One particular truth about human beings that everyone is aware of, is that we are supremely social beings. We love to be around others in some capacity, we love making a connection with others, and we love indulging in the creation of memory and moments with those we choose to surround ourselves. Because we love what it does for us, we love what it brings us from a joy perspective, and that is also why… we have no qualms with finding a partner. To have those elements day in and day out, and a family if we so choose. Because being around others really does fulfill us in ways we never thought possible.
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Sadly though, we learn how much it means to us… by outright not having it now and again. Because for every great story about two best friends that have known each other for decades, or a love affair for the ages, there are moments of loneliness we don’t talk about. Where those individuals yearned for connection. In fact, it is so important to us, our worst fear is having it robbed from us. Because we know that would devastate us and put us in a desperate space where we might do anything to have what we crave. Which does beg the question. What would we do to have connection if by chance the fundamentals of it were taken from us? Well, it just so happens that a film that recently debuted at the Austin Film Festival ponders upon that question in a powerful manner.

A feat that Silent Notes accomplishes by introducing us to a man named Bruce who is in the midst of a trying time in his life. For Bruce is losing his hearing at an alarming rate and that helps him to realize that this will ostracize him and isolate him because of how the world views differently abled individuals. Which puts him into a panic to find money for a surgery to maintain his hearing, to the point where he decides to sign up with the mafia as an errand man, to raise the money needed to get the implants that will restore his hearing, quickly. But making a romantic connection with a Mafioso in the organization, changes everything for Bruce. For he knows this man is the one and he is suddenly tempted to do whatever it takes to keep him safe and keep him around to maintain the true connection he’s been searching for.  

Which really is a powerful and inventive way to explore the central theme. Because we don’t give that much thought to how communication is part of connection, nor do we think too much about how we ostracize and forget about differently abled individuals and isolate those same individuals, because we think we cannot properly communicate with differently abled individuals. Which allows for both of those elements to really showcase how much it matters to everyone to be connected and communicated with and the premise alone ponders upon how far we will go to get that. Because doing illegal acts and pondering upon how best to be near someone that lives a dangerous life, speaks volumes to our need.   
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All of which gives rise to a powerful feature. One that is also uniquely constructed in nature. For a fair chunk of the film is presented to us in silence, in part to help us understand the world that Bruce lives within because we should understand the life of someone that is about to lose what little connection they have to the world and know more about what differently abled individuals go through. But it also just features an unconventional love story. One that showcases how love knows no bounds, and how it really does fulfill us in ways we never thought possible. Which gives rise to real beauty in this story the kind that deeply move you and may in fact, bring one to tears, and the wonder of this feature doesn’t end there.

Because it also harbors some amazing representation. Since Daniel Durant, who plays Bruce, happens to be deaf, and it is important to see a differently abled individual on screen, and Daniel is simply riveting here. For he sells the power and the gravity of Bruce’s situation in a powerfully compelling manner. To the point where you truly do want to see him find the love he seeks. Not to mention, you really do want to see love conquer all, and all of these elements make for a powerful feature. One that is both beautiful and melancholy, and truly reminds us… that we all deserve love, and we all deserve connection and that perhaps we should worry less about what it would take to find that connection and worry more about why we aren’t offering it more.

To see ‘Silent Notes’ please visit the Austin Film Festival website. Also, stay tuned for more coverage from this film, courtesy of our interview with Star Daniel Durant, Director Toni Comas and Interpreter Matt Rymer.

There was a time in cinema, not that long ago, where zany comedies ruled the box office. In fact, it was almost impossible to go a weekend without enjoying some kind of top-tier comedy, one where the audience would wipe tears from their eyes because the jokes were great and hit hard and that was all they worked to accomplish. They simply wanted to entertain you and make you laugh for a good ninety minutes, and some genuinely iconic franchises and films came out of this push for hilarity. The kind that we tend to quote to this day and watch over and over again when we stumble upon them on a streaming service or on television, to just enjoy those hilarious moments again and to put a smile on our faces. 
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But somewhere along the time, something happened. One day, the zany comedy just disappeared from the marketplace. For reasons we don’t understand. Some claim that it might be related to the sudden surge of concern that comedy can be offensive, and that zany comedies cross too many lines. While others have pointed out that they cost a bevy of money to make and that makes them a hard sell to a studio. But it does leave one to wonder, if we will ever see the return of such comedies, and well… the answer to that question is a resounding yes. For there are filmmakers out there looking to resurrect this type to story, and it just so happens that a zany comedy that truly harkens back to that golden age of the genre, made its debut at the Austin Film Festival the other night, and Operation Taco Gary’s is truly worth spotlighting, for it is the most hilarious comedy of the year.

A feat that this film accomplishes by plunging us into a very unique moment for a man named Luke. For he has landed an amazing job in Canada and when we are introduced to him here, he’s selling off everything to prepare for the move and is as happy as can be. Especially when his estranged brother Danny arrives to help him with the move. For he hasn’t seen Danny in ages, mainly because Danny has a tendency to believe in conspiracy theories and lives off-grid more often than not. But for this reunion, Danny wants nothing more than to spend time with his brother and see him off into this new chapter of his life. Okay, maybe not. Because soon, Luke learns that Danny isn’t exactly telling him the entire truth and the real reason he’s come along… relates to the most incredible conspiracy theory anyone has ever heard and in order to be free of Danny’s wild beliefs, Luke has no choice but to listen to his brother and see this journey to its completion.

Which is… the perfect plot in which to bring forth a zany comedy that knows no bounds to its humor. Because the conspiracy theory in question allows for the story to just let loose and have fun and go to silly places that you don’t think it will go, and that… really does give rise to some wonderfully hilarious moments and sequences here. Ones that feature some truly iconic comedy sequences. Some of which involve amazing physical comedy, running gags and something that we all adored back in the day, those super slapstick sequences that go on forever and just keep upping the ante with the gags. Which really does harken back to those classic comedies that just keep the funny coming, and what’s amazing, is that this motion picture has even more wonder and majesty to offer its audience.
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Because it is also, a brilliantly written film, one that makes some of what happens here, feel believable. Which draws you into the story deeper, as do the stakes present for both Luke and Danny, and like any great comedy… it has heart and some genuinely endearing moments as well, and it also boasts… just an amazing cast. Which is important in putting together a quality comedy. Because they have to sell the funny, and they most certainly do, with one actor leading the charge here, and he really takes this movie to the next level. For comedy legend Simon Rex plays Danny in this tale, and he brings incredible depth to the role and lets loose here as a comedian, and that really does lead to some incredible moments. In fact, this is some of Simon’s finest work here.

All of which brings forth, an utterly brilliant comedy. One that truly understood the assignment and showcases, how this type of film doesn’t need a massive budget, that there are ways to still be funny without anyone being concerned about being offended, and… that it is okay to sneak in a little story and humanity into these tales to help tie the audience to them. Because when you do so, this is what you get, a refreshing and revolutionary comedy. One that truly just brings joy into your day, and writer/director Michael Kvamme deserves a round of applause for bringing this kind of feature back from the brink, and hopefully this movie will serve as the blueprint for a new generation of zany comedies. Because it’s been far too long since we’ve seen them, and as Simon Rex so succinctly said to this reporter in a discussion about this film, ‘we need these movies more than ever.’

To watch ‘Operation Taco Gary’s’ visit the Austin Film Festival Website, and stay tuned for more coverage of the film, courtesy of our interview with Writer/Director Michael Kvamme, Star/Executive Producer Simon Rex, and Producer Matthew Vaughn.

​Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Scouting for Christmas’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that the Hallmark Channel has taken a fair bit of heat for its holiday-themed stories, courtesy of some consistent, echoed complaints. Where folks have called these stories, one-dimensional in nature, courtesy of plots that revolve around similar characters, all women, who only find value in life through finding the love of their life. After of course, they return to their small-town home from their ultra-stressful job in the city. Which are complaints that have some merit, because all of us have seen some of these elements in these stories before. But what’s fascinating… is that Hallmark has read those complaints and has been working to address them in just about every way imaginable.

Which is why are seeing the network and their stories evolve before our eyes. Since they are now putting out content that features romantic struggles for men, and they are home to stories that explore more than just love, but grief, and trauma and reconciliation. And it just so happens that over the past couple of years, they’ve been working to shake up the structure of their movies to take them to new places, storytelling wise, and it would seem… they are finally eager to change up their holiday-themed romance stories as well. For they are starting to have real depth and offer up some beautiful messages, and for proof… look no further than the story that debuted last night on the network, Scouting for Christmas.

For this particular tale introduces us to a busy single mother named Angela, who is definitely going through it. For she’s two years removed from a nasty divorce and trying her best to keep her daughter’s life going and of course, put food on the table, and little Brooklyn sees what her mother is doing for her, and sees much more. For it is obvious that Angela is indeed missing something from her life, that support and that fulfillment that real love provides. So, she works hard to try and fix her mom up with the nicest man she knows, William. Who owns the local bakery and is kind and someone Brooklyn would love to have around as a father figure, and so she asks the two of them to work together on a special holiday baking project for the Girl Scouts, to hopefully bring them together. But her holiday dream for a family won’t be easy to fulfill… for what she doesn’t know is that William and her mom harbor some deep-rooted issues that will make this gift difficult to get.

Which is at first glance, seemingly more of the same. After all, Angela isn’t happy, she’s missing something in her life, which is love. And yes, there’s a smart man who is good and kind that could in fact, offer her that. But thankfully, that is where the tropes end in this tale. Because once we dig into this story and really look at the characters and their motivations, do we come to learn that Angela and William are suffering from severely broken hearts. In fact, they’re hurting so bad that they’ve essentially closed off their emotions to others and are unwilling to love because they no longer feel worthy of it. Because of how their last relationships ended, and that… is quite the twist to inject into this story. Because that’s a very real thing that people do when hurt and they miss out on opportunities to love when they do so, and it is refreshing to find in a Hallmark story, as is what follows this root cause discovery of conflict for William and Angela.
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Because this story, explores how we overcome such matters, how we learn to love again and that’s valuable and wonderful to find in this story as well. Because we don’t think we are worthy of love when something we thought would last forever, falls apart in front of us. So, we have to make peace with the past, know our worth and embrace ourselves, which the characters do here in a subtle manner and in doing so, they are able to move onto the next step. Which is love someone again and be open to the possibilities that can bring us. Giving rise to a very modern Hallmark movie that goes beyond the basics that people sometimes lament… to give us… a moving and uplifting journey that informs us, we can come back from heartbreak, and we can love again when we realize… we deserve to be loved.

All of which brings forth, a wonderful kickoff film to this year’s Countdown to Christmas. Because it lets the audience know that this year’s stories will be vastly different, and they will harbor new ideas, and new struggles for their characters. Without ever losing the charm and wonder of these stories. Because deep thought aside, there’s a lot of what we love here. That holiday vibe, the cheer we come to expect from it, and the sense of fun these films provide. Because they are about the season, and the joy it brings and the wonder it injects into our hearts. It just so happens that going forward, these stories will be free of their old haunts, courtesy of the delightful decision to inject some real humanity in them, and real goals for the characters to strive for. Which will only add to the majesty of films we so love, and it will be interesting to see what other depth is present in these types of stories, as Hallmark enters a bold new chapter for its flagship stories.

We are taught from a very early age that loss is part of life, and because of that, we are also taught… that we should let it go as quickly as possible. Because a constant doesn’t require our attention for all that long, so it is best to grieve, and move on and so many of us work to follow that advice. For it does have merit. After all, the world does continue to run while we deal with loss and there are still bills to pay, so why not forge ahead and let time heal those wounds? But unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for us to come to understand that such lessons are flawed in nature, and that grief as a result of loss, isn’t something we can easily wave away. Simply because, we all grieve in such different ways.

For instance, there are some who can handle this in a quick and breezy nature, but so many cannot. For some folks, need real time to process the pain and the shock of losing someone and there are some out there, who it sticks with for years. For reasons that vary from person to person, but these are the folks that require support and grace, and understanding, and in some cases, a blueprint on how to heal because of how much the pain devastates them. And believe it or not, storytelling is one way to make that happen, since folks can find what they need within the framework of a story, and even learn how their grief works and how it impacts others in the process, and it just so happens that a powerful film now on Max, offers up a fascinating look at grief and its power, while providing folks with a unique blueprint on how to overcome it when the pain doesn’t go away.

A feat that Caddo Lake accomplishes by plunging us into the lives to two individuals living with a form of grief. There’s Paris, a man who recently lost his mother and is simply beside himself. In fact, he is so broken by her loss that his life has come to a standstill. To the point where all his future plans are on hold, and he can barely function. Plus, there’s Ellie, a young woman that is eager to forge her own path, but loss in her family has made her mother supremely protective and supremely controlling, and that has stunted her progress in life, and the situation only grows more dire from there when Ellie’s stepsister goes missing. For it puts her mother into a tailspin that prompts Ellie to join the search and that sets in motion quite the surprise for both Ellie and Paris. For all those people in the lake, searching for that little girl, helps to reveal that perhaps, this place has properties that could heal everyone that’s wounded or at least… offer clarity regarding their pain.

Which is the perfect way to explore those key elements we made mention of a moment ago. Because that is a plot that does indeed showcase what grief looks like in an extreme manner, and how a lack of resolution of it can bring about some tough days, with Paris showcasing the worst-case scenario for the individual. Since he is indeed a lost soul in this story, one that goes through his day with the weight of loss upon his shoulders and no idea how to reconcile it. Whereas Ellie’s journey showcases how grief can freeze everyone in our lives. Since her mother has locked everyone into a moment in time that they cannot escape from, and don’t want to, because they want to support her and lift her up. Which makes for some powerful moments we don’t often see in film, and they are also important to the story and the healing process, because we must know of a negative impact before we find a way forward.
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Which the film explores in stunning detail here. For as Paris and Ellie spend time on the lake, they come to discover so much about themselves and their lives, the kind of stuff that speaks deeply to how we heal from grief. Such as how we have to come understand how we are not at fault for those we lose, and that we truly have no control over their loss, and that we should honor them by living in the moment, rather than holding onto that pain. For that is everything they would want from us. As to how they come to that understanding through the lake and its strange nature, we won’t reveal here. Because you need to experience that journey firsthand because it is cleverly crafted and wonderfully stunning. Courtesy of a brilliant script and brilliant direction from Celine Held and Logan George.

Who have also brought together a film that has more to offer. For this is that rare film that has something for everyone, because it does incorporate mystery, and science fiction concepts into the story to give those looking for entertainment value something to enjoy. All of which brings forth, a powerful feature, one that truly does explore grief in a refreshing and unique light, while also entertaining and wowing us with amazing ideas and engaging twists and turns. Plus, the acting here is excellent and sells the moment and the emotion needed to help us understand grief and that makes this riveting and intelligent film an absolute much-watch. Because you cannot go wrong with a film that entertains and teaches in a dynamic and original manner.

​Live! From a theater near you! It’s Saturday Night!!!
 
As the 50th season of Saturday Night Live hits airwaves this Fall, the tumultuous first night in the show’s history is explored in Saturday Night, a thrilling new biographical film co-written by Gil Kenan and Jason Reitman, and directed by Jason Reitman, it takes us on the roller-coaster ride that was the hour and a half leading up to the on-air debut of the program in a chaotic, “everything that can go wrong, will go wrong” saga. Lorne Michaels doesn’t have the trust of the network leads who are threatening to pull the plug on his new idea, the set is seeing constant technical difficulties spring up, and cast members are unsure of the product, fighting with each other, or inebriated (and, in some cases, a combo of some of the three). It all comes together in a feverish countdown to airtime.
 
SNL is such a cultural staple now that it’s hard to imagine it as an experimental, counter-culture product without a place on television. But one of the movie's successes is its ability to transport us to the time and place before that was true. The costuming, set design, and lighting all nail the 70s look. Further, a slew of celebrities from the era are depicted with spot-on impressions for Milton Berle, Billy Crystal, George Carlin, Andy Kaufman, Jim Henson, and BIlly Preston cementing the movie in that era. J.K. Simmons’ portrayal of Berle, in particular, paints the picture of the old guard reluctant to give up the comedy scene to Lorne Michaels’ and his new idea for a program. While the audience knows how that head-to-head turns out and what the fate of SNL will be, Saturday Night masterfully manufactures tension.
 
The stress builds thanks to the pairing of its frantic pace and its static location: much of the film is shot in constantly-moving POV single shot takes, that chase the action around, yet are all contained within the SNL set and the broader Rockefeller Center. It also tries to replicate the events of the show’s first night in pseudo real-time, beginning with a title card showing the time: 10:00 p.m. on October 11, 1975. Only 90 minutes stand between the show and its first time live on television. These title cards pop up sporadically throughout the runtime, slowly ticking away the minutes. That slow crawl to airtime is juxtaposed with hurried scenes that constantly barrel forward. The conflict in those scenes feel like hundreds of small explosions happening simultaneously, only broken up to pause for a handful of slower, poignant scenes scattered in.
 
Beyond the captivating anxiety of the story, the film does so well because of its cast. Rather than relying on the star power of just one or two actors, it excels because of the many talents of an amazing ensemble cast. Every actor is truly a scene-stealer. While the action bounces around frequently and no one character gets an overwhelming amount of screentime, each one capitalizes on their minutes. It’s a tall task to portray an infamous legendary performer, but each of the actors holds their own, nailing the voice and mannerisms of their subject. The hair and makeup department also deserves praise for delivering on the look of each.

Gabriel LaBelle anchors the movie as a young, ambitious, and relentless Lorne Michaels, coming off as both charming and unflappable. Rachel Sennott plays Rosie Shuster, a writer and showrunner, and Michaels’ wife, who delivers a calm presence in spite of the chaos of the SNL cast. Cory Michael Smith delivers as a quick, cocky, and witty Chevy Chase. Ella Hunt gives us Gilda Radner’s comedic ease and heart. Fresh off of an Emmy win, Lamorne Morris plays original cast member Garrett Morris, dishing out some of the best and funniest line deliveries. Other original cast members are brought to life by Dylan O’Brien (Dan Aykroyd), Emily Fairn (Laraine Newman), Kim Matula (Jane Curtin), and Matt Wood (John Belushi). Nicholas Braun does double-duty as both Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson, popping in for comic relief and some of the film’s best running gags. Like the aforementioned J.K. Simmons, Willem Dafoe plays a commanding bit part of David Tebet, a network executive running low on patience for all of the issues surrounding SNL’s debut. This long list still leaves out so many other tremendous performances that added fun, magnetism, and depth to the story.
 
As evidenced by the size of the cast alone, Saturday Night fits a ton into its tight runtime. It does so in a way that gives each of the original “Not Ready for Prime Time Players” their own moment to shine. It tells a hectic yet still balanced story and does a wonderful job painting a picture of that first night. It does feel as though certain events were exaggerated to heighten drama, including villainizing Johnny Carson as someone hoping for the downfall of SNL on a phone call during opening night or insinuating that “Weekend Update” duties were dramatically handed off from Michaels to Chase mere minutes before 11:30. Additionally, it feels like the story may have pulled its punches in how it handled some people or outcomes in order to close with a storybook finish and a neat bow on top. All that said, this semi-biographical, semi-fictionalized tale makes for an extremely fun watch.
 
Saturday Night is fun and wholly captivating. It packs mile-a-minute witty dialogue into fast-paced action shots that keep the audience ping-ponging through a relentless 90 minutes. For those of us that have grown up watching Saturday Night Live, it’s also a nostalgic treat, peeking behind the curtain at the performers, sets, and jokes that are etched into American pop culture. 50 seasons later, Saturday Night finally brings the TV screen to the silver screen and gives flowers to those who have made us laugh for generations.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘A Sprinkle of Deceit: A Hannah Swensen Mystery’.
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If there is one particular emotion that we pay little mind to, it would be jealousy, and rightfully so. Because more often than not, jealousy is nothing more than a weak person’s weapon. Wherein they use its ‘power’ to agitate and throw digs at people over anything constructive and that makes it very, very easy… to ignore it. Because it really does just involve someone spewing out words and being fussy over what someone else has, making it simple to deal with and even simpler to ignore because that’s the kind of noise one can easily drown out. But while that is an emotion worth ignoring more than not, we should always be mindful of why a person is jealous. 

Because sometimes jealousy becomes more than noise. Courtesy of deep-rooted fury and pain over being wronged, over not being enough in this life. So, if we hear someone chirping and sniping about something related to people on a far more intimate level, we best listen to it for a change. Because that person is indeed crying out and asking to express more beyond their jealousy, and that could prove to be problematic if we ignore it. Because it could lead to someone close to them being wounded emotionally, or worse., and it just so happens that a new Hannah Swensen mystery on Hallmark Mysteries, that made its debut the other night, explores why we should sometimes listen and pay attention to jealousy in A Sprinkle of Deceit: A Hannah Swensen Mystery.

For in this particular tale, while Hannah is settling into life once again and flirting often with Chad as we’ve all been hoping she would, quite the mystery came forth. In that, Lonnie, a detective on the force and friend to all… is suspended when an old high school flame turns up dead. All because he did the right thing and saw her home when she was wasted at a high school reunion, and being the last person that was in her presence makes him the prime suspect. Of course, Hannah doesn’t believe in the slightest that Lonnie would be capable of such an act, so she takes it upon herself to clear his name. But that will not be an easy task. For Chad wants conflicts of interest to steer clear of this case, including Hannah and also because… it’s hard to spot how jealousy from an unexpected party played into this heinous crime.

But before we dive into the central theme here, we do need to take a moment and applaud how this is a vastly different kind of Hannah Swensen feature. Simply because, she is held back in this story, and that’s’ not something we see often. In fact, it is even pointed out how Hannah is invaluable to the force and does so much good, and that sidelining her is a terrible idea. But what makes this so unique is that it allows for us to see how much Hannah cares, how comfortable she is in her role as a consultant to the police and how not having that in her life makes her helpless and listless. Which just humanizes the character in delightful new ways and allows for her to be vulnerable like never before. That in turn, of course leads to some tender with Chad, and some comedy with her mother, and just adds a refreshing depth to a tale about jealousy.
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Which is indeed the central theme we’ve talked about, and this story does demonstrate how jealousy can become so much more in a person. Since we learn the real killer is a jilted housewife and local business owner, who is outright stunned that her husband would find any level of comfort in the arms of anyone but her. But he did since the deceased caught his eyes. Thus, driving her to do dark acts and become the heavy of this story. Allowing for this tale to deeply explore how our desire to pay no mind to jealousy, since our killer does throw in some barbs at the victim that no one paid attention to, can be a problem under the right/wrong circumstances. Because in this instance it marginalized some deep feelings and forced the killer to internalize them and let them fester and that in turn let anger grow, until a need for revenge was born.

All of which made for a powerful lesson on jealousy and why we should indeed listen, and it led to a quality mystery. Because this one really did take Hannah on quite the journey, and it of course, kept us guessing from beginning to end. Because none of the suspects lined up, and none of the clues took us down the path we expected. Not to mention, it was wild to see Hannah without power in this tale and well, that really did make for one compelling watch. One that really had something for everyone, including those who love a little romance out there. After all, that chemistry between Hannah and Chad was strong here, and the foundation is now there for perhaps something more. But that, will have to wait further down the line. But for now, we can relish in a dynamic and satisfying mystery from a gumshoe we simply adore.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Real West’.
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For the most part, stories that explore the power of grief and its potentially negative impact upon us, tend to showcase some supremely ugly moments to get that particular point across. For instance, they tend to showcase how grief can bring us to our knees and force us to potentially isolate and hurt our friends through emotional explosions. Or they can showcase how the anger and pain we carry within because of grief… can explode and prompt us to do stupid things. Such as act out at work or work to bury our pain within the comfort of the confines of a bottle, and well, it makes sense as to why we see such things in such stories.

After all, people do toxic things when grief surges through their soul, so why not take a moment and explore those very real things so we think upon grief’s strength and of course, how we heal. But while that makes for powerful storytelling that is relatable and poignant, it doesn’t paint the entire picture of what happens to us when we grieve, and that’s unfortunate. Because everyone grieves differently and acts differently and we should so showcase as much of that as possible in modern media, so everyone can feel seen and understand what they do, and that’s why a new movie on the Hallmark Channel is of note. For The Real West takes the time showcase how sometimes… what we do in the throes of grief isn’t always so bombastic and epic, it can be something far simpler that causes harm.

A feat that this film accomplishes by introducing us to a professor named Rebecca who, has spent the last few years healing from some serious grief. For her husband and the father of their children, passed away a few years ago unexpectedly, and she’s done her best to put the pieces back together, and when we catch up with her, here, she is indeed doing better. For she’s on the cusp of attaining tenure at last and her family is ready for a big trip to an authentic old west ranch. But upon arriving there, Rebecca quickly finds herself dealing with some hard emotional conflict. Because she’s met a handsome and charming farmhand named Jake, who her sister adores… but she adores more. In fact, she’s quickly head over heels in love with him but terrified of letting him in. A reality that informs Rebecca… that perhaps she’s not as healed as she would like to be, and that perhaps now is the time to complete the process to not miss out on something special.

Which is a story that very clearly explores, how one of the things that people can do long term as a result of suffering through grief, is close themselves off emotionally. Because that is precisely what Rebecca does here. Sure, she’s moved forward, helped her family and put herself together, but anything beyond that emotionally doesn’t exist. It’s just about the next steps for her and the next day’s events. No time for feelings or intimacy beyond anything involving her sons and that is… just as unhealthy as telling off one’s boss or drinking sorrows away. Because it stunts a person emotionally and prompts them to miss out on so much since they are now just locked into a world of singular thinking and isolation, and we are creatures that deserve to love and deserve to be around others.
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But thankfully, the story does take the time to ponder upon how we heal from this. Courtesy of a journey where Rebecca takes a moment to objectively look at her life, and its direction and what she is feeling in her heart. Which allows for her to ascertain that she is indeed closed off and unwilling to love because of the pain in her heart, and that it will never go away unless she opens up and lets the pain go. Which some might say is grounded in the old trope that only love can set us free, but that’s a journey applicable to all forms of healing from grief. Because those that use their pain to give them strength or hold to it and anger to keep them feeling something other than grief, have to do something similar and all must understand that they have to let go or the isolation, fake strength or fury will consume them. Giving rise to a complete journey for Rebecca.

However, while that makes this film seem to be grounded in dark and tough moments, the kind akin to most stories in this vein, make no mistake about it, there are those classic Hallmark elements here and there are a lot of lighthearted moments present too. Since we get the romantic chase we crave in these types of stories, courtesy of on-screen chemistry from Kimberley Sustad (Rebecca) and Luke Bryant (Jake), along with a supporting cast that add to the wonder of a story that really, has something for everyone. Because if you want a Hallmark romance, you’ve got it. But if you want something a little more, something to chew upon, you’ll find that here too and that makes this a delightful and fulfilling watch. One filled to the brim with charm and depth and fine life lessons that we can all take to heart.

It is definitely safe to say that ALLBLK is doing some wonderful things from a programming perspective. For not only are they celebrating black television and film, all day, every day, but their original work is simply stunning. After all, this is the home of Kold x Windy, a dynamic series that offers so much to audiences and they also announced this week that another amazing original is on the way.
 
For earlier this week, ALLBLK let it be known that they have greenlit the original feature, Operation: Aunties, which boats an incredible cast, consisting of Tisha Campbell, Melissa De Sousa, and Amiyah Scott, and quite the dynamic plot. One that will engage and wow and continue to reinforce that ALLBLK is working hard to bring us amazing original content, and since you’re curious as to what to expect from this ALLBLK original feature, here are all the details on this movie, courtesy of the network.
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‘ALLBLK, the popular streaming service for Black television and film from AMC Networks, today announced the greenlight of original feature film, Operation: Aunties. Directed by Wendy Raquel Robinson (The Game), this action-packed dramedy tells the story of a longtime friendship that is tested when a risk-averse cryptocurrency expert and her retired detective best friend become vigilantes after discovering a cyber-crime syndicate in their city. Currently shooting in Atlanta, GA, the film is set to premiere in 2025, exclusively on ALLBLK.
 
After an attempted trafficking incident impacts her family, professor and blockchain expert Dr. Carol Cleavers (Melissa De Sousa, The Best Man) stumbles upon a dark web operation using new-age technology to assault and traffic women through a rideshare app. Knowing the feds won’t act fast enough, Carol teams up with her best friend, retired detective Sharon O’Hara (Tisha Campbell, Act Your Age), and her niece Aminah James (Amiyah Scott, Star), computer hacker extraordinaire. The trio embark on a vigilante mission bringing them face-to-face with danger and ultimately, one another.
 
“Operation: Aunties combines edgy action and laugh-out-loud comedy while tackling real issues affecting our society today,” said Brett Dismuke, Head of Content ALLBLK & We TV. “Melissa, Tisha and Amiyah expertly bring these strong, Black female characters to life, showcasing resilience, empowerment and tremendous heroism – keeping the laughs coming along the way, all of which resonate deeply with ALLBLK subscribers.”
 
“Black women are always saving the day. When I wrote the John Singleton embRACE L.A. competition-winning short film The Lifted, I drew inspiration from real issues plaguing our community, but more importantly, Black women,” said TJ Ali, Writer & Executive Producer, Galleryville Entertainment. “Our culture thrives because of the everyday change agent—those who consistently rise up and uplift our society. For me, those agents of change have always been women from across the diaspora. Now, with my debut feature film, I’m incredibly proud to partner with ALLBLK, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Big Little Sis Media, and our incredible cast to bring this vision to life—a story for us, by us. The culture deserves to see our aunties as the vigilantes they already are—our heroes. “ 
 
"We are excited to collaborate with TJ Ali on his debut film, Operation: Aunties, which boldly addresses the urgent issue of cybercrime and human trafficking through a unique blend of action and humor,” said Latisha Fortune, Co-Owner & Executive Producer and Sheena D. Carter, Co-Owner & Executive Producer, Big Little Sis Media. “Working alongside Wendy Raquel Robinson for her sophomore directorial project is truly inspiring; her vision has brought a vibrant energy to this powerful narrative. The dynamic ensemble cast brings to life the spirit of resilience and empowerment that defines this story, particularly in highlighting the strength and brilliance of Black women in tech. Together, we are proud once more to partner with ALLBLK, a platform dedicated to authentic and inclusive storytelling that fosters narratives that empower and uplift the voices in our community.”
 
Operation: Aunties is Executive Produced by TJ Ali for Galleryville Entertainment and Latisha Fortune and Sheena D. Carter for Big Little Sis Media. Wendy Raquel Robinson serves as Director. Brett Dismuke, Head of Content, Nikki Love SVP Development & Original Production, Scripted and Kate Farrell VP Development & Original Production, Scripted Executive Produce for ALLBLK.
 
Tisha Campbell is represented by Paradigm and Mainstay Entertainment. Melissa De Sousa is represented by Paradigm. Amiyah Scott is represented by TCA Mgmt and Wendy Raquel Robinson is represented by TALENTWORKS and ARTIST COLLECTIVE ENTERTAINMENT.
 
About ALLBLK
ALLBLK is an invitation to a world of streaming entertainment that is inclusively, but unapologetically – Black. Featuring a diverse lineup of content that spans across genres and generations, the ALLBLK library includes exclusive original series such as A House Divided and Double Cross; must-see independent films, nostalgic Black cinema, popular WE tv originals, lively stage plays, and so much more. ALLBLK is available everywhere streaming services are found – iOS, Android, Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV and Apple TV Channels, Roku and Roku Channels, Amazon Fire TV, YouTube TV, Cox, DISH, Sling TV, Charter and more. At www.ALLBLK.tv, ALLBLK offers a free 7-day trial and thereafter is just $5.99/month or $59.99/year. Keep up with ALLBLK on Facebook at Facebook.com/WatchALLBLK and Twitter/Instagram @WatchALLBLK
 
About Galleryville Entertainment
Galleryville Entertainment is an independent production company dedicated to creating impactful feature films, documentaries, TV series, and branded content. As a cinematic collective of artists of color, our mission is to produce content that resonates, tells authentic stories, and reflects the diverse experiences of our communities. We are committed to making films that matter, amplifying voices that deserve to be heard, and shaping the future of storytelling through a lens that celebrates culture and identity. 
 
About Big Little Sis Media
Big Little Sis Media is a woman-owned, full-service production company dedicated to fostering inclusive storytelling across film, television, and digital platforms. Serving as a creative hub, we work alongside industry professionals to create content that inspires and connects viewers. Our committed production teams excel at navigating challenges while crafting meaningful narratives that uplift, entertain, and empower marginalized communities. With a comprehensive range of original content and production services, we are pioneers in storytelling that honors diverse perspectives.’

For the most part, stories that feature robots that are crafted by human beings and loaded with a powerful artificial intelligence program, tend to be quite dark and scary in nature and it makes sense as to why. After all, deep down, modern humanity harbors a fear of technology becoming too intelligent and becoming too autonomous. To the point where it is logical to believe that our creation would discover us to be inferior beings, something to be removed, so that the children of the new gods could take over. So, our stories reflect that and ponder deeply upon our role in the nature of creation. 
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In fact, this is so deeply engrained in storytelling, that each of us are hard pressed to even think of a movie where a ‘sentient’ robot does anything but either fear or hate humanity in some capacity or commit any kind of task outside of murder and mayhem or fighting humanity. Leaving all of us to wonder if we can ever see technology as something healthy or wonderful, and if by chance we can see AI be used for good in any capacity. Well, it just so happens that a new movie out ponders upon the reality that perhaps robots in that vein do not have to be so dark, so fearful. That perhaps they can offer up positive thinking and challenge our relationship with technology and the world, and The Wild Robot accomplishes such feats with quite the refreshing plot.

Wherein we meet a robot named ROZZUM-7134, or Roz, for short, who awakens on the shores of a faraway island and is quickly confused by their situation. For Roz’s programming is to serve humanity and this wilderness does not harbor a single human soul. Prompting Roz to adapt and learn the languages of the animals in the hopes of either understanding the environment and how potentially to get to their final destination or to activate their distress beacon to head where they belong. But an accident one unfortunate night in the wilderness, prompts Roz to change priorities and worry more about the wildlife that they are surrounded by. An alteration in programming that will impact the tiny little island Roz will now call home, in ways never thought possible.

Which is… a powerful way to look at AI and technology, since this film presents it, as a potential tool instead of something to be feared, and that is quite refreshing to find here. Since it brings forth a fascinating journey that informs us that our uncomfortable relationship with technology and our fears of it might be unfounded, since… we are the ones who create it. So, if by chance… we programmed it to have the best parts of us and only that… who knows what wonders we could create. Since we could potentially create a being filled with care, and gentleness, a la Roz. But the unique aspect of this film goes beyond presenting a different type of robot, since it also speaks deeply to our relationship with nature and how perhaps we don’t utilize our technology enough to help in our endeavors to keep it safe and secure from the impact we as a society are having upon it.
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All of which gives rise to a thoughtful and cerebral motion picture, one that doesn’t seem to offer anything to kids with commentary in that vein. But that’s the beauty of this feature. For it harbors thoughtful concepts for the adults to enjoy while watching, alongside some wonderful moments that will entertain children as well. Courtesy of grand and sweeping adventures on the island, and a lovely story about the family we choose, and lessons on how important it is we see each other as equal and work together as one, and of course… there are plenty of cute and quirky moments that allow for lighthearted laughs to take place. Plus, there’s a real sense of fun that hangs over the film, and it also doesn’t hurt… that some wonderfully talented voices bring this world to life.

For quality acting is key to selling such a magnificent story and the cast here is stellar. With Lupita Nyong'o and Pedro Pascal leading the way as Roz and Fink, and they are joined by a lovely cast that features Mark Hamill, and Matt Berry, and Bill Nighy, and truly… all of these elements bring together a genuinely beautiful film. That rare instant classic that is intelligent, charming, fun, and epic in nature and harbors such beauty and such wonderful messaging about our world and the wonderful furry neighbors we share it with, and you should absolutely see this feature as soon as possible. To just flat out enjoy a little positivity and wonderful moments with your family, courtesy of a robot unlike any other in cinema.

For the most part, action stories that revolve around an everyday person being plunged into the world of crime, against their consent, follow a pretty standard formula. Wherein we meet our everyday hero to be and learn about how good of a person they are before going on a horrific ride with them. One that showcases an ugly underworld we never knew existed. One that is cruel and terrifying, and where our hero must make the difficult call to abandon their moral core and do what must be done to survive the situation they are in. Which brings about an engaging and harrowing tale that genuinely entertains.
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But alas, that’s really all they offer. Just some violence, an understanding that survival instincts can come into play, and little else, and that’s a shame. Because a story in that vein, could do so much more and explore some amazing concepts and potentially take us upon an emotional ride filled with commentary and a potential lesson. But alas, this type of story has remained nothing more than guns and guts and has indeed slipped into cliché territory. Which is why a motion picture that just hit streaming today is of note. Because Paradox Effect is a film that adds much needed depth to this type of story, and truly explores what this type of film is capable of, and it accomplishes such feats by way of a fascinating introduction to a woman named Karina.

Who we learn is at a crossroads in her life. For she has struggled with substance abuse and that battle has cost her dearly. To the point where she’s lost custody of her daughter Lucy, and her troubles inspired her to leave home to garner a fresh start. One where she has put in the work to clean up and find stability, and she hopes to impress Lucy during an upcoming visit. To prove to her that she can be more than an addict. But alas, an unfortunate encounter one night, puts Karina’s chance to impress her daughter in jeopardy. For she is witness to a terrible crime committed by a corrupt agent of the law, and if she ever wants to see her daughter again, she will now have to go along with his wishes and help him be free of a powerful gangster. 

Which at first glance, is a plot that feels like the norm. After all, we learn that Karina is a good person, who yes, has made some mistakes… but wants to improve, wants to be better. But before she gets the chance, she’s part of this mess and that does lead to some familiar moments here. Such as epic gunfights, villains that are terrifying and evil through and through, and all the engaging action and adventure one could want when watching a movie in this vein. Truly making it appear at first that this story doesn’t offer anything more than the norms. But that, simply isn’t the case. For Director Scott Weintrob merely uses familiar elements to ease us into the more revolutionary stuff that this film is host to.
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Because in between the gunfire and beneath the terror of being plunged into a fight in the criminal underworld, are some fascinating explorations. The kind that revolves around the nature of redemption and how we find it when we’ve made more mistakes than we can count. Along with a beautiful and moving examination of the power of family, and what it means to us, and how far we would go to have it around us if there were no consequences in such matters. Which gives rise to a story filled with depth and humanity, something we really don’t see from this type of story, and it is welcome here, and it brings forth a genuinely engaging story that you quickly find yourself invested in.

For we care about Karina, and we want to see her redeem herself and reunite with her little one and well, all of these elements blend together to provide us with an utterly refreshing feature. One that finally adds depth to a tired subgenre of action films. Which is a testament to Mister Weintrob’s work here, since he’s carefully assembled a magnificently complex story that does leave you with something to feel good about and plenty to ponder upon. Thanks to the lovely concepts present here, and thanks to some fine acting. Since Olga Kurylenko is electric as Karina and she truly adds an incredible sense of realism here, and it doesn’t hurt that Harvey Keitel is in this film as well, via a role we won’t spoil here. Because you need to experience the wonder of this film firsthand, and we hope you do give it a look. For this one is special for certain, since it is that rare film that reinvents its own subgenre, and that makes this an absolute must-see.