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‘The New Boy’ – A film that could enlighten the skeptical.

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Warwick Thornton evokes an emotional perspective with his masterful cinematography in The New Boy. This endearing independent film takes place in the 1940’s in an Australian monastery, starring Cate Blanchett as Sister Eileen and Aswan Reid as the enigmatic aborigine, New Boy.

For the Cate Blanchett enthusiasts, she is impeccable in every role capacity. Aswan Reid has natural talent to interpret emotions without having to utter a single word. Together, they are charismatic and enlightening.

Sister Eileen appears welcoming and comforting with a nurturing personality and warm smile. At first, the orphan boys seem to be well mannered and cooperative. They are polite towards the savage New Boy, who does not speak. However, their attitudes change when the older boy gets baptized and leaves the monastery to go work.

Then, there is the intriguing flickering spark that New Boy creates from his hands, fingertips. He appears to have invigorating healing abilities when he helped out an injured orphan boy. Sister Eileen is perplexed by this inexplicable event. She misunderstands New Boy’s phenomenon, which challenges her faith against the wonders of spiritual belief from the natives.

The story is slow paced, which allows the viewer to ponder on the scenes that highlight the peculiar circumstances surrounding the monastery. The priest has been dead for a year without any explanation. Subsequently, Sister Eileen takes over the monastery – taking in young aborigine boys, teaching them basic reading, writing skills and introducing them to Christianity, while they are trained for labor work.

There are a lot of questions left unanswered: What secrets does Sister Eileen hide behind her smile? Is New Boy a miracle healer? Is the glowing spark a symbolism to the light of life?

The New Boy might not appeal to the regular viewer. However, the mysterious topics in this film will fascinate to those with a curious, open mind.

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 saying movie quotes.

Movie Reviews

Superman Soars Again: A Bold, Hopeful Return to Form

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From the first frame, you feel it this isn’t just another superhero movie. James Gunn and David Corenswet have crafted something special: a Superman that feels like he’s leapt straight out of the pages of a comic book and into our hearts. The opening scenes are laced with a sincerity and scale that announce: this is the Superman movie fans have been waiting for.


James Gunn’s direction walks a tightrope between heart and spectacle. Yes, the action sequences are stunning and cinematic, but it’s the quieter character moments that truly define the film. Lois is sharp, funny, and grounded. Lex is terrifying without ever needing to shout. And Perry White… steals every scene he’s in. Gunn doesn’t just tell a Superman story he tells our Superman story, with modern themes wrapped in timeless ideals.



Visually, the movie stuns. The suit is perfect. The colors are bright without being gaudy. The flight sequences, especially one over Metropolis at sunset, are pure magic. And the score heroic, haunting, and hopeful cements this as a Superman film with its own voice, not just an echo of past iterations.


I give it an 8.5 out of 10. It’s not flawless, but it doesn’t have to be. This film believes in Superman and for the first time in a long time, we do too. It’s not just a return to form. It’s a reminder of why he matters. This Superman doesn’t just save the world he inspires it.

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Movie Reviews

Serrano House Films has Passion for the Visual Arts

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Ryan J Serrano has entered into the film industry, showing his passion for the visual arts with the production of LifeCycle (short film) and Kill’em Now (full length – rough cut). With just a background in creating character sketches for his podcast and a bit of acting from his college days, Serrano demonstrates his potential for becoming a great filmmaker.

LifeCycle, directed and starring Roberto Ortiz as Renato D’Auréli, is a black and white silent film depicting a successful young film director given the opportunity to revolutionize cinema into “the next best thing.” This short film made a great artistic effort displaying the character’s struggles with rejection of his envisioned works yet determined to continue drafting his imagination. LifeCycle pays a nice homage to Megalopolis. It navigates through the fascinating timeline in creating the technological advancements in the world of cinema, which builds-up an impactful ending for D’Auréli.

Kill’em Now, directed by and starring Serrano, has a western theme storyline that has gusto. It takes a nameless bounty hunter (Joan James Muixi) to help out the small town folk to muster up their courage and defeat the BullHog Gang led by Skrill (Ryan J. Serrano). Of course, a large sum of money is involved, and a sibling rivalry unfolds with Ludwig Sanchez (Philip Nathan Bañuelos). Kill’em Now has the action and town drama of a classic western that includes a rib-tickling Dr. Marty (Ted Faye), his nosy daughter Vageena (Lulu Grey), and the town floosy Sabrina (Skye Lovelady). The entire cast did great in bringing out these fantastic characters. It could be said this film is reminiscent of Robert Rodriguez’s El Mariachi and Desperado. Kill’em Now definitely has the appeal to be picked up by a major studio.

Both independent films are scheduled to be released July 17, 2025. With much anticipation, it could be also be showcased in upcoming film festivals. All the best to these kind folks!

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Movie Reviews

‘A Quiet Love’ Speaks Volumes to the Heart

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Directed by multi-award-winning Garry Keane with the collaboration of a Deaf and hearing team, A Quiet Love is undeniably an inspirational groundbreaking film that is told entirely through Irish Sign Language. This documentary gives an inside look at the lives of three Deaf couples who prevail over life’s challenges and conflicts. These couples attest how relationships can be nurtured with the absence of sound.

John and Agnes have a remarkable quiet love story. It takes place during “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland – the conflict between Catholics and Protestants. There was only one Deaf school, regardless of whether they came from the opposite sides of religion, everyone was just seen as classmates. Since not all sign language is the same, especially in Ireland, Agnes took a liking for John and taught him British Sign Language. Although they have been together for 66 years, they rose above adversity of violence and cultural differences. They are the epitome that love is the answer.

Kathy and Michelle are an interesting LGBTQI+ Deaf couple that are ready to expand their family. They decide for each to experience pregnancy and accept the risks that come along with facing the obstacles of parenthood of Deaf and hearing children. Everything they do for their family shows their unconditional love. A journey they do not regret.

Séan and Deyanna are a captivating couple. Séan comes from a struggling past of substance abuse but found his redemption in the sport of boxing. However, due to his hearing implant, he has been denied a professional boxing license. In the midst of his frustrations, he meets Deyanna (a hearing person) who enlightens his world. Séan is given an opportunity to be granted a boxing license but requires his implant to be surgically removed with the risk of going completing deaf. Deyanna understands his passion and is supportive with whatever decision he makes. Now that they have a son, Séan faces a difficult choice.

There is a deeper perspective in understanding the dilemmas Deaf people encounter. In this heartening film, A Quiet Love captures the turning points in finding solutions that get them moving forward in life. This film delivers an unparalleled visual experience. Reading the closed captions gives a calming effect, and you feel engaged with the couples’ body language and facial expressions while they are signing and communicating through their smiles, laughter, sadden eyes, hugs, kisses, and holding hands. You know that saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Well, their expressions are worth volumes.

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