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danielwesthoff511
Reviews
Night Club (2011)
Won 4 awards at the LIFF! * Mild Spoilers *
I was first introduced to Director Sam Borowski's work through this film at the Long Island Film Festival. As I attend many festivals, I am always excited to discover a new filmmaker's work, and to meet and greet the filmmaker afterward.
While Borowski is not exactly a newbie, he was new to me - and I am glad that I discovered him! His film had a lot of heart and rated high on my scales, however, I would even rate it slightly higher on IMDb as I can see there is an obvious plan at lowering the rating. This both obvious and comical attempt - is just that - an attempt. I was there - I saw it with an audience and they truly responded. And the film went on to win Best Picture, Director (Borowski), Actor (Oscar-Winner Ernest Borgnine) and Breakout Performance (a local from Hempstead named Bryan Williams).
As I said, the film had heart, and hearing Borowski, who wore many hats, including Producer, talk about how he dedicated this film to his mother, and how it connected him with her really touched me. But, this shouldn't surprise you, because this type of feeling is quite evident in the movie itself.
When you see the relationship between resident Albert Haber (played magnificently by the late Oscar-Winner Ernest Borgnine in his final role)and the 3 young USC students who work the nights away at the California Rest Home (played by Zachary Abel, Ahney Her and Bryan Williams, respectively), you can see the type of relationship Borowski must have had with his mother - filled with respect and education, Albert takes these three students under his wing as he inspires them to start a nightclub of their own - in the home at night, of course - even if it breaks the rules. The ensuing adventure seems to give a sense of purpose for the older residents and there is a genuinely original story at the heart of this movie.
Other fine performances are turned in by Oscar-Nominee Sally Kellerman playing Albert's love-interest Dorothy and Natasha Lyonne as Mrs. Keaton, the headmaster of the home. Look for an hysterical cameo by Chuck McCann.
Night Club - go see it!
Devil (2010)
Interesting suspenseful "horror" flick
I call this an interesting and suspenseful, "horror" flick, because it's not your traditional horror fare. Yes, the story has those elements - several people stuck in an elevator ala Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians," and one of them is supposedly the devil.
However, it plays out with both mystery and suspense. And, I thought Jacob Vargas, playing a security guard, who is viewing the events of the day on a monitor from the elevator's camera, steals the show.
He tells the investigating police officers about a tale his grandmother told him - about how the devil walks around us every day and we don't always notice him. About good and evil.
This tale helps move the story along nicely. This is one of those movies, you won't need to know much about - other than the basic plot - going into it. So, give it a try and see it for yourself.
Devil - I'm giving it a Strong 7 Stars!
Silver Bells (2005)
One of the better Hallmark movies I have seen
I enjoy all the Hallmark Holiday films, however, "Silver Bells," was one of the better ones. A simple enough story that we can all relate with, Tate Donovan plays Christy Byrne a widower, who goes to New York a month before Christmas to hawk his Christmas trees every year, and he brings his two children Danny (played excellently by Michael Mitchell) and Bridget (Courtney Jines).
Problem is, Danny doesn't want to miss school, or take over his father's business as Donovan's Christy wants for him. He wants to go to college to be a photographer. And, one year, during this Christmas hiatus after an argument with his father about his life and future, Danny runs away in the big city.
The bulk of the story takes place the next Christmas. Christy has been looking for his son the past year - wants to reunite and make amends. However, unbeknownst to him, Danny is not only surviving, but thriving int he big city, and is being harbored and helped by Catherine O'Mara (one of Anne Heche's most likable roles!).
The story gets more involved when Christy and Catherine begin a potential relationship, and Catherine has to come clean to Christy about his boy. It's a wonderful and intelligent holiday film and I really enjoyed it.
8 STARS for this film. And, like all Hallmark movies, you can purchase this on DVD at most Hallmark stores. That's how I bought my copy of the DVD after watching it on T.V.
Surviving Family (2012)
Surviving the real qualities of Surviving Family
I saw "Surviving Family," at the Golden Door International Film Festival of Jersey City in a beautifully restored movie palace and the entire evening was a great one, where independent film is concerned.
The ambiance of watching a movie in grand movie palace once owned by MGM blended with a very hard-edged yet enjoyable independent film such as Surviving Family. Beautifully shot by Laura Thies from a brilliant screenplay by Mara Lesemann, the film has an odd mix of sweetness and tragedy. It's got moments of comedy blended in with the heavy drama.
Buoyed by a strong performance from Sarah Wilson, who plays Terry Malone a young woman returning home to get married at her family's home. However, it's not all wine and roses, as Terry has several ghosts from her past that are still haunting her. Tragedy, alcoholism and other obstacles threaten to ruin the very marriage she came to start here.
There are also tremendous supporting performances from Phyllis Somerville and Tara Westwood and a very nice cameo by Vincent Pastore of "The Sopranos," fame.
See this movie either at a film festival or hopefully one day soon in theatrical release. It doesn't quite have a Hollywood ending, but it will make you think, and that's always a good thing.
Pollination * (2012)
Pollination * - simply a brilliant short film
Pollination * is one of those films that you'd rather go into not knowing so much about. In the words of Frank Costanza, you want to "go into it fresh!" It's an odd, yet effective, film. One that will naturally make its way around the country in film festivals. I know this because I saw this film at a festival in front of a large, captive audience that shared an equal amount of laughs, shocked silence and veracious applause.
I don't really want to go into the plot of it for the reasons I have mapped out above, but I will say that Sam Borowski has directed a fine film, from a script he penned with Lisa Buffington. It's not only clever and humorous, but it will evoke some real thought in the end, which is anything, but humorous.
There I go - I've said too much already. Pollination * see it as it makes the rounds at festivals and ultimately comes to your town. And, do yourself a favor ... go into it, fresh!