The Mentor

A fun meta-narrative that bobs and weaves its way to a satisfying conclusion, while effectively mixing different genres in an unexpected and fresh way. A fascinating watch.

Super fun and unexpected plot. I found the storyline a bit challenging to follow at first, but it quickly turned into a joyride as it all unfolded. What a great take on the journey and internal struggles of any artist. All the performances were solid, and had me hooked instantly. The shots of Oakland and the impressive soundtrack were a total bonus.

An insightful exploration of the creative process and the pursuit of authenticity in filmmaking. Creative-types, filmmakers and cinephiles will gain the most from this film as they will get the film references and understand the lengths artists go to find their voice (while also having to deal with time and budget constraints.) The story unfolds cleverly with plenty of twists and fun moments, and builds up to a really satisfying ending.

Moez Solis's first feature is a sort of madcap take on how filmmaking itself can go to ridiculous extremes (starting with kidnapping). While it plays somewhat like an insider piece to the multitudes within the greater industry, THE MENTOR showcases Solis's ability to deliver a solid story and sustain intrigue through twists and turns that don't stop until the conclusion, and thus can be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys a dark comedy. The lead cast delivers solid performances (Brandi Nicole Payne and Mike Bash especially), which are wacky-enhanced by the fact that the majority of them wear bird masks while running around Oakland throughout the movie.

I don't know why people hate on indie films so much. This is the arena that a filmmaker gets to play, not shoot something safe and follow the normal boring flow of Hollywood. The Mentor is a create fun film, watching for me made it feel mroe like an art piece than a run of the mill film experince. It's a really enjoyable film that is definitely worth your time. Sit back, grab a glass of wine and enjoy! I love the masks, the cinematography, the clever script. Nice work done by all!