JasonMcFiggins

FIRST DATE is a movie that impressively walks the fine line between laugh out loud coming of age comedy, and anxiety inducing thriller. A small town full of oddball characters cause a teenage date night to go horribly awry: ruthless, crooked cops, a vicious drug ring (with a book club), and a crazed, trigger happy woman all cross paths with hilarious and violent results. A comical, double crossing, trust-no-one, crime spree mystery with a charasmatic lead (keep an eye on Tyson Brown, he could be a star). The action keeps the 2 young lovebirds apart for most of the film, and their strong chemistry makes you cheer for them to get together. Perhaps it feels a touch too long, but FIRST DATE is funny, sweet, erratic, and violent. Lively entertainment from start to finish.

THE BLAZING WORLD is the journey of one woman to reclaim her past and face her devastating depression from a childhood trauma, all presented as a dark fairy tale. Think Nicolas Winding Refn directing a script from David Lynch inspired by Lewis Carroll. First time filmmaker Carlson Young uses dazzling, darkly neon, and twisted visuals to tell this story, and her striking vision puts her great talent on full display. Dermot Mulroney impresses and Udo Kier is damn creepy. Crushing and gorgeous to watch with an utterly haunting score, the film is a mesmerizing, emotional experience you won't soon forget. Bravo Carlson Young!