THE FRENCH ITALIAN (2025)

October 27, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. Are you a good person? It’s really not that difficult to determine … although it does require a bit of honest self-reflection. The debut feature film from writer-director Rachel Wolther (co-written with Jesse Millward) is clearly meant to be comical satire, and even more clearly does not include me in the target audience. It seems to me the window for putting whiny, entitled complainers in the spotlight has closed, and these folks are more sad and annoying than funny. Still, since I’m likely in the minority, I’ll strive for objectivity here.

Valerie (Catherine Cohen, DATING & NEW YORK, 2021) and Doug (Aristotle Athari, MOLLI AND MAX IN THE FUTURE, 2023) are thirty-somethings living in New York City in a rent-controlled Brownstone. Their careers are stagnant (his) and borderline non-existent (hers). She doesn’t seem to have a clue about how to take responsibility at work, or even how to fulfill the basic duties. When girlfriend Mary (Chloe Cherry) moves in with usually quiet downstairs neighbor Jordan (Jon Rudnitsky, STEALING PULP FICTION, 2025), she brings along her karaoke machine, and immediately Valerie and Doug are annoyed with the sound pollution and constant “La Bamba”, and begin creating scenarios that might explain their neighbors.

Once they escape to the suburbs, the childish couple began strategizing to get revenge on the old neighbors, and with the help of equally unstable friend Wendy (Ruby McCollister), they decide to take advantage of Mary’s pursuit of acting. Their ‘ingenious’ plan involves putting on a fake play and inviting Mary to audition for the part. The plan makes little sense and ends up drawing in another actor named Joe (Ikechukwu Ufomadu, JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH, 2021) in what ends up being a quite fortunate move.

While this movie didn’t scratch an itch for me, I certainly appreciate the performances. Ms. Cohen and Mr. Athari nail characters who are impossible to like. Why they decided to relocate and gain revenge without ever bothering to meet the neighbors is quite a statement. Ms. McCollister brings some much needed quirky energy to the proceedings. Ms. Cherry transitioned from years in the adult film industry to more conventional acting with “Euphoria”. Her take on Mary in this film is definitely interesting and unusual. While I appreciated the “Atlas Shrugged” spoof, I found this satire to be less of a comedy and more of a generational snapshot for dummies (like me).

Available on VOD beginning October 28, 2025

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Posted by David Ferguson

STEALING PULP FICTION (2025)

June 26, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. The first feature film from writer-director Danny Turkiewicz is an expanded version of his same-titled 2020 short film. It’s also an example of clueless buddies being passionate about a very bad idea. Mostly though, the characters here seem to share a certain unspoken loneliness that unites them.

Let’s clear the air on this one. It’s a goofy lark that never takes itself too seriously. It’s the kind of movie that opens on two buddies sitting in a bar brainstorming pun-themed businesses while sipping colorful drinks with little umbrellas in the glasses. Jonathan (Jon Rudnitsky, HOME AGAIN, 2017) and Steve (Karan Soni, Dopinder in the Deadpool movies) are film lovers with opposite personalities, although they do share a certain charming ineptitude. This worrisome pair also shares acronyms for everyday language. Examples include MTP for movie theater popcorn, and KIT for keep in touch. It’s this level of ‘brilliance’ that finds them agreeing on their next project … a specific cinematic heist.

A late-night screening of PULP FICTION leads to the knowledge that what they watched was directly from the personal 35mm reels from the director’s own collection. So, what do they decide? To steal the reels, of course (this film’s title is likely a giveaway).  Soon their gang for this heist has grown to four, including their wonderfully deadpan friend Elizabeth (Cazzie David, filmmaker of I LOVE YOU FOREVER, and daughter of Larry David), and their personal therapist Dr. Mendelbaum (Jason Alexander taking on the name of an infamous “Seinfeld” character).

Despite the lack of any real plan – and a failed “Practice Heist” – the foursome proceeds with the idea. There is a definite retro look and feel to the film, including numerous Tarantino nods, and movie posters for Turkiewicz’s previous short films pop up in the background periodically. The loneliness aspect mentioned above comes around for all four of our main characters … with a little help from one of Mendelbaum’s other patients (Victoria Secret model Taylor Hill) and the Pillisdorf Social Club. A special shoutout to Seager Tennis who goes fully unhinged playing Tarantino. Silly, odd, and unconventional all describe this film, and at 84 minutes, it may best be described as harmless fun … for those days when you want to avoid deep thought.

Opening in select theaters and on digital beginning June 27, 2025

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Posted by David Ferguson

I LOVE YOU FOREVER (2025)

February 14, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. So, may we interest you in a Valentine’s Day movie about an abusive relationship doomed to failure? What if I told you that it’s meant to be funny, but it’s actually quite depressing and dark? Cazzie David (Larry David’s daughter) and Elisa Kalani are co-writers and co-directors on this film rumored to be ‘inspired’ by Ms. David’s relationship with a certain former SNL comedian (the one known for dating a steady stream of beautiful women).

MacKenzie (Sofia Black-D’Elia, “Your Honor”, “The Night Of”) is a law student, and when the film opens, she’s in bed with Jake (Raymond Cham Jr, THE IDEA OF YOU, 2024). We quickly realize this is a booty call … although it doesn’t appear that MacKenzie recognizes it as such. Or perhaps, more accurately, she hopes for more from Jake. This is merely the first painful example – and there are many more to come – of MacKenzie displaying very little self-confidence or self-worth, despite being lovely, intelligent, and quite capable of participating in flirty and witty banter.

Rounding out the trio of good friends are Ally (the film’s writer/director Cazzie David) and Lucas (Jon Rudnitsky, HOME AGAIN, 2017). When together, these buds have a strong bond and whip-smart dialogue. The movie is at its best during these times. Things shift quickly when MacKenzie meets Finn (Ray Nicholson, Jack’s son) at Ally’s birthday bash. Finn seems like the perfect guy for her. He’s a news reporter who can match her flirtatious ways, and delivers the most romantic first date one could imagine. The early stages go smoothly, and the weeks click by as they grow closer.

Of course, things (and men) are never as perfect as they seem. Finn begins to throw these manipulative tantrums that, frankly, are quite frightening. MacKenzie recognizes the behavior as unacceptable, yet is so intent on keeping ‘Mr. Right’, that she continues to work through his wicked (and bipolar) ways. Ally and Lucas try to be supportive for her, but Finn demands so much attention, that friendships and law school become after thoughts. It’s infuriating to watch, and it’s likely that I’m simply too old to understand why anyone would put up with Finn. Sure, partners are never as perfect as they initially seem, but hopefully few turn out to be as psychotic as Finn. The filmmakers have delivered a masterclass on what not to subject yourself to in a relationship … it’s just questionable whether this is the right message to deliver on Valentine’s Day. On second thought, maybe that’s the perfect time.

Opening in theaters on February 14, 2025

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Posted by David Ferguson

HOME AGAIN (2017)

September 6, 2017

 Greetings again from the darkness. Let’s just get this out of the way upfront. There is a proven and established market for mindless fluff designed to allow women to laugh at the messes created by “real life” relationships, careers, and parenting. In fact, first time writer-director Hallie Meyers-Shyer is merely continuing the traditions set by her bloodline. She is the daughter of filmmakers Nancy Meyers and Charles Shyer who shared an Oscar screenwriting nomination for PRIVATE BENJAMIN (1980), and collaborated on other Romantic-Comedies such as FATHER OF THE BRIDE (I and II), and BABY BOOM (1987). Rom-Coms exist to bring some balance to the universe of Comic Book film adaptations for fan boys. It is possible to have quality filmmaking on both sides … no matter how rare it seems.

Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon stars as Alice Kinney. It’s her 40th birthday, and she’s a chipper lady recently separated from her music industry husband (Michael Sheen) and moved with their two daughters (Lola Flanery, Eden Grace Redfield) from New York to Los Angeles. Alice is in full “starting over” mode, including kicking off a new home decorating business. During a drunken birthday celebration with her friends, Alice hooks up with a younger man. The next morning, Alice’s mom (Candice Bergen) invites Harry (the young man played by Pico Anderson) and his two buddies (Nat Wolff, Jon Rudnitsky – all 3 are budding filmmakers) to move into Alice’s house. What follows is a maybe/maybe not romance between Harry and Alice, a bonding between the fellows and Alice’s daughters, new business struggles for Alice, the sudden return to the scene of Alice’s husband, and an endless stream of movie-making meetings for the 3 guys.

That’s a recap of the story, but it doesn’t address the real issue. For years, we have been hearing that the good-old-boy Hollywood network needed to back more female-centric projects: movies about women, movies directed by women, movies written by women, movies produced by women. Well this one has ALL of that, and yet I can only imagine the outrage if a man had written/directed/produced this exact film. Let’s discuss.

Alice is positioned as a “brave” and “strong” woman for moving her kids across the country and starting over. What allows this woman to be so courageous? Well see, she is the daughter of a deceased filmmaker who had a successful career and left her a multi-million dollar California estate … conveniently, one with a guest house for the three young men to live in. And who in their right mind, and with two young daughters, would invite three total strangers to move in – especially the night after – even if one of them looks to be yanked right out of an Abercrombie ad? There is also Alice’s interaction with her first client (played by Lake Bell). Despite despicable treatment from the rich lady, Alice doesn’t stand her ground until yet another drunken bout of liquid courage occurs. The two daughters are smart and cute, but there is an obvious shortage of daily parenting happening here – the daughters seem to show up only when a dose of precociousness is required. The scenes with Alice and her estranged husband are appropriately awkward, but the communication seems hokey … at least until we witness true hokeyness in the cartoonish exchanges between the (now) four gentlemen. In fact, all male characters are written as cartoons, which we might view as “getting even” with the many times female characters were poorly written; however, since the female lead here is just as unreal, that theory doesn’t hold.

The paint-by-numbers approach carries through as we check all the boxes: cute kids, a pet dog, apologetic ex, hunky new suitor, no financial hardships, loads of delightful dialogue, Ms. Witherspoon flashing more facial contortions than Jim Carrey at his peak, at least two cheesy musical montages, a mad dash to the kid’s play/recital/game, and even the cherry on top … a Carole King song at the end. In a year with so many wonderful female-centric films, this one is difficult to comprehend – except that maybe, given who her parents are, perhaps Ms. Meyers-Shyer is actually the beneficiary of that good old boy network of which we’ve heard tell.

watch the trailer:

 

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Posted by David Ferguson