Livin’ the Dream (3/4)

Written By: Spurlock Sisters! Kim & Mai

Actors: Laura Campbell, Meng Ai, Geri-Nikole Love, Shannon Beeby, Erin Fritch, Samuel Douglas Clark, Annie Unold, Priya Anita, Laura Barbiea, Nick Ordway, Marianne Tatum, Katie Morrison, Olivia Costello, Todd Cerveris, Remy Germinario

Producers: Stavroula Toska, Byron Beane, Vassilea Terzaki, Erik Urtz

The Spurlock sisters have come up with an excellent 8 episode web-series highlighting the ups and downs of Indie film writing, directing, casting, and the type of tasks to achieve in order to make a film happen.  The genre is comedy.  The first few episodes easily do an amazing job with character exposition and setting up a climax to keep you wanting more.  Kit gets an award in Film school.  She is not exactly viewed as a confident hot-shot. Kit is nerdy, quirky, intelligent, and oh-so pretty at 35 years old.  This web series shows the triumphs, emotions, trial-and-error part of striving to be an Indie film director/writer. It highlights the entrepreneur, always-working side of the business.  It’s a reminder that there’s going to be barriers. There’s going to be people who are hard to work with.  There’s going to be stressful days.  I think this can be inspirational for any career path and entrepreneur to keep believing in yourself, your passion, and your purpose.  The genuine always win.  Do they? See this web series!

I recommend this web-series to anyone, whether it be a writer, performer, or someone not in the Entertainment industry. You never know what opportunity is around the corner…

Note: These ratings and review are personal opinion of the author.

Tangerine (4/4)

Writer and Director: Sean Baker

Co-writer: Chris Bergoch

Starring: Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Mya Taylor, James Ransone, Karren Karagulian, and Mickey O’Hagan

Tangerine: Too much going on in a broken world, is there any potential for a positive outcome?  Betrayal. Friendship.  Drug use. Disloyalty. Hustling to get money. Living a double life.  These are some of the adrenaline thrills and behavior we see from the lead characters in feature film, Tangerine.  I was on the edge of my seat from the beginning to the end; Sean Baker created a storyline that made me really care for the characters and fall in love with lead Sin-Dee, who is played by Kitana Kiki Rodriguez.

What defines betrayal? Is it conditional on the relationship? Does it depend on if you’re a coworker, best friend, or lover? This storyline intertwines two worlds, between a taxi driver and prostitutes in Los Angeles, there is plenty of action, pun intended.

This film is a raw and exposed look at getting into trouble in a big city.  Everything will come to surface eventually, whether it’s a mother in law catching her son-in-law cheating, or Sin-Dee’s best friend finding out she lied. This film shows who’s really there for you, and how to steer on the air of caution.  Tangerine defies predictability.

There were sweet moments brief care and love. Was it illusional? Was everything and everyone delusional? I noted a lot of symbolism and metaphors with the films embodiment of twists and turns-that which life can bring. The writer/director, Sean Baker, created this film with an exceptionally artistic eye.

It's a MUST WATCH!

Note: These ratings and review are personal opinion of the author.

RUNOFF (3/4)

Written and directed by Kimberly Levin

Starring: Joanne Kelly, Neal Huff, Alex Shaffer, Kivlighan de Montebello, Tom Bower & Darlene Hunt

Runoff, an Independent Feature was screened for New Yorkers to view at the chic Crosby Street hotel in SoHo on June 21st. While reading the description of the film beforehand, I was eager to see a film about farm life, which is polar opposite from a life we are used to in New York.  The film exceeded my expectations with a depiction of a life utterly opposite from city life.  Relationship wise. Lifestyle wise. Economic wise.  Now, we live in a society where—for the most part—there are infinite possibilities. Infinite ways to go about a goal or issue.  This family did not have such widespread choices.  The family in Runoff is threatened to leave their land, in financial struggle, a health issue, and much anxiety that surfaces and flows like that of a river. The problem at hand can leave for a bit, but it will just come right around as the stream cycles.

The debutant director Kimberly Levin, who's also the writer of the film, has created a complex story with even more complex characters. In this world nothing is black and white, and no one is good and evil. The story and the characters are all in that gray zone, just doing their best to survive. It does get overly complicated and close to confusing at points, but the story does bind together to deliver a powerful punch with a thoughtful story.

With beautiful cinematography, color, nature, and plenty of wide shots showing farm life, this film created an awe. A  sympathy for the family, even though I as the viewer do not live on a farm.  Betty, is the mother who holds everything together like glue, for as long as she can.  I think her character can be a metaphor for all of us and our actions in day-to-day life.  Some things require a sense of urgency.  Sometimes the issue at hand completely has to do with money, and sometimes, we as humans don’t realize how our actions can affect more than just our family. Those are some of the beautiful and insightful feelings I was left with as the film was coming to a close.  When I make a decision, is it only best for me? For my best friends?  Am I being selfless or selfish? How can I help the community? I think this colorful film highlights family troubles, decision making, with nuclear family dynamics still highlighted, and a farm lifestyle that may soon become extinct, this film is an eye opener to remember that we are all being affected by the same stream.

The film is filled with beautiful performances by entire cast including lead actors Joanne Kelly and Neal Huff. Joanne's performance has lots of shades and she play in beautifully. Neal Huff shows the charisma of a charming and loving husband and father, girth and pain of a hard working farmer and man struggling hard to support his family. The supporting cast is amazing and beautiful performances by children make it even more flavorful.

Runoff will open Theatrically on June 26th, by Monterey Media.  It will also be available on On Demand, iTunes, Amazon Prime, Xbox, and more.

(with addition inputs from Art Shrian)

Note: These ratings and review are personal opinion of the author(s).