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THE SHORT GAME – A Gem of a Movie with the Winning Stroke

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The Short Game, a 6-time Best Picture Winner, is a motivating, heartfelt film directed and written by Frank Sanza, with the collaboration of Larry Boatright, E. Joren Christensen, and Florrie Laurence & David Parks that tells the story of a talented teenage golfer who is focused on perfecting his skills to attain a scholarship to a distinguished university, but his game is off from being obligated to care for his autistic brother. Inspired by his son who is also autistic, Sanza uses the theme of golf to bring awareness about special gifts of children on-the-spectrum, and how a family can navigate through life’s challenges.

This film promotes a positive message about realizing the important things in life – family and friends that can help you stay focused and offer support. Sanza’s interpretation of life’s encounters compared to the sport of golf was ideal, each section of a golf course has its own challenges, with the most critical part being the short game. The hard hits can land you in a sand pit, but you figure your way out and into the tin cup. The golfer’s caddie provides guidance and suggestions. The caddie does not necessarily need to be a golfer but can be someone with a unique ability to calculate where a golfer should aim and what iron to use, which in this case is Jeremy’s younger autistic brother Ethan.

The cast delivered exceptional performances – lead actors Ben Krieger as Jeremy and Owen Himfar as the younger brother Ethan presented a genuine brotherly bond that many can relate to and admire their loving relationship. Himfar’s subtle performance was a key factor that is captivating. The most touching line in the movie is when Jeremy asks Ethan, “What do you want to be when  you grow up?” Ethan’s answer, “Your brother.” These two radiantly shine on the screen and will melt your heart. Their co-stars Mackenzie Astin and Katherine Cunningham delivered memorable performances in their supporting roles as the parents of Jeremy and Ethan. They had a natural presence being the assertive family taking on the daily struggles in life with a smile.

Overall, The Short Game is pleasant and uplifting that encourages faith to help find your path. It’s not about winning, but enjoying and showing passion for the game, highlighting your skills that will eventually open up the doors to opportunities. But, most importantly, things in life are not found in a trophy case. Your family is a circle of strength and love, not a showpiece.

The Short Game will be in theaters beginning August 29, 2025. A movie that you and your family will certainly fall in love with.

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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