Some of these reviews are terrible and unjust. Seems more like people with an axe to grind. Full disclosure, I am friends with someone attached to this movie, but i will still give my honest opinion. There are a few issues that concern me, the story and premise are obviously not very original but that can really be said about most of the fare in this genre. The acting may not be great but it's not bad and certainly not as bad as some make it out to be. Some of the pace issues could've easily been addressed in editing. The special FX are very good, especially for an indie, the art department and production design team did quite well on this and there really aren't any glaring technical issues that you tend to find in a lot of indie projects. I'm glad I gave it a whirl.
Reviews
8 Reviews
Without Grace
(II) (2021)
Yummy Yum Yum
26 May 2021
It wasn't hard to keep my attention for 2 hours lol! Shannon Brown gives me all the feels in all the places and as the main character, I'm pretty sure he's in every scene including a couple that made me envious of the actresses with him /you'll know what I mean when you watch/ I wouldn't mind switching places with them in a couple of those scenes and I also wouldn't mind if the actor playing Brown's best friend joined us. Mr. Chase, I would happily Chase you around, but I digress, lol.
Let me go ahead and park my hormones and get to the film itself. This is really an intense, beautiful story that certainly tugs at your heart strings. Eye pleasure aside, Shannon Brown masterfully carries the film. There is something very raw and authentic about his acting that's very alluring and he needed every bit of it for this challenging role. There are some tear jerker intense moments that he makes you almost feel through the screen. This seems to be a popular opinion as he added more best actor awards to his already impressive cache thanks to his performance in this role, which isn't surprising to any of us that follow his work.
Heidi Kurzejka is also very easy to like, it doesn't take long at all to connect with her, she has some delivery and expressions that are very natural, especially when she encounter's the main character's annoying friend who shows up uninvited along with an annoying ex that was also not invited. She impressed me and I'll keeping an eye out for more of her work. Quite a bit of steam when her and Brown are together, I had to pause the movie and have a cigarette and I don't even smoke, lol. She's a new face worth following.
Aside from being an obvious steamboat, the actor playing the best friend Chase is very likeable and relatable. He is the wise, trustworthy and calming force for Brown in a sea of chaotic characters. There is also a girl next door character that ends up vital to this story, she is also very easy to like and relate to. Then there's a homeless character that pops in and out that is also very likeable, kinda like a cool grandpa vibe. At first I got the feeling that it was the Chase character from the future, but it was not.
This story is very good, but one thing that gets me is that they advertise it as a true story but I haven't seen anywhere about who the true story is based on. That's kinda the allure of a true story is you get to find out who Lucas is based on. A small gripe, but it did bother me a little. There are also a couple pacing issues and there is a definite lack of production value but I think the story and performances are more than enough to overcome that.
There are a couple characters that I could have done without that really didn't bring much to the experience. One of the dates comes off as holier than thou, really annoying. I would assume most of us don't like people like that, I was kinda hoping she'd choke on a crouton. Also one of the friends was way over the top, seemed forced and distracting and also very annoying. It seemed like he was doing his own little skit while the rest of the characters were telling the story. He had a creepy Three Stooges vibe which isn't really funny if there is only one stooge. Thankfully both of these characters have really small roles and it doesn't hurt the overall story.
Luckily for the producers, none of these issues are enough to take away from a really heartfelt and beautiful story. I've never heard of the director, but overall he should be proud of this and i'll keep an eye out for any other work he's done. Plenty of positives that make this an indie worth picking up for sure.
Let me go ahead and park my hormones and get to the film itself. This is really an intense, beautiful story that certainly tugs at your heart strings. Eye pleasure aside, Shannon Brown masterfully carries the film. There is something very raw and authentic about his acting that's very alluring and he needed every bit of it for this challenging role. There are some tear jerker intense moments that he makes you almost feel through the screen. This seems to be a popular opinion as he added more best actor awards to his already impressive cache thanks to his performance in this role, which isn't surprising to any of us that follow his work.
Heidi Kurzejka is also very easy to like, it doesn't take long at all to connect with her, she has some delivery and expressions that are very natural, especially when she encounter's the main character's annoying friend who shows up uninvited along with an annoying ex that was also not invited. She impressed me and I'll keeping an eye out for more of her work. Quite a bit of steam when her and Brown are together, I had to pause the movie and have a cigarette and I don't even smoke, lol. She's a new face worth following.
Aside from being an obvious steamboat, the actor playing the best friend Chase is very likeable and relatable. He is the wise, trustworthy and calming force for Brown in a sea of chaotic characters. There is also a girl next door character that ends up vital to this story, she is also very easy to like and relate to. Then there's a homeless character that pops in and out that is also very likeable, kinda like a cool grandpa vibe. At first I got the feeling that it was the Chase character from the future, but it was not.
This story is very good, but one thing that gets me is that they advertise it as a true story but I haven't seen anywhere about who the true story is based on. That's kinda the allure of a true story is you get to find out who Lucas is based on. A small gripe, but it did bother me a little. There are also a couple pacing issues and there is a definite lack of production value but I think the story and performances are more than enough to overcome that.
There are a couple characters that I could have done without that really didn't bring much to the experience. One of the dates comes off as holier than thou, really annoying. I would assume most of us don't like people like that, I was kinda hoping she'd choke on a crouton. Also one of the friends was way over the top, seemed forced and distracting and also very annoying. It seemed like he was doing his own little skit while the rest of the characters were telling the story. He had a creepy Three Stooges vibe which isn't really funny if there is only one stooge. Thankfully both of these characters have really small roles and it doesn't hurt the overall story.
Luckily for the producers, none of these issues are enough to take away from a really heartfelt and beautiful story. I've never heard of the director, but overall he should be proud of this and i'll keep an eye out for any other work he's done. Plenty of positives that make this an indie worth picking up for sure.
Remain Silent
(2019)
Misdirection at its best
26 May 2021
In the mood for a good ole who dun it? Look no further. This film has all the elements needed for a successful thriller. It would be hard to describe it too much without giving something away but know that you will not be able to take your eyes off the screen and for good reason as well as some technical reasons. First, this is an asian film so you're gonna wanna keep your focus on the subtitles and not miss anything. Aside from the that, the performances are magnificent throughout led pqwerfully by Xun Zhou. Just hard to find many faults with this film overall. The production value is beautifully done, the acting, the score, costumes, pace it all clicks. One of the better foreign films I've ever seen. Ke Zhou and his team knocked it out of the park.
Clever and fun
25 May 2021
I'm a big fan of Shannon Brown and I've seen a lot of this work. When he shared this on facebook I was excited to check it out. It wasn't at all what I anticipated as I assumed Shannon was the star of the movie as I've grown accustomed to seeing him as the lead in most things he's cast in. It's very clear from the jump that the star of this movie is Lorissa Julianas. And when I say star, she explemplifies this in every way possible. I've seen her before in a few of the films featuring Shannon, but not like this. She leaves no doubt that she is more than capable of carrying a movie. She is strong, vulnerable and funny and she plays the overqualified genius to perfection. The male lead O'Sullivan is strong as well, a very likeable character that you want to pull for that is worthy of leading man status and I have no doubt we'll be seeing more of him. Then Brown's character which is more of strong supporting role but a role I've never seen him play before as he plays the heroin's gay best friend. This would be an easy role to play campy, over the top and cheap but there is nothing cliche' about his portrayal. Brown showcases his range once again as his choices are very refined, nuanced and still hysterical which meshes wonderfully with the high brow comedy, high society theme of the overall story. I assume the gay community will appreciate that. But as much as I am a fan, Julianas clearly steals the show and I have no doubt we'll see her carrying a movie again in the future. I commend her and her husband, first time director Cj Julianas, for creating a perfect piece to showcase Lorissa's immense talent while still delivering high quality indie fare. There is very little to criticize with this movie. A couple of the performances didn't quite hit home and the pacing could use a little boost in some areas but these are minor issues that barely take away from the overall viewing experience. This will certainly be one of those movies I watch again.
Smothered by Mothers
(2019)
Fast paced comedy with great characters
28 March 2019
I thought this would be a typical sports comedy and wasn't sure I'd like it, but I picked it up on Amazon anyway and I'm glad I took a chance on it. I am a big fan of Shannon Brown and Heather Matarazzo, so I decided to give it a whirl. It was not at all what I expected.
The story centers around a football player, Bobby Davis, who appears to have it all. At first it seems the story is leading down a path we've seen before with beautiful women fawning over a very attractive pro athlete who is thinking about settling down and marrying one lucky woman, but then, writer Kurt Weichert takes the audience in a completely different and unexpected direction. I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say that Weichert does a fantastic job of putting some interesting and surprising twists and turns on what would be an otherwise predictable line that comedies like these tend to take. Just brilliant writing, the dialogue and development of these wild characters is spot on.
The cast is fabulous! Once again, Shannon Brown certainly earns lead status. This time as the cocky and brash football player, Bobby Davis, who goes through an unbelievable roller coaster of an arch. Brown somehow finds the balance of making you feel jealous of him and then (practically in the next breath) feeling sorry for him. His timing is razor sharp, his facial expressions and mannerisms keep you engaged throughout. I've seen quite of few of Brown's films, mostly dramatic, but he continues to showcase his range as a force regardless of the genre. It's no surprise he won so many awards for this performance.
Heather Matarazzo is wonderful as Brown's high maintenance sister. Their brother/sister dynamic is the reason the term sibling rivalry was created. Matarazzo is so underrated, a true talent in every sense of the term. She forces you to give your full attention every time she appears on the screen. No matter the role you just can't help but buy what she's selling. The back and forth between Matarazzo and Brown is laugh out loud hilarious, their scenes together are easily the best parts of the movie.
The rest of the cast is strong as well, I was pleasantly surprised to see "Paulie" from Rocky, his scenes are very entertaining. Michael Buscemi has a really funny cameo as well. This is a great comedy, very well written with great pace and timing. I'm not surprised at all that it won so many awards. Definitely worth checking out!
The story centers around a football player, Bobby Davis, who appears to have it all. At first it seems the story is leading down a path we've seen before with beautiful women fawning over a very attractive pro athlete who is thinking about settling down and marrying one lucky woman, but then, writer Kurt Weichert takes the audience in a completely different and unexpected direction. I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say that Weichert does a fantastic job of putting some interesting and surprising twists and turns on what would be an otherwise predictable line that comedies like these tend to take. Just brilliant writing, the dialogue and development of these wild characters is spot on.
The cast is fabulous! Once again, Shannon Brown certainly earns lead status. This time as the cocky and brash football player, Bobby Davis, who goes through an unbelievable roller coaster of an arch. Brown somehow finds the balance of making you feel jealous of him and then (practically in the next breath) feeling sorry for him. His timing is razor sharp, his facial expressions and mannerisms keep you engaged throughout. I've seen quite of few of Brown's films, mostly dramatic, but he continues to showcase his range as a force regardless of the genre. It's no surprise he won so many awards for this performance.
Heather Matarazzo is wonderful as Brown's high maintenance sister. Their brother/sister dynamic is the reason the term sibling rivalry was created. Matarazzo is so underrated, a true talent in every sense of the term. She forces you to give your full attention every time she appears on the screen. No matter the role you just can't help but buy what she's selling. The back and forth between Matarazzo and Brown is laugh out loud hilarious, their scenes together are easily the best parts of the movie.
The rest of the cast is strong as well, I was pleasantly surprised to see "Paulie" from Rocky, his scenes are very entertaining. Michael Buscemi has a really funny cameo as well. This is a great comedy, very well written with great pace and timing. I'm not surprised at all that it won so many awards. Definitely worth checking out!
Finding Hope
(II) (2019)
Wonderful Example of a great character driven Indie Film
15 December 2015
I was invited by a friend to attend a screening of Finding Hope in Chicago. I almost didn't go because I am not a big fan of faith based films, but I'm so glad I did. This film featured wonderful performances and a beautiful message. I did not feel like I was watching a faith based film, but rather just a great story that certainly highlighted family, faith and values. There was a realness, almost a rawness to the film that most indie film buffs, like myself, will really appreciate. There is love, loss, tragedy, gut wrenching decisions and a couple of pretty well disguised twists that make this film a must see for all indie lovers. The performances are wonderful. The leads, Shannon and Suzette Brown, are very powerful. They are both very honest and daring with their choices and it plays brilliantly. Both of them play very challenging roles and these two pull it off seemingly effortlessly. Shannon Brown has become a trailblazer in the indie scene and I believe his star will continue to shine and he'll ultimately be a household name. I have since seen him play multiple types of roles in multiple genres and his performances are always very strong. Robyn Coffin and Sean Leonard do a nice job as strong supporting roles, you can't help but love Robyn's whimsical character, Edith.
Walt Sloan, a personal favorite of mine, is nothing short of spectacular as the final member of the principal cast. As a huge indie film buff, I've seen Mr. Sloan in a variety of films, he simply never disappoints. Overall, the film is executed wonderfully. The only thing stopping me from giving it a 10 is that the lighting in some of the scenes fall short. Also, there are a few moments when the Simon character plays a little too preachy and holier than thou, not sure if that has to do with performance or direction. All in all, this truly a great indie piece and I highly recommend it!
Walt Sloan, a personal favorite of mine, is nothing short of spectacular as the final member of the principal cast. As a huge indie film buff, I've seen Mr. Sloan in a variety of films, he simply never disappoints. Overall, the film is executed wonderfully. The only thing stopping me from giving it a 10 is that the lighting in some of the scenes fall short. Also, there are a few moments when the Simon character plays a little too preachy and holier than thou, not sure if that has to do with performance or direction. All in all, this truly a great indie piece and I highly recommend it!
God Forgive Us
(2014)
STOP getting your friends and family to leave phony ratings and reviews
1 May 2015
This is becoming a sad and predictable trend with these new alleged indie "filmmakers". Getting their friends, and even members of their own cast and crew leaving overly positive reviews/ratings on work that clearly doesn't warrant it. One of my good friends was originally cast in this when it was a short. My friend was then informed that one of the producer's dad was going to double the budget (from $10,000 to $20,000) and make it a feature. LOL, of course that $350,000 alleged budget is obviously another farce by production. Another disturbing trend among these wannabe filmmakers, they put bogus numbers on IMDb, have friends (and in this case even cast and crew members) leave overly positive reviews. After reading the feature script, my friend passed on the film immediately.
On to the film itself, my friend and I were able to get a screener of this film. Needless to say, my friend was quite ecstatic and relieved to have passed on this "opportunity". I've personally been a huge indie film buff for many years. My friend and I agreed that the only honest and redeemable quality of this film was the very apt title. "God Forgive Us" - Unfortunately for them, I don't even think "God" can "forgive" this mess. The story was predictable and forced, the writer tried too hard to be dark but failed to add the necessary substance to carry this vision through. It honestly made me think that if the Goth Kids from South Park made a film, this is what it would look like. - The world is so dark, so empty, the loss is palpable, I hate my white suburban parents, my daddy doesn't love me, let's go hang out at Denny's for 6 hours and order nothing but coffee and whine about how messed up the world is - blah, blah, blah, blah.
The performances were uneven, which is a clear indicator that the director was not very strong. Some of the cast had some true bright spots in a few of the scenes, but those moments were inconsistent at best, which usually means the talent was there and the director simply dropped the ball. You could also tell that some of the smaller roles were played by people that were not actors. Another mistake that inexperienced filmmakers tend to make. They figure that if it's a small role, we won't notice. We notice, it actually sticks out like a sore thumb.
The cinematography was clearly the best part of this film. Some of the shots were lit poorly, even given the subject matter and some of the shots seemed out of place for the overall tone of the film. However, it seems those issues were the result of an inexperienced director trying too hard to be artsy or edgy. The sound was average, clearly some issues on that front, but that is not unusual for a $20,000 micro budget indie.
Overall, this is a poorly executed film regardless of how many friends and family they get to write bogus reviews of how amazing it is. Perhaps these "filmmakers" would benefit from actually going to film school instead of wasting their parent's money and creating fake buzz for work that would better serve everyone involved if it was not seen.
On to the film itself, my friend and I were able to get a screener of this film. Needless to say, my friend was quite ecstatic and relieved to have passed on this "opportunity". I've personally been a huge indie film buff for many years. My friend and I agreed that the only honest and redeemable quality of this film was the very apt title. "God Forgive Us" - Unfortunately for them, I don't even think "God" can "forgive" this mess. The story was predictable and forced, the writer tried too hard to be dark but failed to add the necessary substance to carry this vision through. It honestly made me think that if the Goth Kids from South Park made a film, this is what it would look like. - The world is so dark, so empty, the loss is palpable, I hate my white suburban parents, my daddy doesn't love me, let's go hang out at Denny's for 6 hours and order nothing but coffee and whine about how messed up the world is - blah, blah, blah, blah.
The performances were uneven, which is a clear indicator that the director was not very strong. Some of the cast had some true bright spots in a few of the scenes, but those moments were inconsistent at best, which usually means the talent was there and the director simply dropped the ball. You could also tell that some of the smaller roles were played by people that were not actors. Another mistake that inexperienced filmmakers tend to make. They figure that if it's a small role, we won't notice. We notice, it actually sticks out like a sore thumb.
The cinematography was clearly the best part of this film. Some of the shots were lit poorly, even given the subject matter and some of the shots seemed out of place for the overall tone of the film. However, it seems those issues were the result of an inexperienced director trying too hard to be artsy or edgy. The sound was average, clearly some issues on that front, but that is not unusual for a $20,000 micro budget indie.
Overall, this is a poorly executed film regardless of how many friends and family they get to write bogus reviews of how amazing it is. Perhaps these "filmmakers" would benefit from actually going to film school instead of wasting their parent's money and creating fake buzz for work that would better serve everyone involved if it was not seen.
A Grim Becoming
(2014)
Very original story
28 April 2015
I had heard mixed reviews about this film. However, all seemed to think it was interesting and worth a watch. I'm glad I did, it was not the best indie film I've ever seen. However, it was very original, which is tough to do nowadays in any genre. There was just enough comedy to provide the perfect amount of levity to an otherwise scary film. It was shot beautifully, and the art department did a bang up job. The performances were a bit uneven. I actually thought the supporting cast were more talented than the leads. That tells me that the direction was good, it was just an issue of some of the talent not being up to par. Overall its worth a watch, I give it a 7 out of 10.
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