Category: Movies and Film Reviews

Rating: 3/5
Review by Richard Caldwell

Video games have been bringing groups of friends together since the 1980’s. In 1983, the video game world experienced one of its worst declines. However, the Nintendo gaming system would soon debut and reinvigorate the gaming world. Weed, like video games, have been a constant amongst social circles. “Game On” is a film that dives into that connection between friends, gaming and of course weed.

Regina is the owner of a video game shop. Titled “Game On,” Regina runs the store with her group of stoner friends, Mac and Warren. The group enjoys their daily lives of gaming and weed until their world is turned upside down. This after the owner of their retail space passes and her family looks to sell the space. Regina and the guys then begin their mission to save their store and buy the retail space for themselves.

Overall this was a good film. Definitely one that stoners would enjoy. Not only stoners, but any young adult into gaming. All the characters connect to control their world and ultimately save “Game On”. “Game On” is like watching “How High” with gamers.

Rating: 4/5
By: Richard Caldwell

Animals hold a special place in the hearts of many. Animal lovers not only see themselves in their mammal friends, but often treat them as they’re part of the family. Essentially they’re an extension of their care givers. “The Secret Life of Pets 2” is a film that dives deeper into the connection animals have with families. Not only that, but their role in bringing the household together.

Some of your favorite animals return in this sequel. Max, Gidget and Snowball are all there as they venture out on a new mission. Chloe is as bourgeois as ever and comedian Tiffany Haddish joins the cast as Daisy. Max the groups lovable leader is face with another life changing situation as he enlists the help of his friends. However, this time Snowball is more than willing to step up and help!

Overall I really enjoyed this film. It’s a proper continuation in the series timeline. “The Secret Life of Pets” tells the story of an animal daily in an enlightened way. The film brings color to the daily lives of the pets as the journey throughout the world. Not only discovering themselves, but the lives of their families as well.

Dee Wallace (E.T., CUJO, THE HOWLING) stars in DOLLS, a new supernatural thriller from first-time feature director Cuyle Carvin that will be released on DVD and VOD in the U.S. on July 2.

DOLLS concerns a struggling children’s book author and his rebellious teenage daughter who move into a house they’ve inherited and find mysterious dolls in the attic. They soon learn that the dolls have a sinister — and deadly — past. The screenplay is by Justin Hawkins & Josh Hawkins, with Jeff Miller (OUIJA HOUSE, THE TOYBOX) also contributing to the story.

Wallace plays a neighbor who knows about the dolls and their ties to the house. The movie also stars frequent Miller collaborator Tom Downey (AXE GIANT: THE WRATH OF PAUL BUNYAN), as well as newcomer Trinity Simpson, Bret Green (CBS’s THE INSPECTORS), Elise Muller (BAGHEAD), Melinda deKay, and Robert R. Ryel.

Miller (who also produced the recent DEATH KISS and THE RUSSIAN BRIDE) produced through his company Millman Productions, along with Robert Michael Ryan (NECROSIS). Carvin and Ryan previously directed and produced the “Dark Corners” horror anthology series. Josh Hawkins and Ben Demaree were Co-Producers on DOLLS, with Demaree also serving as Director of Photography. Veronica Rodarte handled makeup FX. Ken Stachnik was Gaffer. Korey Rowe edited. Holly Amber Church composed the score.

“It’s my second film in just over a year with Dee Wallace, and she truly is an American treasure,” says Miller. “DOLLS will be a creepy addition to her resume and is an impressive feature debut for my friend Cuyle Carvin.”

Uncork’d Entertainment is handling worldwide distribution on DOLLS.

For more information and updates, please visit the film’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/dollsmovie .

Patrick DiCesare’s Artist Rights Distribution has acquired global distribution rights to two high-profile genre films, both of which will be released theatrically in North America later in the year.

The critically acclaimed Hitchcockian-style feature What Death Leaves Behind, starring Vincent Young and horror staple Erin O’Brien (Clinton Road), and an Anna Stromberg spookfest titled The Lost Footage of Leah Sullivan, are the company’s latest acquisitions.

What Death Leaves Behind, directed by Scott A. Hamilton, tells of a man who, after a kidney transplant, experiences reoccurring nightmares he believes to be visions of his donor’s violent murder, sending him on a dark path of vengeance, leading to an unbearable truth.

The Lost Footage of Leah Sullivan, starring Anna Stromberg and directed by Burt Grinstead, has also been acquired for theatrical release in the US. In the pic, an unedited memory card from a camera shows a woman’s school project about a cold case murder that doesn’t seem to be so cold after all.

Artist Rights Distribution is preparing to release their latest acquisition Kareem Mortimer’s Cargo, a water-set thriller starring Jimmy Jean-Louis and Warren Brown in North American theaters on June 7.

A raw look at the effects of childhood trauma through the eyes of two estranged cousins, writer-director Andrew Rowe’s “unique, rather unflinching perspective on the fragile nature of the human psyche”* bows July 2.

CROWN AND ANCHOR follows James Downey (Michael Rowe), who is living a disciplined and straight edge lifestyle as a result of growing up with an abusive alcoholic father. His estranged cousin Danny (Matt Wells) is drowning his own trauma with drugs and booze. When their lives are forced to intersect once more, they each begin to unravel as the past returns with violent and tragic consequences.

Featuring a blistering punk/hardcore soundtrack, CROWN AND ANCHOR stars Michael Rowe (‘Deadshot’ on TV’s Arrow), Matt Wells (“Designated Survivor”), Natalie Brown (“Saw V”), Robert Joy (“CSI : NY”), Stephen McHattie (“Orphan Black”) and Ben Cotton (“The X-Files”).

From the makers of “Hi-8”, five new twisted tales showcasing the talents of both veteran and emerging horror filmmakers. When two young women take the “Terror Tour” through the underbelly of Hollywood, they are led into a bizarre world of unspeakable horror. Their first stop proves that “Death Has a Conscience”, but doesn’t spare the unlucky souls who stumble into his path. Next, a meeting with the “Dealers of Death” exposes the perils of collecting murder memorabilia. Then, it’s off to a quick “Night Drop”, where your next movie rental may be your last. An actress’ worst nightmare unfolds as she is forced to perform a terrifying “Cold Read”, and our Terror Tour comes to a disturbing end as we meet the ancient, seductive evil known as “The Muse”.

The film is written and directed by Anthony Catanese, Tim Ritter, Amanda Payton, Brad Sykes and Todd Sheets. Cast includes Fabiana Formica, Jay Sosnicki, Todd Martin, Thomas Kindler, Jensen Jacobs, Craig Kelly, Nick Randol, Dilynn Fawn Harvey, Christopher Preyer, Eric Salinas, Kristen Adams and Kate Durocher.

Wild Eye Releasing will release Nightfall Pictures’ horror anthology HI-DEATH on disc, digital and limited edition VHS on June 10.

Legendary choreographer Alvin Ailey’s life is coming to the big screens. Fox Searchlight has officially given the ok for the film to be produced.

The film is set to be produced with the help of the Ailey American Dance Company. The film has also landed an outstanding director.

Academy Award winning director Barry Jenkins is set to direct the film. The film will be based on the “Alvin Ailey: A Life in Dance” biograpy.