Change Your Image
kevinryanwriter
Reviews
The Seal (2019)
A Remarkable Film
This film is wonderfully made in terms of direction, cinematography, and performance, and I was very impressed when I saw it at a special screening. However, for me, where THE SEAL really shines is in the fact that it actually has something new to say about abuse and trauma, and does it without relying on current narratives or tropes, which seem to have become substitutes for storytelling and inquiry. Instead, THE SEAL provides a genuine artistic exploration of its subject with nuance and an interesting perspective. I will be watching the filmmakers future work with great interest and hope we see more very soon.
Fresh Blood (2017)
Truly Wonderful
I'm a sucker for short forms--one act plays and short films. This piece is amazing. The city is beautifully ominous, and both the male and female leads offer stand-out performances.
Spoilers coming...
The actor playing the vamipre really sells the notion that his life (or at least his existence) is pretty awful--both base and desperate. And then with great economy the film shows why-from the young woman's point of view-it may very well be better than what she is facing after being forced into prostitution.
In lesser hands, the mixture of trafficking and a vampire story could have been heavy handedly, but this film makes a strong case with great economy. And it packs an emotional punch while doing so.
This filmmaker is definitely someone to watch.