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Devil's Whisper (2019)
Not Your Typical Horror Film
As the lead in this narrative, Luca Oriel gives an absolutely stunning performance as Alex. While I am unfamiliar with his previous works, I cannot praise him highly enough for the way in which he portrays this troubled young man. While Luca has a few other solid credits to his name, if he was not able to immerse himself in the character of Alex, the movie would have floundered into oblivion. His task is to convince the viewers through his incomparable performance that Alex not only wants to be a priest, but he is suffering from supernatural sightings and repressed childhood memories. His parents don't understand him. His friends don't understand him. He attempts to fit into the typical crowd of his peers, but there is that something different that you can't pinpoint which sets him apart as an anomaly. Luca gives an authentic performance that had me in his corner even when he was in the wrong. The pathos and sincerity he injects into this role, as well as the excruciating pain and emotion he displays in several key moments, have shaped this film into the masterpiece of storytelling that it is. Although her role may be incipiently considered small and unimportant, the role of Alicia, Alex's sister, is played by the captivating seasoned professional, Alison Fernandez. Alison has been featured in a wide variety of works including, Once Upon a Time and Jane, the Virgin amongst other roles. We can thank Alison for providing some cute and fun moments in what would otherwise be a "doom and gloom" film. But don't minimize her ability to carry off the dramatic and even the bizarre and poignant. Near the end of the film, Alison executes a scene that had me immensely riveted in spite of the fact that I genuinely longed to avert my eyes. While she can capture the essence of the sweet, angelic girl, her experiences with the supernatural will probably leave you breathless and in awe of her uncanny talent. Rick was the reason I even agreed to review this film in the first place, and as Father Cutler, he undeniably makes an impact despite his relatively brief appearances in the movie as a whole. While I know comparatively little about the Catholic faith, the disposition Rick has adopted for this film is undoubtedly in keeping with what I do know of priests. I enjoy the fact that he is a bit nontraditional at times and some of his recommendations, especially to Alex, may be suspect now and then, but his genuine concern for the well-being of his parish is always at the forefront of his mind. He attempts to be as relatable as possible in a century when traditions of the Catholic church are constantly changing and even being devalued. For Father Cutler, his faith is bona fide and organic as opposed to distant and defunct. And the fact that Rick is able to infuse those elements into a Catholic priest is something I greatly respect. Not since Bing Crosby played Father O'Malley have I seen an actor portray a priest with such a pragmatic persona and engaging air. The fact that his character is ex-military only increases his credibility and affability. In many ways, Rick is the actor who propels the story to its ultimate conclusion. Whenever tragedy strikes this small community, he is there to speak the words of healing and comfort. When Alex confides in him concerning his supernatural sightings, the audience discovers a surprising correlation in the life of Father Cutler himself. Furthermore, Rick's character proceeds to provide the audience with one of the most bizarre scenes in the entire film, and he does it in such a way that if you do not inwardly leap in unadulterated terror, I will be amazed. I have witnessed Rick handle the supernatural in other films, but his portrayal in this film supersedes those previous undertakings. Indubitably, Rick's scene by himself in the church is one that will remain with me for the rest of my life inasmuch as it is that potent and masterful. It is Rick's character (and also Luca's as well) that brings an ingredient to the film that I had not considered nor expected. In most supernatural films or shows, demons are explained away, killed, or just disappear at the end with no explanation (thus leading to countless opportunities for sequels). Because Adam Ripp and his fellow writers decided to involve the church and its traditions in this film, the religious aspect is emphasized in a way I am not used to seeing. Even the logline that is used to advertise the film"Faith is Not Enough"demonstrates that this film is not your average supernatural thriller. Therefore, when I state that I witnessed and even appreciated the symbols of faith in this film, I must disclose the fact that I also come from a place of faith myself. While I would not characterize this as a Christian film in any sense of the word, I found myself and my beliefs actively challenged on many occasions while I was watching. While I don't espouse the entire belief system or theology of this film, I acknowledge that it is not a "faith-based" film, and its purpose is to expose a wide variety of visceral issues that will speak to each viewer individually. Moreover, it is a film that I shall never erase from my mind, and I can only presume that anyone who chooses to experience this film will perceive its relevance far beyond mere entertainment value.
Driven Underground (2015)
Filled With Lovely Vancouver Talent
I believe it is one of the finest Lifetime films. It follows the typical script, but there are no bedroom scenes! While there is some mild profanity, no one loses themselves in wild passion, a usual mainstay of Lifetime films. Instead, the audience is focused on the story at hand. If I had one criticism, it would be that the audience is privy to knowledge that would have kept things more suspenseful for us. Kristy and Emily make the perfect team. I always delight in seeing Kristy in anything as she plays her parts so effortlessly and with such conviction. Together, these two are sweet, strong, and completely believable. I rooted for both of them throughout the film. In this role, Emily is able to demonstrate her immense range of acting that I have not witnessed previously. I never doubted her in the role, and her interactions with the characters were genuine and charming. In addition to this, there is a pristine vulnerability about her that makes the viewer connect with her fears and her joys. As these two face the reality of their imminent danger, both Kristy and Emily inject just the right amount of emotion into their characters to make this all seem real without being banal or overdone. As they both shroud themselves in a safe area away from the city and out in the middle of nowhere, I was jubilant to see Emily's character coming out of her shell and sincerely connecting with the horses and the country. Let's talk about Lucia Walters, shall we? As a police detective trying to protect the Palmer family against all odds, she is ideal. There is no doubt that her character is suspicious of the "bad apple" in the force almost from the beginning, but her journey to discover and prove her conjectures is portrayed with the kind of credibility that I would always expect from an actor of Lucia's caliber. As a definitive veteran of a wide array of films, it was nice to see Lochlyn playing a role that offered him the opportunity to give one of his best performances. He is so correctly cast because in various ways, he is a chameleon. Thus, if his credibility is questioned, he has succeeded in portraying his part successfully. When placed in scenes with Lucia's character and Kristy's character, he appears authoritative and in control. AWhen in scenes with Rick's character, he seems to have no backbone, but when faced with those he considers impotent, he appears to have true conviction. Money can cause a man to be less than he should be, and that is true in Detective Boyce's case. I do believe Lochlyn is able to succeed in representing this charlatan character rather well. Now let's talk about actor Rick Ravanello. I know I have seen him in other things before this–several, as a matter of fact. But it was this movie that caused me to become a fan. There is no doubt that Rick is a powerhouse actor, remarkably commanding in every scene, and it seems that all too often, he plays the "bad guy." In this role of Karl, he is "bad to the bone"–as there are no redeeming qualities at all in his character. And while as a viewer you cheer for his character to get knocked off quickly, you can't help but desire a plethora of "Karl" scenes because Rick plays him so masterfully. I don't know how he can be so believable as a bad guy when he is so nice to all his fans.Thankfully Rick is able to give a sense of charm to his bad guy persona as well. Again, I don't know how he does it, but he certainly has the knack for it. The excitement surrounding this film was that Sebastian was in it. And interestingly enough, he plays yet another cowboy. Although the character himself may not have been written with the care and charm of Cliff Harting on Cedar Cove, because Sebastian is the actor chosen to breathe life into Tom, he is as enchanting, captivating, and gracious as one could want. He is also a gentleman that never pushes too hard, but genuinely cares about these two ladies who are "hiding out" next door.
Sebastian is of a rare breed of actors who is able to bring credibility to any role he is given. While some actors might bring a little bit of woodenness and hokeyness to this role, Sebastian's performance always rings true. He is one who is the consummate professional who is always thorough in whatever role he is portrayingFrom the moment Tom and the Palmers meet, there is an immediate connection. Christy is drawn to the horses, and Sarah is thoroughly charmed by the way he reaches out to them even thought they are complete strangers. To witness the chemistry Emily and Sebastian had on-screen (very much like a father and daughter) was sheer delight for me as they were never on-screen together during Cedar Cove. There was something truly special that clicked between these two actors, and it made me fall in love with Emily as an actress while reminding me exactly why Sebastian is my favorite actor (not to mention my dearest friend). Sebastian has a unique knack with every actor with whom he works. While I am utterly impressed with the effortless chemistry he is able to develop with every actor and actress on- screen. While he invariably relates to each one individually and uniquely as befits their personality, he evermore exudes warmth, gentleness, and authenticity with whomever he shares the screen. . Both Sebastian and Rick play exceptionally off each other, and some viewers may be hard-pressed to decide who should win. But then we are reminded that Karl is the bad guy, and we can only hope that good will triumph over evil. I was thoroughly engrossed in this film from the jarring beginning to the most dulcet of endings, and I cannot recommend this film enough.
The Hunt (2016)
A Short Film With a Punch
The storyline of this film is deceptively unpretentious. It's called The Hunt, and Rick plays the Hunter. Simple enough, right? Or is it? I don't want to reveal too much of the storyline, but just know that Rick's character, the Hunter, is compelled to make a life-altering choice while he is in the forest, hunting deer. The entire experience of hunting the defenseless creature becomes a metaphor that aids him in making the decision. Does he make the "right" choice? All I will say is that the Hunter lives to see another day, and the story is one of the most pleasant, but thought-provoking shorts I've seen in awhile. Nevertheless, it still conveys a message that resonates deeply with me. Throughout this short film, Rick's character is on screen practically the entire time. He carries the action, the emotion, and the bulk of the story. Yes, the other characters are necessary, but if it were not for Rick's command of the character that was written for him so aptly by Tony Rettenmaier, this short film would have unequivocally fallen flat. At least in my opinion. While I am not an expert on the process of filming, lighting, sound, and the other skills that embody the art of filmmaking, I know that what I saw was done effectively. I applaud the fact that they shot in the forest as opposed to an indoor set. When Rick was filming this, we had no idea what he was filming. In fact, this was that infamous filming shot in which he duped the majority of us (myself included) by showing a picture of his injury.
The make-up was expertly done. Now, had Rick not been known for being so
ahem
accident-prone in his personal life, maybe we would have realized this was a genuine fake injury. But I will say that it looks quite realistic, thus well done on that point.
For me, this film demonstrates the caliber of Rick's acting. I have reviewed his work numerous times, but it always amazes me how raw and realistic Rick makes his characters. He infuses them with humanity, and when Rick's characters weep, we find ourselves weeping right along with him. When his characters make what we might consider ill-advised choices, we cringe and yell at the screen (Okay, maybe that's just me who does that). Rick just has this way of causing us to feel everything his character feels. And this is decidedly true in this short film. I could not tear my eyes away from the screen. I was fully impressed with the writing as well. When the tension could not be higher, a few lighter moments were injected into the plot. But that drama is palpable. And there are times when the viewers are not certain if what is being shown is a dream or reality. That only heightens the suspense. Will the Hunter make a diabolical choice that causes the audience to see him as one of the most detestable characters Rick has ever portrayed? Or will he make the decision we hope and pray he will? Thankfully, there is a conclusion where most of the loose ends are tied up. But for much of the film, the viewers must pay careful attention to every moment of the film lest something is inadvertently missed and the substance of the film is lost.
No doubt, Kyle's directing has to be more than moderately stupendous as well. The various angles at which he shoots at times veritably keeps our focus on what the Hunter is experiencing. At times, the viewers are transported to that forest, and the divergent emotions of the Hunter are experienced by the viewers as well. It would be a treat to see this film on a large screen as viewing is on a small screen seems to somewhat miss the impact of the beauty of nature and the conflict of the Hunter.
All in all, I have no criticism for the film. In fact, I believe this film is such that it could be expanded upon to create a full- length feature or at least a more substantial film. But of course, that requires time and resources that the filmmakers may not have at their disposal. Both the joy and agony of indie films. Phenomenal stories without the restrictions of the studios but also without the funding of the studios.
I am so grateful to Kyle for giving me the opportunity to witness his superb short film, and I can only hope that in time, more people will be able to see this extraordinary film.
Swivel Shot (2016)
Gripping Short Film, HIghly Recommended
Note: it is wise to point out that this is an adult film, not intended for children or young teens. There is violence, profanity, and some tempestuous bedroom scenes that show about the same amount of skin one might see on cable television without it being too far over the line of decency. Those scenes are short , but I did not find myself overly bothered as I was fully immersed in the storyline, and in effect, everything included in this film is essential, in my humble opinion.
From the beginning of this intense tale, I was enticed by the unusual way in which the story is told. While flashbacks are a common film device, this film uses a unique approach to this tool. The story is told out of sequence on purpose, but that merely heightens the overall message and compelling nature of the film. Attempting to discern the order of events is almost an impossibility from the opening credits to the very last scene. In fact, as the viewer watches the film, it is sometimes difficult to comprehend when something happened and if what we are seeing are flashbacks, visions, or dreams. I strongly recommend that the viewer never turns away as I did once, and I had to rewind minimally to see what I had missed. Take this bit of advice from a champion multitasker– put away electronics, food, or any other distractions (yes, put the family pet in the yard for fourteen minutes–you'll thank me later).
As the action intensifies, at every point in the story, the viewer realizes that if the male lead hadn't done this or the female protagonist hadn't said that, the entire outcome would have changed. In addition to this, each one is concealing a vital secret that had they revealed it, the story may have unequivocally been altered– whether for good or ill, it's hard to say. Life is never a neat little package, and we are never promised tomorrow. As the opening Harriet Beecher Stowe quote states, 'The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and for deeds left undone." This quote unravels in every scene regardless of the situation. It is like an invisible guiding light that refuses to grant a second chance to anyone who overlooks an opportunity to declare loving, caring thoughts, for one thing time does not possess is a heart. Time only marches to the beat of a never ending drum that cannot, will not cease no matter how heartbreaking or delectable the current moment is.
As the stunning, but straight-talking and sometimes sassy female cop, Jacqueline is an absolute dream. She is stalwart, and refuses to lean on anyone for support. She was reared in the stringent neighborhoods of L.A., and she views herself as the one who is cognizant of the true nature of the surrounding inhabitants. In many ways, she feels she has to be the authoritative one. Maybe her boyfriend thinks with his heart too much or doesn't recognize the veritable danger he faces. While she occasionally gives in to his demands, don't underestimate this spitfire. She utters Spanish and English with equal ease, and the virulent profanity she spouts may make a sailor blush (although I admit the fact that she has a mouth on her truly added some levity to this somber story). Her devotion to her boyfriend is undying–she would give her last breath for him. But she is a bit of a workaholic, and it is clear she is proud of her achievements. For a woman to rise to the level she has undoubtedly attained, she has labored excruciatingly hard. Even though women have come so far, they often still need to prove themselves in jobs like this. There is no doubt that she is the obdurate cop in this relationship.
Of course, for me, Rick is the main reason I even took an interest in this film . As the police officer who just longs for a pleasurable and stress-free day with his beloved, he is the incurable romantic who easily can woo his woman into the mood. Yes, he's a good cop, but he does not always have the intuition for the peril that she does. He is extremely protective of her, and he would give her his last breath if it would mean she would go on living, but he sometimes lets that nature cloud his thinking (one of the reasons he insists she remains in the car while he investigates). Rick's acting is as virtuosic as ever, and there could be no one else who could play this role with such conviction and effortlessness. As the film plummets to its inevitable conclusion, his acting reaches a height that few actors can attain in a short piece like this. Rick is one of the few actors in this industry whose versatility and innate ability permeate every role with infallible precision while still keeping that genuinely natural and nonchalant air. His talent is a bonafide gift that is coupled with his pragmatic humility and approachable nature to create a rarity in the world of egocentric entertainment.
Together, Jacqueline and Rick make an indomitable force that engenders a living, breathing organism from the tumultuous tale that Chris has scripted. So much is told through their facial expressions and the moments of deathly silence that sometimes force the tension to rise beyond the breaking point. Although the culmination is inconclusive, it will rock your world as the final scene drops the bombshell that I could have just kicked myself for not comprehending in the opening credits.
Candiland (2016)
Psychological Thriller Exploring the Realty of Mental Illness
I recently had the opportunity to screen this indie film based on the book by Elizabeth Engstrom and produced by Motorcycle Boy Productions. Additionally, I interviewed the two leads, James Clayton and Chelah Horsdal, and I knew that in screening this film, I would be stepping further outside my comfort zone than I ever had before. And that is entirely correct. I am not a fan of psychological thrillers as a rule–except Hitchcock, if you can call some of his films that–but I was determined to go in with the mindset of a reviewer. I do want to warn you that if you are offended by gratuitous sex (no nudity, thankfully) or superfluous profanity, you may wish to skip this film. On one level, I could have done without either of those. However, I set aside all that for the purposes of the review, and the remainder of this review will be spent on the content and acting from an artistic standpoint.
For the entire review, please go to the link on my website: http://mydevotionalthoughts.net/2017/02/candiland-film-review.html
The Birthday Wish (2017)
Fun Romance With a Twist
First of all, I am a regular viewer of Hallmark films, and I realize that many people will complain that Hallmark regularly does predictable, romantic comedies, and some would call them cheesy and not worth watching. In this day and age with negativity and vile themes spewing forth from our TV sets, computers, and phones, there is nothing like the comfort of curling up on a quiet evening and watching a Hallmark film.
For me, this is a romance that is full of comedy, excellent acting, and fine writing--also directed by one of the best directors out there today, at least in my opinion. While the story is predictable in that it's a typical romantic comedy, it does contain plenty of atypical twists. It is not a traditional time travel romance, and while the ending is assured from the get-go, I never found it dull nor boring as the viewers were taken along for the ride. It had just the right amount of bumps along the way, and the acting was so impeccable that Marcus Rosner's "other guy" role incensed me like very few have. Luke and Jessy were a pure delight on screen as they carried out the comical, clever dialogue, and the visual aspects of the film were exceptional as well. Who could not love the puppy scene? And while there is an element of the supernatural, the intent of the film came across to the viewers in a fun and inspiring way. It is an excellent reminder that life rarely goes the way one plans, but if you are open to possibilities that are tossed your way, your life may end up being more than you could have possibly dreamed. While the ending may have seemed a bit rushed due to time constraints, I truly cannot fault this film nor anyone involved with the film for that minor fault. In fact, I wouldn't mind seeing a sequel in years to come that shows these two as a married couple with kids and even gives us more than the brief glimpse of their lives through the lens to which we were privy. I highly recommend this film to anyone who loves the old-fashioned "romcom" genre. However, if you are tired of the bad news that is constantly flashing across your screen, this is just the sort of good news that can instantly pick up your spirits and help you forget your problems, at least for ninety minutes!
Stolen from the Womb (2014)
Another Fantastic Gem from Sebastian Spence
I have now had the pleasure of watching this film twice, and I believe that the second viewing even surpassed the first. This was possibly the first Lifetime Movie film I watched that was not a Christmas film. I am not typically a fan of the movies on that network, but I was certainly willing to give it a try because of Sebastian. And I must admit–I was pleasantly surprised.
stolen from the womb 2The two female leads Chelsey (Laura Mennel) and Diane (Larisa Oleynik) honestly steal the limelight from both of the men. I was entirely immersed in their compelling story line. I will warn you–the story is a bit intense at times. My 11-year-old daughter watched the film with me. She has seen more intense films than this. She was fine until the last scene–no spoilers from me! Even without my favorite actor in the movie, the acting from these ladies is incredible and sometimes all too eerily realistic.
Before I go on about my reason for watching the film, let me also mention one other notable performance. Jesse, the husband of the nuttier-than-a-fruitcake Chelsey is played brilliantly by Corey Sevier. I only knew him from Cedar Cove in the role of Seth, Justine's fisherman boyfriend. But I never felt he got much of a chance to act in that show. In fact, I didn't consider him much of an actor until I saw him in this film. Frankly, the depth of his acting was a surprise to me. I would be open to seeing more of him in the future.
Since the preliminaries are out of the way, I can now get to the heart of the review–Sebastian Spence. As a friend of mine just pointed out, if you have not noticed that this particular actor is a major topic of conversation on my twitter and even here on my blog, it is possible you've been hiding under a rock. This was the first time I saw Sebastian in anything outside of Cedar Cove, and although I selfishly would have preferred for him to have had more airtime (that is always my complaint when it comes to my favorite actor), he played the part of Rob King exceptionally well. (If you're looking for an objective review, you may have to search elsewhere.) I connected with his character instantly due to the fact that his character is a professor, and I am a teacher.
Some of my readers may wonder why I am so drawn to the acting of Sebastian. Let me put this very simply. When I watch a film or show, I look for actors and actresses who are believable. No matter the role, I am looking for those actors who completely thrust their hearts into the role and never give me a moment to doubt their sincerity. I have seen so many "fake" and "phony" actors in my time, and I grow weary of actors who are only doing a part for notoriety or an astronomical amount of money. Granted, those are important in this very public career, but that should not be the driving force behind any acting career. Versatility is also a generally compulsory component.
Although I have not seen an innumerable amount of Sebastian's films, in each one, it is evident that he has flung every ounce of energy, heart, and soul into every role. The scene I have featured above is one that undoubtedly moves me in the film. I know male actors can do emotional scenes, but there is something so convincing when he does one. On- screen genuine emotions do tend to affect me. You might be interested to know that I do not cry at the drop of a hat, but his sensitive acting can bring forth the floodgates. And I must admit that it definitely helps that he is easy on the eyes.
In addition to this, his chemistry and interaction with the other actors in the film is always flawless. Again I will say that just as with every other role he does, everything the viewer sees on the screen appears to be wholly authentic. Never once did I question whether he was the character he portrayed.
The Obsession (2006)
Riveting Tale With an Amazing Cast
It has only been a few brief months since I discovered the wonder that is Sebastian Spence, and I have been on a quest to find and watch as many of his movies as possible. He is more known for roles in which he plays the "good guy," and this movie is a departure from that. However, it is that which makes me so drawn to this movie--his versatility. Now don't get me wrong. The other actors are fantastic in their own right, but for me, It is Spence's performance that makes this movie so phenomenal. I found myself so drawn into the story, but I was pleasantly surprised that this movie did not have the pitfalls that I sometimes see in other Lifetime films. There was no real profanity, no overly graphic violence, and only a very brief "bedroom" scene. I found myself sucked into the world of the psychotic stalker, and I never turned away in disgust. At this point, this is my favorite Sebastian Spence film, but that may change as I discover more gems from his vault of films. If you could only watch one of his films, and you don't mind a bit of creepiness, watch this. If you prefer him in romantic roles, watch "Cedar Cove," "Daniel's Daughter," or "My Mother's Future Husband."