Sundance 2023 DISPATCH: Short Films
by Gary M. Kramer
Short films often depict a moment of crisis, a slice of life, or serve as calling cards for a larger feature.
SUNDANCE 2023 Dispatch
by Gary M. Kramer
Six films that had their world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival this year took viewers on journeys both intimate and universal.
Sundance 2023: Gary's Flick Picks
by Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer
What I enjoy most about attending the Sundance film festival is seeing films that are seeking distribution, because one can make the most exciting discoveries.
PLANE is an efficient, action-packed thrill ride
by Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer
With Plane, cynics might think that Butler is making yet another third-tier movie to keep his flailing film career aloft. But don’t discount this exciting thriller…
THE CELLULOID BORDELLO traces the history of sex work on screen
by Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer
Movies have long portrayed sex workers as characters who range from “disposable” victims to “hookers with hearts of gold.” But what messages are films like Pretty Baby (1978) and Pretty Woman (1990) providing viewers about “the oldest profession?
AMIGO is an expressive isolation thriller
by Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer
Amigo is a captivating film about a man who may be holding his friend captive.
DASH is a single take movie without tension
by Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer
Dash is writer/director (and producer, editor, cinematographer, and actor) Sean Perry’s contrived single-take film—shot entirely from the dashboard—of a ride share car
Interview: Gabriel Leone of RIVER OF DESIRE
by Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer
Leone makes a strong impression in the romantic drama, River of Desire, debuting at the Tallinn Film Festival this week.
Interview: Philippe Le Guay, director of tense film THE MAN IN THE BASEMENT
by Gary M. Kramer
Director/cowriter Philippe Le Guay keeps The Man in the Basement tense and engaging. Le Guay spoke with MovieJawn about his nifty and timely film.
Interview: Sam Benjamin, star and co-writer of charming crime caper THE PAY DAY
by Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer
The Pay Day is a charming, low-key, comic crime thriller co-written by and co-starring Sam Benjamin. The actor, who made a strong impression in I am Vengeance: Retaliation.
PFF2022: Live Action Shorts Program 1 was a mix of film types and quality
by Gary M. Kramer
Live Action Shorts Program 1, screening at the Philadelphia Film Festival, is a mix of narrative and documentary shorts, and a mixed bag.
PFF2022: NOTHING LASTS FOREVER takes a closer look at the diamond industry
by Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer
Despite the price put on natural diamonds, synthetics and “mixes” have been penetrating the market, which could make that precious diamond, well, not so precious.
PFF2022: ALL THAT BREATHES is a gentle, heartwarming documentary
by Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer
The gentle, observational documentary All That Breathes immerses viewers in Delhi, India, where two brothers, Nadeem and Saud, care for Black Kites—small birds that act like vultures—in their basement.
PFF2022: TAURUS is a hypnotic character study
by Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer
A very early scene in Taurus features an upside-down shot that rotates. It is a visual metaphor for Cole, a rapper whose life feels upside-down to him.
ARGENTINA, 1985 shows a country putting itself on trial
by Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer
Argentina, 1985, which has been selected to represent the country in the Best International Film category at the Academy Awards, is a galvanizing courtroom drama that depicts the most important trial in the country’s history.
AMERICAN MURDERER lacks charm as a con thriller
by Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer
The pleasure of a seeing a film about a conman is watching others fall for his obvious lies.
12 Highly Anticipated Films Showing at this Year’s Philadelphia Film Festival
by Ryan Silberstein, Gary M. Kramer, and A. Freedman
Today officially kicks off the 31st Philadelphia Film Festival! We at MovieJawn couldn’t be more excited to once again attend our home town fest.
DANGEROUS GAME: THE LEGACY MURDERS will make you wish for a game over
by Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer
Want to play a game? The family in Dangerous Game: The Legacy Murders is forced into playing an immersive murder mystery where there can only be one winner.
The vistas of SUMMIT FEVER are plagued by cliches
by Gary M. Kramer
Mountaineering films, including the documentaries, guarantee spectacular scenery and breathtaking moments—especially as the characters reach higher and higher altitudes.
DON'T LOOK AT THE DEMON is bolstered by its performances
by Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer
Don’t Look at the Demon may have a low budget feel to it, but the special effects are well rendered, and the film is effective as it builds to its noisy, busy conclusion.