andrewwalshfilms

The Easter Replacements is a situational comedy all taking place in one house across an afternoon directed by accomplished actor Travis Grenke making his directorial debut.

Everyman Billy (Monte James) and his wife Bobbi (Anasia Obioha) who seemed to have a troubled relationship are holding an Easter dinner at his home and has invited his boss in hopes of securing a promotion at the bank he's worked at for ten years.

When his boss cancels at the last minute Billy has to entertain four complete strangers instead each bringing their own tensions prejudices insecurities and ulterior motives.

I saw in another review it reminded them of Larry Davids Curb Your Enthusiasm and I totally agree with the sentiment as well. Realistic interactions natural performance's absurd situations and hilariously quotable dialogue. A recipe for a great film! The films comic tone also made me think of Roman Polanski's "Carnage"

Monte James skilfully carries the entire film well as Billy as a well meaning man under pressure trying to please everyone at the expense of his own happiness.

After watching this film I'll admit it's hard to put this viewing experience into words, but I'll try.

Sharkers by director Patrick Chamberlain who also plays one of the main roles isn't so much a traditional feature film more like a delirious dream or an assault n the senses.

It reminded me of Fear And Loathing in Las Vegas if it was set in the United Kingdom.

Frankie played by Niki Burton is a shallow yuppy and video game obsessive living his best life in London.

When Frankie is kicked out of his own apartment by his narcistic girlfriend Lauren following a disastrous sexual encounter involving a co worker he roams a nightmarish urban landscape inhabited by drug dealers low lives petty criminals and wasters.

Director Patrick Chamberlain clearly has a love and understanding of the extreme ends of human behaviour and a good eye for harsh neon lights which reminded a lot of the works of Nicholas Winding Refn. The constant electronica soundtrack playing in the backgrounds kept me on my toes. Its like with every second the absurd situations Frankie finds himself in escalates.

Sharkers is a brutally hilarious film destined for cult status with its good performances surreal visuals and what I believed was an insightful commentary on modern English culture.

Times are tough, people are increasingly incapable of emotionally connecting with one another and are seeking pain relief and escapism from wherever they can find it.

Wrong numbers is an independent drama by filmmaker Duane Edwards making his directorial feature film debut.

Set in Chicago The film is broken into two halves

The first half after a bad blind date in a restaurant perfect strangers Emma (Emily Hall) and Jack (David Kelsey) strike up a conversation and briefly share a connection.

The second half is set ten months later where Emma coincidentally runs into Jack at the cafe she works at.

However it becomes very clear their second meeting is no coincidence, and Jack has made some very drastic changes to his life since they last spoke.

Viewers looking for a fast paced film with action and neat resolutions in the end will be sorely disappointed but for the rest of us the nuances of the story was definitely worth investing my time and energy into.

The dialogue was very good and the characters felt relatable- I've met a lot of people like Jack and Emma well meaning individuals trying to navigate this messy world and being stuck in relationships routines and situations they don't want to be in but just can't break away from.

Overall Wrong Numbers was a very put together film about longing unrequited love and reflecting on the chances you didn't take and where it couldve lead.

I look forward to seeing what director Duane Edwards does next.