We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

Released December 11th in the US.

Filmed in Connecticut, New York, and Spain.

The story:  Once upon a time married couple Eva and Franklin were very happy.

After the birth of their first child Kevin though, their happy existence changed with time.

Caring for young Kevin is a complete task and every effort Eva makes seems useless to her.

Franklin doesn't see the struggle Eva has with Kevin because his relationship with him seems near perfect.

As Kevin gets older Eva sees glimpses of hope which keep her going.

But all that changes once Kevin does the unforgivable.

Stars Tilda Swinton, John C Reilly, Rock Duer, Jasper Newell, Ezra Miller, Ashley Gerasimovich, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Alex Mannette, Kenneth Franklin, Leslie Lyles, Paul Diomede 

Directed by Lynne Ramsay

Rated R
DRAMA/MYSTERY/THRILLER

A Town Called Panic AKA Panique au Village (2009)

Released December 16th in the US.

The story: In a village called Panic lives, among others a toy Horse, Indien, and Cowboy.

One day Indien and Cowboy overhear Horse on the telephone talking about his birthday.

Indien and Cowboy instantly begin to fret about a gift.

Cowboy wants to give Horse a cap but realizes he already has a bunch.

Indien thinks a BBQ would be the best gift and the two quickly plot to get Horse out of the house while they get to work on their plan.

When Horse has left the house, Indien goes on his computer to order bricks to build the BBQ.

Just when Indien is about ready to press the order key for the needed 50 bricks, the telephone rings.

While Indien is on the phone, Cowboy enters the room with cups of coffee, which he places on the table next to the computer, accidentally pressing a computer key and changing things.

Neither realizes this until its way too late and the result is a whole lot of chaos for everyone in Panic.

Stars (voices by) Stephane Aubier , Bruce Ellison , Jeanne Balibar , Veronique Dumont , Frederic Jannin , Francois De Brigode , Nicolas Buysse , Christelle Mahy , Eric Muller , Bouli Lanners

Directed by Stephane Aubier and Vincent Patar

Rated PG
French w/English subtitles

ANIMATION/COMEDY/ADVENTURE

"Tidy up your waffle."

Challenge of a Lifetime (1985)

Made for TV, airing February 14th in the US.

Filming location(s) unknown.

The story: Nora is a 35-year-old divorcee who keeps her distance from her husband and 16-year-old son.

She has been pretty stressed out lately and feels as if she could use some help.

After Nora is admitted into a hospital she tries staying there, claiming she isn't right in the head.

But she is let out with well wishes.

One day after arriving home from her temp job she finds her son waiting for her.

Nora's confused because he is supposed to be away at computer camp.

Her son claims he was bored and wanted to visit her instead.

After spending some time together Nora mentions how a woman she went to school with and competed against in sports is advertising the up-and-coming IronmanTriathlon.

Nora misses those days and would like to get back into competing.

That's when her son has the idea to help her train so she can compete in the Triathalon.

Stars Penny Marshall, Richard Gilliand, Paul Gleason, Jonathan Silverman,  Mary Woronov, Cathy Rigby, Bart Conner, Nancy Hogshead-Makar, James Bergeson

Directed by Russ Mayberry

Rated TVPG
DRAMA

Zero Motivation AKA Efes beyahasei enosh (2014)

Released December 3rd in the US.

Filmed completely in Israel.

The story: Zohar and Daffi are friends working in the Human Resources Office while living on an Israeli military base in the desert.

Neither of them likes living or working there but its where they are currently stationed for duty.

Rebellious Zohar passes her time by playing computer games while eager-to-please Daffi cannot stop thinking about being transferred to a better place in Tel Aviv.

When Daffi believes she will finally be transferred Zohar desperately tries talking her out of going without effect.

But Daffi doesn't get transferred and begins breaking down.

No matter how much Zohar tries talking Daffi into staying she cannot bring herself to give up her dream of Tel Aviv and decides to better herself to help her chances.

The result is Daffi becoming Zohar's commanding officer.

Now Daffi is forced to be in control of the women in the Human Resources Office but she gets even less respect than their commanding officer before her.

This really tests their friendship.

Stars Dana Igvy , Nelly Tagar, Shani Klein, Meytal Gal, Dana Meinrath, Heli Twito, Tamara Klingon, Yonit Tobi, Yuval Segal, Elad Smama, Moshe Ashkenazi, Lior Weinberg, Adi Havshush

Directed by (& story written) Talya Lavie

Hebrew w/English subtitles

Not Rated

COMEDY/DRAMA

Jexi (2019)

Released October 11th in the US.

Filmed in California.

The story: Awkward Phil has a complete and total dependency on his cell phone.

He cannot do anything without it.

While walking down the street one day and not paying attention to anything but the phone his phone gets broken.

He takes the phone to get fixed but is forced into getting a new one.

Super excited he takes it home to set it up but quickly realizes the phone is bent on bashing and sassing him.

At first, this drives Phil completely insane as his phone continually makes him look like a complete jerk in public.

It's not until he learns that he can have a life without a phone that he finally transforms into a real human being.

Stars Adam Devine, Alexandra Shipp, Wanda Sykes, Michael Pena, Ron Fuches , Charlyne Yi, (voice) Rose Byrne, Kid Cudi, Justin Hartley, Ray Reinhardt 

Directed by (& story written) Jon Lucas & Scott Moore

Rated R
COMEDY

The Juniper Tree (1990)

Released April 10th in the US.

Filmed entirely in Iceland.

Based on the fairy tale by the Grimm Brothers.

The story: Katla and Margit are sisters, although Katla the eldest. 

They travel away from their home where their mother was stoned like many others for being a witch.

Katla also practices witchcraft and promises to find them a home by capturing a mans heart.

Soon she does just as she said. Katla marries a widow who has a young son.

But his son does not like Katla at all , especially after he sees her casting a spell.

The young boy tries to convince his father that Katla is different than them and he will never accept her as his mother , but his father will not listen.

When Katla finally has one last argument with the young boy and he falls to his death , she covers it up and uses his death to her advantage as long as the secret can be kept.

Stars Bjork , Bryndis Petra Bragdottir , Geirlaug Sunna Pormar , Valdimar Orn Flygenring , Gudrun Gisladottir

Directed by (& story written) Nietzchka Keene

Not Rated

FANTASY

Inheritance (2020)

Released May 22nd in the US.

Filmed in Alabama.

The story: Lauren is a powerful District Attorney although considering her background she could have been a lot more successful.

Her father, who is a very powerful, known man suddenly and without warning dies.

His wife, son, and Lauren all get a substantial amount of money out of his will.

But because Lauren is the oldest she gets something extra that apparently her father seemed to think she could handle.

Although it is not something she wants to deal with or has the time for.

Stars Lily Collins, Patrick Warburton, Chace Crawford, Connie Nielsen, Marque Richardson, Mariyah Francis, Rebecca Adams, Simon Pegg, Michael Beach, Josh Murray, Alec James, Christina DeRosa

Directed by Vaughn Stein 

Not Rated

MYSTERY/THRILLER

Mockingbird Don't Sing (2001)

Released May 4th in the US.

Filming location(s) unknown.

Based on truths.

The story: Katie is a 14-year-old girl who has been kept in a room, alone, since she was an infant by her father.

When her mother, who is going blind, can no longer stand listening to the abuse her husband puts Katie through on a regular basis, she attempts to get herself and Katie help.

The result is Katie being put in a hospital and her parents being arrested on abuse charges.

The people who work with Katie find that she cannot speak and doesn't know how to, among many other things kids her age would be doing normally.

Doctors and teachers work closely with her and place her in one of the doctors' homes to give her the stability of family life.

Just when Katie is progressing as best she can, the doctor who she lives with loses the grant to study and care for her.

Without warning, she is placed in another, abusive foster home and then back with her mother, neither of which makes matters any better.

From that point on, Katie is tossed into the system, not to be seen or heard from again by any of the people who cared for her the most.

Stars Tarra Steele, Jack Betts, Kim Darby, Ben Messmer, Michael Learner, Melissa Errico, Joe Regalbuto, Sean Young, Ed Brigadier, Sharon Madden, Lora Ann Criswell, Michael Azria

Directed by Harry Bromley Davenport

Not Rated

BIOGRAPHY/HISTORY/DRAMA

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)

Released October 13th in the US.

Filmed entirely in New York.

Based on truths.

The story: Dito Montiel is a writer living in L.A. 

He publicly tells the story he has written of his life, which starts when he was shaken out of his quiet existence by a phone call from his mother and childhood friend who's now in prison, asking for him to go and see his father, who is very sick.

This sends Dito back to 1986, when he was young, growing up in New York, dealing with his delinquent friends, all the bad things that happened, and his father, who never listened to a thing he said.

Dito doesn't want to go home because he left there on bad terms.

But he goes home to see his father and is a better person for it.

Stars Dianne West, Robert Downey Jr, Shia LeBeouf, Melonie Diaz, Laila Liliana Garro, Eleonore Hendricks, Channing Tatum, Anthony Tirado, Adam Scarimbolo, Peter Anthony Tambakis, Chazz Palminteri, Federico Castelluccio, George DiCenzo, Olga Merediz, Michael Rivera, Jermel Wilson, Martin Compston, Anthony DeSando, Chris Nunez,  Rosario Dawson, Kyle Benitez, Scott Michael Campbell, Eric Roberts 

Directed by (& story written) Dito Montiel

Rated R
DRAMA/BIOGRAPHY

"For Antonio."

Harlan County , USA (1976)

Released January 23, 1977, in the US.

Filmed in Kentucky and New York.

The story: In June of 1973, the coal miners of Brookside Mine, owned by Duke Power Company in Harlan, Kentucky went on strike against the Eastover Mining Company.

The coal miners wanted to be released of their unethical and corrupt contract in the Southern Labor Union, of which they had no rights, no safety, and no money and be allowed to join the more organized United Mine Workers of America Union - which the coal miners wholeheartedly believed had their best interests in mind.

The strike went on for over a year and the miners, along with their families and friends were dedicated to keeping their stance until their needs were met.

Even though the strikes brought on much struggle and violence, the strikers kept their ground.

Not until the needless casualty of a coal miner, were their wishes finally and publically acknowledged, being granted the rights they believed they were always robbed of but equally entitled to.

Stars Norman Yarborough, Logan Patterson, WA Tony Boyle, Arnold Miller, Basil Collins, Joseph Yablonski, Arnold Miller, Billy G Williams, Mary Lou Fergerson, Crystal Fergerson, Tommy Fergerson, Otis King, Diane Jones, Polly Jones, Barry Spielberg, Bill Worthington, Tom Pysell , Nanny Rainey, Mickey Messer, Jim Thomas, EB Allen, Florence Reece, Phyllis Boyens Liptak, Nimrod Workman, Guy Farmer, Bernie Aronson, Mike Trbovich, Harry Patrick, Ken Yablonski, Chip Yablonski, Tom Williams, Hawley Wells Jr, John OLeary, John Corcoran, Donald Rasmussen, Phil Sparks, Houston Elmore, (voice) Barbara Kopple

Directed by Barbara Kopple

Rated PG
DOCUMENTARY/HISTORY

 

"Duke Power Company owns the Brookside Mine, but they don't own us."

The Company of Wolves (1984)

Released April 19, 1985, in the US.

Filmed entirely in England.

The story: Rosaleen is a young girl who lives with her mother, father, and pesky older sister Alice.

When her parents arrive home one day from the market they send Alice to retrieve Rosaleen but she is fast asleep, dreaming dreams.

The first dream Rosaleen dreams is of Alice, running through the woods of the Middle Ages when she is attacked and killed by werewolves...

Next, she, along with her parents and granny are in attendance at poor Alice's funeral.

Now Rosaleen spends much time with granny, listening to many stories about werewolves, how to identify them, as well as avoiding them.

Rosaleen spends the rest of the day, well into the night dreaming dreams of life in the Middle Ages and steering clear of werewolves any way possible...

Stars Georgia Slowe, Tusse Silberg, David Warner, Sarah Patterson, Angela Lansbury, Shane Johnstone, Brian Glover, Graham Crowden, Susan Porrett, Kathryn Pogson, Stephen Rea

Directed by Neil Jordan 

Rated R
FANTASY/HORROR

Catfish (2010)

Released October 1st in the US.

Filmed in Michigan, New York, and Illinois.

The story: Yaniv is a photographer living in New York.

A photo he shot of dancers was featured on the front cover of a popular magazine.

Soon, Yaniv finds that he has gained a fan of his work in the form of a young girl named Abby, who can amazingly enough transform any photo he sends her into a work of hand-drawn art.

This mesmerizes Yaniv and he begins a long-distance friendship with Abby and her mother, Angela.

Then he finds himself friending every member of Abby's family and friends of the family on Facebook.

This is how he meets the young girls' older, attractive, very talented sister Megan.

Now Yaniv is really interested.

He begins corresponding on a regular basis with Megan, seemingly getting to know her more and more every day.

But one day, while checking out some of Megan's art that she claims she made Yaniv gets a bad feeling.

Is it possible that this amazing girl who he is falling head over heels for isn't telling him the full truth?

Stars Yaniv Schulman , Ariel Schulman , Henry Joost , Angela Wesselman Pierce 

Directed by Henry Joost & Ariel Schulman

Rated PG13

DOCUMENTARY/MYSTERY

Poms (2019)

Released May 10th in the US.

Filmed in Georgia.

The story : Martha is a 70-year-old single woman who never had any children.

She has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer , decided to sell off her belongings and move to a retirement community. 

Martha keeps very little of the numerous things she has collected over the years and off she goes.

Immediately after arriving at her new community she is welcomed quite warmly.

Martha just wants her peace and quiet but considering her neighbor is eccentric , outgoing Sheryl that is not going to happen.

When Sheryl will not leave Martha alone the two finally get to know each other.

In with the small amount of beloved belongings Martha has kept is a cheerleaders uniform.

Sheryl questions Martha about it and finds out that Martha always wanted to be a cheerleader but never did get the chance.

Well , considering the retirement community they live in is all about either joining a club or creating your own Martha and Sheryl decide to put together their own cheerleading squad! Yay!

Stars Diane Keaton , Suehyla El Attar , Celia Weston , Karyn Beyer  , Sharon Blackwood , Bruce McGill , Dorothy Steel , Jacki Weaver , Charlie Tahan , John Atwood , Pam Grier , Carol Sutton , Patricia French , Phyllis Somerville , Ginny MacColl , Rhea Perlman , Alisha Boe , Alexandra Ficken 

Directed by (& story partly written) Zara Hayes

Rated PG13

COMEDY/DRAMA

Two Pigeons AKA Freehold (2017)

Released March 10th in the US.

Filmed entirely in London.

The story: Hussein is a self-centered guy who makes a living as a real estate agent.

Little does he realize, there is a man living inside of his flat with him...

Days go by without Hussein realizing what goes on when he is not at home or sleeping.

That is until his live-in girlfriend returns home.

From that point on, some really strange things keep happening around the flat.

His girlfriend is constantly accusing him of far from appealing things he did not do around the place and he is constantly accusing his girlfriend of the same kinds of things which drives them both a bit mad.

Not until Husseins' life begins crumbling around him does he learn whats been going on.

Stars Mim Shaikh, Javier Botet, Kola Bokinni, Mandeep Dhillon, Dee Kaate, David Vujanic, Lee Macdonald, Michael McKell

Directed by (& story partly written) Dominic Bridges

Rated TVMA

MYSTERY/COMEDY/THRILLER/HORROR

Wireless (2020)

Made for Quibi, airing September 13th in the US.

Filmed in Utah.

Season 1. Episodes 1 - 10

The story: It's New Year's Eve.

Andy is a college student driving to a party through the Colorado mountains.

But there are three problems.

First, he took his dads' Bronco without permission.

Second, he doesn't have his license and third, the route he would normally take to get to the party is backed up due to an oncoming storm, forcing Andy to have to take an alternative route that's way out of the way.

Also,  Andy is obsessed with his Smartphone.

So instead of paying attention to the road and getting to the party, Andy foolishly causes himself a whole heap of trouble by concentrating way too much on his phone which may very well cost him his life.

Stars Tye Sheridan, Andie McDowell, Francesca Reale, Lukas Gage, Joel Bishop, Mace Coronel, Sydney Park, Pamela L Paek, Joe C Oliver Jr

Directed by Zach Wechter

Not Rated

MYSTERY/THRILLER/NEW YEARS

"Everything happens for a reason."

Dr. Heckyl and Mr. Hype (1980)

Released sometime in October of 1980 in the US.

Filmed entirely in California.

The story: Dr. Henry Heckyl is a lonely, kind-hearted foot doctor who works at the firm Hinkle, Heckyl, and Hoo.

He only wants love and attention but Henry isn't very nice to look at.

Actually, Henry looks like a monster and he knows it.

People that don't know Henry definitely give him the cold shoulder and no time of day.

When Henry finally decides he cannot take the loneliness any longer Dr. Hinkle has a breakthrough.

He has been working on a cure for obese women who want to be thin and at long last, his efforts are paying off.

Hinkle offers his miracle cure to Henry and with nothing left to lose he tries it.

There are no instant results but after going to bed that night he wakes to find he is now the most handsome man he can possibly be.

But handsome does not make Henry nice. It actually makes him a whole different, violent person.

Stars Oliver Reed, Sunny Johnson, Maia Danziger, Mel Wells, Kedrick Wolf, Virgil Frye, Jackie Coogan, Dick Miller , Jack Warford, Charles Howerton, Denise Hayes, Sharon Compton, Corinne Calvet , Mickey Fox, Catalaine Knell, Jacque Lynn Colton, Lisa Zebro, Candi Brough, Randy Brough, Tony Cox, Stan Ross, Michael Ciccone, Steve Ciccone, Yehuda Efroni, Dana Feller

Directed by (& story written by) Charles B Griffith

Rated R
COMEDY/DRAMA/HORROR/SPOOF

Schizoid (1980)

Released sometime in September of 1980 in the US.

Filmed in California.

The story: Julie is a writer. She has recently begun writing an advice column for the local newspaper she writes for.

She attends a therapy group to understand people and their problems more, which helps her column along as well as dealing with her up and coming divorce.

Julie has the hots for Pieter, the doctor conducting the therapy group.

Pieter also really digs Julie but he has a teenage daughter that is making things behind the scenes difficult for him, due to her mother/his wife passing early.

Pieter finds that his daughter is distraught, distant, and holding a grudge against him which makes him believe she is up to something sinister.

It doesn't help matters that there is a killer running around, sending Julie scary notes and killing off the women in her therapy group.

Stars Craig Wasson, Cindy Donlan, Flo Lawrence, Kiva Lawrence, Marianna Hill, Klaus Kinski, Donna Wilkes, Christopher Lloyd, David Assael, Jon Greene, Richard Herd, Joe Regalbuto 

Directed by (& story written) David Paulsen

Rated R
MYSTERY/THRILLER/HORROR

The Red House (1947)

Released February 6th in the US.

Filmed entirely in California.

The story: Meg is a young girl who lives with her adopted parents on a big, working farm.

But Meg's parents could use some help and Meg knows Nath from school who's a really good, dependable guy who is perfect for the job.

Meg tells Nath that her dad wants to speak to him and after doing so, he offers Nath a job helping around the farm, which Nath accepts.

The first night after working Nath stays for dinner. Then it's off for home.

He mentions that he will be going through the nearby woods as a shortcut but is forbid by Meg's dad.

Dad claims the woods are dangerous and he could get hurt. 

Nath won't have any of that though and attempts to go through anyways.

But he gets scared and ends up back at the farm.

Now Nath is convinced that Meg's dad set him up to be scared. But he cannot figure out why.

Meg is also quite curious about the woods but hasn't really mentioned it before.

So now Nath and Meg are set on finding out what her dad is hiding out in those woods, no matter what the consequence.

Stars Allene Roberts, Julie London, Rory Calhoun, Lon McCallister, Edward G Robinson, Judith Anderson, Ona Munson, Harry Shannon, Arthur Space

Directed by Delmer Daves

Not Rated

B&W

DRAMA/MYSTERY