Embattled successfully combines family and action
Mixed martial arts and the sins of father mix in director Nick Sarkisov’s Embattled from IFC films. Raised by an abusive father, Cash (Stephen Dorff) channels his aggression to become a World Champion MMA fighter.
Maybe Next Year Highlights the Eagles Super bowl Victory over the Patriots
Director Kyle Thrash makes a promising debut in Maybe Next Year. Since 1776, Philadelphia has existed in the shadows of New York City, and Washington D.C. Counted out and overlooked, Philadelphians turned to football as a way to let out their frustrations.
The Giant deserves it’s critical slaying
Every so often, a movie will come along that confuses me to no end, and Vertical Entertainment’s The Giant is one of those movies. David Raboy makes his feature debut with the film, which follows Charlotte (Odessa Young) just as she completes high school.
Vengeance A Friday The 13th Fan Film honors Jason Voorhees
Iconic hockey-masked killer Jason Voorhees returns in director Jeremy Brown’s Vengeance A Friday The 13th Fan Film from Brownspace Films. Serving as an unofficial sequel to Friday The 13th Part VI, Jason Lives (one of the franchise best entries), Vengeance takes place roughly thirty years later.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is the perfect holiday gift
Director David E. Talbert brings Christmas magic to the comfort of your own home in Netflix’s Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey. The film begins as a grandmother (Phylicia Rashad) is telling a story to her grandchildren.
Fatman misses the mark as a Christmas movie
Jolly ole Saint Nick receives a different spin in Saban Films, Fatman from directors Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms. To save his declining business, Chris Cringle (Mel Gibson), also known as Santa Claus, is forced into a partnership with the U.S. military.
Operation Christmas Drop a sappy & cute holiday romance
Netflix brings the magic of Christmas in the sentimental and sappy Operation Christmas Drop from director Martin Wood. Chasing a promotion, congressional aide Erica Miller (Kat Graham) forgoes family Christmas to travel across the Pacific at her bosses (Virginia Madison) behest. Upon landing at a beachside Air Force base, she clashes with her guide, Captain Andrew Jantz (Alexander Ludwig). The latter knows her assignment is finding reasons to defund the facility.
Concrete Cowboy showcases black cowboys in the city of Brotherly Love
Greg Neri’s novel Ghetto Cowboy receives a big-screen adaptation in director Ricky Staub’s Concrete Cowboy. The film opens up in New Jersey and introduces us to Cole (Caleb McLaughlin) amid disciplinary action for his latest school fight. Cole’s fed up mother realizes she’s in danger of losing him to the streets so she sends him to live with his father, ex-con Harp (Idris Elba), in North Philadelphia.
Sleepless Beauty is a painful bore
Sleepless Beauty opens up with a random kidnapping before introducing us to our heroine Mila shopping for a rare fish in a pet store. As the film began and in the first moments, naturally, Mila makes a few mistakes, including not paying attention to her surroundings. When an overzealous suitor shows interest in Mia, I kind of had an idea where the film might go.
True to the Game 2
The second book of author Teri Woods True to the Game trilogy makes it to the big screen in True to the Game 2 from Imani Media Group. Director Jamal Hill helms the film, which picks up a year after the murder of drug dealer Quadir Richards by his rival Jerrel (Andra Fuller).
Black Love & jazz mix in the elegant Sylvie’s Love
My wife will tell you that I am a sucker for a good love story. As I sat down to view Sylvie’s Love during the 2020 virtual Middleburg Film Festival, I had no idea what the film was about.
Regina King directs the stellar One Night In Miami
Award-winning actress Regina King makes her impressive directorial debut in Amazon Studio’s One Night in Miami. Written by screenwriter Kemp Powers (who adapts his off-Broadway Play), One Night in Miami