OMAHA (2026)

April 23, 2026

Greetings again from the darkness. Memorable movies need not have a huge budget or special effects. All that’s needed is an interesting story and characters we care about. Screenwriter Robert Machoian (the excellent THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS, 2020) fully understands this, while Cole Webley’s feature film directorial debut (after many shorts and videos) transitions the story to the big screen in a way that leaves us emotionally drained. It’s one of the obligatory ‘tough watches’ that plays the festival circuit – only this one is extremely well written, directed, and acted.

John Magaro (SEPTEMBER 5, 2024; PAST LIVES, 2023; FIRST COW, 2019) continues racking up his list of strong performances. It’s very early morning (in 2008) when he wakes up his two young kids and loads them, along with the family dog, in the car. Nine-year-old Ella (a shockingly good performance from Molly Belle Wright) and six-year-old Charlie (Wyatt Solis) aren’t told where the trip will lead, but as viewers, that familiar feeling of dread hits the minute dad speaks with the Sheriff, and we understand the family has been evicted. It doesn’t take long for us to figure out dad is not only grieving the loss of his wife (the mother of the kids), but he is also dealing with severe poverty. This combination explains the desperation he works so hard to hide from the kids.

Lest you think this is one big show of misery, you should know that some fun is mixed in on the road trip … a bag of candy here, flying a kite on the Salt Flats there. This father and these kids adore each other, and it’s the remarkably insightful Ella who continually pushes dad for a reason and destination of the trip. In fact, we see most of this story from Ella’s perspective, making things all the more emotional at times. Those distinctly expressive eyes of Magaro allow him to convey so much, despite saying so little. Talia Balsam (“Mad Men”) has a crucial role near the end of the film, yet by then, we are so invested in dad, Ella, and Charlie, that it’s difficult to accept another.

Over the closing credits, director Webley explains the Safe Haven Law and how it applies to the titular city … and how it has since been amended.

Opens in theaters on April 24, 2026

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Posted by David Ferguson

THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS (2021)

May 13, 2021

Greetings again from the darkness. The film opens with a man pointing a gun at a sleeping couple. We hold our breath in anticipation until the tense moment abruptly passes. At its most extreme moments, life can push people to their emotional and physical limits, and that’s what we see with David, played exceptionally well by Clayne Crawford (TV series: “Lethal Weapon”, “Rectify”).

The foreboding of that opening scene cloaks the entire film with an inevitability that we never shake. David is living with his ailing father (Bruce Graham) right down the street from Niki (Sepideh Moafi, “The Deuce”), his high school sweetheart, and the mother of his teenage daughter and three younger sons. David and Niki are in the midst of a trial separation, in which they’ve agreed to see other people while also trying to work things out. They even try “date night”, which is where it becomes painfully clear to us that Niki not only has a new boyfriend (Chris Coy), but she’s doing well at her job, and is looking to the future. It’s likely she agreed to the separation to make the transition easier on David, whose pride will not allow him to accept the break-up of his family.

David’s a loving father, but he lacks the emotional maturity to handle the situation. The strain of it all has him simmering with rage – even as he hustles for manual labor jobs and tends to his dad. His dream of being a singer-songwriter is in the distant past and now he’s in crisis mode. Even his daughter Jesse (Avery Pizzuto) advises him of Niki’s situation. This is a small town with wide open spaces, but David can barely breathe, and this is perfectly captured by cinematographer Oscar Ignacio Jimenez.

Robert Machoian is the writer-director-producer-editor, and he keeps the characters and situation grounded in reality and familiarity. He was co-director with Rodrigo-Ojeda Beck of GOD BLESS THE CHILD, a film I saw at the 2015 Oak Cliff Film Festival in Dallas, and he possesses a distinct feel for the little things that seem big in life. Crawford expertly captures the essence of a man caught in a grim situation. I would have liked to have seen another interaction between he and Chris Coy, but what we do see is chilling. Take special note of the sound effects from Peter Albrechtsen – highly unusual, but effective in helping us understand the chaos inside David’s head. Mr. Machoian is a filmmaker to follow.

Available in select theaters and VOD on May 14, 2021

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Posted by David Ferguson

GOD BLESS THE CHILD (2015)

June 14, 2015

god bless Greetings again from the darkness. Given its success at other film festivals, I was anxious to catch up with this one it at my hometown Oak Cliff Film Festival. What I can report is that my reaction to the film is not in line with that of others. While I recognize the purity and genuine emotions of the characters, and appreciate the cinema verite’ style, I could never shake the feeling that I was simply watching someone babysit.

The first movie from co-directors Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck begins with young Eli diligently practicing his trampoline flips. His tenacity is admirable, as is his commitment to the goal. We next see his mom speeding off down the street, and we come to realize she has deserted Eli and his 4 siblings – 3 younger brothers and an older sister.

What follows is “a day in the life” of five kids who clearly have received less-than-stellar parenting throughout their lives, and have adapted by 13 year old Harper taking on the role of surrogate mother as the boys do what boys do … playing, fighting, eating, washing the dogs, exploring the area and arguing over Superman vs Spider-man.

Each of the boys has their own distinct personality, but it’s Harper whom we most feel for. She is caring, loving, funny and strong in an unwelcome role to which she has resigned herself. Any chance at being a normal teenager was lost years ago, though a somewhat heavy-handed scene in the park ensures no viewer misses this point.

The five actors share the same last name (Graham) and I read somewhere (though unconfirmed) that they are co-director Machoian’s real family. There is no denying that we feel for kids and understand that their future is as bleak as their present. The film does bring notice to the relentless challenges of parenting, and how desertion of said responsibility is inexcusable. The film ends with a very touching scene – one that only makes us hope that somehow these kids experience better days in the future.

watch the trailer:

 

 

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Posted by David Ferguson