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This is a solid political drama-thriller that takes a backroom look at the media environment today where outrage is manipulated and manufactured by just a tweet or post and people's lives and careers are just collateral damage. The smart script takes the lead character Kevin down a shadowy journey of scandal, speculation, and disinformation as his moral conscience begins to tug at him. A mysterious boss directs the proceedings and his bully henchman helps enforce it on Kevin and Jesse, another gig worker drone caught between their morals and a paycheck. As information and hearsay come in, and are traded by texts and emails, tension builds and paranoia heightens as the characters lose control of the narrative. The sterile, cluttered office space, lit by antiseptic, artificial lights, is the perfect setting for the story's moral shadings and the characters coming to terms with their own boundaries. This movie will leave you thinking about today's media landscape and maybe questioning that next post giving you a visceral reaction.

This sweet, comedic, love story follows a group of creatives centers around couture designer, Bobby Love, whose elaborate (have to be seen to be believed) and extravagant pieces turn him into a walking work of art. Bobby surrounds himself with a cast of equally creative friends including an acrobatic harlequin played by Bonnie Morgan and a model boyfriend played by Michael Nelson who begins to get jealous when Bobby meets the struggling singer, Trevor, played engagingly by Adam Huss. Their lives, desires, and demons interweave at an easy-going pace in L. A. and Venice, Italy. Venice, in particular, provides the perfect milieu for Bobby's richly-elaborate designs and his own wistful and romantic personality. The highly-saturated cinematography compliments the creativity on display and likewise the costumes reflect the character's need for self-expression. The direction could have been more creative as the designs on display but the heart of the movie is also front and center: being true to yourself and your own creative expression.

Franky lives in a big city with his girlfriend and just wants to be a nice guy and please people. When his gal makes a special sexual request, Franky goes on a wild, fun, unexpected, dangerous, and hilarious journey through the city's underworld. He meets shady characters along the way and begins to doubt his sanity. If the plot sounds wild, it is! And the movie works more often than not because the cast has fun with their characters, and their eccentricities, tongue in cheek, keeping the absurd, off-kilter tone from start to satisfying finish. Kudos to the memorable performances, especially Niki Burton for committing to Franky's naive gamesmanship and Patrick Chamberlain (also the director of the movie) as a deranged drug dealer. There are lots of standout supporting cast too, especially Gareth Ackroyd as a street tough and Stuart Nixon as a wide-eyed co-worker. The film is shot in stoner colors which befits the story but can also be a little jarring at times, as is the over-the-top violence. But the whole movie works because it commits to its over-the-top nature and had me laughing throughout this fun descent to madness.