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‘Hallow Road’ is a terrifying unforgettable thrill ride

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SXSW is one of the best festivals to find a new movie going experience and Hallow Road did just that and so much more. Supported by two extremely talented leads in Matthew Rhys (The Americans, Perry Mason) and Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Jack Reacher), the film follows two parents that get that phone call all parents fear. An accident has occurred involving their teenage daughter and there are severe complications to the incident that I won’t share as I rather the audience discover the plot the same way I did.

The parents are an hour away from reaching their daughter who is alone and frightened. Matthew and Rosamund are at their very best as they traverse through a variety of emotions and revelations surrounding the family dynamic. It’s a masterclass that is a sight to behold. During a post viewing Q&A both Matthew and director Babak Anvari shared that am uncut 5-hour take was filmed for usage of the movie. In other words, its Matthew and Rosamund working together as a unit. Moving through the intensity of each scene hand in hand while sitting in car for the majority of the film. A truly remarkable feat for any two actors.

JULIE VRABELOVA

Not enough can be said about director Babak Anvari. His te3chnical skills are shown throughout. The use of unorthodox camera angles, dramatic close ups, and creative decisions on how to display digital text or car readings all add to the anxiety inducing tone of the project. There are moments you won’t anticipate. Moments of dread and absolute terror. This all enhanced by only hearing the audio conversation between the parents and their daughter. The viewer mostly left to their imagination of the nightmare that the young actress is going through.

Our verdict, Hallow Road is a must-see thrilling experience for all. A great accomplishment in performances by Matthew and Rosamund as well as a technical achievement for director Babak Anvari.


Ted aka Steady is a film critic and the managing editor forCountdownCityGeeks.com. He has covered some of the largest pop culture events in the world including SXSW and San Diego Comic-Con. He has also hosted a variety of events such as eSports Tourneys, film festivals, to moderating panels for some of the biggest names in entertainment including Josh Brolin, Rosario Dawson and Giancarlo Esposito.

Movie Reviews

BROKEN LAND – Award-Worthy Texas Western with Deep Natural Humanistic Connection

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Directed by Joseph T. Walker
Written by Joseph T. Walker and Christopher C. Young
Starring David Morse (as Carson Tidwell), Jaklyn Bejarano (as Irene Romero), Bill Heck (as Harley Tidwell)

Synopsis: Carson Tidwell, a secluded rancher, inadvertently shoots Irene Romero, a pregnant undocumented immigrant who was trespassing on his land. He has second thoughts and decides to hide her from his estranged son Harley, a Border Patrol agent. Carson and Irene form a redemptive bond.

Although the film reflects the underlying dangers of those taking extreme risks migrating to the United States in search of a better, safer life from their country of origin, there is much more to the storyline than just migration. It encompasses a man being wrecked by quiet remorse after the passing of his wife that came with serious repercussions, which led to the arising tension with his son. By choosing to support a pregnant woman through her journey, he finally experiences true peace and liberation.

Director Joseph T. Walker filmed Broken Land in the rustic areas of Alice and Freer, Texas which brings authenticity to the storyline. Walker captures the rugged yet majestic Texas scenery with its picturesque sunsets in the cattle capital. Utilizing these specific locations anchored the film’s tone and his beautiful use of animals symbolized deeper thematic elements that illuminate the characters’ true nature, allowing to instill an empathetic relation to their experiences.

David Morse naturally embodied the spirit of a Texas cattleman. The highly respected actor and extraordinary Hollywood gem gave an impeccable performance that elevated the material with Jaklyn Bejarano. Bejarano, an actress from Mexico, showcased remarkable devotion to her role being transformative and reflecting absolute emotional vulnerability. Their most notable work transpired while defining conflict amidst their characters and moving toward a shared resilience. There is a notable linguistic barrier between Morse and Bejarano, which they cleverly used as an opportunity to establish a connection that brought their characters closer. It was captivating and felt deeply connected throughout every scene.

The title, Broken Land, perfectly fits the description of anyone who isolates themselves in desolation after a traumatic experience. This profoundly impactful film has a deeply humanistic narrative that focuses heavily on human worth, empathy, and establishing a natural connection. I believe this film is award-worthy for its original cinematography and outstanding performances.

Broken Land is available on video on demand (VOD) starting June 12, 2026.

Watch my interview with Director Joseph T. Walker and distinguished actor David Morse.

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Movie Reviews

DISCLOSURE DAY – Radiant as a Meteor that Fizzles Out Into the Night Sky

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Directed by Steven Speilberg
Screenplay by David Koepp

Starring: Emily Blunt (Margaret Farichild), Josh O’Connor (Daniel Keliner), Colin Firth (Noah Scanton), Eve Hewson (Jane Blankenship), Colman Domingo (Hugo Wakefield)

Synopsis: A government whistleblower races the clock to expose decades of state secrets and that will fracture human history: we are not alone, and they are already here.

Being one of the most anticipated films by Steven Spielberg – notable for his masterful technique in visual storytelling – Disclosure Day meets the base line sci-fi thriller expectations through its dramatic characters, visually elaborate cinematography and microbursts of action. However, it appears that it did not match the impact of his legendary films that have pioneered a standard of excellence.

The all-star cast held the line together sustaining the film in a uniform effort. There were slight standouts from Josh O’Connor with his approach of complex inner conflict blended with emotional intelligence. He was a great counterweight to his costars: Eve Hewson’s dynamic exceling in psychological thrillers, and Emily Blunt’s craft of enduring pressure with fierce determination. Their action sequences delivered edge-of-your seat captivating thrills that were relentlessly entertaining.

While the topic of government cover-up on extraterrestrials is intriguing, Spielberg leaned heavily on nostalgic repetition of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Close Encounters of the Third Kind with the added bonus excitement of Indiana Jones. He did incorporate effective touches of deep animal symbolism that layered the narrative of humanity and spiritual faith. However, the film’s impact was undermined by an anticlimactic “disclosure” of the outer space visitor. The production design was noticeably a half-hearted attempt to phone in the main prop reveal.

Disclosure Day is an average watch. It offers flashes of brilliance like a meteor but ultimately fizzles out into the night sky.


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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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