Author Archives
Gardner-Webb University Class of ’22 | Communications/Journalism Major | Ultra-Marathon Runner | Star Wars and Comic Book Genre Geek | Lover of All Things Film-Related
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A Conversation with director Tianze Fan. [Real to Reel Film Festival]
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers responsible for some of the official Real to Reel Film Festival Selections. Here, on “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with Tianze Fan, director of short film Con Amore. Tianze Fan is a 3D animation major student… Read More ›
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A Conversation with writer/producer Dave Sirus.
Elements of Madness contributor Thomas Manning spoke with The King of Staten Island co-writer/producer Dave Sirus. Over the course of their 12-minute conversation, they discuss Dave’s process of writing, his relationship with Pete Davidson, and his contributions to the film…. Read More ›
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Aaron Fisher’s “Inside the Rain” uses his personal experience to craft a compelling meta-drama.
As writer, director, and lead actor of the Act 13 distribution Inside the Rain, Aaron Fisher constructs a therapeutic reflection of the struggles he has faced over the course of his life, dealing with bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, and borderline… Read More ›
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Remarkable crime thriller short “Baby Mine” requires intellectual participation and vulnerability from its audience.
When considering a short film such as director Nour Wazzi’s project Baby Mine, we are reminded that the cinematic potential of any project is not limited by its runtime or distribution range. This 20-minute narrative short possesses many of the… Read More ›
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A Conversation with director Kay Rubacek. [Real to Reel Film Festival]
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers behind official Real to Reel Film Festival Selections. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with Kay Rubacek, writer/director for Finding Courage. Originally slated as an 8-minute doc short, Finding Courage evolved when Rubacek… Read More ›
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A Conversation with writer/producer Devin Peluso and director Travis Stewart. [Real to Reel Film Festival]
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers behind official Real to Reel Film Festival Selections. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with Travis Stewart (director) and Devin Peluso (writer/producer), the filmmakers behind the post-apocalyptic thriller short film, Spread Among Us…. Read More ›
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Lionsgate’s “Legacy of Lies” is a solid showcase for Scott Adkins talents.
Scott Adkins is one of those multi-talented artists in the filmmaking industry who is known to work on upwards of five or more projects each year. Skilled as an actor, martial artist, and stuntman, Adkins enjoys staying busy year-round. His… Read More ›
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A Conversation with director John Gray. [Real to Reel Film Festival]
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers behind official Real to Reel Film Festival Selections. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with John Gray, the writer and director of the short film Extra Innings. Real to Reel is honored to… Read More ›
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A Conversation with director Rafael Duarte. [Real to Reel Film Festival]
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers behind official Real to Reel Film Festival Selections. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with Rafael Duarte, the writer, director, and cinematographer of the incredible nature/sports documentary, Beyond Dreams. This documentary has been… Read More ›
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Documentary “Suzi Q” forgoes cinematic flash to focus on a musical icon.
“A rocker, a brooder, a loner, a knife-carrier, a hell cat, a wild cat, a storm child, refugee from the frightened city of Detroit.” This quote from acclaimed journalist Philip Norman flashes on-screen in the opening of the Liam Firmager-directed… Read More ›
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“Time Warp: The Greatest Cult Films of All-Time, Vol 2 – Horror and Sci-Fi” fails to coherently focus on its own subject matter.
Depending on who you ask, the term “cult classic” in regard to filmmaking may be applied as a compliment or an insult. Motion pictures acquire this status based on a variety of factors. Perhaps the film flew under the radar… Read More ›
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Neo-western “The Quarry” plays by its own rules.
Adapted from Damon Galgut’s 1995 novel of the same name, director Scott Teems’s film The Quarry comes to you as a gritty, grim, and bleak Neo-Western thriller. With a screenplay co-written by Teems and Andrew Brotzman, this feature exemplifies shades… Read More ›
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Thriller “Sea Fever” unsettles, yet is somehow optimistic.
When writer-director Neasa Hardiman originally crafted the new suspense-thriller, creature-feature hybrid Sea Fever, it is highly unlikely that she could have forecasted its remarkable relevance to the current state of the world. With the pandemic of COVID-19 impacting the daily… Read More ›
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Autobiography adaptation “Escape from Pretoria” reminds that the problems of the past remain present still.
It is an unfortunate reality that in the year 2020, the abhorrent values of racism still run rampant across multiple levels of societies throughout the world. Although the Civil Rights Movement in the United States took place during the 1960s,… Read More ›
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New satire “Greed” misses the mark.
Throughout years of film criticism, it has become cliché to say that a film “defies categorization” in reference to genre. Many times, the greatest films of this nature find a way to weave together distinct tones and elements from a… Read More ›
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Though often uncomfortable, “Three Christs” is a moving, thought-provoking film exploring the detriments of mental illness and the positive power of humanity.
Director Jon Avnet and co-writer Eric Nazarian helm the new IFC Films production, Three Christs, showcasing a star-studded cast including Richard Gere, Peter Dinklage, Walton Goggins, Bradley Whitford, Charlotte Hope, and Julliana Margulies. Adapted from Dr. Milton Rokeach’s published psychiatric… Read More ›
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Documentary “QT8: The First Eight” sparkles with the same energy as its subject.
When any person remotely familiar with the art of filmmaking hears the name “Quentin Tarantino,” there are a number of ideas that might come to mind. Whether it is the unparalleled mastery of explicit dialogue, the bizarre concentration on highly… Read More ›
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Ambitious sci-fi thriller “The Fare” is now available on home video.
From director D.C. Hamilton and screenwriter Brinna Kelly, The Fare is a film that almost defies categorization. At times, if feels like a science-fiction mystery, with shocking and striking narrative shifts. At other points, it appears as a romantic dramedy,… Read More ›
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New documentary “To Kid Or Not To Kid” explores the diverse perspectives of having kids.
The question of whether or not to have children is faced by the majority of people at a certain point in their lives. Depending on factors such as each individual’s cultural background or socio-economic standing, there may be varying responses… Read More ›
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War drama “Danger Close” is an astounding testament the power of sacrifice, brotherhood, and dedicated cooperation.
War movies have been around since the days of silent cinema. There is something about this brutally intense human experience that, despite its horrific nature, always produces intriguing stories that can be massively impactful when told in an effective fashion…. Read More ›