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Movie Reviews

‘Just Breathe’: A Crime Thriller That Struggles to Find Its Pulse

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First-time feature director Paul P. Pompa III brings an ambitious vision to the crime thriller genre with “Just Breathe,” but the execution falls short of matching that ambition. The film, which arrived on digital platforms and on-demand September 16th, presents a familiar story of redemption and second chances that unfortunately feels more labored than lived-in.

Kyle Gallner, known for his unsettling turns in “Smile” and the recent indie darling “Strange Darling,” takes on the role of Nick Bianco, a man wrestling with anger management issues after serving time for assault. Gallner brings his characteristic intensity to the role, though the script doesn’t provide him with the nuanced character development that would make Nick’s journey truly compelling. The supporting cast includes X-Men veteran Shawn Ashmore as Chester, the duplicitous parole officer, E’myri Crutchfield from “Fargo” as Nick’s estranged love interest Mel, and character actor William Forsythe (“The Devil’s Rejects”) as Nick’s equally volatile father, Tony.

The premise holds promise: Nick’s release from prison and his desperate attempt to rebuild his relationship with Mel becomes complicated when he discovers that Chester, his parole officer, has romantic designs on his former girlfriend. This setup echoes classic film noir territory, where personal and professional boundaries blur with dangerous consequences.

However, “Just Breathe” struggles with fundamental storytelling issues that prevent it from reaching its potential. The dialogue often feels stilted, and several plot developments strain credibility, particularly in the film’s final act. While Gallner does his best with the material, Nick’s character arc lacks the redemptive qualities that would make audiences invest in his success. Similarly, Ashmore appears to be working overtime to make Chester as unlikable as possible, though the role as written doesn’t require such theatrical villainy.

The film does manage to find its footing during a few quieter moments in the second act, where genuine emotion briefly surfaces between the characters. These scenes hint at what “Just Breathe” might have been with a more developed script and tighter direction. Unfortunately, these moments are fleeting, overshadowed by the film’s more problematic elements.

William Forsythe, a veteran of countless crime dramas and thrillers including Rob Zombie’s “The Devil’s Rejects” and Amazon’s “The Man in the High Castle,” feels underutilized here. His portrayal of Nick’s father suggests a more complex family dynamic that the script never fully explores. The film’s title suggests the therapeutic concept of taking a moment to breathe when anger threatens to overwhelm, yet the characters rarely seem capable of this simple act of self-control.

The technical aspects of the production are competent if unremarkable, with Pompa III showing enough visual competence to suggest future potential. “Just Breathe” represents the kind of ambitious independent filmmaking that deserves recognition for its effort, even when the final product doesn’t entirely succeed. Pompa III’s transition from business to filmmaking demonstrates the kind of career pivot that often leads to interesting artistic voices, and there are enough glimmers of potential here to suggest his future projects might better realize his vision.

For viewers drawn to crime thrillers featuring familiar faces in unfamiliar roles, “Just Breathe” offers a serviceable if forgettable viewing experience. While it doesn’t reach the heights of Gallner’s recent work in “Strange Darling” or make the most of its veteran supporting cast, it serves as a calling card for a director still finding his voice in the medium.

The film is a reminder that even talented actors can struggle when the script doesn’t provide them with a solid foundation. Kyle Gallner’s proven ability to inhabit complex, troubled characters deserves better material than what “Just Breathe” provides, though his commitment to the role remains evident throughout.

Available on digital platforms and on-demand, “Just Breathe” might find its audience among viewers looking for low-key crime drama, but it’s unlikely to leave a lasting impression in a crowded field of similar offerings.

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Movie Reviews

WITHOUT KELLY Is Cultivating with a Profound Maternal Connection

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Inspired by Swedish writer-director Lovisa Sirén’s own experience as a young parent, Without Kelly (Utan Kelly) is an independent short film with a profound maternal connection that explores motherhood and female intimacy.

The film was deeply moving and evoked a strong sense of empathy within me. Baby Kelly is simply adorable and melted my heart. I felt compassion for her mother Esther (Medea Strid ) who struggles with maternal separation anxiety and is unable to sustain a relationship, hence sharing custody with the baby’s father (Truls Carlberg). There was a deeply ingrained altruistic impulse to reach out and assist this mother and beautiful baby.

Sirén’s vision and personal life experience was emotionally resonant in every frame. She seamlessly incorporated cultural aspects – exploring the struggles and sacrifices that come with being a young single mother. The strong bond between a mother and her child is emphasized during the moment Esther comforts her baby with breast feeding. As for Esther’s demeanor of being carefree yet vulnerable to her indiscretions, the director used the practical sounds of squawking seagulls that are indicative of the psychological turmoil.

The performances are authentic and well-grounded. Medea Strid creates an emotional depth and resonance that draws you in with minimal words. The explicit displays of affection and physical touch transpire an open narrative to vast development of paths for the characters, which this short film has great potential to be converted into a full length film.

Without Kelly (Utan Kelly) will screen at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival in Short Film Program 3 — premiering on January 24 at 9:15pm MST. Find more information here.

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Movie Reviews

28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE – It’s Bloody Fantastic that Rocks to the Core

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Emerging from the underperforming 28 Years Later comes the fourth installment of the post-apocalyptic series 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, written by Alex Garland and directed by Nia DaCosta. This time the right director was selected in creating an engaging and visually driven adaptation of Garland’s screenplay. The principal characters are well rounded, with revealing backgrounds and how they transitioned to survival mode after the epidemic – highlighting themes of bereavement, faith, fear, anger, and psychosis.


The Bone Temple would not have reached my high praises without an interesting cast to display the weirdness and intense moments: Starring accomplished actor Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Ian Kelson, Jack O’Connell as Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal, and young talented actor Alfie Williams as Spike. Let’s not forget the apex-alpha zombie, aka Samson, played by Chi Lewis-Parry. Each gave unique performances, stepping out of their comfort zone expanding horizons. Fiennes and Lewis-Parry pushed their character’s limit with no shame, no judgement while dancing buck naked, exposing it all to the song “Ordinary World” by Duran Duran – a literal take on rock out with one’s cock out.


The premise of this film respectfully presents the topic of struggle of losing hope and longing for eternal peace. It creates the pivotal moment that arcs the principal characters’ background and the new evolution of the infected. There is a good balance of humor throughout the film that paired well with the ghastly moments – certain situations might be perceived as comedic, however, Director DaCosta cleverly snaps the audience back into fright mode as a reminder that it is still a terrifying setting created by the diabolical character Sir Jimmy Crystal (much modeled after the late Jimmy Savile) and his minions, “The Jimmies”.


When it comes to facing fear, DaCosta artistically portrays the topic of faith – getting philosophical on atheism vs Old Nick (Satan) that leads up to the epic scene of Dr. Kelson creating a satanic arena around the bone temple with Iron Maiden’s “The Number of the Beast” blasting in the background. Ironically, the song was inspired by the movie “Damien: Omen II.” Ralph Fiennes has the moves of a rock star. He was electric like a guitar amplifying the volume to climatic levels, deserving an encore!.. Iron Maiden should invite him up on stage during one of their concerts.


The songs selected for the film score are not only the best throwbacks to British 80s and 90s music but provides deep connections to the narrative, making this a bloody fantastic horror film with all the right elements that rocks you to the core. The Bone Temple is the proper way to start 2026.


So, the big question: Do we see Cillian Murphy as Jim, the survivor of the original outbreak? Stay in your seat during the post credit for the huge reveal and cliffhanger that sets up the stage for a fifth chapter of the post-apocalyptic saga.

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Conventions/Events

THE AGE OF DISCLOSURE is the most credible and compelling doc EVER on the existence of UFO/UAP phenomena

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We had the opportunity to attend the world premiere plus interview the director/producer, pilots, PhDs, member of Congress that appear in THE AGE OF DISCLOSURE at this year’s SXSW in Austin, TX and it was revelatory, logical, interesting, and above all else believable.

Director/Producer Dan Farah (above) told us he approached the doc as a journalist and to investigate what was real and wasn’t real. His hope that the film would inform at a base level of what is happening and that humanity would take this topic more serious as a culture, government, and world. Watching the documentary you really feel that as revelatory after revelatory piece of information is clearly conveyed to the audience.

U.S NAVY Fighter Pilot (RET.) Commander David Fravor also spoke with us on the red carpet. He told us he thought Dan Farah did the best job up to this point in regards to revealing the truth to bring archival footage from the 70s, 90s, the 2000s to sitting congressman, sitting senators, and people in the know that are going to talk about this topic to remove the stigma and take this seriously.

Commander Fravor is the pilot who chased the now infamous TIC TAC UAP and talks about the experience in the documentary along with LT. COMMANDER ALEX DIETRICH U.S. NAVY Fighter Pilot (RET.) and LIEUTENANT RYAN GRAVES U.S. NAVY Fighter Pilot (RET.) who gives a secondhand description of a up close encounter of a UAP by a fellow pilot that is chilling.

LIEUTENANT RYAN GRAVES U.S. NAVY Fighter Pilot (RET.)

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE | TENNESSEE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT & ACCOUNTABILITY TIM BURCHETT explained to us he was a very conservative republican and this is a very bi-partisan issue and has asked his friend A.O.C. (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) to get involved with this issue. There is a serious committee that has testified which have nothing to gain and Tim Burchett has lost contributors due to his stance. I also asked him about the drone UAP phenomena in the New Jersey area at the time and he thought it really had nothing to do with the UAP/UFOs in this documentary.

STANFORD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE CIA, AATIP, UAP TASK FORCE | ADVISOR DR. GARRY NOLAN told us of an experience he had when he was a paperboy seeing a UFO/UAP fly over his head and exclaimed “as a boy in the 70s what do you do with that information?” Dr. Nolan also explained with current events and this documentary made it easier to talk about his experience and talk to others with similar experiences and interest. He also excitedly mentioned he has students that want to work in his lab on UAP at STANFORD UNIVERSITY.

NAVY INTELLIGENCE | DIA SENIOR EXECUTIVE (RET.) JAY STRATTON pictured above on the red carpet and in the documentary is maybe the most direct, forthright, non sensationalistic person that will tell you WE ARE NOT ALONE. He said we have been in an almost 80 year secret war to harness the technology and whoever wins will rule and this is TRUE DISCLOSURE. I asked him how many personal experiences he had with UAP/UFO and he said more than I want to talk about here. He said this is no sensationalism and as the guy who led the U.S. government’s UAP program, we are not alone. Jay does go into more depth in his involvement in the UAP program and makes a very shocking claim.

Watching this documentary in the Paramount theater with the creators and cast alongside some very famous directors and actors, it felt heavy and important. A watershed moment in one of the most talked about, controversial, and ponderous topics humanity has ever encountered. There are tons and tons of UFO docs on cable and streaming but none with the collection of reputable former military, current government officials, and scientists that supply a clear understanding of where we are at now, what has taken place, and a logical explanation on how the technology for the UAP/UFOs work which break the laws of all known physics and science. Other accounts of many different types of UAP/UFOs in excellent animation are also detailed as well as the pushback from various higher up officials due to reputation and religion. This documentary is great and once it was available on Prime Video, I had to buy it and watch it again.

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