globe-2

A film about memory that will trigger future memories for me of its many haunting moments and images. An incredibly ambitious accomplishment of genuine independent filmmaking (both in theme, design, and execution). The always delightful Jason Ritter (here in a heartbreaking role; a simple beat he takes with a water bottle is among the most poignant scenes in recent cinema), and some thoroughly confident and brilliant actors new-to-me whom I hope to see again (Iva Gocheva, Roberto Cots, Greta Fernandez) made this well worth the viewing, along with the surprise of discovering a director (Claire Carre) who will surely deliver many fascinating films in the future.

Another mind-bender from Dan Martinico and Company. A disarmingly upbeat if not seemingly conventional opening (attractive couple arrives at their envy-inducing country place) soon turns into a strange slapstick comedy, a comedy which gets progressively stranger until one is almost frightened to look at the screen (not because of slashing killers or zombies but by the arrival two cheerful weekend guests). Soon, human behavior is pushed to the extreme. The commitment of the four actors who take us on their bizarre psychic journey, and the steady gaze of the director (who seems to be having a blast, along with lead actor and co-writer Hugo Armstrong - with actors Mandy Freund, Cody Henderson, and Jacqueline Wright never less than real - which makes them so scary) put this at the top of my list of modern head-trip cinematic experiences. Consider yourself warned -- but I absolutely loved it! Somewhere, Luis Bunuel is smiling.

Okay, this is one of the freakiest, most nightmarish portrayals of an actor's life that you can imagine. I cannot get this film out of my head. It is quiet, it is spare, it is hopeless - and yet I could not look away; I had no idea what would come next (and I hate that people seem to WANT to always know in a film what's going to happen next). There are a handful of films that successfully portray the nightmare of Hollywood (Phantom of the Paradise, Sunset Blvd, Mulholland Drive, Barton Fink) and OK, GOOD deserves to be on that list. To say what it is NOT would spoil it, this is a unique sort of film experience; and oh, amidst the icy tension of it all it has a couple of genuine big laughs (but that might just be my sick sense of humor). I highly recommend this one if you are looking for something different. Very different, deliciously weird, and only frightening because it is so real.