sandwichjohnfilms

This film was just a confusing mess and frustrating to watch to in general. Review by: Erika Ashley You’ll need to take Adderall just to stay focused in this poorly constructed dark drama/thriller. Stephen Elliott is many things, an author, a recovering addict, a kink, and a self-loathing yet highly selfish liar. Having struggled through his adolescence after the death of his mother, Stephen’s father does his best to parent him but only seems to make matters worse. Stephen grows up to be an acclaimed author just scoring a new book deal and performing a reading at an event to promote his most recent novel about his horrid and neglected upbringing. Just before the book reading Stephen becomes interested in a local murder trial of a man and father who is claimed to have murdered his wife. While at the first court hearing a young reporter, Lana, catches his eye. While at the book reading, out of the blue Stephen’s father, Neil Elliott, surprises everyone including Stephen. Hi

This has to be one of the most intriguing pilot episodes I’ve seen thus far for a viral/zombie/outbreak show. Review By Erika Ashley A virus breaks out in the heart of Atlanta weaving a group of strangers into a deadly mix. During this pilot episode of the much anticipated new television drama Containment breaks into the scene with a bang. Jump start to a preview of Day 13 of the viral outbreak. The National Guard busts out of a trucking container into a frenzy of citizens fighting for survival. Bodies are burning in the street, a mother screams for help while carrying a bloodied lifeless child in her arms. A true feast for the eyes of hungry horror and gore fanatics. Flash back to the beginning – Day 1 of the outbreak. A group of children visit the Atlanta Midtown Hospital on a field trip accompanied by their doe-eyed teacher, Katie Frank. While the children enter the facility the scene jumps to a doctor, Rita Sanders, showing signs of infection and is quarantined. She reca

A hilarious attempt at connecting current affairs and comedy. After more than a decade has past at Calvin’s Barbershop in South Side Chicago not much has changed within the shop itself. However, in the neighborhood and throughout the nation violence and racial tension has begun to run rampant. The group of barbers and hairstylists both male and female are at each other constantly bickering back and forth on a wide range of social and political issues while still managing to be hilarious. As the barbershop struggles with multiple issues they try to band together to make a difference in their community to stop the rising violence while Calvin tries to resolve his own family problems. He and his son are at odds like every other father and son, but instead of arguing over chores, Calvin is actively trying to keep his son safe from gangs or associating with bad influences. The barbershop comes up with a plan to save the neighborhood and Calvin makes his own backup strategy to protect

An intriguing perspective of the death and resurrection of Jesus, just in time for Easter. Review By: Erika Ashley Clavius, a seasoned and jaded Roman soldier and military leader, returns from yet another successful battle and is given the task of following through on the crucifixion of a potential Messiah from Nazareth. Once the Messiah takes his last breath Clavius is obviously affected at the death of this stranger which is a first for him as he notices the audiences the followers’ reactions to his death. Jesus is entombed as requested by one Jewish follower and the Roman Leader seals the tomb as a precaution from any follower’s stealing the body to create a religious uprising. When the body goes missing the following day Clavius and his new aide Lucius must find the body before the news reaches the Roman Empire and the Messiah’s followers. After days of searching and questioning followers and potential believers he receives a lead that changes his life forever. Altho

A reimagined, sluggish, but intriguing view of one man’s descent into madness. Review by Erika Ashley Michael Stone is a business man, author, husband, father, inspirational speaker, adulterer, and madman. While on another business trip to promote his customer service oriented self-help book, “How May I Help You Help Them?” Michael is surrounded by the same faces and voices. Living his life in utter boredom and mundanity he attempts to rile up some kind emotion or passion by reaching out to an ex-girlfriend he wronged 10 years ago. After his first attempt of connection crashes and burns you get a sense that something might actually be wrong with Michael himself. He continues on his evening by taking advantage of a naïve fan with horribly low self-esteem, named Lisa. Michael thinks he’s found his soulmate because she is a true anomaly in his routine existence until she too fades away into the abyss of his mental disarray. First, this film is animated. Unnecessarily animate

The story moves slowly forward but has an exasperating amount of plot holes. A naïve, young girl makes a deal with the devil and has to live with the consequences for the rest of her life. In a small European village called Orchard, Faith, a non-popular sophomore is living her life being pushed around and having to deal with a sick father. But, things start looking up when her new mysterious field hockey coach puts Faith on the senior team and her crush begins to take notice of her. Suddenly her sick father takes a turn for the worse and has only a few months to live. Faith’s new coach, Sissy, reveals herself as a powerful witch that is willing to strike a deal that would save her father’s life. Eagerly Faith accepts and is tricked into conceiving and bearing the devil’s own child. When their agreement doesn’t go as planned, Faith risks everything she loves to get back at Sissy and her coven. Even though this is a B-horror movie the scare tactics are few and far between

A young and meager secretary embarks on a maddening journey through France in the 1960s. Lady in the Car with Glasses and a Gun begins slowly while a subtly beautiful young French secretary, Dany Dorémus , is asked to work extra hours completing a report at her boss’s home one night. After completing her tasks he insists she accompany his family to the airport so that she can drive their car home for them instead of leaving it in the parking garage while they are gone. Dany obliges and after the family leaves on their vacation she begins her trip back to Paris with their car but then takes a detour to the ocean. On her little jaunt she finds herself wrapped up in a warped mistaken identity alternative reality and slowly begins to question her mental state. Dany is taken by surprise by an attacker and then a thief. Before she knows it there’s a dead body in the trunk of the car and she’s trapped in an adventure she never wanted to have in the first place. This remake of th

Instead of feeling bad or guilty it gives a sense of hope and positivity that these children are making a difference in the lives of others and especially for themselves Review By: Erika Ashley A light hearted yet impactful view of how a group of children from Africa are changing their lives among many others through song and faith. Imba Means Sing is a short documentary following 20 specially selected children from Uganda who tour for 18 months throughout the Unites States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom to raise awareness and funds for their education. Although the African Children’s Choir is comprised of 20 children ranging in ages the film follows three specific kids - Moses, Nina, and Angel, during their journey. The film opens documenting the children’s struggle in Uganda, showing what limited and sometimes non-existent support and resourced they have from their families and community to give them an education. The children live in shacks made of mud an

Wizard World Reno Review By: Erika Ashley This past weekend I partook in my 4th Wizard World Comic Con, this time taking place in nearby Reno. Wizard World - Reno is the last stop on the traveling comic con’s route and usually has a pretty decent turn out. This year’s headline stars were only mildly exciting – Kevin Smith (Clerks, Dogma, Comic Book Men), Jason Mewes (Clerks, Clerks II, Mallrats), Adam West (1960s Batman), and Burt Ward (1960s Robin). The rest of the celebrity appearances were comprised of outdated D-list television actors that are clinging to their fading fame and a few B-list actors questioning their agents thought process. The one celebrity I was actually excited to potentially meet & greet was Brent Spiner (Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation), but he canceled last minute which was rather depressing. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend Friday’s festivities but from the other patrons I spoke with around the Con on Saturday, the biggest

Man from Reno  takes the viewer on an interesting and rather bumpy journey down many shady twists followed by intrigue around every corner. In an age where comic-book superheroes rule the box office and strange erotic stories have recently dominated indie film festivals it’s refreshing to come across a spin on much lacking neo-noir thrillers. Man from Reno takes the viewer on an interesting and rather bumpy journey down many shady twists followed by intrigue around every corner. The popular and well-established Japanese author Aki Akahori, played by Ayako Fujitani, runs away during her most recent book tour to enjoy a solo-holiday in San Francisco, California. Shortly after checking into a hotel in the city she finds herself being pursued by a handsome, tall, dark stranger, Kazuki Kitamura. The man charms his way into her bed and takes up residence in her hotel room until he mysteriously disappears as quickly as he arrived. Meanwhile, in a smaller town south of San Francisco

This week Max and Caroline find themselves in a captivating cupcake conundrum. Story by @ErikaAshley As the season nears ending, “The Girls” Caroline Channing (Beth Behrs) and Max Black (Kat Dennings) enter into their day job at The Williamsburg Diner to find Han, Michael Moy, creating signature drinks that he’s named after each employee. The Girls poke fun at the idea while Han describes each drink and why they are named after the individual. Caroline and Max then retort with jabs at Han’s small stature and lack of sex life like usual. Next up while working in their cupcake shop next door to the diner Caroline sells out of promotional Max’s Homemade Cupcakes t-shirts to which Max fills her in on her most recent and largest order. Caroline chalks up her forgetfulness to planning and coordinator wedding details for their neighbor and friend Sophie’s bridal shower. Caroline jokingly pesters Max on her lack of support and assistance and Max insists she’s not into girly par