Selected to run at the 2024 Raindance Film Festival, director Warren Fischer’s “The Serena Variations” is a very powerful and dynamic look at music and the artists pursuit of perfection. Even if the perfection is personal, director Fischer peeks in to how much an artist is willing to sacrifice, even if it’s their own soul. Although a lot of the film’s setting and aesthetics are meant mainly for symbolism, the special effects and sound design still allow for an uneasy and unnerving experience.
Category Archives: Movie Reviews
A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)
“A Quiet Place” has managed to balloon in to its own respectable horror/scifi series but through it all has remained an apocalyptic tale about people. Just when you thought you’d seen all apocalyptic scenarios, Krasinski and co have explored a reality where Earth is destroyed by super powerful monsters known as “Death Angels.” They hunt by sound and are merciless when pursuing victims. In spite of running the risk of tiring this premise, “Day One” finds a way to explore a new angle of this alien invasion. Here, director Michael Sarnoski likens the invasion of the “Death Angels” as a horrible catastrophe where in survival relies on isolation and alienation and not unity.
The Guyver (1991) [Limited Collector’s Edition Unearthed Films]
Now Available from Unearthed Films.
Following the death of a researcher, his daughter teams up with martial artist boyfriend and a CIA agent to find out what happened, discovering beasts and weirdness on the way.
Robbie Ain’t Right No More (2023) [Chattanooga Film Festival 2024]
Funsize Epics Vol. 2 Shorts Block
What is essentially another proof of concept short film, Kyle Perritt’s “Robbie Ain’t Right No More” is a mix of “Death Dream” and “Astronaut’s Wife.” It’s basically a horror movie but deep down it’s ripe with potential to deliver on themes about PTSD, the effects of serving in the military, and the way coming home from the war can change people. It can make them almost unrecognizable in many ways, allowing for an unusual situation.
Up on the Housetop (2024) [Chattanooga Film Festival 2024]
Funsize Epics Vol. 2 Shorts Block
Director/Writers Dakota Millett, and Michael Fischer’s horror comedy is a short begging to be made in to a feature film. It’s probably not a coincidence that “Up on the Housetop” feels a lot like a proof of concept short rather than actual short film. I honestly don’t begrudge them for that, because both creators have their fingers on the pulse of what they’re trying to accomplish and what they do accomplish in this short format.
How I Roll (2023) [Dances with Films 2024]
Brianne Berkson & Miguel Gluckster’s short documentary and biography is a charming little look at the life of Robin Cohen. Cohen spent most of her living with a sense of awareness, and once she gains MS and battles losing function of her legs, she learns how to really live her life. There’s not a ton of argument for Robin Cohen should have been spotlighted for a documentary, even a short one.
Off Ramp (2024) [Chattanooga Film Festival 2024]
Director Nathan Tape identifies as a Juggalo and has an obvious passion for the community that are identified as the Juggalos. The popular legion of fans that are easily one of the most misunderstood subcultures are given their due in Tape’s absolute bizarre love letter. “Off Ramp” is everything that Tape seems to love all tucked in to ninety minutes. There’s a fun road trip, and our heroes are two passionate juggalos that live their lives by the doctrines of their community but are never militant about re-enforcing their beliefs on others. I’ve also never seen so much Faygo in my life.