CITY OF DREAMS (2024)

August 29, 2024

Greetings again from the darkness. The mistreatment of kids is something that causes a physical reaction for me. It’s not just the intellectual and emotional effects – my entire body reacts by shifting into some mode that’s a cross between aggression, sickness, and denial. No matter how much we wish child trafficking wasn’t occurring, we know that it is … and reminders are crucial in keeping the awareness and discussions (and kids) alive. That’s the role of the first feature film from writer-director Mohit Ramchandani.

Jesus (Ari Lopez) is a young boy in Mexico dreaming of a future as a star soccer player. His mother died giving birth to him, and his father seizes the chance to let his son pursue his dreams in the “new world” by attending a soccer camp. Everything has been arranged by a shady, Mustang driving character who most of us would never trust. However, Jesus’s father is desperate for his son to have an opportunity for a better life.

A non-verbal Jesus is excited right up until he’s frightened. He’s dumped at a ragged house and led to the room lined with others of all ages who are slumped over sewing machines. This sweat shop is run by El Jefe (Alfredo Castro) and his foreman Cesar (Andres Delgado). To ensure we don’t miss the “sweat” shop label, the actors are often coated in absurdly giant beads of fake sweat. It’s the closest to comedy we get.

What occurs in the dark, dank world of sweat shops and child slave labor is portrayed here as indescribable misery. We see the long and unbearable working conditions of the kids, along with the harsh punishments that occur if one steps out of line. Elena (Renata Vaca) flirts with Jesus as teenagers do … until she’s whisked away and sold into child sex slavery. The only ray of hope we as viewers see is Officer Stevens (Jason Patric, an actor I erroneously predicted stardom for after watching THE LOST BOYS in 1987), a renegade local cop who senses criminal activity in the home, despite his superiors continually telling him to back off.

Inspired by a true story (actually too many similar stories), Ramchandani’s film portrays the disgusting side of migrant child labor, child slavery, sex slavery, human trafficking … whatever term you prefer. He tells us 12 million children have been victims of slavery.  There are also a couple of other interesting factors: the bad guys aren’t all Caucasian, greed is a driving force, and all involved (not just the kids) have dreams. El Jefe dreams of an acting career. We see Cesar studying his SAT prep book, and Jesus juggles visions of glory in soccer with nightmares of some evil tribal figure. The list of Executive Producers includes Tony Robbins, Linda Perry, and Thomas Jane. The brutal loss of childhood innocence is difficult to watch and concludes with a plea for action from young actor Ari Lopez.

In theaters August 30, 2024

WATCH THE TRAILER

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Posted by David Ferguson

BIG KILL (2018)

October 18, 2018

 Greetings again from the darkness. It’s been 6 years since Scott Martin directed his last feature film, and most of his credits are as a producer. This time out, the Texas filmmaker proves his love of the western genre, and he’s so committed to the cause that he dons many Stetsons for the project: writer, director, producer, editor, and one of the lead actors. We always admire those who overcome obstacles and see their vision become a reality. Every movie doesn’t need to be a classic … it’s a Herculean task just to get a film made, and hopefully it provides some entertainment value (which this one does).

Mr. Martin plays Jake, who along with his friend Travis (Clint Hummel) travels the old west countryside finding trouble and making waves at every turn. Jake is the sharpshooter, while Travis is the ladies’ man. Neither seem to have any marketable skills, other than the knack for staying alive – which is an accomplishment given that they seem to be shot at quite frequently and run out of every place they ride into … even Mexico!

The opening shootout sets the mood for us, as it comes across as tongue-in-cheek, with just enough realism to let us know danger exists. Danny Trejo has an entrance worthy of his cult status as Mexican General Morales … a man very displeased with Jake and Travis. An annoying electronic score accompanies a chase scene that crosses the border and ends at a Cavalry outpost run by a Colonel played by the great Michael Pare (EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS), whose two scenes are over far too quickly.

Jake and Travis accompany city slicker Jim Andrews (Christoph Sanders) on a road trip via horseback to Big Kill, Arizona … a town Jim’s brother has promised him is booming. A recurring punchline of “Never heard of it” adds some levity every time Big Kill is mentioned. Instead of a lucrative silver mining town, they find a once boom town gone bust, and now the town is run by the most unethical “Preacher” (steely-eyed and square-jawed Jason Patric) that one is likely to find. The preacher is aided by his muscle: quick-draw Johnny Kane (Lou Diamond Phillips in a gaudy red suit and evil grin) and Stephanie Beran as a knife toting Felicia Stiletto – just one of the character names pulled straight out of the comic book universe.

Jim’s brother (played by KC Clyde) is located, and though Jim begins the courting process with local girl Josie Strong (a standout Elizabeth McLaughlin), the troubles and violence and literal backstabbing in town soon draws the boys into the fracas. Much of the film has the look of kids playing dress up, but as a tongue-in-cheek western, there is enough entertainment value to hold our interest for 2 hours. Fortunately music director Kays Al-Atrakchi resorts to more traditional trumpet-based western music after that opening chase. Most of the shootouts provide some humor, whether intended or not, but we can be sure the cast had a grand time making this one … that shines through loud and clear – especially in a town where the undertaker is named Digger.

watch the trailer:

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Posted by David Ferguson