The film opens on people buzzing about in a metropolitan area. The scene, which is captured in slow motion, portrays the essence of a missed connection; there are countless opportunities for an encounter, but no conversation occurs. The combination of the serious atmosphere of a business firm paired with the hip-hop music in the opening scene is a fun contrast that assists in setting the tone for this film. Missed Connections is, if nothing else, very current.

Josh, Pradeep, and Jules are IT workers and presumably college buddies who never really grew up. Their shared office is littered with funny posters, video games, and even a novelty basketball hoop, but the guys still find themselves bored throughout the course of the day. That boredom dies when Josh discovers that the girl he is secretly crushing on, Lucy, is into an increasingly popular missed connections site. He sees her new hobby as a way to connect to her, and his friends give their advice along the way, making for an interesting adventure.

The characters are nothing special. Perhaps they are cliché, perhaps they are just short of it, but the typical rom-com banter that might be considered clever if not so overused makes it hard to tell. Some of the humor is kind of stale and almost boring. There are a few humorous moments, but overall, the humorous aspects of the film fall short. A few classic internet mistakes and misunderstandings are tossed in the mix, leading to laughter at times and tears at others. Though there are a few unpredictable moments, the film remains pretty basic.

The romantic aspect of Missed Connections manages to turn out okay, even though it starts out with the ultimate cliché. A woman drops a box coming out of a revolving door, and a handsome Brit who happens to walk by just in time helps her up and charms her, doing everything the woman had described to her friend when describing her dream guy. Coincidences like this one don’t work well in films; the predictability of them makes them nothing more than a frustration.

Despite its clichés, at the core, Missed Connections is really a fun movie. It boasts an interesting soundtrack and tells the kind of love story that people are used to hearing. There’s a reason for these kinds of movies still being around, and that is because they are downright entertaining. A cliché only exists because at one point, it worked like a charm. In Missed Connections, it is possible to look past these few silly coincidences because of its few original moments.

Missed Connections is currently available on VOD from FilmBuff here: http://bit.ly/17JRGr6

Set in Argentina in 1975, Clandestine Childhood is the story of a young boy named Juan whose parents are activists during the Dirty War. Military guerrillas roam the streets, citizens take different sides in the political fight, and no one is to be trusted. Despite material that is not intended for children, the film maintains a child-like simplicity and innocence to it, partly through the illustrations that appear from time to time. Simplistic camera work paired with animation can work wonders when utilized well, and this film utilizes both techniques very well. It is a very stylized film that captures the era well. There is a beautiful slow motion/sunlight capture when Juan sees a girl he likes dancing for the first time. The film is very visual, and could almost work as a silent film.

Chaos, fear, and a lack of full understanding contribute to Juan’s crazy life, which is based on true events, and the horror in the heart of a parent who has a child but must remain armed and prepared for combat is very present in this tense film. Questions are raised that will more than likely follow Juan for the remainder of his life. The fear that comes along with understanding adult conversations is a reminder that ignorance is bliss, and that Juan’s childhood is anything but.

A battle can erupt as quickly as it ends, and it is never for certain who is fighting for what side, and who will end up a casualty at the end of the battle. Life is extreme and unpredictable from day to day, moment to moment. There are major changes that need to be made, even if you’re a child, when you live in a renegade family. Juan has to change his accent, his name, and the stories about his upbringing in order to fit into a culture that even he does not want to be a part of. He is passionate about his history and upbringing in Cuba, and about his political beliefs, which he stands for however he can, despite the danger. As with many children, his curiosity outweighs his fear. Elements of danger still have a sense of fun, but Juan knows where his limits are.

The chaotic lifestyle is strangely beautiful when compared to other childhoods; for instance, Juan still experiences puppy love, teases and gets teased by his friends, and forgets to go to the bathroom before a long trip. Beauty also remains, and is captured through footage of Juan’s infant sister sleeping, his mother’s smile, and sunrises and sunsets.  The combination of beauty and danger is striking – one scene in particular captures this ironic pairing between the two when Juan’s mother is singing and smiling with the family, while footage plays of the family packing ammo into chocolate boxes.

The relationships between the family members and quiet one-on-one moments are what really stand out in this intense story. Juan’s parents are still very much in love, and Juan has heart to heart conversations with his father, his mother, and his Uncle Beto throughout the course of the film. One particularly outstanding scene is an argument between Uncle Beto and Juan’s father about the importance of life, whether it’s more important to fight to stay alive or to stay alive and fight. The difference, though subtle, is an important theme that remains throughout the entire film.

Juan doesn’t live life under a rock by any means, despite the fact that his parents are fugitives, but puppy love temporarily blinds him to the sad reality of his situation. He knows how to enjoy the moment like his uncle, but can also be very zealous and studious like his father. For the most part, he knows how he is expected to act in each situation, but he is a child, and children make mistakes. Clandestine Childhood is a poignant reminder that the dangerous moments in life remind us why the precious moments and memories are so important.

Life in Orange County, California is a dream, or so it appears. The wealth in the city gives the appearance of perfection, but is really fuel on the prescription drug fire. Behind The Orange Curtain opens with emotional recounts of individuals, mostly parents, who lost a child as a result of their child’s drug dependency. Viewers also get to meet addicts who became clean, be it after life-altering experiences; first responders, doctors, politicians, and the many other people who are involved with the taboo subject of prescription drug dependency.

Some of the scenes are like something out of a horror film, which is probably symbolic of what many of these families experience. Footage of addicts in rehab and images of bodies filling up the Orange County morgue send a chill up the spine of every viewer, and stand as a stark reminder of how close to home this epidemic, cleverly nicknamed “Pharmageddon,” really is.

At the center of this statistic-filled documentary are human stories, and that is what sets it apart from the numerous anti-drug campaigns and news reports. Yes, there are some moments that play out like an Above The Influence ad, but in the way that only movies can, Behind The Orange Curtain gives full, uncomfortable, uncensored, raw and honest truth about being an addict and being related to one. The deaths are not pretty. Nothing is covered up. The stomach-churning details are hard to fully comprehend, but important to share.

Words like “mirage” and “naïveté” are the essence of this largely disregarded but growing problem in the US. The money involved causes even more people to keep their mouth shut. It can be argued that the reason for the creation of Behind The Orange Curtain is to expose the demons rumbling beneath the surface of these seemingly perfect American cities. Hopefully, it will be enough to start a revolution that changes the reputation of pharmaceutical America.

Many argue that the judicial system is broken, and Herman’s House is no doubt fire on that debate’s flame.

Prison is a nightmare for anybody. No matter how horrendous their crime might have been or how old or young they are, nobody wants to find themselves in one of the millions of jail cells across the country. Herman Wallace was convicted of robbing a bank in 1967, which landed him in prison with a few of his buddies. But when he was accused and convicted in the stabbing death of a prison guard in 1972, he ended up in solitary confinement, where he has since spent 23 hours of each day.

Jackie Sumell learned about Herman’s story in 2003, and decided to do something about it. An artist and an activist, Jackie explained that everything she fights for is motivated by an even balance of anger and love. This blend of emotions leads her to ask Herman the question: “What kind of house does a man who has lived in a 6’x9’ box for over thirty years dream of?” His answer led to her project The House That Herman Built, an exhibit that has been featured in twelve galleries and five countries. It features his dream house, as well as his life history and a life-size recreation of the cell in which he serves his time.

Emotions fly in this charged documentary. The honesty of the people involved makes it hard for viewers not to feel that they are a part of this situation, and that there is something they are obligated to do to help. We don’t get to see Herman, but his voice is heard throughout the film. He is not the type of man you would expect to meet from solitary confinement. Several people in the documentary attest to his life-changing compassion and evident selflessness. The film manages to portray his kind heart and sense of humor through the phone calls he shares with his new-found friend Jackie.

People get out of jail on good behavior for lesser goods, so this poignant documentary begs the question as to why Herman, who is seemingly a deeply changed [and possibly innocent] man, has spent the longest time in solitary confinement in history.  Herman’s positive attitude is nothing short of mind-blowing for a man that confesses that he would “rather be homeless,” and his wisdom is proof that one doesn’t need a massive education to change somebody’s life.

We get to see a more personal side of Jackie, too. She shares in some of the pride and anger that flooded her childhood and teen years, describing the strained relationship with her father and loss of her mother, as well as her being a beauty queen and being the first girl to play competitive tackle football in Long Island, NY.

Herman’s House is a story about the power of hope and dreams. Jackie gives Herman a gateway with which to dream, and being in a room where all he has to rely on is his imagination allows him to come up with a detailed description of the house he would love to spend the rest of his life in.

Herman’s House features a bevy of blueprint-like animations and illustrations that are appropriate to this film, since it centers on architecture. They complement the various photographs and shots of the architecture in New York and Louisiana. The stark differences between the two cities complement each other well, and somehow Jackie fits into both environments.

Herman’s House is an amazing story of strength that is sure to encourage people going through lesser struggles. It is an empowering and emotional roller coaster ride. Disagreements happen. Debates occur. Hope comes and goes. The film contains a heavy story, but it is one of adventure. In Jackie’s own words, “It’s  intense and it’s beautiful and it’s challenging, and it’s the last thing I ever expected.”

The plot of the story comes together very loosely, making it feel more chronologically accurate.

Much of the film centers on Wang Han and his three friends, Mouse, Louse, and Wei Jun. The boys spend their days watching girls, playing, fighting, and telling stories like any friends would; but Wang Han is different. He lingers longer to observe his surroundings, most of the time listening in on adult conversations. He’s a wise and precocious kid; the unintended leader of the group. Unfortuntately, getting involved in adult matters only brings about adult dilemmas, and Wang Han finds himself in quite a dilemma when he mistakenly entangles himself with a killer.

There’s a deep sense of family love and connection to the neighborhood throughout the film. Wang Han and his family live in a presumably middle class village and get along with their neighbors very well, even though they don’t always see eye to eye politically. The film seems to carry the underlying message that one’s dilemmas are often comparable to another’s, no matter how simple or complex, and the best thing to do is keep on moving along helping one another.

The story features everyday experiences, making it very relatable, despite the fact that it is set in China in 1978. People are people. Human nature has never changed, and never will. 11 Flowers humanizes such a politically charged period in China, and does this very well. The inclusion of side stories and gossip helps to aid in this achievement.

11 Flowers features the Standard Mandarin tongue, with English subtitles. It begins in black and white, and then fades to color. The entire film is made up of beautiful but simple shots; many of them reminiscent of paintings, which Wang Han and his father are very fond of. There is one really nice scene where Wang Han is watching the adults talk — not an uncommon experience — but the camera follows his eye and moves as he is presumably moving.

Yes, there are hundreds of films about growing up, but no two experiences are exactly the same. Great experiences are destined to make great movies.

In an ingenious and creative move, documentary filmmaker Michael Upted decided to interview a group of 7-year-olds about their views on life and their hopes for the future. The project began in 1964, and aired as a television special. But like a kind of obligation, every seven years, Upted would return to those same thirteen individuals to see what their lives had become. The 49-year result is nothing short of fascinating.

Growing up is something every one of us has experienced, but it happens over so much time that we often do not realize how amazing the process is. 56 Up is successful in capturing the beauty of life, no matter how many tragic turns it may take. In every life, there are changes. People get married, divorced, have kids, and generate new friendships while abandoning old ones. Each of the children in the film grows in wisdom and experience as they age, and even though their stories are fairly general, they are all so very intriguing.

There’s something surreal about seeing someone blossom and come into their own five minutes after your meet their five-year-old self. It is also incredible to see their children and grandchildren. Upted was able to capture just how much future generations can remind one of past generations, and this technique makes the audience feel closer to each subject, as if they’ve known him or her for a long time. The filmmaker manages to skip back and forth through different periods of each subject’s life without making the viewer confused. 56 Up is not completely chronological, and that keeps it from being boring.

All of the men and women in 56 Up come from fairly different backgrounds, despite the fact that they all grew up in boarding school (it is not clear whether or not they were all in the same one). Their personalities shine through and pretty much stay the same, no matter how old they get. There are always remnants of each subject’s 7-year-old self, and it’s interesting to see that innocent twinkle in their eye – the sole remainder of the innocent child they once were.

There is really no “theme” in this movie. The thirteen subjects talk about everything from money to politics to kids to gardening, but it by no means feels unorganized; it just feels very real. Dreams have a way of winding down into realistic and attainable hopes, but it’s just as satisfying to see those hopes achieved, no matter how far they may have dwindled down.

56 Up reminds viewers that there is no particular formula for a successful life, and no particular way to go about living in order to achieve certain results. Education does not guarantee one a successful future, and a lack of education by no means guarantees failure. The film begs the question: which is better? Achieving your dreams or enjoying the very different life maps out for you?

56 Up is now playing at the IFC Center in New York and opens up in Los Angeles, January 18th.

From the beginning, there’s a very child-like innocence about the film, and it sports a spirit of adventure. When JT O’Neill, a newly single parent, gets the opportunity to pursue his dream in becoming a professional chef, he, his 10-year-old daughter Chandler, and their pet Shakey leave their hometown of Toledo and head for the big city of Chicago.

Unfortunately, the trio is met with the news that absolutely no dogs are allowed in their new home, Independence Plaza. With the prospect of losing her best friend, Chandler isn’t sure what to do. Fortunately, she, her dad, and even Shakey have a few ideas up their sleeves.

Chandler and her father have a wonderful and very real relationship. Despite the young girl’s precociousness – which is often attributed to such films – it is easy believe in the bond that she and her father have, and that makes the film more enjoyable. It also has its fair share of genuinely humorous moments, which are sure to delight children and parents alike.

I Heart Shakey has its share of of two-faced and over-exaggerated characters, and villains. From the evil Landlord Estelle Willinger (who seems to be a mash-up of Cruella DeVille and Mrs. Oleson from the Little House series, but perhaps a bit more high strung) to the naive maintenance man with a chip on his shoulder, Oskar Jerski, I Heart Shakey is chock full of really fun, unforgettable characters.

I Heart Shakey is solid because, while it is outrageous and kid-friendly, it is honestly entertaining and somewhat unpredictable. Unfortunately, some of the unpredictability is due to the overly numerous plot twists and turns. The movie probably could have ended a few times before it actually did (including one scene with a war veteran that would have made quite a lovely ending), but made its way to a satisfying end all in all.

After the loss of their baby girl, Maddie, doctors Paul and Kim Jordan abandon their life in Cambridge, Massachusetts and head to Thailand in an attempt to escape and ease their pain. Their initial impression of the island is soon  distorted after they switch roles from tourists to doctors. Not everybody is on their side, and it seems that God has turned against them, too.

While this Christian film is very spiritual and uplifting, it is very much a cookie-cutter movie. That being said, the fact that it’s a Christian movie shouldn’t cause it to end up on the “don’t watch” list. While there is nothing amazing regarding the cinematography or content, but the cliché moments are surprisingly well-acted. The story is nothing we haven’t seen before, but it could easily be true a true story.

There are some choppy fade-to-black transitions that the film could have done without, but other than that it, Escape is cinematographically solid. There is also a jet-rocket ending, but most of the loose ends are tied up, and it’s sure to ease some of the pain that comes with the movie’s ups and (abundant) downs.

Audiences are sure to fall in love with Malcolm Andrews, played by John Rhys-Davies of the Lord of The Rings and Indiana Jones trilogies. Andrews is a lovable, Christian man who chooses to trade his sorrow for joy, and focus on the future instead of the past. He’s a lot of fun; he loves to sing and is always there with the right words to say in order to encourage his friends.

“Faith triumphs fear” is the major underlying message of this film. The Jordan’s learn a lot about the power of faith. In the end, blind faith always trumps blind fear, and the “peace that surpasses understanding,” (Philippians 4:7) is finally realized.

People have a tendency to think Christian movies are cheesy, but just because the script is filled with scripture and a few divine coincidences, that doesn’t make it unbelievable. Yes, sometimes the coincidences are a little too perfect, but a movie only has about two hours to create a full-circle story, right? What is a film without a few coincidences?

This animated adventure is about a little girl named Mia who misses her father, Pedro. He works at a dangerous construction site hundreds of miles away, and after the loss of her mother, Mia has grown lonely and restless. Armed with a spirit of determination, she sets out on an unforgettable journey to find her father. She takes her mother’s charms with her, and is met with nothing but good luck along the way. But are the charms really helping her, or is it something more?

There are horrible stories of creatures roaming the land, and a scary forest Mia must trek to find her father. Will her courage wither when she comes face to face with danger?

While some of the thematic material featured may be a little strong for children under 12, the film’s heavy explanatory dialect and focus on the protagonist and somewhat precocious children (Mia and her newfound friend, Aldrin) means it is probably aimed toward a younger audience.

Mia and The Migoo reminds audiences that sometimes all it takes to make a difference is having a little courage and child-like faith. Life has a funny way of proving what is really important, as the antagonist, the slippery Mr. Jekhide discovers. What do time and money matter when the ones you love are not around?

The animated film is beautifully crafted; it consists of 500,000 hand-painted animated frames. Not only is it entrancing to look at, but the adventure is so exciting that it is sure to grab the attention of  both young viewers and their parents. The endearing characters with not-so-catchy names (like Mr. Mizoguchi and Mr. Staravich) are fun to watch, as the filmmakers took the time out to give each one a distinct personality, and one not so different from the ones adult viewers recognize from their own social circles.

The enchanting movie features some well-known voices such as Whoopi Goldberg, James Woods, and John DiMaggio. It is multicultural and unusual – even eerie at times – but audiences will no doubt fall in love with its uniqueness and beauty.