DIFF 2011 Review: GOODBYE CRUEL WORLD

Rating: 4.5/5

Writers: Jack Zagha Kababie, Enrique Chmelnik
Director: Jack Zagha Kababie
Cast: Carlos Alberto Orozco, Monica Bejarano, Justo Martinez

Sometimes going into a movie not knowing what to expect can be the best way to do it. Even going in with a basic idea of the plot but no clue as to what the film will be like tonally can intensify your overall opinion about the film. That was certainly the case for the Mexican film GOODBYE CRUEL WORLD, a film about a man whose terrible outcomes turn into our comedic pleasures.

Angel (Carlos Alberto Orozco) can’t catch a break. It all starts when he loses his job, in this economic climate many business are suffering cutbacks and, according to his boss, they should blame the Chinese. As if things couldn’t get any worse, his personal life is also falling apart. He can’t even free his pet hamster to the wild, as when he does a cat comes and snatches it up. All he wants is to find a new career, and a place where he feels comfortable. Then, when he least expects it, he finds that place of belonging – after he accidentally mugs a man. He had inadvertently joined a small crime ring, one with a heart. While robbing a bus that they didn’t realize had already been robbed that day, they leave the money with a young boy on the bus whose school supplies had been stolen. Together they try to find their ticket to riches, and maybe have a good time while doing it. Continue reading “DIFF 2011 Review: GOODBYE CRUEL WORLD” →

DIFF 2011 Review: A KISS AND A PROMISE

Rating: 4/5

Writers: Mick Rossi and Phillip Guzman (screenplay)
Director: Phillip Guzman
Cast: Mick Rossi, Natasha Gregson Wagner, Sean Power

We all have parts of ourselves that we don’t care to share with the rest of the world, especially those close to us. What would happen if they didn’t understand, or if they found our darker side to be horrifying? The duality can oftentimes be too much to handle, and eventually the two worlds begin to blend together. This brings us to Phillip Guzman’s A KISS AND A PROMISE, where we explore the duality of a very sick individual.

The film follows the story of David Beck (Mick Rossi) who owns and operates a bed and breakfast in Ontario with his wife. Their luck is about to change, as they recently bought a vacancy sign for their business. This is likely to bring them plenty of new customers. But of course, as things start to fall in place, it causes problems for the family. See, David has a very dark secret. He is a serial killer, who finds solace in raping women and choking them to death with a belt. After he kills a young girl who ran away from home, two detectives take on the case and begin the search for the killer. Continue reading “DIFF 2011 Review: A KISS AND A PROMISE” →

DALLAS IFF 2010 Video Interview: Producer Adam Donaghey, Actor Matt Socia and Writer/Director Clay Liford (EARTHLING)

EARTHLING is a sci-fi film about a woman named Judith (Rebecca Spence) who begins to learn that life isn’t really what it has always seemed to be; and with the help of a young girl named Abby (Amelia Turner), she begins to learn some very shocking truths.

During the Dallas International Film Festival, I spoke with producer Adam Donaghey, star Matt Socia and writer/director/producer Clay Liford about the film. Socia talks a little about what it’s like having a day job and pursuing his dream of acting and Donaghey fills the shoes of LeVar Burton and tell us a little story about how important it is not to leave film footage in your car. Check out the interview after the break. Continue reading “DALLAS IFF 2010 Video Interview: Producer Adam Donaghey, Actor Matt Socia and Writer/Director Clay Liford (EARTHLING)” →

DALLAS IFF 2010 Video Interview: Actors Lou Taylor Pucci, Trevor Morgan, Jon Foster (BROTHERHOOD)

BROTHERHOOD is a film that swept not only my heart (as I pronounced in our SXSW Podcast), but also swept the Audience Award for a Narrative film at both SXSW and Dallas IFF. In the film, fraternity brothers must work together to get through one of the hardest and most trying events they’ve ever dealt with– a shot friend. But can they keep the brotherly love while trying to escape the consequences of their actions?

One of the biggest factors for BROTHERHOOD is its cast, who really take the film to the next level by providing astounding performances. Their chemistry in the film is only overshadowed by their real life chemistry, which was very apparent while I interviewed the three main stars Lou Taylor Pucci, Trevor Morgan and Jon Foster. As it turns out that all three of them happen to have been very close friends before shooting began. You can check out their chemistry yourself, after the break. Continue reading “DALLAS IFF 2010 Video Interview: Actors Lou Taylor Pucci, Trevor Morgan, Jon Foster (BROTHERHOOD)” →

DALLAS IFF 2010 Video Interview: Co-Writer/Director Will Canon and Co-Writer Doug Simon (BROTHERHOOD)

BROTHERHOOD is the first feature by co-writer/director Will Canon and co-writer Doug Simon. It’s the story of some fraternity brothers who, after an unfortunate accident during their final initiation, end up dealing with a shot brother. Instead of reporting it, taking the heat, and possibly losing their charter, they try to hide it at all costs. Who wants to get in trouble, right?

As I discussed in the SXSW episode of our Podcast, BROTHERHOOD was my favorite film out of the festival. Many SXSWers agreed, as the film won the Audience Award (Narrative). The film also screened at Dallas International Film Festival and won the Audience Award (Narrative) there, so we thought that would be the perfect opportunity to talk to the gents about the film. Check the interview after the break. Continue reading “DALLAS IFF 2010 Video Interview: Co-Writer/Director Will Canon and Co-Writer Doug Simon (BROTHERHOOD)” →

DIFF 2010 Video Interview: Writer/Director Ryan Piers Williams and Actor Wilmer Valderrama (THE DRY LAND)

THE DRY LAND is the first feature written and directed by native Texan Ryan Piers Williams. The film is the story of a soldier (Ryan O’Nan) returning to his wife (America Ferrera) and their home in El Paso, Texas. After a traumatic tour of duty, he is dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and having a hard time coping. A fellow Veteran, (Wilmer Valderrama) becomes an important part of the healing process and helps him through it, as they cope in very different ways.

The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, and is now one of the big films playing at the Dallas International Film Festival. Yesterday I sat down with Williams and Valderrama and we talked DRY LAND and topics surrounding the film. It’s very clear in the answer to my questions that they’re both very proud and passionate about this project (as they should be).

Check out the interview after the break. Continue reading “DIFF 2010 Video Interview: Writer/Director Ryan Piers Williams and Actor Wilmer Valderrama (THE DRY LAND)” →