alexanderhanno Reviews

12 Months (2022)

Heartwarming and heart-wrenching all at once

[9/10 · 10 April 2024]

Heartwarming and heart-wrenching all at once, 12 Months peels back the curtain on love - warts and all - providing an honest look at a toxic relationship, one that's equal parts beautiful and unsettling. Elizabeth Hirsch-Tauber and Michael James Kelly each give incredibly compelling and genuine performances in the leading roles, earning empathy and ire from moment to moment, both detestable and lovable every other turn. The grounded and gritty approach to the camerawork further adds to the film's authenticity, crafting something close to home for anyone who's ever navigated the highs and lows of companionship.

Low Low (2019)

Raw Modern Poetry

[8/10 · 5 September 2019]

Street smart, uncompromising, sexy, bitter, funny, feminist and beyond all else, raw, Low Low is an indie film that strives to say so much, often through nothing but subtext and casual banter alone. It's a beautiful and honest piece that depicts the rough slice of life four woman have carved out for themselves in a tired, suburban world, managing to do so with genuine finesse. Patient writing and gut wrenching performances from all the leading women (special mentions go to Ali Richey and Kacie Rogers) help lure the viewer into the story and get them thoroughly invested in the nuanced conflicts that threaten to tear any happiness these girls have found clean in two. It's not a perfect film per se, and it doesn't intend to be. It's messy, it has cracks, it's dirty... just like the lives of its four leads, and these "imperfections" ultimately yield truth and empathy that so many indie films today genuinely lack. It isn't an easy watch, for the girls have a tough go of it throughout, but that's life, and that's what I appreciated the most. This movie is a breath of fresh air, and even if it's cold, biting air that comes along in the dead of winter and stings just a bit, it's hugely refreshing nonetheless.

Hex (2017)

Unique, Slow Burn

[8/10 · 1 September 2019]

As so many excellent modern horror films do, Hex focuses on a tight cast of characters (in this case two) to provide an in depth character study over spectacle or gore. The result is a patient examination of belief and fear, set against the backdrop of England amidst a civil war in the 1600s, all achieved despite - or perhaps because of - its micro budget. Worth a watch for true indie fans, history buffs and horror aficionados alike.

Love Is Not Enough (I) (2019)

A Modern Love Story For Indie Fans

[8/10 · 8 July 2019]

Blending comedy and drama with finesse, Love Is Not Enough is an endearing modern love story that showcases the struggle of balancing a new relationship and a surging career, all set against a fresh back drop in the form of Detroit. It's a fresh take on a familiar story, ripe for fans of indie romances.

Take Me Out (2018)

A story of lofty expectations

[8/10 · 18 February 2019]

Take Me Out is an urban family drama that fans of modern melodrama will surely enjoy. From start to finish, this film is filled with conflict; from a verbally abusive and cheating father, to a son's struggle with lofty expectations, to a mother's plight to choose between what is right and what makes her feel whole. Darwin Smith leads the cast as an empathetic son at the center of it all who flashes moments of nuanced, visual comedy to alleviate some of the thick tension. With a large cast and a host of family problems, there's a character in here for everyone to relate to.

Ekaj (2015)

A raw and gritty slice of life

[8/10 · 18 February 2019]

This film is raw, gritty and above all, honest.

From the start of its beautiful opening credits through to its largely tragic end, EKAJ portrays the troubled journey of a young, transgender man who roams the streets of New York, looking for purpose and value in a world that shuns and abuses him at every turn. While the movie can be a bit disturbing at times due to some intimately violent scenes, these brutal moments help to craft the dark world unfurling from write/director Cati Gonzalez's mind. Make no mistake, this is an indie film through and through and it doesn't shy away from that, as the raw cinematography actually lends itself to Gonzalez's overall street-level vision. Likewise, a stellar, genuine and touching performance from supporting player Badd Idea as well as a strong and committed turn from lead Jake Mestre both serve to authenticate the world being built on screen.

All in all, EKAJ does an excellent job depicting a slice of life, one that viewers have likely never seen on screen before. Truly, films like this are essential today, as they do so much to teach tolerance, compassion and understanding in a world that often lacks such qualities.

Viral Beauty (2018)

Speaks Over The Top Truth

[8/10 · 14 January 2019]

Viral Beauty is all at once an over the top, eccentric look at our viral society and an accurate take on romance in this new, online world we live in. Complete with sharp cringe humor, a refreshing performance from Casey Killoran and outside the box filmmaker techniques, director David Tyson Lam and writer Elizabeth Lam have crafted the "romantic comedy" 2019 deserves.

Love a la Carte (2014)

Don't Put This Film in A Box... No Pun Intended

[8/10 · 10 January 2019]

There are plenty of distasteful and raunchy sex comedies out there, but Love A La Carte - a film about a married couple trying to navigate their fading love life after years together - is not one of them. Instead, filmmaker Tim McSpadden offers a quirky, offbeat and yes, sexy comedy that asks some intriguing questions and finds humor where you might not expect it, often through the use of intense irony and sarcasm. It's a tough film to compare to anything else, as it honestly breaks the mold with its unique pseudo-mockumentary style. Overall, it takes some massive risks through its bawdy storytelling, but its so self aware that it just plain works.

The Green Room (2016– )

An Endearing Indie Show

[9/10 · 10 January 2019]

Too often, indie TV shows feel scraped together and half-baked (no pun intended). However, The Green Room is a pleasant surprise and an honest joy to watch. It builds an endearing cast and instead of leaning into the sort of raunchy humor one might expect from a "stoner" comedy, it actually subverts expectations again and again, offering heartfelt and smart humor throughout. What really brings it all together though, is the likable cast of misfits so appropriately positioned at the world's most ridiculous dispensary.

The Final Project (2016)

A Found Footage Throwback

[7/10 · 10 January 2019]

The Final Project feels like a throwback to found footage from the early 2000s. It doesn't try to over complicate things or lean into the supernatural too hard which helps to create a sense of eerie realism throughout. If you're a fan of "Blair Witch" then this is right up your alley.

Spent (2017)

An Homage to Satire

[8/10 · 6 January 2019]

"Spent" is an over the top farce and a genuine homage to satire. The dark and ridiculous sense of humor might not be for everyone, but the filmmakers do a fine job of building their own unique world with writer Lisa Mikitarian illustrating a distinct and consistent style throughout. It's a promising first attempt on the indie level and offers plenty of chuckle worthy moments for fans of black comedy throughout.

Somnium (I) (2018)

A Unique Premise and a Strong Twist

[8/10 · 6 January 2019]

"Somnium" gets off to a strong start with some creepy imagery and an intriguing premise that involves two eerie daughters with supernatural abilities to haunt those around them whenever they dream. The scares ebb and flow throughout, but overall rewards fans of psychological horror fans with a good twist at the end.

Summer of '67 (2018)

Captures a moment in history

[8/10 · 31 December 2018]

Period pieces are expensive, so the fact that "Summer of '67" manages to feel authentic to the era on an indie budget is truly impressive. Much of this comes down to the gorgeous, sweeping wide shots and a soundtrack that is both true to the times and simply enjoyable. Together with the subject matter, a modern take on the domestic ramifications of the Vietnam War in America, Sharon Wilharm crafts a character study that captures a moment in history through intimacy rather than scope.

Love All You Have Left (2017)

An intimate, supernatural twist on a familiar theme

[8/10 · 31 December 2018]

At the outset, "Love All You Have Left" resembles a number of familiar stories (namely "Rabbit Hole") that depict a couple grappling with the recent death of their child and for a moment, it seems as if it will follow the same (albeit moving and tragic) plot we've seen before. However, Matt Sivertson's film ultimately subverts expectation and instead incorporates a supernatural (though not eerie) element, similar in vibe to the recent "A Ghost Story", that is quite welcome and full of intrigue. This twist coupled with some nice and very intentional framing creates a unique lens through which to examine the crushing pain a parent faces when their child leaves this world too soon. An intimate piece worth learning from.

Bigger Than the Game (2018)

A Unique Exploration of High School Basketball

[8/10 · 30 December 2018]

"Warrior Pride" takes an intimate look at the world of High School basketball, a subject rarely seen on screen. Offering up some emotional performances and unique insight into that world, it's worth a watch, especially if you're not familiar with the subject matter.

Carving A Life (2017)

Toxic Love or Authenticity?

[8/10 · 30 December 2018]

In their latest piece, director Terry Ross and writer Lisa Bruhn present a young couple navigating the trials of adult life as they work to sort out their own baggage and plan for a future neither was quite expecting. Aside from the meet cute and the romantic opening act, most of the film depicts a rather toxic relationship (largely at the expense of Lauren and due to the actions of the alcoholic Mitch) to - sadly, perhaps - much success. The filmmakers have clearly experienced similar relationships and imbue their characters with authenticity throughout. As such, at times it feels like this couple should just part ways, but the spark between them makes it hard to not root for them to sort things out. By the end of it all, you can't help feeling that this is true life and that every relationship has it's problems to work through, some more intense than others. Sure it would be much easier to run away, but do you lose more than you gain by doing so? "A Carving Life" examines this question and offers some input, but ultimately leaves viewers with much to think on after the credits finish.

Will & Liz (2018)

A carefree glimpse at modern love

[8/10 · 30 December 2018]

Indie through and through, Will & Liz presents two colorful, wishful and artistic characters still in the midst of searching for what they want out of life. The film presents their story via a number of casual strolls through Venice, offering up some nice backdrops for their conversations about life, love and the future. Given there is little conflict to be found, the film itself tends to feel like one of the casual strolls it's titular characters embark on: warm, bright and carefree, with a few minor bumps along the way. Overall, it calls to mind Before Sunrise, albeit on a micro-budget, and proves a stroll worth taking!

Horror Hotel: The Movie (2016)

Campy and Creepy

[8/10 · 27 December 2018]

As plenty of other reviews have noted, Horror Hotel falls right in line with the latest wave of campy horror flicks that hark back to 50's flicks and beyond. It's cheesy in a delightful way, but layers in a creepy undertone within almost all of the 6 vignettes. The acting seems intentionally stifled at points and this works to not only create comedy, but also add an aura of unease about all of the characters. Needless to say, amidst the clones and the aliens and the brain robbers, if you enjoy odd-ball sci-fi or an homage to the golden age of horror, this is well worth a watch.

The Untold Story of Detroit Hip Hop (2018)

An entertaining history lesson

[8/10 · 27 December 2018]

I am in no way an aficionado of the Hip-Hop industry, and as such, this doc offered some quality insight into a field I otherwise know little about. However, I found the racial politics of Detroit Hip-Hop even more interesting than the history that was offered up. On top of this, I was impressed by the wide range of interviewees and the quality archival footage.

Hidden Light (2018)

A Musing on Faith Amidst Violence

[8/10 · 27 December 2018]

Aaron Kamp builds a solid world in his latest, "Hidden Light", a piece about a city that is controlled by a violent, drug-fueled underworld and the one priest who works to set things right. Through this dichotomy, he illustrates the delicate balance between good and evil that each one of us struggle with every day and ultimately, provides some measure of hope that good will triumph in the end. A slew of crisp visuals - notably his intimate close ups - along with strong performances from leads Jack Jovcic and Troy Coward help this film rise above melodrama, despite some supporting players that might otherwise threaten to weigh it down. Mid-way through the film, it might be obvious that a number of the characters are headed for a collision course, but nonetheless, the ride is still well worth it.

Broken Ceiling (2018)

Intense and Necessary

[9/10 · 22 December 2018]

I had no clue what to expect going into "Broken Ceiling" and so often with indie films, that can lead to a massive let down. HOWEVER, in the case of Adam Davis' latest feature I was quite pleasantly surprised with the end result. The movie, which centers around an African-American employee exacting a sort of revenge for the way white male higher ups have held her back through the years, is tactful in the way that it illustrates the horrid power dynamics still in play in the corporate world, despite the progress that's been made of late. Movies like this are incredibly important to help teach audiences about inequality in the work place, especially those audiences who either don't personally experience it, or those that do and don't realize it.

Make no mistake though, this flick is intense. Throughout the movie, it feels like you're sitting in a pressure cooker, for emotions are flying and characters are forced to revaluate their blind understanding of the world in an instant literally under the gun. You genuinely don't know what's going to happen next: Will the police arrive? Will a bullet fly? Will someone back down or act up? There are plenty of twists and luckily, none of them feel cheap in the least.

Lastly, a special shout out to actor Regen Wilson who plays head-honcho Ken Wolfe and delivers an excellent performance as the charming antagonist who is hard to hate. His performance helps to clarify and solidify why men in his position of power are able to get away with so much. As one of the other characters even says, "He's just too good a salesman." (I might have butchered that line, sorry!) Rounded antagonists with empathetic backstories make or break films for me, and I found his role to be well put together, from the writing to the acting. And that final monologue? Tragic.

Craig Quits His Day Job (2016)

Oddball and Self-Aware

[8/10 · 22 December 2018]

At a glance, the premise seems familiar: a man quits his boring corporate job in hopes of finding some what he's really good at in life. Unfortunately, the titular Craig of "Craig Quits His Day Job" isn't really good at well... anything, and that includes quitting. Thus, we get a slacker comedy about the world's worst slacker which ends up leading to some very oddball, left field humor. Dare I say random? If you're a fan of this brand (Napoleon dynamite anyone?) then you'll enjoy Eric Paul Chapman's piece for sure. What ultimately makes the film work is that Craig is just such a quirky and soft guy, you can't really help but root for him in whatever odd goal he endeavors to achieve. Is there a moral in all this? Who knows and who cares: the laughs are worth it.

8 Remains (2018)

A Trippy Journey

[8/10 · 22 December 2018]

Juliane Block's "8 Remains" is above all else, a mind-bender. Don't expect to understand everything that's happening, rather instead just enjoy the gorgeous ride she's taking you on. With some stunning production design, a setting of a sprawling and remote estate and surprisingly good SFX for an indie flick, Block creates a unique and eerie world that is worth settling into.

We Make Movies (2016)

A comical ode to indie cinema

[9/10 · 21 December 2018]

First off, "We Make Movies" is goofy: this flick does not take itself serious in the least and that ends up being it's greatest strength throughout. This mockumentary is essentially a story of a rag-tag group of friends (and frenemies) that band together over the course of one summer to shoot a feature for their local film festival... Ridiculousness and hilarity ensue.

Across the board, filmmaker Matt Tory makes sure to imbue each element of his movie with an equal measure of screwball: each character is deliciously wacky in their own way, (Stevphen with a "v" is too good), the references to cinema masterpieces seem so appropriate given the (dare I say) crappy film the characters are making within the movie, the cutaways (while familiar) are used to excellent comedic effect... In every way this is an example of an indie movie that shows how indie movies should be done and done right. The one thing that's clear by the end is that Matt Tory and his team of regular collaborators love film, and that adoration seeps into every pore of this goofy ode to shoestring-budget filmmaking, something all indie creators should be able to appreciate.

Dirty Beautiful (2015)

A destructive, tragic and beautiful love story

[9/10 · 21 December 2018]

"Dirty Beautiful" is as authentic as they come and as a fan of love stories, this movie way 100% for me.

Given that this is a movie about a struggling writer and the woman who shakes up his life, it would be easy to call Tim Bartell's piece overly familiar from the logline alone, but truly it's anything but. David, a charming and bumbling writer, sucks at love and wants more than anything to have someone to take care of. Kat, a rowdy and tragic woman off the street, just needs someone to take care of her. In some ways, they're the perfect match... but mostly they're a hurricane that tears one another down every other moment. It's an excellent and honest depiction of a toxic relationship and yet, one you can't help but sort of root for through it all. What's more, it sheds some much needed light on how homelessness, prostitution and male power dynamics are all portrayed on screen, never fun of these important issues even though this dramedy does tend to lean more comedic most of the time. Whether folks will like the ending is hard to say... I know I did, but I guess it depends on each viewer's relationship with love more or less.

Outside of the charming story and the all too real struggle of #writerlife depicted on screen, this film also boasts some really, really beautiful cinematography. It's just a super clean looking film with some excellent framing that helps to spice up what would otherwise be a simple single-cam shoot. Top that off with solid doses of awkward humor throughout and an on point score, the final product is something well worth a watch and more than that, an important part of modern cinema.