jessicaroszko
Joined Apr 2014
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jessicaroszko's rating
Can you ever truly escape your past, or does running from it only guarantee a harder fall?
The Ride begins with a tragic car accident, setting the stage for a tension-filled story. Angela (Savannah Joeckel), a woman shaped by childhood trauma, reacts to the crash by panicking and telling lies in an attempt to go unnoticed. Her actions start to unravel the lives of those around her, including her husband Laz (Mark Justice) and her lawyer friends (Dean Cain and Traci L. Newman).
Along her journey, Angela crosses paths with figures like Pappa Paulie (Paul Sorvino), whose connection to her presents an alternative perspective on morality and her choices. The story blends suspense and guilt, leaving viewers questioning whether Angela can ever truly escape from her mistakes.
The movie leans heavily into Angela's psyche, and Savannah Joeckel delivers a performance that's both gripping and raw. You can feel her fear and desperation through her expressions, and she keeps the tension alive in every scene. Her performance makes it easy to stay connected to Angela's story, even when things get dramatic.
The cinematography works great to reinforce Angela's mental state. Cold tones dominate the palette, creating a world that feels as harsh and serious as Angela's worries. Low-angle shots heighten the tension, while close-ups of Angela's eyes pull us into her inner chaos. These visual choices help to show how messed up her mind is as everything falls apart.
One of the best parts of the movie is how the car is practically a character of its own. It's the confessional booth, the battlefield, the space where brutal honesty comes to light. Whether it's Laz railing against their friends, Angela's shocking realizations about herself, or her silence in the face of her boss's demands, the car scenes are where the real drama happens. The car becomes a place where the truth can't be hidden, no matter how hard she tries.
This theme comes full circle later, after Angela's emotional phone call, where she finally opens up. In a quiet yet powerful moment, she puts on a cap-a small gesture that speaks volumes. It's like she's changing into someone stronger as if she's suiting up for her next battle, ready to face what's coming next. It's a simple yet effective visual cue that she's no longer running; she's ready to face whatever comes next, even if it's on her terms.
There are moments when it feels like the film gets distracted by its intensity, pulling focus away from the deeper themes. Further exploration of Angela's backstory might have added more layers to the narrative, but instead, the film occasionally skims the surface.
Still, The Ride delivers a gripping and emotional journey. The suspense never lets up, keeping you constantly guessing what Angela will do next. The sound design adds sharpness to the tension, while Savannah Joeckel's performance serves as the film's emotional anchor. The supporting cast, particularly Dean Cain and Paul Sorvino, brings enough texture, ensuring the story remains engaging throughout.
At its core, The Ride poses a powerful question: can you ever truly escape your past, or does running from it only guarantee a harder fall? It's this exploration of guilt and redemption that lingers long after the credits roll.
By Sara Acero.
The Ride begins with a tragic car accident, setting the stage for a tension-filled story. Angela (Savannah Joeckel), a woman shaped by childhood trauma, reacts to the crash by panicking and telling lies in an attempt to go unnoticed. Her actions start to unravel the lives of those around her, including her husband Laz (Mark Justice) and her lawyer friends (Dean Cain and Traci L. Newman).
Along her journey, Angela crosses paths with figures like Pappa Paulie (Paul Sorvino), whose connection to her presents an alternative perspective on morality and her choices. The story blends suspense and guilt, leaving viewers questioning whether Angela can ever truly escape from her mistakes.
The movie leans heavily into Angela's psyche, and Savannah Joeckel delivers a performance that's both gripping and raw. You can feel her fear and desperation through her expressions, and she keeps the tension alive in every scene. Her performance makes it easy to stay connected to Angela's story, even when things get dramatic.
The cinematography works great to reinforce Angela's mental state. Cold tones dominate the palette, creating a world that feels as harsh and serious as Angela's worries. Low-angle shots heighten the tension, while close-ups of Angela's eyes pull us into her inner chaos. These visual choices help to show how messed up her mind is as everything falls apart.
One of the best parts of the movie is how the car is practically a character of its own. It's the confessional booth, the battlefield, the space where brutal honesty comes to light. Whether it's Laz railing against their friends, Angela's shocking realizations about herself, or her silence in the face of her boss's demands, the car scenes are where the real drama happens. The car becomes a place where the truth can't be hidden, no matter how hard she tries.
This theme comes full circle later, after Angela's emotional phone call, where she finally opens up. In a quiet yet powerful moment, she puts on a cap-a small gesture that speaks volumes. It's like she's changing into someone stronger as if she's suiting up for her next battle, ready to face what's coming next. It's a simple yet effective visual cue that she's no longer running; she's ready to face whatever comes next, even if it's on her terms.
There are moments when it feels like the film gets distracted by its intensity, pulling focus away from the deeper themes. Further exploration of Angela's backstory might have added more layers to the narrative, but instead, the film occasionally skims the surface.
Still, The Ride delivers a gripping and emotional journey. The suspense never lets up, keeping you constantly guessing what Angela will do next. The sound design adds sharpness to the tension, while Savannah Joeckel's performance serves as the film's emotional anchor. The supporting cast, particularly Dean Cain and Paul Sorvino, brings enough texture, ensuring the story remains engaging throughout.
At its core, The Ride poses a powerful question: can you ever truly escape your past, or does running from it only guarantee a harder fall? It's this exploration of guilt and redemption that lingers long after the credits roll.
By Sara Acero.
Spotlight Feature Films, Lucky 13 Productions, and 3 Feathers Film present the Friday the 13th-inspired slasher/survival thriller Weekend Deadaway, starring Shoshanna Withers and Nickie Kruszynski. A PG-13 cut of writer/director Clinton J. Phillips' horror movie premiered on Friday the 13th of September 2024.
THE PLOT: "A couple of city hipsters feel like they are just working their lives away and have forgotten how to enjoy life. After some consideration, a tight group of friends decides to go to a rental cabin in the countryside for a weekend away. Little did they know that life as they knew it was forever to be changed. While on their weekend getaway, they can enjoy many property amenities, including off-roading, fishing, nature trails, star gazing, and simply enjoying the peacefulness of the countryside. Shortly after arrival, they realize things are pretty different than expected, which will forever change their lives."
Here are five reasons why you should watch Weekend Deadaway:
5) The Cast!
The ensemble cast does a great job of standing out with their different personalities. Viewers can distinguish them by their relatability. Addison (Shoshanna Withers) is easygoing and funny, while Lux (Emily Sue Bengtson) is all bubbly, and Ryder (Nickie Kruszynski) is more serious-minded. There is a fantastic scene - with all the female protagonists on a hiking trail - that allows the characters to just vibe and the cast to show off their chemistry.
4) The Camerawork!
The cinematography by Gabriel Jung makes excellent use of its forest setting while paying tribute to past horror flicks. When Addison (Withers) stands near the lake during the moody night, she turns her head, the static shot recreates a moment from Psycho. Kudos to Jung for lighting the night scenes in a way that audiences can actually see what's going on in the dark. Seriously, you don't get a lot of well-lit scenes these days, especially with indie darlings.
3) The Suspense!
I am not a fan of PG-13 horror movies, like The Fog remake and Tarot. Bunch of cheap knockoffs I tell ya! Thankfully, there's an exception here. Writer/director Clinton J. Phillips avoids shaky-cam and aims for suspense as the body count starts. Luckily, when the kill scenes cut to black, I don't feel ripped off but more interested in how the whole sequence came out. Dollars to doughnuts, I'm betting the upcoming R-rated cut highlights the gore effects.
2) The Standouts!
By the end of the movie, I was impressed with how Withers stood out as Addison, especially with her humor and natural charisma. I dug Kruszynski's engaging performance and hope to see her in another movie. Give them their flowers!
1) A Fun Flick!
Weekend Deadaway offers fun thrills and slasher suspense across the wilderness. I'm looking forward to the R-rated cut when it premieres Halloween 2024.
THE PLOT: "A couple of city hipsters feel like they are just working their lives away and have forgotten how to enjoy life. After some consideration, a tight group of friends decides to go to a rental cabin in the countryside for a weekend away. Little did they know that life as they knew it was forever to be changed. While on their weekend getaway, they can enjoy many property amenities, including off-roading, fishing, nature trails, star gazing, and simply enjoying the peacefulness of the countryside. Shortly after arrival, they realize things are pretty different than expected, which will forever change their lives."
Here are five reasons why you should watch Weekend Deadaway:
5) The Cast!
The ensemble cast does a great job of standing out with their different personalities. Viewers can distinguish them by their relatability. Addison (Shoshanna Withers) is easygoing and funny, while Lux (Emily Sue Bengtson) is all bubbly, and Ryder (Nickie Kruszynski) is more serious-minded. There is a fantastic scene - with all the female protagonists on a hiking trail - that allows the characters to just vibe and the cast to show off their chemistry.
4) The Camerawork!
The cinematography by Gabriel Jung makes excellent use of its forest setting while paying tribute to past horror flicks. When Addison (Withers) stands near the lake during the moody night, she turns her head, the static shot recreates a moment from Psycho. Kudos to Jung for lighting the night scenes in a way that audiences can actually see what's going on in the dark. Seriously, you don't get a lot of well-lit scenes these days, especially with indie darlings.
3) The Suspense!
I am not a fan of PG-13 horror movies, like The Fog remake and Tarot. Bunch of cheap knockoffs I tell ya! Thankfully, there's an exception here. Writer/director Clinton J. Phillips avoids shaky-cam and aims for suspense as the body count starts. Luckily, when the kill scenes cut to black, I don't feel ripped off but more interested in how the whole sequence came out. Dollars to doughnuts, I'm betting the upcoming R-rated cut highlights the gore effects.
2) The Standouts!
By the end of the movie, I was impressed with how Withers stood out as Addison, especially with her humor and natural charisma. I dug Kruszynski's engaging performance and hope to see her in another movie. Give them their flowers!
1) A Fun Flick!
Weekend Deadaway offers fun thrills and slasher suspense across the wilderness. I'm looking forward to the R-rated cut when it premieres Halloween 2024.
Proud of this crew and team. Strong characters and an interesting storyline. By up and coming director/writer Adam Ninyo.