We lead fairly structured lives. The kind that features a pretty standard routine. Wherein we wake up in the morning and enjoy some form of breakfast or beverage, before heading out into the world to earn our paycheck for eight hours. And after we’ve put in some hard work at the office, we head home to enjoy our own special brand of downtime, before heading off to bed to dream away before starting this pattern over anew. But what is truly fascinating about our daily routine, is the last part of it. Because we are so focused on our world and our patterns, that we truly believe that bedtime is the end of the day and the world stops moving whilst we sleep. When in fact, that's simply not the case.

For while the vast majority of us snore and shift beneath the sheets, dreaming of all kinds of wonders, the world is still in motion. For there are people who earn their living under the cover of night. Such as taxicab drivers who move people about in the darkness, and some of their fares are out late because they’re eager to experience a world that is free from the trappings of the norm. If anything, it is definitely safe to say, that an entirely different world comes to life while we sleep. One that we simply do not understand in the slightest, since our lives separates us from the wonder and majesty and danger of the night life. But thankfully, storytellers are always there to explore places and things and environments that we are unfamiliar with, and recently, this reviewer had the opportunity to enjoy a motion picture that takes the time to explore the wild world that comes to life when the sun goes down, in Drive All Night.

Now in this particular tale, we are introduced to a cab driver named Dave, a quiet recluse, that wants nothing more than to get the job done and get on with his evening. But there is indeed more to Dave than merely hoping to get through the night and earn his paycheck. For he dreams of being with the one woman he shares a nighttime connection with, a server named Morgan. Plus, he would be just fine with exploring the world and seeing it when the sun is bearing down and well, he just might get that opportunity. For when a strange and enigmatic passenger named Cara instructs him to drive all night and take her wherever she pleases, Dave is going to get the opportunity to live a little for a change and that might alter his outlook on the future, for the better. Provided of course, he and Cara can evade the trouble that is quietly hunting her from afar.

So, before we dig too deeply into this particular film, this is the perfect time to provide you with a bit of a warning. For you see, this is quite the unique motion picture when all is said and done, one that doesn’t really adhere to standard storytelling structure and that can be quite jarring and confusing at first. To the point where a viewer might want to walk away from this movie and watch something else. But it is definitely safe to say, that sticking with this one is worth your while, for several reasons. First and foremost, because it really is quite the gorgeous piece of art. For Writer/Director Peter Hsieh takes the time to build a mysterious and beautiful world here, one that features a fascinating retro 80s vibe and those visuals and the fascinating structure of this film… help to ease the viewer into the theme present within its plot.
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In that, this is clearly a movie about finding our way forward in life and waking up from the fog that life sometimes sinks us into. Because Dave really has zero purpose and no direction when we meet him here, but his adventures with Cara and her carefree way of handling life… slowly allows for him to look at his own journey and its accomplishments and failures and begin to understand that he’s given up to a certain extent, and is hiding from life and everything that it could offer him. Which is a fascinating and uplifting lesson to find within the framework of a movie, that appears to be the visual interpretation of a dream, but that too helps to reinforce the notion, that Dave is waking up from his own dreamlike state so he can finally live in the light that he’s rejected for so long. 

However, do bear in mind, that such a deep and uplifting message isn’t really front and center, the first time you watch this film. Which means that multiple viewings will likely be necessary to properly capture everything that this movie sends your way and that’s not a bad thing by any means. For this really is quite the fascinating ride, one that truly immerses the viewer in a strange environment that we have quite literally dreamed about and that definitely means that this motion picture is worth a look. Since it really is unlike anything else on the market. For it truly thumbs its nose at traditional storytelling structure to provide the viewer with an outright experience, and that is quite the wonderful thing to find in an era where experimentation is film is not as common as it used to be.

We live in a genuinely interesting time when it comes to cinema. Simply because just about everyone has figured out what makes an audience happy, and that’s allowed for slick production after slick production to hit the market and that’s not exactly a bad thing. Because we really are treated to some dynamic and exciting films on a regular basis, the kind that either wow us with their stunning visuals or move us emotionally by way of powerful moments. But while we are indeed seeing cinema at its best right now, there is one particular drawback to this era of perfectly manufactured storytelling.
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In that, not everyone is keen on taking storytelling risks anymore, and that is unfortunate. Because it was risk and bold decisions that brought cinema to where it is today and not being wowed or blown away by stories that push the envelope anymore does make the viewing experience a little too comfortable at times. To the point where we find ourselves hoping to see someone try something new and dynamic, in order to change things up. But thankfully, those types of films are indeed still out there, mostly on the indie market, and recently, this reviewer had the opportunity to enjoy a science fiction film that manages to try something new and exciting in a marketplace where crowd pleasing is the norm in The Tangle.

Now in this particular film, we are transported into the future, where technology has finally solved all of mankind’s problems. Because thanks to the wonder of nanotechnology, humanity is finally able to live in relative peace and harmony and prosperity. For hunger and war and murder are a thing of the past. But sadly, there is something sinister brewing beneath the surface of this utopian society. For one fine day, the pristine nature of this world is shattered by way of the first murder in decades. An act that has a pair of guardians of this precious peace, gravely concerned. Because the only way a murder can occur now, is if the source of this brave new world has deemed it so, and now it will be up to them to figure out if their paradise is about to fall… at the hands of a creator that has grown bored with a status quo.

Which is a plot that at first glance, doesn’t appear to be focused on pushing the envelope since that is something that echoes the wonder of Blade Runner and other sci-fi tales, and oddly enough, once you dive into this movie, those echoes grow louder for certain. Since the cars we see and the cities were man lives, appear to be ripped out of Ridley Scott’s movie and the subsequent sequel. But the decision to go that particular route is clearly part of a master storytelling plan. For you see, sucking us into a familiar world where technology has seemingly run amuck, is designed to not only pay homage to the classics, but to also make the audience comfortable and relaxed, so that writer/director Christopher Soren Kelly can stun us with quite the storytelling surprise.
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Because just like that, this dystopian science fiction drama, transforms itself into a futuristic noir. One grounded in the wonder of steampunk and Mickey Spillane and that really is something that is quite surprising to see play out here. Mainly because, mashing together genres is a big no-no in the industry, since that can allow for a story to lose sight of what it wants to accomplish. But here, it is designed to create a fascinating commentary for the viewer to chew upon. One that more or less laments how we use technology to solve our problems, instead of working to fix the fundamental issues of our society. Which is problematic, since not addressing said issues allows for them to persist and find new ways to thrive and that makes this particular movie quite the cerebral adventure when all is said done.

One that genuinely takes you off guard with its originality and it also manages to suck you into this story by offering up an incredibly intricate and compelling mystery. One that relates to the commentary in question in a magnificent and smooth manner and how that comes together exactly, is something we won’t spoil here. Simply because, you need to see this film and how all of these elements come together. For this this really is quite the unique ride, one that resurrects an old genre in the most creative way imaginable. So, if you’re looking for something different and you’d like to enjoy a film that both entertains and leaves you with something more, then give this one a look. You’ll be glad you did.   

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the documentary film, ‘Bullied’.
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If there is one word in the English language that immediately evokes some kind of emotional response from all of us, it would have to be… bully. Because that word instantly reminds us of someone in our life, be it from our youth, or be it now, that fits the definition of that particular word. For sadly, bullies are an everyday thing, to the point where we have an actual mental playbook on how to deal with them. The kind that involves us walking away when they start their immature machinations, so we don’t have to deal with it. Or we know to clap back and stand tall when necessary since we are also taught that bullies don’t do well with having someone give them the business in return.
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But what is truly fascinating about bullies, is that we in essence, tolerate them. Because this is something that is generational now, to the point where those of us that grew up with bullies and started a family, are now teaching our kids how to deal with them. But while this is seemingly something that is just an everyday part of life, the fact that bullying is starting to find new ways to cause trouble for our youth and for adults… has us finally revisiting the concept of the bully and whether or not the time has come to put a stop to it. Simply because it is something that is getting dangerous now, and in order to educate us on the new problems that bullying is creating these days, documentary filmmaker Thomas Keith has opted to visit the topic in his latest work, aptly named Bullied.

Now in this particular documentary, Thomas wastes no time in pointing out the dangers that are now accompanying bullying. For the online world allows for this particular act to continue day and night since social media can help a bully to say something awful whenever they so choose, and the difficulties that come with monitoring such an issue, along with a generalized mantra that kids need to tough out such issues since they are ‘part of growing up’, is creating undue stress upon children and teenagers. For they are trying to reconcile the meaning of horrible words in the midst of emotional and physical growth and that is a painfully difficult task. One that kids and teens are struggling with, since these acts truly make them feel worthless and lost and that is leading to some worst-case scenarios.

Because sadly, a great deal of children and teenagers that deal with excessive and relentless bullying on a consistent basis, are starting to turn to self-harm and suicide, which in turn leaves families broken and schools exposed. For this is of course, where the majority of bullying takes place and sadly, far too many schools are slow to react to the issue at hand, or they go after the wrong person in the matter and well… this segment of the documentary makes for some powerful moments for certain. Since these are facts that few of us were aware of and they outright give the viewer pause, and the interviews that Mister Keith conducts with the parents that have to solider on, really does paint a devastating picture of what bullying looks like in the modern era and how something needs to be done to help these kids and teens out.
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Which thankfully, the documentary takes the time to explore. Because believe it or not, there are solutions out there to potentially stop bullying at last so that it no longer becomes a part of everyday life and the answer to this problem might be simpler than we originally thought. For there are schools out there that are working to offer up social and emotional learning to go alongside the other lessons being taught in school. And this kind of coursework is designed to help kids to understand the emotional and social impact of their negative actions and the lasting effects they have upon people and well, it’s generating positive results. The kind that are keeping the peace in class and making kids and teens cognizant of what bullying can do and well, that allows for a sobering documentary about the impact of this subject, to end on quite the hopeful note. 

Because if this kind of teaching can continue to catch on and reach kids at an early age, and if parents can continue to be involved in this type of learning, then there is a chance that at long last, the bully can become a thing of a past and this documentary can become a lesson instead of a warning and well, in the end, this really is quite the incredible film for certain. One that holds nothing back in its presentation of a long-standing problem that has truly grown out of control and it is also a documentary that doesn’t sit on its laurels, by offering up observations over solutions and that makes this particular documentary an important and worthwhile watch for certain. Since it finally sheds some light and direction on a topic that modern society has ignored for far too long.

Caution: This article contains some spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Rain Beau’s End’.

​If there is one thing that modern society has worked incredibly hard to create over the course of the last century or so, it would have to be the perfect family unit. For we have collectively come to learn that having a solid family unit that supports and nurtures children, is critical to creating good and productive people and that is why, in America at least, we’ve seen a grand push for men and women to get married as soon as they can and raise a family. So that, mother and father can impart the wisdom they learned from their perfect parents, upon their children and love them and guide them to becoming incredible human beings that will change the world someday. But while that particular structure has its merits and has given all of us something to strive for in starting a family, let’s be honest in saying that such a particular goal is damn near impossible to achieve.
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Because two-point-five children really isn’t a thing anymore, and there isn’t always a mommy and a daddy in a family. Sometimes it’s just one parent or sometimes they’re made up of the same sex and to top it all off, raising kids is not as easy as it sounds. For they are indeed individuals with specific needs and wants that don’t always jibe with that of their parents, and a house of individuality can cause great conflicts at times, to the point where some leave family life behind. Yet that grand dream of the perfect nuclear family persists, simply because we believe it is achievable. But not everyone prefers to push that particularly flawed dream. For sometimes creative minds are eager to assemble a story that shows the world how difficult such a venture can be, in order to properly celebrate it, as is the case with the newly released film, Rain Beau’s End.

Now in this particular motion picture, we are transported back to 1999 to meet a lesbian couple named Jules Paradise and Hannah Driver and well, they want that perfect family life, and when we catch up with them here, they’re close to achieving their dreams. For they are about to adopt a young man named Beau and having him around will allow for them to live fulfilling lives in which they can raise Beau to be the perfect man. But the revelation that he’s suffering from emotional issues and potentially a genetic marker that will motivate him to be violent in life, changes everything for Hannah. For now, she believes that her baby boy could turn out to be quite the rotten human being, giving her all the more reason to try and force this family to be what she imagined in her mind and that will lead to all kinds of incredible challenges for everyone in the household, as they try to navigate a dream gone wrong. 

Which is a plot that truly makes it sound as though you’re going to watch a supremely by the numbers film that will lightly touch upon how tough it is to raise a family, before everything comes together in a beautiful and happy manner. The kind that leaves the viewer feeling fulfilled and joyous about family life. But once Beau begins to exhibit some violent tendencies and once Hannah really comes to fear that she’s brought the anthesis of what she wanted home, the story shifts gears and becomes a powerful exploration on how difficult family life truly is. Because Hannah and Jules genuinely struggle to raise Beau in a manner that pleases all parties and despite their best efforts to put him on the right path, he continues to walk the wrong one, and that pushes their relationship to the breaking point really, and of course, their inability to reach Beau makes it seem as though his legacy is going to be nothing more than a grand tragedy. 
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Which truly allows for some harrowing and uncomfortable moments to take place in this story, the kind that touch upon the devastating nature of domestic violence and bullying and even how much easier it would be for us to walk away from problems in this vein. But all of these dark moments are present in this story to teach the viewer some valuable lessons. Such as the fact that family is forever, and we don’t just get to walk away from it and that we simply cannot ever give up on the people we love. Because it is our faith in them that truly allows for them to grow and become more in life, and the instant we turn our back upon them, when we haven’t given them every chance to redeem themselves or grow… is when we have truly failed at being a parent or a partner. But most important of all, this movie does a phenomenal job of asking us to live in the moment when it comes to family life.

Because sometimes, we get so caught up in the dream of perfection, or our careers, that we miss the fact that beautiful moments are indeed happening all around us. And that there are special things that our loved ones do for us and no one else, and if we fail to cherish those… we will miss out on the wonder of knowing that we have a perfect family life in front of us after all. If anything, all of these elements make this a wonderfully complex and magnificent motion picture. One that truly encapsulates what the modern American family looks like and how raising one isn’t for the faint of heart. For it takes guts and an open heart and an open mind and incredible patience to make that happen and that message and all the others we’ve discussed today, make this a worthwhile watch. Simply because this is that rare motion picture, that truly captures the essence of the human experience.

When it comes to films that are ‘based on a true story’ I think we can all agree that the end result is often hit or miss. After all, we all know deep down that these movies take creative license to keep the drama going since real life is a touch on the dry side. But successful films in this particular genre are the ones that take care to truly examine the human condition and take us inside the moment in question and recently, I was finally able to see a motion picture that chronicles a moment in time that met that all important criteria in Sully.

Now for those unfamiliar with this movie and the event it is based upon, Director Clint Eastwood takes us back to 2009 to re tell the tale of the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’, wherein U.S. Airways Flight 1549 was forced to crash land in the Hudson River shortly after its takeoff from LaGuardia Airport after being hit by a flock of birds and the miracle that this event refers to is the fact that Captain Chelsey ‘Sully’ Sullenberger was able to land the plane with such skill and precision that no one lost their lives on this fateful day.

Now there are several reasons as to why Sully stands above the usual ‘based on true events’ style of motion picture, starting with the fact that it does a phenomenal job of holding nothing back. There's a strong attempt to not over-dramatize the Miracle on the Hudson, instead the film works to recreate it with accuracy and replicate the emotions the crew and the passengers experienced in that moment and the end result of this effort is a tense and powerful set of scenes that chronicle every critical second and decision and well... despite the fact that you may know how the story ends, you still feel a genuine sense of danger and hold your breath in anticipation as you wait for Sully, his crew and the good people of Flight 1549 to be rescued after slamming down into the ice cold water of the Hudson.

However, while the crash and subsequent rescue are incredibly thrilling, what really caught my eye when it comes to this motion picture is the fact that it challenges the notion of heroism. We often view heroes as these incredible people who do incredible things and here, this film accomplishes two key things; it humanizes heroes by showing us how men like Sully handle a brush with death and oddly enough, how we as a society look for cracks in the armor of such men since the NTSB more or less plays the villain role of the film by trying to prove that Sully had time to get his plane back to an airport and risked lives in unnecessary fashion. It's a fascinating new take on events such as this, one grounded in reality and that forces the audience to ponder upon some of the hard truths that come with saving lives. 

Finally, one cannot talk about this film without talking about Tom Hanks and his performance as Captain Sullenberger because once again, Tom is simply brilliant. He truly has become one of the finest actors in the business and once you get past the 'oh hey, it's Tom Hanks' moment, you're once again sucked in by a transformative performance from the man as he becomes Sully. Either way, this is a fascinating little film, one that pulls no punches and draws you in and if you're looking for a harrowing story that takes you on a wild ride before delivering you to safety with a smile on your face, look no further, and you'll be glad you checked this film out, because it's rare that a disaster flick, one based upon reality for that matter... ends in such happy fashion.