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‘Scrap’ Prevails the Struggles of Life – Review

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Vivian Kerr’s first directorial debut film Scrap is a touching, heartfelt drama about adult siblings struggling with their personal issues and overcoming long term emotional pain from the loss of their parents after a tragic plane crash that occurred when they were young. Kerr also wrote the screenplay and plays the role of Beth, a recently laid off executive professional that refuses to come to terms that she will no longer be able to afford her lavish lifestyle and support her five year old daughter Birdy.

In the opening scene we see Beth waking up inside her car in fancy pajamas. This suggests she is at the brink of homelessness. Beth has to get ready for a job interview and finds a clever way to freshen up and look polished with her designer clothes and shoes. Sadly, she does not get the position. In a phone call with her brother Ben (Anthony Rapp), Beth makes up an excuse that her “out of town business meeting” was longer than anticipated and was not able to pick up Birdy. We then learn that her daughter Birdy has been staying with Ben and Stacy (Lana Parrilla), while she sleeps in her car and goes job hunting.

Ben is a successful fantasy novel writer who is married to Stacy, a stressed out lawyer that is going through in vitro fertilization. The tension between the siblings and Stacy is noticeable. Beth’s erratic behavior is nothing new and uses Ben as a financial security net. Ben allows Beth to take advantage of him, because he feels responsible to take care of her and his niece.

Still in denial about needing to let go of her upscale way of life, Beth has the audacity to continue spending money by shopping online. Ben and Stacy are livid as the unnecessary stress is interfering with them trying to make a family of their own. To make matters more tense, Ben struggles to be heard by his publisher. He wants to step away from writing fantasy novels and wants to pursue his passion writing a non-fiction book about Billie Holiday.

Beth spends the day with Ben reminiscing their youth. They stop to visit their childhood home to show Birdy where they were raised. To their disappointment the house was demolished, and an empty lot is all that remains. This scene was so touching. I really wanted them to share a happy moment, because I know Beth really needed something good to help uplift her out of a mental rut. Like a slap in the face, Beth spirals out of control; from maxing out her credit cards, getting her car towed, missing her daughter’s recital, to returning with her ex Joshua – father of Birdy. Beth’s conduct even takes a toll on Ben and Stacy’s marriage.

Through all the turmoil and drama, the story comes to a pivotal point when Joshua gives Beth a ride to Ben’s house. They begin to argue, and Beth realizes that Joshua’s toxic personality is only causing more destruction to her and Birdy. Ben sees the altercation from the doorway and jumps into to action to save Beth from Joshua. From this moment forward, Beth reconciles with Ben and Stacy. Just like an empty lot, Beth rebuilds her life from the ground up. She is hired as a cosmetic salesperson and finds a suitable apartment for her and Birdy. As for Ben, he takes control of his career and decides to write a book about Billie Holiday. He deems it as no more hiding his personal struggles behind the lies of fantasy.

Scrap has amazing relatable characters that the audience can empathize with, especially those that have siblings. Anthony Rapp is a natural in displaying Ben’s guilt from having to take on the role of a father at such a young age after the death of their parents. Rapp deeply connected to the viewers that you are bound to feel sympathy for Ben. Vivian Kerr did an outstanding performance representing Beth as a strong competitive, arrogant pompous that does not settle for subpar, which included not being interested in going out with Marcus (Khleo Thomas) who works at a roller-skating rink.

Vivian Kerr delivered an exceptional performance with an elevating screenplay and film production. Scrap gives a hopeful outlook for overcoming life’s downfalls. It is a manifestation how happiness and success are possible when you liberate yourself from a tragic past. This is absolutely a must see inspiring movie.


Sabrina "Kiddo" is the newest member of Countdown City Geeks and is a contributor of movie and television show reviews. Her passion for film derived from her college days where her rhetoric-writing professor focused on the aspects of screenwriting and music lyrics. She also has a knack for memorizing and repeating movie quotes, catchphrases.

Movie Reviews

Into the Unknown: Reviewing ‘From the Beyond: High Strangeness in the Bennington Triangle’

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In this video, we take a deep dive into the mysterious and unsettling documentary ‘From the Beyond: High Strangeness in the Bennington Triangle’.

Exploring one of America’s most infamous paranormal hotspots, this film examines eerie disappearances, strange sightings, and the chilling folklore surrounding Vermont’s Bennington Triangle. We break down the documentary’s storytelling, evidence, interviews, and overall atmosphere—does it truly uncover something unexplainable, or does it leave more questions than answers?

If you’re into unsolved mysteries, paranormal phenomena, and high strangeness, this one’s for you.


Synopsis: Since the mid twentieth century, a mysterious section of land in rural Vermont has been the home of untold strangeness. Rumors of UFOs, ghosts, phantom lights and mysterious creatures can all be found there in abundance, while verified reports of odd disappearances – many still unsolved – cast a shadow over Glastenbury Mountain. From the Beyond: High Strangeness in the Bennington Triangle goes beyond the rumors and campfire stories, while daring to ask what may be the most frightening question of all – why is Glastenbury Mountain so inexplicable, and what happened to those who have gone missing?

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Movie Reviews

THE SHITHEADS aka IDIOTS – Sticky, Icky, and Out of Control

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The Shitheads, now renamed Idiots, was showcased during the 2026 SXSW festival and is scheduled for a theatrical release in August of this year. The film is directed by Macon Blair which he co-wrote with Alex Orr, starring Dave Franco, O’Shea Jackson Jr. and Mason Thames. The plot is driven by a couple of underachievers taking on what should be an effortless task of transporting an affluent teen to a rehab center, but this intellectually predatory teen throws them off course.

It didn’t quite reach the heights it aimed for. I was anticipating this dark comedy to be an exciting adventure, bursting with laughs, but it was frustrating like your car getting a flat tire. The characters are defined by basic emotions-anger and confusion-but nothing beyond that. The movie never explores them, so it’s difficult to empathize. When faced with several misfortunes, they lack impact because the audience has no emotional connection.  The weak characters are just along for the ride, dictated by the script rather than the narrative cohesion, making that “road to nowhere” feel long and exhausting. It spends a lot of time lingering on repulsive comedy scenes that not even a jumbo roll of toilet paper could wipe up this mess. It can get sticky, icky and out of control.

Mason Thames, however, made chicken salad out of… well, you know. He impressed me with his performance, a revelation role of a charismatic irritant-sociopathic, spoiled, privileged brat. Thames could have elevated his character to higher levels and carry the film to the finish line. While critically acclaimed renowned actor Peter Dinklage had a brief cameo, it served as a tantalizing preview of the chemistry he might share with Mason Thames for a future team-up.

There is a much better movie buried somewhere inside the pile of Idiots. The underlying premise has potential, but the film eventually stalls under the coherent thematic arc and inconsistent pacing. It’s not a disaster by any means, but it is a disappointing work of inspired fragments rather than a cohesive narrative that falls short of being essential cinema.

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Movie Reviews

THE SEEING EYE DOG WHO SAW TOO MUCH – A Fun Hidden Short Mystery Gem

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A 1975 film by Enrico Januzzi The Seeing Eye Dog Who Saw Too Much has been exhumed by Eric Jackowitz who wrote, directed and stars as the Dog Scientist that brings a quirky invention to extract clues from the memory of the victim’s seeing eye dog to solve the mystery of the black-gloved killer at the Rome Symphony. The dog’s facial expression says it all… what the heck is happening here! It’s a short film that gives a fun experience to keep you guessing through the laughs and exaggerated slashing to the whodunit murder mystery.

Jackowitz used the limited time effectively giving it a similar resemblance to a grownup version of a Scooby Doo episode, but with classic cinematic style that blends sharp comedy with serious, dark themes, focusing on eccentric characters. This haunting film is all character driven with the intriguing, unusual suspects and victims compiling the pieces of the puzzle for the grand ruh-roh reveal.

The Seeing Eye Dog Who Saw Too Much had its world premiere at the 2026 SXSW Festival, and to no surprise it won the Audience Award. The small ensemble includes Ethan Edenburg (Maestro), Anna Garcia (Daria), Colton Eschief Mastro (Stelvio), Gabrielle Montes de Oca (Anne), Melissa Villaseñor (Cesar Salad Lady) and Tom Mcgovern (Angelo). Each actor was empowered to explore their roles freely, allowing them to immerse themselves in the joy of character creation making this an outrageously entertaining short film that I consider a fun hidden short mystery gem.

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