Author: Morgen Schuler

Reviews

See How They Run Fell Achingly Short of a Hit

by Morgen Schuler

A play within a film within a story within a farce, this whodunnit is a maze of silliness and murder. Set in London’s West End in the 50’s, Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap has just hit its 100th stage performance and a film deal is solidly in the works. It’s these actors, writers, directors and film folks that attend the post-performance party in appreciation for the milestone. Narrated in the words of the future film director Leo Köpernick (Adrien Brody) who is most hated by all guests in attendance and who also happens to be the victim, the scene is set for a murder most foul. Soon Inspector Stoppard (Sam Rockwell) and rookie Constable Stalker (Saoirse Ronan) are on the case and their investigation goes sideways, upside down, and backwards with bouts of insanity, slapstick, and confusing murder mystery shenanigans. In the end, we find ourselves at the Christie residence a la Clue as all are gathered to reveal the identity of the murderer.

Festivals Reviews

Girl Picture is a dramatically beautiful story of first love and teen angst

by Morgen Schuler

Rönkkö and Mimmi are best friends, the kind of buddies that tell each other everything, wear each others’ clothes, and support each other through thick and thin. Throw in more than a few hormones, discovering what your body wants, and how to even talk to someone you’re interested in and you’ve got the jumbled pile we call puberty; that’s exactly where we find these two women.

Reviews

DC League of Super-Pets is less about super heroes and more about friendship

by Morgen Schuler

As baby Superman is quickly pushed into a spaceship by his parents to save him from their crumbling world, we find out that he wasn’t alone on his trip to Earth. His best bud, a pup named Krypto, stows away and offers company in the strange new land. Jump forward a few years and we see Superman as we know him. As per usual, he has the major hots for Lois Lane and as he readies himself to pop the question, Krypto freaks out thinking he’s being replaced…

Reviews

Dark Magic, Survival and Sacrifice Fuels the World of The Deer King

by Morgen Schuler

The people of Zol, after years of civil war, have the neighboring Aquafa securely under their thumb. Val, a war-weary former soldier from the now dispersed Broken Antlers (an elite fighting squad of the Aquafa people), is reduced to working in a mining camp alongside fellow Aquafa’s just to earn a meager living. Val still mourns his family who were lost to a disease brought on by a mysterious pack of wolves killing anyone they attack and bite, but whom oddly tend to steer clear of the Aquafa people. Assumed long since gone, the fear of these wolf packs has waned but after attacking several groups of people throughout the kingdom including the Emperor and everyone in Val’s mining town, many are dying from the disease they carry called Black Wolf Fever or mittsual. Both Val and a young girl, Yuna, are bitten but somehow survive the attack and escape their servitude finding a small village to settle in.

Karmalink
Reviews

Karmalink blends tradition and science fiction into a delicious visual meal

by Morgen Schuler

A boy, a young man, and a middle aged tech guru all have one thing in common: their spirits. With each life lived, the challenges, missteps and bad choices follow our protagonist like a shadow and he seems to learn very little until we meet the young Leng Heng (portrayed by Leng Heng Prak). His family and community is facing forced removal to make way for a high speed train and while his mother fights for their home, Leng fights growing anxiety and sleeplessness as visions plague his dreams. Realizing that he may be seeing his past selves, he and his friends go on a journey for treasure, but what they find instead is far more enthralling and insidious than he could have imagined.

Reviews

Fire Island is an unexpectedly soulful look at LGBTQ+ relationships

by Morgen Schuler

Even though Pride month is just starting, there’s a boatload of fantastic films and shows ready for binging to satisfy even the most prolific watchers and Fire Island is among the best. For a group of five friends, chosen family really, Fire Island (a little plot of land off the coast New York) is their respite; a place to find freedom and uninhibited fun. With any party there’s always drama, and Fire Island in the summer is one massive party all day and all night, so drama aplenty.

Festivals Reviews SIFF

SIFF 2022: The Path

by Morgen Schuler

A young boy Rolf (Julius Weckauf) and his father Ludwig (Volker Bruch), a journalist who spoke out against Hitler, are racing toward the Spanish border via France attempting to escape the grasp of German soldiers and make it to America where Rolf’s mother waits for them.

Festivals Reviews SIFF

SIFF 2022: The Staffroom

by Morgen Schuler

A new school counselor Anamarija (Marina Redzepovic) is learning to navigate the egos and red tape of high school. Having never been staff at an institution before, she is realizing that there’s a lot more to her job than just trying to help kids.

Festivals Reviews SIFF

SIFF 2022: It’s Just a Phase, Honey

by Morgen Schuler

A lighter look at midlife crisis and how we define ourselves through the relationships we have. Emilia (Christiane Paul) a once well-received actress now stay at home mom is throwing a critical eye on her life and the once perfect relationship with her husband Paul (Christoph Maria Herbst).