★★★★ Directed by Bruce Spiegel Starring Connie Atkinson, Tony Bennett, Bill Charlap, Jack DeJohnette, Debby Evans, Eric Reed Documentary Film Review by Chris Olson Full of jazz-like energy and frenetic enthusiasm, documentary film Bill Evans Time Remembered from filmmaker Bruce Spiegel, manages to capture the spirit of the genre whilst layering it with a deeper sense of pathos that you don't always find in musical biopics. The array of talking heads, archive footage, modern interviews, album covers and audio recordings of Bill Evans himself make this a compelling exploration of a fascinatingly talented jazz pianist and songwriter. Best known for playing with Miles Davis, the musical career of Evans is one littered with phenomenal performances and amazing contributions to music. During the course of the documentary, we see a timeline of this, as well as the personal anecdotes that make his world seem more grounded, such as losing friends, meeting women, and drug abuse. The numerous people who offer insight into Bill's life do so from a variety of perspectives. Some are close connections to Evans himself or those who knew him, whilst others are jazz musicians themselves or aficionados of the genre. Much like the man himself, Bill Evans Time Remembered has a deep devotion to the music first and foremost. Twinkling keys and rousing jazz pieces accompany the majority of scenes and many of the talking heads wax lyrical not only about Bill but also the era itself. You cannot help but immerse yourself into the joyous reflections, especially the emotive footage of solo piano performances which have a palpable tenderness to them. This balance between the energetic and the sombre is what makes Spiegel's film so affecting. From a filmmaking perspective there is nothing revolutionary about this movie. All the techniques used have been seen in other musical documentaries and audiences can see a plethora of similar films on TV channels like Sky Arts and BBC4. That being said, if you are a jazz fan this is compulsory viewing! The insight and passion is remarkable, offering a tremendous experience for audiences looking to time travel into this bygone era of transformative music and transcendental culture. Some of the most iconic jazz songs and performances appear, but there is also a more fundamental connection between Bill Evans and how music defined him as a songwriter which is universally appealing. Watch the official Movie Trailer for Bill Evans Time Remembered below... #DocumentaryFilmReviews #Documentaries #ChrisOlson #IndieFilmReviews #MusicFilms #Biopic #Jazz #BruceSpiegel

★★★★ Written and Directed by Mark Schwab Starring Christian Gabriel, Corey Jackson, Pano Tsaklas, Mike Mizwicki, August Browning, Christopher Fung, Michael Champlin Indie Film Review by Chris Olson An intense and slow-burning thriller, Shadows in Mind is an indie feature from filmmaker Mark Schwab. Focusing on an LGBTQ crisis line where one of the workers receives a most disturbing call. Jaded by the job of managing an LGBT crisis line, Simon (Corey Jackson) finds that most of his callers are using the service for reasons that would qualify as being certainly less than a crisis. That all changes when he gets a call from Danny (Christian Gabriel) who says he is in the process of killing himself. Instantly gripped by his first real case, Simon does his best to connect with Danny and find out why he has come to consider such a drastic action. As the tale of Danny's journey is unravelled through the use of flashback sequences, we discover a young romance, a troubling network of individuals, and a dark secret. It's always impressive when a filmmaker believes in their story enough to let it mellow. Schwab opts to enhance the intrigue of Shadows in Mind by utilising longer takes and slower editing, creating a marvellously menacing tone that is built upon throughout the movie. Scenes with Danny and his mysterious boyfriend Kyle (Pano Tsaklas) are tender and at times moving, mostly because the film allows them room to breathe (similar to the copious amounts of red wine that are consumed during the movie). As the conflict grows with the introduction of additional characters, mostly work colleagues of Kyle's, the tension is not spoilt by the movie going full guns blazing in the final third, instead keeping to the established pace and delivering a wholly satisfying cinematic experience. Gabriel as the lead was superb. The imbalance his character feels at his predicament was brilliantly conveyed through subtle body language and well delivered lines. His chemistry with Tsaklas was convincing and engaging, offering up some of the best scenes in Shadows in Mind. I also enjoyed Jackson's scenes with Mike Mizwicki, whose character, Curtis, gets brought in when Danny's threats over the phone become increasingly substantial. By exploring themes of love, trust, manipulation, and power, the story was always going to have to be able to deliver to a high standard. The filmmaking easily matches the atmosphere needed to achieve this, with soft lighting to enhance moody scenes, overlaying audio to connect the two timelines brilliantly, and a wonderful sequence near the end of the film which involves multiple characters, shadows, and fluid framing that was utterly captivating. Schwab shows himself to be capable of delivering on a David Fincher level of thriller filmmaking with Shadows in Mind. The characters are expertly crafted and delivered with a story that is grippingly tense and immersive. The performances are subtle and impressive, whilst the formidable atmosphere will turn audiences to putty in their hands. Watch the official movie trailer for Shadows in Mind below... #IndieFilmReviews #IndieFilms #ChrisOlson #MovieTrailers #LGBTQ #MarkSchwab #ChristianGabriel #CoreyJackson #PanoTsaklas #AugustBrowning #ChristopherFung #MichaelChamplin

★★★★ Directed by Zack Snyder Starring Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa , Ezra Miller, Amy Adams, Ray Fisher, Jeremy Irons, and J.K Simmons Film Review by Niall Maggs If I had to describe Justice League in one word, that one word would be ‘awesome’. Somehow I don’t think that one word will be enough for a full-length film review, but that was what I, and most of the audience, was thinking for the entire runtime. Justice League is tons of fun, with a light and laid back tone to it, unlike previous DCEU entries. The overall plot is a continuation of Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice, following the events of the film. Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) wants to put together a team with the help of Diana Prince, played by Gal Gadot, in what will be and already is her iconic performance as Wonder Woman. They both target The Flash (Ezra Miller), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and, hopefully, Superman (Henry Cavill) to form the Justice League, and stop an evil force led by the fan favourite villain Steppenwolf, played eerily by Ciarán Hinds. After the poor reception of Batman V. Superman and Suicide Squad, DC were hoping for a beacon of light to appear, this was the excellent Wonder Woman directed by Patty Jenkins; for the second time, the DCEU have released another entertaining follow up that will restore the fans faith in Warner Bros. and the DC Extended Universe, and may finally create some competition between them and Marvel. The introduction of the iconic characters that make up the universe was short and sweet, but got the job done with a reasonably short runtime of just two hours. The action is non stop from beginning to end, with great humour and dialogue that put a smile on my face throughout. The comic relief is evidently The Flash, with embarrassingly nerdy lines that suit the character perfectly. The only main character that isn’t explored satisfyingly enough is Cyborg. Little of his past is explained and your left feeling no more attached to him than when you first heard of him. The character is also quite dull and doesn’t stand out when competing with others like Batman and Wonder Woman! Considering there was direction from both Zack Snyder and Joss Whedon, the film's pace and tone stay consistent, and the story remains coherent and understandable. However the film suffers from a painfully weak villain that just feels like a throwaway character, and one that is very forgettable and is by no means chilling or spine tingling, unlike the comic version. Regardless of the frustrating flaws that stand out, Justice League is everything you would want it to be with resonating heroes and their relatable issues. Non-stop entertainment and fun is exactly what a superhero film should be, and that is exactly what Justice League is. Watch the Justice League movie trailer below... #FilmReviews #TheatricalReleases #NiallMaggs #Superheroes #DC #ZackSnyder #BenAffleck #GalGadot #JasonMomoa #EzraMiller #AmyAdams #RayFisher #JeremyIrons #JKSimmons

Written and Directed by Xavier Guignard Starring Anne Ribière, Alex Gwyther, Elizabeth Dyer, Díana Bermudez Short Film Review by Chris Olson Transplanting society using the medium of science fiction has long been an effective method for filmmakers and storytellers to make poignant commentary on the reality of the modern world. Some of the more exciting of these films use a premise which is simple yet compelling to draw an audience to an alternative world that is much like their own but with a significant twist. Such is the starting point for short film Little Thief, from writer/director Xavier Guignard, that manages to conjure a world that is wholly intriguing and topical. In a world where 80% of the population are female, a couple struggle to maintain their relationship. Emma (Anne Ribière) and partner Leo (Alex Gwyther), start the film with a convivial planning of their after-work itinerary. After commuting into the city of London and being surrounded by a workforce made up of mostly high-powered women and subservient men, it becomes clear that there are hidden depths and secrets to the relationship of our central protagonists. Bold, ambitious, and aesthetically stunning, Little Thief delivers on a fantastic scale when it comes to sci-fi filmmaking. There is a tension to the story which is palpable from the beginning and only becomes increasingly more uncomfortable for the viewer as it unfolds. Not only are the details of this alternative world revealed with spectacular fascination, the smaller, central plot is also developed into something of a gripping thriller. This was all enhanced by a carefully constructed tone and atmosphere that borrowed heavily from previous films of the genre. The synth style soundtrack will be easily recognisable to any fan of classic science fiction, as will be the costumes and location choices. That is not to say Little Thief feels hampered by these connections, if anything they bolster the overall enjoyment and allow audiences to look for the modern references which are equally as impressive. The timing of this short could not be better really, given the state of gender politics worldwide. Whilst Guignard highlights the role reversal in several places during the short, it would have been fascinating to see a more tenacious storyline that explored more angles of it...perhaps a feature length is needed. From a performance perspective, I found Ribière to be a particular engaging on screen presence and her interplay with Gwyther was believable. The latter was strong as a physical presence but his delivery felt a little uninspired at times. This may have been a conscious choice to make his character seem even more impotent than he is but it left the movie lacking a degree of charisma. Elizabeth Dyer also turns in a strong turn. A compelling examination into not only gender power struggles but also the overall human condition and its foibles. Little Thief creates a believable and engaging world for the viewer to explore, one which is as different and painfully similar to our own. Watch the official Movie Trailer for Little Thief below... #ShortFilmReviews #ShortFilms #ChrisOlson #SciFi #Dystopianfilms #Gender #ScienceFiction #XavierGuignard #AnneRibière #AlexGwyther #ElizabethDyer #DianaBermudez

★★★★ Directed by Terry Zwigoff Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Bernie Mac, Lauren Graham, Brett Kelly Christmas Film Review by Chris Olson As with most genres, Christmas movies have a few select titles and characters whom provide the alternative yet still fit into the niche. Kick-Ass being an example for superhero films, and Kingsman for spy movies. Festive films have Billy Bob Thornton in Bad Santa: an alcoholic, foul-mouthed, whoring department store Santa Claus who uses his job in order to rob his employers every year. So far so merry right? Released in 2003, Bad Santa has become a bit of a cult classic for movie fans who don't particularly like Christmas. As a respite from the more sweet and sugary films, it works perfectly as a palette cleanser if you are a little bit fed up of jolly Santas and helpful elves. Speaking of which, Tony Cox plays Marcus, fellow conman and aid/elf to Thornton's Willie, who is just as foul-mouthed but not quite as degenerate, and offers up some of the best zingers during Bad Santa. As the two of them embark on their yearly scam, a tenuous and belligerent friendship seems to build between them. Willie also finds hope for his soul in the form of a loser kid played by Brett Kelly. Initially hoping to take advantage of the child's naivety, Santa soon comes to care for the poor kid, even beating seven bells out of the local bullies who torment him. Lauren Graham also plays a fun-loving waitress who enjoys several bouts of athletic sex with Willie whilst also offering some compassionate reflections along the way. Director Terry Zwigoff throws in plenty of slapstick comedy and action sequences to keep viewers happy. The violence does not pull its punches either, something which audiences may find unsettling in a genre film like this. This is absolutely not suitable for children. It's not exactly It's a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street but Bad Santa does have a special place on the naughty list of Christmas films. Thematically there is a lot to garner from the story. Such as it is wrong to steal, or that doing something nice for someone else is the actual meaning of Christmas. Or that taking a job as a department store Santa is not ideal if you have a problem with copious amounts of children urinating on you. Happy Holidays everyone. #ChristmasFilmReviews #ChrisOlson #ChristmasFilm #BillyBobThornton #TerryZwigoff #TonyCox #BernieMac #LaurenGraham #BrettKelly

★★★★ Directed by Joseph Kosinski Starring Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Taylor Kitsch, James Badge Dale, Jeff Bridges Film Review by Kieran Freemantle Only the Brave is a true-life drama about the Granite Mountain Hotshots, the first and so far only Municipal fire department in the United States to earn the elite status as Type 1 firefighters. Set over the course of a year, Only the Brave mainly follows Eric Marsh (Josh Brolin), the superintendent of the department who is determined to get his crew Type 1 status, and Brendan McDonough (Miles Teller), a drug addict who decides to get clean and join the fire department after the birth of his daughter. Brendan is a young man that Eric takes under his wing. When the Prescott Fire Department earn their status they call themselves the Granite Mountain Hotshots and are sent across the Southwest of America to help battle fire forests. There has been a boom in films marketed to appeal to middle-American audiences like Lone Survivor, American Sniper, 13 Hours and Deepwater Horizon. Only the Brave easily fits into this mould, a story about high working Joes in extraordinary circumstances. Macho films that celebrate their bravery. Most of those aforementioned films appealed to right-leaning audiences and Only the Brave does have a certain amount of flag waving - it is set in Arizona where country-and-western and ranches dominate. Yet since the focus is on firefighters instead of soldiers, Only the Brave can attract audiences with differing political views without them feeling conflicted. It is easy to admire and respect the job firefighters do. Only the Brave is set over a longer period than many of those other films mentioned. This allows the audience a chance to get to know the firefighters beyond their professional duties, showing them with their families and each other. They are a community that looks out for each other. It is a film that mixes the physical stresses of starting controlled fires in national parks and the personal and emotional strain it causes because these men have to spend so much time away from their families. The best example of this strain is between Eric and his wife Amanda (Jennifer Connelly): they start off as a happily married couple but as the film progresses cracks start to appear in their relationship. Because of the stress of job he ends up taking it out on his wife and Brendan, showing he is as flawed as the rest of us. The time away from Prescott also affects Brendan's relationship with his young daughter. There are 20 men in the Granite Mountain Hotshots and they are fairly indistinguishable to each other. They are all white men in their 20s and 30s and many of them have brown hair and moustaches. The only one to get any real characterisation was Taylor Kitsch's Chris, a man who starts out antagonising Brendan but slowly end up become a friend. He acted as the comic relief. James Badge Dale was also recognisable as Eric's second-in-command but that is more because of Badge Dale's roles in films like Iron Man 3 and World War Z rather than anything he did in Only the Brave. Only the Brave is the first film directed by Joseph Kosinski outside the sci-fi genre - his previous films being Tron: Legacy and Oblivion. Kosinski follows the model that Peter Berg set out in these true-life dramas. The fire fighting sequences were exhilarating and they do act as the equivalent to war scenes. The drama and the camaraderie felt natural as the men have barbecues and private parties or simply sitting around and having beers. They are a family as much as they are colleagues. However, when Only the Brave moves into its third act it stumbles into melodrama. There is a tragic event that people who know the true story should be aware of but the emotions in the aftermath were ramped up. It seemed like the director, writers and actors had to emote by screaming and crying because they believed that would add to the drama - not how people really would act. But this is a small blemish and I would be lying if I said my emotions weren't manipulated at the end. Only the Brave is a celebration of the bravery that men who put themselves in incredible danger to protect their communities. It is a worthy addition to the influx of true-life adaptations. #FilmReviews #KieranFreemantle #DisasterFilm #JosephKosinski #Biopic #JoshBrolin #MilesTeller #JenniferConnelly #TaylorKitsch #JamesBadgeDale #JeffBridges

Written & Directed by James Short Starring Gerald Maliqi, Kizzt Romer-Lee, Tristan Barnard and Craig McKinnon. Short Film Review by Rachel Pullen Being a spy, for some a childhood dream after watching too many James Bond films, for some it's real life and for others its an unobtainable reality, so what do you do if you love espionage, women, fast cars and sipping whiskey from fancy crystal glasses? Well you become a filmmaker and produce a series of spy films of course. Well James Short did just that with his second instillation of spy films called Mission Revoked, the sequel to his earlier film Mission Abandoned, I have yet to see the first but no worries, picking up the storyline is as easy as picking up herpes in the red light district...not that I would know. Mission Revoked tells the story of Jordan Blade, a spy who is sent on a mission from the top dogs to assassinate a millionaire who is getting up to all kinds of mischief with some terrorist, but quickly he discovers that there is some wrong doings within his company when he finds out that his association has been sold out which he must put a stop to, I mean he is a spy he has to keep up his fancy lifestyle, redundancy is not an option for this chap. This from the get go is clearly a student film. How do I know this? Well most of it is shot within the college, prominently the media classroom, the obligatory pulp fiction posters on the walls are a dead giveaway, and while a student film is not a bad thing, look at Evil Dead, but if your gonna shoot a B-movie ensure you scout a good location. Typically they use the college to the best of their abilities, things such as lighting and camera angles are used professionally and with ease, clearly educated well on the art of filmmaking director James Short parades his natural abilities behind the camera within this piece. Sadly his choice of actors brings up some challenges in regards to believability, some such as Gerald Maliqi and Kizzt Romer-Lee display confidence and a good level of acting abilities on the screen but others not so much, Short could focus on stimulating their performance a little more in order to produce a higher quality product, but at the end of the day we must remember these are young men and women making their first footprints in the world in regards to their craft and so these attempts must be viewed with their infancy in mind. Enjoyable with a creative story line Mission Revoked is a good start to working within the industry as well as an interesting choice of genre for such a young director to take on. #ShortFilmReviews #RachelPullen #ShortFilms #JamesShort #GeraldMaliqi #KizztRomerLee #TristanBarnard #CraigMcKinnon

★★★★ Directed by Paul King Starring Ben Whishaw, Hugh Grant, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Jessica Hynes, Julie Walters Film Review by Ross Webber (@SceneItMovie sceneit3.wordpress.com) It’s been a pretty good week for the creators of Paddington 2. Firstly, the movie received sparkling reviews upon it’s release last Friday, and then news emerged yesterday that the movie has severed ties from the much maligned Weinstein Company after the North American distribution rights were nabbed by Warner Bros. Paddington, our furry little hero from Peru, is a timely ray of shining generosity and love in this the second edition of his tale. The sequel to 2014’s first instalment is just as charming, amusing and uplifting and includes an extremely talented and extremely British cast. We return to the life of Paddington (brilliantly voiced by Ben Whishaw), who has now settled with the Browns, and has made friends with many in the community. With his aunt Lucy’s birthday coming up, he plans to find the perfect present for her which turns out to be an old pop-up book of London that he finds in an antique shop. In order to pay for the book, he tries saving money by working in a barber shop and as a window cleaner which both carry their own comical bout. Just as he is on the brink of having enough saved, the book is stolen from the antique shop and worse yet, Paddington is framed for the robbery. With the help of the Browns as well as those he inevitably makes friends with in prison, Paddington attempts to devise a plan to clear his name and retrieve the book. Given how much of a pleasant surprise the first Paddington film was, it was certainly going to be a tough task for the second to live up to expectations. But it exceeds them thanks to some more brilliantly put-together comedy sequences, some fine casting and more general joyful, feel-good movie making. It bears (excuse the pun) reiterating again the brilliance of Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington, who has that soft, friendly tone that so seamlessly goes along with the CGI’d character. It’s difficult to believe that Whishaw was drafted in at the last minute to voise the bear but thank goodness he was. He heads another incredible cast in the second instalment as Sally Hawkins, Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent and Peter Capaldi all return. This time joined by Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson with cameos from Richard Ayoade, Joanna Lumley, Ben Miller and Jessica Hynes. It’s a brilliant British cast where both Grant and Gleeson are absolutely on top of their acting game. Grant in particular, who plays the failing actor and main villain, Phoenix Buchanan, has certainly resurrected his career and this can be considered as one of his best comic performances. Grant is just one of the many brilliant comical elements of the movie which playfully rolls by with a number of visually funny gags as well as plenty of witty remarks and jokes. With that said, director and writer Paul King includes plenty of peril and tension in the movie beneath the comedy, none more so than the climactic underwater escape sequence. As a result of this layer being including in a movie primarily designed for children, Paddington 2 is an all round treasure of a film, rather than just worthy of a few laughs. But at the centre of this delightful watch is a character who offers a humble message of love and kindness, albeit sometimes in the most calamitous of ways, leaving Paddington 2 a hugely entertaining and charming watch throughout. Watch the official Paddington 2 movie trailer below... #FilmReviews #TheatricalReleases #MovieTrailers #RossWebber #BenWhishaw #HughGrant #HughBonneville #SallyHawkins #JessicaHynes #JulieWalters

Produced and Directed by Ranjani Prasad Starring Jessica Anders, Shae Bourne, Abby Hunter, Kennedy Knopf, Nicholas Masse, Ritesh Matlani, Payton Moldenhauer, Jhomar Suyom Short Film Review by Chris Olson There have been some performers that have really stuck in the memories of film fans over recent decades for their sheer physicality. The mark of a great performer is one who can embody the actual presence of a character as well as deliver the lines they may speak. Such examples include terrific actors like Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, and Daniel Day Lewis. However, when it comes to the physicality of ensemble casts, many forget to call it such and label it choreography. In short film Krupa, from filmmaker Ranjavi Prasad, there is indeed a significant amount of planned routine about the performances which is utterly breathtaking, but to ignore the emotional depth and impact that each individual performer brings to the screen would be a crying shame. An abstract movement piece, Krupa translates as "Mercy" and is something of a tapestry when it comes to thematic threads. Elements of violence and sex can definitely be located, as can intimations of love and desire. The swarm of squirming, writhing bodies to the pounding beat provokes feelings of a beautifully uncomfortable mix of isolation and anxiety. Prasad introduces colour into the piece in a very striking and specific way. Splashes of red can be seen at numerous points during Krupa, at one point a performer has her entire face splattered with some kind of crimson dust. As with any artistic endeavour, audiences will be able to emerge from a viewing with a myriad of interpretations, but it is undeniable that the short film packs a huge amount of compelling ideas into a tiny running time. Krupa is the kind of film you want to submerge yourself into for days just to explore as many aspects of it as you can. I mentioned earlier the idea of performers bringing physicality to a character, and the impressive array of these we get in Prasad's movie have a stark vitality to them as well as an underlying sense of turmoil or threat, that one cannot help but submit to their presence. This combined with the hypnotic fluidity of their movement made this a transfixing cinematic experience. There are some really clever moments in terms of editing and aesthetics, the short utilises a smorgasbord of tactics like mirroring, blurring, slow motion and the like to introduce and maintain a surreal yet compelling atmosphere. As the intensity of the narrative grows as does the pacing into something quite formidable. The balletic prowess of the talent behind and in front of the screen culminating in a thoroughly enjoyable climax. #ShortFilmReviews #ShortFilms #ChrisOlson #RanjaniPrasad #silentfilm #movement #abstract

Directed by Chris Esper Starring Trevor Duke and J.D. Achille Short Film Review by Annie Vincent An amusing critique of the dating scene today, Undatement Center tells the story of Jack, a young man looking for love. Upon arrival at the Undatement Center, Jack (Trevor Duke) accidentally skips the ‘sign up’ desk and finds himself in front of a frosty young woman who seems pretty disappointed in him. Initially it seems like this is the dating consultant, the woman to check his application and suggest potential love matches, but we come to realise this is actually a woman looking for a date - she’s just not at all interested in Jack and has dismissed him for not bringing along his application form. Keen to get on the right track and make a success of his love life, Jack signs up. He’s reluctant to share the reason for the twelve year gap since his last relationship, but begins working on the rest of his application, submitting his medical history and even a urine sample in a bid to pass the gruelling interviews he’s put through by the eligible women. After numerous attempts, all of which are unsuccessful and comically awkward, Jack has had enough, so the Undatement Center offer him the chance to be the interviewer; the one who can control the selection of a potential partner. An amusing, though somewhat poignant, montage shows Jack putting a variety of women through their paces in the harshest way – is he taking all that pent up frustration over the interviews he had to endure out on any woman that comes along now? Eventually, Lindsay (J.D. Achille) is seated in front of him. Immediately, we know she will be different as Jack’s attention is captured. Her application reveals a long gap since she last dated and, like him, she also doesn’t want to disclose why. He dismisses her instantly for this. Not to be put off though, Lindsay perseveres and finds out he enjoys bowling. She invites him on a date, but he says he can’t – have his experiences at the center now caused so much anxiety he cannot see how a date will ever result in anything but upset? This short film is an amusing critique of the dating world today. With prospective lovers offering up every minute detail of their lives and romantic history for evaluation by a potential match, it isn’t hard to imagine a place like the Undatement Center existing. It’s sad really, and here Chris Esper reminds us that sifting and sorting your love matches in this way just isn’t right. He tries to return us to the simplistic beauty of human relationships – the ones that are based on gut feelings. The moment between Jack and Lindsay, when he shows his true weakness, is touching. The close camera work and traditionally gooey love song in the background gives the audience that warm, snuggly, rom-com feeling and we instantly want this relationship to work out. The comedy here is subtle with Duke conveying so many thoughts without uttering a word at times. Whilst drastic, his experiences at the center aren’t that far from the awkward dates we’ve all experienced at one time or another. Whether we choose to admit it or not, we’re all suckers for that butterfly-in-your-tummy love and Esper plays to this beautifully here. Undatement Center is definitely one to see for romcom fans. #ShortFilmReviews #ShortFilms #AnnieVincent #ChrisEsper #Comedy

Directed by Luke Shelley Written by Luke Shelley and Craig Busek Starring Nigel Barber, Pippa Winslow, Max Cavenham Short Film Review by Chris Olson Who would have thought that a cold-war story would be relevant in 2017, but given the current climate of global politics short film Dropkick, written by Luke Shelley and Craig Busek, is a triumphantly thrilling exploration of political expediency and megalomania that is ultimately, and regrettably, completely necessary viewing. It's 1984 and President Keates (Nigel Barber) and his loyal Special Agent Haines (Max Cavenham) are holed up in a dusty bunker where the First Lady (Pippa Winslow) has just arrived, completely perturbed by the sudden and mysterious need for such a location. Once she is able to extract some details from the tight-lipped Haines and her husband, it becomes terrifyingly apparent that this Cold War setting has some rather obvious connotations for them. However, what's not apparent, are the details and motivations of all the players. A fantastically paced and consistent drama/thriller, director Shelley glues his feat to the period of his piece and maintains a tremendous aesthetic and atmosphere throughout. The dialogue is expertly tense, with characters given plenty of meaty lines with lots of political bite, without ever dropping the brilliantly crafted imminent sense of threat which is palpable and will keep the audience utterly transfixed. Music, from Jack Pierce, is used well to enhance and combine the varying themes which are being utilised in the story, such as war, patriotism, survival, and morality. His score had elements which were quickly linked to military and politics in order to set the tone and to highlight the ludicrousness of the situation and the reality of its consequences. The atmosphere was also complemented by some striking lighting, in particular the opening shot of the iconic Seal of the President. All three performances were convincing and well executed. I particularly enjoyed Winslow's depth as the moral conscience of the piece. Her tenacity at extracting information from Haines was equal to her incredulity at the President's actions and attitude. Dropkick has a pedigree about it that could stand toe-to-toe with the heavyweights of the genre, which rely hugely on impressive performances, such as Nixon, All the President's Men and even a solid TV show like House of Cards. As with many great short films, I would have happily watched a feature length with these characters and believe Shelley and Busek's writing would have easily coped with a longer duration. Watch the official movie trailer for Dropkick below... #ShortFilmReviews #ShortFilms #ChrisOlson #WarFilms #LukeShelley #CraigBusek #NigelBarber #PippaWinslow #MaxCavenham

Directed by Maurizio Ghiotti Starring Winning Jah Short Film Review by Rachel Pullen Ahhh weed culture, you either love it or hate it, and in the case of Winning Jah, he clearly loves it...a lot, like he is all about the weed culture at this point, if I could sum him and his music video C-Krit up, its weed culture...enough said. But even though it would be easy to end the train of thoughts there and just get sucked into watching a man smoke a joint with his friends dancing around him, not unlike so many music videos of this style that we have seen in the past, I must delve a little deeper in to the subtext of this piece of film. In this video we can see our main man Winning Jah hanging with his buddies enjoying the simple things in life, smoking weed, dancing, watching women with hula hoops, you know the usual, but suddenly they are ambushed by a young man and a copper, who take their weed...tragedy has befallen this party in the park. But Winning Jah ain't no fool, his hula hooping lady tracks them down and takes Winning Jah to see what has become of his stolen herbs, and there before his eyes he can see the police man and his friend sharing his weed with some priests...and although that seems confusing, Winning Jah clears it up for us by breaking the third wall and telling us that we are all herbalists...even religious figures. C-Krit is a fun music video, the basic idea is spiced up by having a B storyline, in this case weed-stealing coppers, which is a nice addition to the usual tiered execution of weed-based music videos. Shot in a beautiful location the visual stimulation of this piece is very enjoyable to watch, the vibrancy and colour pop off the screen, making you want to get in your summer best and dance the day away with these fun loving folk and is that not the point of this music style. C-Krit is a music video that knows it's purpose, to express a fun and welcoming environment, a place where you want to go to chill with you friend listening to the music of Winning Jah, it hits the nail on the head and knows its audience bringing the visuals to match the song with perfect style. #ShortFilmReviews #MusicVideos #RachelPullen #MusicFilms #MaurizioGhiotti #WinningJah