerges as a new and different day, and this juxtaposition is incredibly effective when observing a family where truly each new day you have something to prove. Throughout the film we observe the mother (Regina) looking to pass along crucial advice to teenage son (Andrew) to help and avoid him falling into the same path as his father who is carrying out a lengthy prison sentence. The absence of the father is a reminder to many Americans that to many in the U.S. population this is a true testament of life and family, where a young boy becoming a man struggles naturally without a father character present. Esparza again is showing audience members that we are all inherently different, but through this incredibly potent storytelling there is a universal truth of doing the best you can with what you have right in front of you.
Nommer 37 (2018)
Exciting new thriller
A new jaw dropping thriller "Number 37" is set in South Africa from director Nosipho Dumisa, and has been incredibly captivating with taking the audience by surprise from a modern take on Hitchcock's "Rear Window" from 1954. The cinematography plays a massive role in the pace of the film, as well as playing with lighting the film produces a thriller that reaches new heights with suspense and constant action. I believe this will be one of the best thrillers this year, even in a pretty competitive genre.
Darkness Visible (2019)
Phenomenal supernatural thriller
This suspense driven supernatural thriller follows the life of Ronnie who lives in London, and he recieves word that his mother has been hit by a car in India where she had mysteriously ventured. Upon arrival, there are extremely odd and looming events transpiring with murders happening hyper frequently. Ronnie slowly figures out that there are motives and signs all around him leading to the overarching meaning to the killings, including the death of his own mother. This film will excite, confuse, and enthral viewers to attempt to crack the case of the killings. Truly one of the best thrillers of 2019, and a phenomenal cast that made Darkness Visible come to light.