Connect with us

Movie Reviews

THE FANTASTIC GOLEM AFFAIRS – A dark comedy within an eccentric dimension.

Published

on

A boys night of drinking and a game of charades goes wrong causing David to fall from the rooftop patio and shatter into pieces as his best friend Juan watches with the look of confusion. Hence, the start of Juan’s investigation into the golem and the corporation that creates these androids. Inspired by a scene from the movie Top Secret!, Juan González and Fernando Martínez wrote and directed The Fantastic Golem Affairs, a dark comedy within an eccentric dimension filled with enigmatic plot twists and flirtatious characters. This unique film takes place in Madrid, Spain that displays its diverse humor and features an upbeat dance soundtrack which intensifies the film’s superficial motif.

The cast are an interesting mix of individuals consisting of Brays Efe as Juan, Bruna Cusí as Clara, Luis Tosar as Toni, and Javier Botet as Carlos. They all brought out their charismatic characters and delivered fun performances. The two talented standouts were Efe and Botet. Efe blends comedy with vocal dynamism, while Botet’s distinctive physical appearance gives substance and laughter to the film.

The Fantastic Golem Affairs is a film that will have you laughing at the sarcasm and peculiar events that unfold. It will also have you swaying to the fun rhythmic merengue.

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

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Movie Reviews

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

Published

on

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.


Continue Reading

Movie Reviews

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

Published

on

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?

Continue Reading

Trending