Prisoner of War

Over the weekend, I attended the Sacramento International Film Festival and watched the movie PRISONER OF WAR starring Scott Adkins.

If you enjoy watching action films, PRISONER OF WAR will not disappoint you. The movie is set during World War II in a Japanese prisoner camp where prisoners are forced to fight in matches for the entertainment of their captors. Overall, the cast is very good, the film is shot well, and the sound design is outstanding. The movie is directed by Louis Mandylor.

PRISONER OF WAR opens in theatres in the United States on September 19th and the United Kingdom on November 10th. The movie will stream on an online platform after its theatrical release, according to producer Marc Clebanoff, who co-wrote the screenplay with Adkins and attended this weekend's screening.

Wise Women Speak

This week I watched the documentary, GET REAL! WISE WOMEN SPEAK, at the Sacramento International Film Festival. The film is uplifting and confirms the importance of living each day to its fullest by living your dream and pursuing your passions. Overall, each of the women expresses what it means to age wisely.

Various topics are discussed: career, faith, spirituality, relationships, body image, plastic surgery, etc. The ladies candidly share their perspectives. In addition, director Joni Steele Kimberlin does an excellent job of showing at least two sides of subjects like marriage and grandparenting. Lastly, I applaud Kimberlin on the selection of women in the documentary. They range from actress/author Jane Fonda to oceanographer Sylvia Earle.

For more information about GET REAL! WISE WOMEN SPEAK and to watch the trailer, visit: http://www.cowgirlfilms.com/.

In the Eyes of a Killer

This weekend at the Sacramento Film Festival I watched IN THE EYES OF A KILLER starring Louis Mandylor, Gwendolyn Edwards, Costas Mandylor, and James Marshall. It was a sold out screening, as the movie was made in Sacramento. Several local residents were cast in supporting roles and as extras, so many enthusiastic family members and friends were in the audience.

IN THE EYES OF A KILLER is a psychological thriller. In the beginning “Jack,” played by Louis Mandylor, is a great guy who is a blind college professor and wonderful cook who “Gwen,” played by Gwendolyn Edwards, enjoys dating and looks forward to marrying. “Jack” is apprehensive about going through with an experimental eye surgery, but “Gwen” encourages him to move forward with the process.

After a successful surgery, “Jack” regains his sight. Unfortunately, the eyes he receives are a donation from a man who was a rapist and murderer sentenced to death. “Jack” suddenly takes on characteristics of the man, drinking a lot of whiskey, killing people, and even terrorizing “Gwen” on the island where they spend their honeymoon.

Louis Mandylor is the film’s producer and director, and admits it was very difficult acting and directing in a movie at the same time. However, he says he would do it again. I think he did a nice job, and want to see him direct more movies.

IN THE EYES OF A KILLER has some good performances, especially by Louis Mandylor and Costas Mandylor. I also like Gwendolyn Edwards, who I hope to see in more movies. In addition, the story by Mamie Jean is good. Apparently this is a story Mamie wrote 20 years before producing, so it is truly a dream realized for her.

I like this movie, and appreciated the question and answer session after the screening. The best part about attending film festivals is being able to talk directly to filmmakers about their movies. This independent movie is worthy of a theatrical release, so keep an eye out (no pun intended) for IN THE EYES OF A KILLER.