Pieces of a Woman (2020)

Released  December 30th in the US.

Filmed in Canada and Norway.

The story: Young couple Martha and Sean are expecting their first child and they want everything to be perfect.

Martha is going to give birth at home and when she goes into labor, Sean calls for her midwife.

But she isn't available and sends another that she knows and trusts,

At first, Martha isn't happy about this but she trusts that her midwife knows what she is doing.

It's a rough, painful labor and just when the midwife thinks Martha may have to go to the hospital in a hurry, she delivers the baby.

The midwife is relieved after getting through such a close call but when she steps aside to get a breath she happens to see the newborn in a nearby mirror in distress...

Stars Vanessa Kirby, Shia LeBeouf, Ellen Burstyn, Iliza Shlesinger, Benny Safdie, Molly Parker, Tyrone Benskin, Frank Schorpion , Sarah Snook, Juliette Casagrande, Gayle Garfinkle

Directed by Kornel Mundruczo

Rated R
DRAMA

The Vanished AKA Hour of Lead (2020)

Released August 21st in the US.

Filmed entirely in Alabama.

The story: Paul and Wendy are taking their 10-year-old daughter Taylor camping this year for Thanksgiving.

Everyone is super excited and Taylor has her heart set on going fishing as soon as they arrive.

After parking, Paul gathers the fishing gear while Wendy goes to the office to pay for their stay.

While waiting for Taylor to come out of the camper, Paul and Wendy find Taylor's dog Lucky wandering around.

When Wendy goes inside the camper to reprimand Taylor about Lucky wandering freely, she finds Taylor is not in there.

Paul and Wendy begin panicking and soon the local police are on the scene.

The police promise they will do the best they can to find young Taylor.

Now waiting and hoping that their daughter is soon found safe and sound, Paul and Wendy stay in the campground while they slowly fall apart.

Stars Thomas Jane, Anne Heche, Kk Heim, Sadie Heim, Mitchell L Johnson, Alex Haydon, Kristopher Wente, Peter Facinelli, Curtis Nichouls , Aleksei Archer, Jason Patrick, John D Hickman

Directed by (& story written ) Peter Facinelli

Rated R
MYSTERY/THRILLER

Macho : The Hector Camacho Story (2020)

Made for Showtime, airing December 4th in the US.

The story: Hector Camacho didn't have an easy life.

The only son to a young, eventually single mother, living in Spanish Harlem, Hector had massive amounts of energy that got him into trouble at every turn.

But when his mother finally suggested that he take his energy to the local gym, things took off.

Soon Hector was boxing. 

A dedicated and hard-working athlete, Hector rose to the top of the boxing world, known for his fast moves and flamboyant style, he became a hero in his hometown.

Drugs were always something he struggled with but time and time again, he overcame his addiction, reinventing himself the best he could.

But he was always seen falling back.

After some time out of the ring due to his last few lost matches, some boxing motivated peers saw to his retraining for a comeback, although Hector went along he eventually vowed out.

Instead of a boxing comeback, Hector went on to live a fast laned lifestyle that ended with his death.

Stars Eric Drath , Steve Farhood , Hector Camacho Jr , Maria Camacho , Rachel Camacho , Amy Torres Camacho , Teddy Atlas , Julio Cesar Chavez , Ron Futrell , Billy Giles , Edwin Gonzales , Randy Gordon , Sugar Ray Leonard , Rafael Lenin Lopez , Henry Neumann , Estrella Maria Oliveras , Tim Ryan , Miguel Angel 'Pasteles' Santiago Fiol , Francis Skelley , Robert Lee Velez 

Directed by Eric Drath

Rated TV14

BIOGRAPHY/DOCUMENTARY/HISTORY

"Money doesn't make you happy, it only buys you time and when a demon lives inside you, it doesn't leave."

Cornered : A Life Caught in the Ring AKA Assault in the Ring (2008)

Released in April of 2008 in the US.

Filmed in New York, Florida, and Virginia.

The story: At Madison Square Garden, on the night of June 16, 1983, two young, tough, and promising young boxers -  Puerto Rican Luis Resto and Irish American Billy Collins Jr fought the match of their lives.

When the match was finally called and Resto was announced the winner, by chance things became complicated.

A member from the Collins team shook hands with the gloved Resto, realizing something no one seen coming.

A crime apparently had been committed.

Next, a hearing ensued.

The claim was that the fight was rigged, due to the filling being removed from Resto's gloves...

18 days after his victory, Resto's boxing career was over.

But the controversy surrounding that evening had just begun...

Stars Eric Drath, Luis Resto, Steve Farhood, Carlos "Panama" Lewis, Randy Gordon, Rudy Kalis, Bob Arum, Mark Young, Steve Cross, Ron Scott Stevens, Thomas Moore, Tony Perez, Charles Pama, Jack Prenderville, Andrea Collins Morse, Andrew Holtzman, Robert Beecher, John Bicks, Mickey Joseph, Joe DeGuardia, Marta Resto, Luis Resto Jr, Brian Resto, Maria Patia, Mario Costa, Zab Judah

Directed by Eric Drath

Not Rated

DOCUMENTARY/HISTORY/BIOGRAPHY

Laggies (2014)

Released October 24th in the US.

Filmed in Washington.

The story: Ever since graduating from high school ten 10 years ago, Megan hasn't done much with her life except finish college.

Her studies ended up being something she realized she really didn't have the knack for and decided to just drop that career opportunity altogether.

These days Megan believes she isn't even on the same page as all her pals from school and it's all just too depressing.

While at one of her friend's weddings, Megan sees something that makes her current situation even worse.

She decides to take off and when she does she meets a group of young kids, who Megan is invited to hang out with.

Shortly after returning home though, Megan realizes things aren't getting any better.

She once again escapes from her reality, this time spending some time at her new teenage girlfriends' house.

Stars Keira Knightley, Jeff Garlin, Jodi Thelen, Ellie Kemper, Sara Coates, Kirsten de Lohr Helland, Mark Webber, Eric Reidmann, Chloe Grace Moretz, Kaitlyn Dever, Sam Rockwell, Louis Hobson, Daniel Zovatto

Directed by Lynn Shelton

Rated R
COMEDY/DRAMA

Obvious Child (2014)

Released June 6th in the US.

Filmed entirely in New York.

The story: Donna is a 20-something stand-up comedian who works at a bookstore and isn't very mature.

One night after a show Donna learns her current sometimes boyfriend is dumping her for one of her friends.

Donna just cannot take this rejection and spends the next few days feeling sorry for herself.

On the night of her next gig Donna, by chance, meets nice guy Max, who is really into her. although she doesn't take that very seriously.

The two spend the night together and the next day Donna takes off without warning.

A few weeks later though, Donna finds out she's pregnant. 

Now she's really in a dilemma.

Stars Jenny Slate, Paul Briganti, Gaby Hoffman, Jake Lacy, Stephen Singer, Richard Kind, Polly Draper, Gabe Liedman, Cindy Cheung, Ernest Mingione, David Cross, Jennifer Kim, Suzanne Lens

Directed by Gillian Robespierre

Rated R
COMEDY/DRAMA

Ready Or Not (2019)

Released August 21st in the US.

Filmed in Canada.

The story: Today is Grace's wedding day.

She is marrying into a very wealthy family and she could not be happier about finally having a family of her own.

Just before the wedding Grace talks to her soon-to-be husband.

He vaguely explains that if she wants to bail out it will be okay, he won't hold that against her.

But Grace says she would not have it any other way.

Shortly after the wedding, Grace is told that because she is a new member of the family, she must play a game, along with the rest of the family.

Little does she realize though, it is a game of life or death.

Stars Samara Weaving, Mark OBrien, Adam Brody, Andie MacDowell, Henry Czerny, Melanie Scrofano, Kristian Bruun, Elyse Levesque, Nicky Guadagni, Liam MacDonald, Ethan Tavares

Directed by Matt Bettinelli Olpin & Tyler Gillett

Rated R
MYSTERY/THRILLER/HORROR

It Comes At Night (2017)

Released June 9th in the US.

Filmed entirely in New York.

The story: While something unseen is taking over the world outside, Paul, Sara, and Travis are as safe as they can be inside their boarded-up, secluded home.

Sara's dad recently past so they have to be very careful not to take any risks and lose another member of their small family.

Just when they believe they are safe from harm once again, someone tries breaking into their home.

Paul cannot be sure that the man behind the door is telling him the truth about his wife and child, so he takes some time.

After believing he can trust the man, Paul takes him to get his wife and young son to bring back to his home.

But after a while, paranoia kicks in making everything unclear.

Stars Joel Edgerton, Carmen Ejogo, Kelvin Harrison Jr, David Pendleton, Christopher Abbott, Chase Joliet, Mick O Rourke, Riley Keough, Griffin Robert Faulkner

Directed by (& story written) Trey Edwards Shults

Rated R
MYSTERY/THRILLER

Green Room (2015)

Released  May 13, 2016, in the US.

Filmed in Oregon.

The story: Tiger, Pat, Sam, and Reece are all members of an unsigned heavy metal band.
They do what it takes to get gigs.

When they get an invite from a guy asking for an interview and show for the radio, they jump at the chance.
While doing their interview though they find out they won't be on the radio and their scheduled gig won't be paying much either.

Pissed now because they traveled so far, the guy who invited them offers to call his brother who can get them a better gig someplace else.

With nothing left to lose, the group decides to go on to the next venue.

Everything seems okay at first, but after the show, they try to leave but find themselves witness to something they never wished they knew about.

Stars Anton Yelchin, Alia Shawkat, Callum Turner, Joe Cole, David Thompson, Mark Webber, Macon Blair, Eric Edelstein, Michael Draper, Imogen Poots, Taylor Tunes, Patrick Stewart

Directed by (& story written) Jeremy Saulnier

Rated R
MYSTERY/THRILLER

The Truth AKA La verite (2019)

Released July 3, 2020, in the US.

Filmed entirely in France.

The story: Fabienne is an aging actress who has just released an autobiography.

Her only daughter, scriptwriter Lumir has come from New York with her actor husband and their young daughter to celebrate the books' release.

Lumir has not read the book as she requested before it got published and when she does read it, she believes that her mother has deliberately hidden the truth about their relationship out of guilt.

Although guilt was not exactly Fabienne's motivation.

Stars Catherine Deneuve , Laurent Capelluto , Alian Libolt , Christian Crahay , Juliette Binoche , Ethan Hawke , Clementine Grenier , Manon Clavel , Ludivine Sagnier , Roger Van Hool , Maya Sansa

Directed by Hirokazu Koreeda

Rated PG
French w/English subtitles

DRAMA

Hail Satan? (2019)

Released April 17th in the US.

Filmed in Arkansas, Massachusetts, Arizona, California, England, Illinois, Sweden, New York, Missouri, Florida, and Michigan.
The story: The Satanic Temple represents a right that the people have...

Controversial as it is, the point is to prove that not everyone believes in the same rights and wrongs and should be allowed freedom of religion.
Christian is not everyone's cup of tea so to speak.

Satan worshippers have always been misunderstood and continue to be, or at least not agreed with, no matter what their argument is.

Still,  Satanists stand tall that what they believe in is a religion equal to Christianity and should be respected as any other human right.

Stars Lucien Greaves, Mason Hargett, Jex Blackmore, Chalice Blythe, Nicholas Crowe, Sal De Ciccio, Stu De Haan, Courtney Francisco, Aurora Griffin, Shiva Honey, Malcolm Jarry,  Lynita Killen, Kym LaRoux, Lanzifer Longinus, Jack Matirko, William Morrison, Erielle Reshef, Michelle Shortt

Directed by Penny Lane

Rated R
DOCUMENTARY/HISTORY

The Red Balloon AKA Le ballon rouge (1956)

Released March 11, 1957, in the US.

Filmed in France.

The story: Pascal is the young owner of a red balloon.

The balloon goes everywhere with Pascal and is his best friend.

Pascal's balloon is very loyal to him, obeying most every command.

But there is one danger to balloon, a group of bullies in the neighborhood.

Stars Pascal Lamorisse , Georges Sellier , Vladimir Popov , Paul Perey , Renee Marion , Sabine Lamorisse , Michel Pezin

Directed by (& story written) Albert Lamorisse

Not Rated 

French w/English subtitles

COMEDY/FANTASY

White Boy (2017)

Released May 29, 2018, in the US.

The story: 1988 Detroit, Michigan, Richard Wershe jr AKA White Boy Rick, was arrested and sentenced to life in prison for drug dealing.

He was 17 years old.

The drug laws in Detroit had been stepped up, to keep the dealers from dealing.

But with all the money in drug trafficking, repercussions for the crime were not of main concern.

Richard was not guilty of anything other than drug dealing yet his sentence was to the full extreme.

In 2015, Richard had spent 28 years of his life in prison.

Many people believed that a life sentence for a juvenile offender was the wrong sentence.

But important people in Detroit were ultimately responsible for keeping him in jail.

Stars Richard Wershe Jr, Seth Ferranti, Scott M Burnstein, Herm Groman, Johnny Currie, Kevin Dietz, Chris Hansen 

Directed by Shawn Rech

Rated TV14

DOCUMENTARY/HISTORY

David Crosby : Remember My Name (2019)

Released July 19th in the US.

The story: David Crosby has been at the forefront of music for over 5 decades.

He has battled loss, addiction, health issues, and has many regrets.

But the one thing David wishes he had more of, is time...

At an early age, David was introduced to music by his mother and his brother.

By the late 70s, he found himself a major player in the rock group The Byrds.

But being very involved in politics and wanting a change in the world, David was kicked out of the band.

On his own now for a brief time and finding himself,  soon he was in another band -which became Crosby Stills and Nash.

The band's second gig was Woodstock, after which they found themselves on a popular world tour putting them on the map for good.

David has had many loves and experiences and not always good experiences.

He has stood the tests of time, seeing the good and bad and overcoming much of it.

Today David just wants to live happily and be with the ones he truly loves as much as humanly possible.

Stars David Crosby, Henry Diltz, Cameron Crowe, Stephen Barncard, Jackson Browne, Jan Crosby, Graham Nash, Enrico Merlin, Chris Hillman, Roger McGuinn  

Directed by A J Eaton

Rated R
DOCUMENTARY/BIOGRAPHY/HISTORY

"Time is the final currency."

Antonio Lopez 1970 : Sex Fashion and Disco (2017)

Released September 14, 2018, in the US.

The story: In the early 70s everything was new.

In fashion, there is always something new.

Fashion has always been inspiring artists and none the less when it came to fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez.

Art school drop out , Antonio decided to learn about fashion first hand , out and about among the young fashionistas of the time.

It didn't hurt a bit that he had quite the knack for it as well.

A friend to many, everyone who ever knew Antonio loved him and the appealing charm he always brought to the table

Antonio helped along many a fashion models' career as well as drawing some of the most beautiful, colorful, original fashion illustrations known around the fashion world.

Stars Bill Cunningham, Joan Juliet Buck, Michael Chow, Pat Cleveland, Grace Coddington, Jane Forth, Donna Jordan, Patti D Arbanville, Jessica Lange, Paul Caranicas, Bob Colacello 

Directed by (& story written) James Crump

Not Rated

DOCUMENTARY/BIOGRAPHY/HISTORY

The Wolf Hour (2019)

Released December 6th in the US.

Filmed entirely in New York.

The story: June is a writer who has more recently become a recluse.

Living alone she has a hard time getting anything done, due to her fear of the outside world.
She really needs to get some writing done or she will be broke but that is quite the task as well.

The only thing that really changes for June during the course of her days is someone has been ringing her buzzer, apparently trying to mess with her....and it's working.

Stars Naomi Watts, Kelvin Harrison Jr, Jennifer Ehle, Jeremy Bobb, Brennan Brown, Emory Cohen, Ohene Cornelius, Robert Testut, Richard Bird, Sean Pilz, Martiza Veer

Directed by Alistair Banks Griffin

Rated R

DRAMA/MYSTERY

Not Carol (2019)

Released May 20th in the US.

Filming location(s) unknown.

The story: On the day of May 20 in 2014, Carol, a married mother of three young girls called her mothers cell in a panic numerous times.

She left many voice mails in an attempt to explain her panic.

When her mother finally arrived after her work shift she could not believe what she found inside her daughter's home.

Inside the house were the three lifeless bodies of her granddaughters, with Carol sitting, staring blankly beside them on the bed.

How could this happen and furthermore, what happened?

Directed by Eamon Harrington and John Watkin

Rated TV14

DOCUMENTARY/HISTORY

Rumble : The Indians Who Rocked the World (2017)

Made for PBS' Independent Lens, airing July 26th in the US.

Filmed in New Orleans and Canada.

The story: In 1890, it was considered rebellious and illegal to play Native American music.

But there was a motive for that madness.

After many hundreds of Native American's were slaughtered at Wounded Knee, it became mainstream for their music to be banned.

By 1907, the US Government commissioned ethnologists to record Native musicians across America because the Government was convinced that the Native culture and music would not survive...

But survive it has.

A lot of the music we hear to this day takes flight out of Native American music.

It has truly stood the tests of time among and through its own, culturally hearted people as well as the lovers of all it represents.

Music artists alike have that Native blood flowing through their veins and will never forget.

Native American music is human. 

It is American, and it is alive.

Some of the famous Native American singers, songwriter, and musicians talked about as big influences in this tribute are Link Wray, Charley Patton, Howlin Wolf, Mildred Bailey, Peter LaFarge, Buffy Sainte Marie, Jimi Hendrix, Jesse Ed Davis, John Trudell, Redbone, Black Eyed Peas and Randy Castillo.

Stars Rebecca Lessard, George Clinton, Robbie Robertson, Derek C Miller, Gary Giddens, Martin Scorsese, Steven Van Zandt, Joy Harjo, Stevie Salas, David Fricke, Wayne Kramer, Taylor Hawkins, Beth Wray, Sherry Wray, Ron Weiburn PHD, Billy Hancock, Taj Mahal, Slash , Iggy Pop, Antonnio D Ambrosio, Greg Laxton, Marky Ramone, Dan Auerbach, Jennifer Kreisberg, Pura Fe, Ulali , John Troutman, John Trudell, Guy Davis, John Sinclair, Monk Boudreaux, Cyril Neville, Erich Jarvis, Ivan Neville, Joesph Hills, Rhiannon Giddens, Derek Trucko, Alvan Youngblood Hart, Malinda Maynor Lowery PHD, Carey Harris PHD, Scott Barretta, Qincy Jones, Bill Lester, Charlie Sexton, Buddy Guy, Julia Rinkler Miller, Chad S Hamill PHD, Tony Bennett, Garrin Hertel, Buffy Sainte Marie, Gary Farmer, Bill Miller, Adam Beach, Janie Hendrix, Robert Trujullio, Billy Cox, John Selk, Bits of Bluegrass, Steven Tyler, Elliott Easton, Rickey Medlocke, Jim Keltner , Jackson Browne , Bob Glaub , Kelly Davis , Pat Vegas , Taboo , Apl.de.ap , Matt Sorum , Phil Soussan

Directed by Catherine Bainbridge 

Not Rated

DOCUMENTARY/HISTORY/MUSIC

"Pay, the respect - that is due."

Critical Condition (1987)

Released January 16th in the US.

Filmed in New York, North Carolina, and California.

The story:  Kevin Lennihan is a realtor who wants to open a multiplex.

When he tries getting the money for his project from a loan shark, everyone gets busted, including Kevin.

He doesn't want to go to prison so he does his best at claiming insanity.

While in the hospital being evaluated, Kevin finds himself playing the role of emergency ward doctor and getting away with it.

Stars Richard Pryor, Joe Mantegna, Ruben Blades, Bob Dishy, Rachel Ticotin, Joe Dallesandro, Sylvia Miles, Randall "Tex" Cobb, Bob Saget, Joseph Ragno, Jon Polito, Garrett Morris, Brian Tarratina

Directed by Michael Apted
Rated R
COMEDY

The Sacrament ; Eli Roth Presents (2013)

May 4, 2014, in the US.

Filmed entirely in Georgia.

The story: Patrick is a photographic journalist working for Vice TV.

He happens to tell Sam at Vice about his sister, who is a recovering addict and living in a religious community off the grid.

Patrick is worried about his sister and gets the okay from the community she is living in to visit.

Sam believes there is a great story here and wants to go along with Patrick, bringing a camera guy and a sound guy.

When they arrive they are greeted unwelcomely by angry men with machine guns who want no filming done.

This freaks them all out a bit but soon Patricks' sister arrives to get them all through the gate safely.

The sister also tells Sam that she has got the okay from "Father" to do an interview with him.

That evening, at the start of a big celebration, Sam gets his interview with Father in front of all his follower.

Sam leaves the interview feeling mostly convinced that nothing is unusual or unhealthy about the people living there.

That is until later on that night when reality kicks in.

Stars AJ Bowen, Kentucker Audley, Joe Swanberg, Christian Ojore Mayfield, Tovin A Pristell, Amy Seimetz, Gene Jones, Kate Forbes, Conphidance, Derek Roberts, Shirley Jones Byrd, Shaun Clay

Directed by (& story written) Ti West

Rated R
MYSTERY/THRILLER/HORROR