About Raul de Leon

7

MOON GARDEN Review

Harris’ ambitious debut is a mad journey through a little girl’s comatose mind, filled to the brim with impressive practical effects.

8

MAD GOD Review

With six Academy Award nominations for visual effects, including two wins (Jurassic Park, Return of the Jedi), it’s safe to call Phil Tippett an animation legend. Mad God is Tippett’s passion project, made up entirely of traditional, stop-motion animation and creature fabrication.

7

HATCHING Review

Not the most suspenseful or terrifying body-horror creature feature, but its unique metaphorical approach leaves us with something to ponder about regarding family relationships and parenting.

2

BIG GOLD BRICK Review

With a meaningless story, underdeveloped plotlines, and a cringe-worthy performance from Emory Cohen, Big Gold Brick makes for a disappointing feature debut from Brian Petsos.

5.5

FREELAND Review

With Freeland, filmmakers Mario Furloni and Kate McLean deliver a small and intimate story embedded within the politics of marijuana legalization, that, while decent, just ends too soon for us to get emotionally involved.

While Devi (Krisha Fairchild) walks around the Cannabis

8.5

NINE DAYS Review

Edson Oda’s feature film debut is an arresting contemplation on life. One cannot sit through the film without questioning their values, prejudices and behavior, and reflecting on the triumphs and tribulations they have endured. Through content that incites introspection, Oda challenges the

7

RIDERS OF JUSTICE Review

Riders of Justice takes the action-revenge flick to a hilariously dark place by having fun with mental health.

7

COME TRUE Review

Anthony Scott Burns’ sci-fi horror is a nail-biting terror ride for all, but being familiar with Jungian concepts makes Come True all the more cerebral and enjoyable.

4

THE WANTING MARE Review

The Wanting Mare serves better as a model for DIY fantasy and sci-fi filmmaking than as an enjoyable film.

5.5

DIVINE LOVE Review

Watching Divine Love is like watching a home-run hitter ready up for a bunt. So much power and energy sit in the chest of the film, but it’s never released to its full potential. 

Divine Love takes place in 2027 Brazil, where

6

JUDY & PUNCH Review

Judy and Punch is a quirky and fun tale about feminist vengeance that is ultimately forgettable due to an inefficient script.

7

SWALLOW Review

Swallow is a meaningful study of mental illness through a captivating, off-the-wall character.