Category Archives: Movies

Cinequest 2025 – Burt

Posted on March 20, 2025 by ricbret

Burt, a 69-year-old street musician with Parkinson’s, welcomes Sammy, a young man claiming to be his long-lost son, into his home. The independent film explores their evolving relationship and the lives of flawed characters, set against a beautifully crafted black-and-white backdrop. It’s a touching narrative with impressive production within a limited budget. Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2025 – Cast Members

Posted on March 20, 2025 by Debbie Bretschneider

“Cast Members” is a six-minute short film that explores the challenges faced by theme park performers when one of them lands a significant TV role, leading to existential questions and a musical journey. Created by sisters Emily Wilson and Sarah Wilson Thacker, the film could expand into a series, enriching the characters’ stories. Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2025 – Cotton Candy Bubble Gum

Posted on March 19, 2025 by ricbret

Carter, a 21-year-old mama’s boy still living at home, faces an ultimatum after his mom gets engaged to her vindictive cop boyfriend: secure a paid promotion at his internship by the end of the day or find a new place … Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2025 – BAR

Posted on March 16, 2025 by Debbie Bretschneider

“BAR” follows five students during an intensive five-day program at the Culinary Institute of America, focused on distilled spirits and mixology. With rigorous training and testing, students aim for world-class certification. The film captures their personal journeys, camaraderie, and growth, ultimately highlighting their successes. Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2025 – The Bitter Tears of Zahra Zand

Posted on March 13, 2025 by Debbie Bretschneider

The Bitter Tears of Zahra Zand is a poignant film set in 1980’s London, focusing on an exiled Iranian fashion designer grappling with loss and identity. Through dark humor and emotional extremes, she navigates her past while spiraling into tragedy, culminating in an unexpected love story amidst her struggles for survival and relevance. Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2025 – The Dreamers and I

Posted on March 13, 2025 by ricbret

This documentary is praised for its unique storytelling, focusing on young entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley’s “hacker house” environment. Filmmaker Kenji Yamamoto captures their pursuit of the American dream, revealing their optimism amidst high failure rates. The film also intertwines personal struggles, offering an inspiring narrative worth viewing for aspiring developers. Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2025 – Alien

Posted on March 13, 2025 by ricbret

The film “Alien” presents a unique Russian science fiction story set in a Ural village, focusing on Lyosha, a hearing-impaired man seeking extraterrestrial contact after his mother’s mysterious disappearance. The film explores themes of alienation and connection, enhanced by striking visuals and a compelling mystery involving a telepathic girl who enters his life. Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2025 – Shorts Program 3: Genre Quest

Posted on March 9, 2025 by ricbret

The Cinequest Genre Quest block of short films is excellent overall, with a number of film genres represented in bite size and slightly larger sizes. Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2025 – Maura and Maggie Get Callbacks

Posted on March 8, 2025 by Debbie Bretschneider

Maura and Maggie, friends in New York City, challenge age barriers in the entertainment industry. Their documentary combines humor and heart, sharing stories of resilience and the chase for dreams despite life’s challenges. As they create a two-person show, they navigate friendship and ambition.. Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2025 – Time Travel is Dangerous

Posted on March 6, 2025 by ricbret

Best friends Ruth and Megan discover a time machine and travel to the past to collect vintage items for their North London shop. Their adventures avoid changing history, filled with comedic elements reminiscent of Monty Python. The film, shot in a documentary style, delivers an inventive take on time travel. Continue reading →

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The 2025 Saturn Awards for Science Fiction

Posted on February 3, 2025 by ricbret

My review of the Saturn Awards show along with a list of award winners. Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2024 – Wrapup and Last Chance Reviews

Posted on March 19, 2024 by ricbret

Cinequest wrapped up on Sunday with the Maverick awards ceremony, recognizing the work of Mathew Modine, and a showing Hard Miles starring Modine. And although that was the only opportunity to see Hard Miles, many Cinequest features and shorts streaming … Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2024 – Debbie’s Summary

Posted on March 18, 2024 by Debbie Bretschneider

The Cinequest Film and Creativity Festival started in 1990 in San Jose, California. It’s grown since then, so much so that this year, there were over 80 World Premieres programmed. And the silent cinema came back! The Mark of Zorro, … Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2024 – One Night in Tokyo

Posted on March 13, 2024 by Debbie Bretschneider

What do you do when you arrive in Tokyo for a week and immediately your girlfriend breaks up with you?  Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2024 – Eden

Posted on March 11, 2024 by Debbie Bretschneider

The documentary Eden is a love story about the Mount Eden winery, which is located on a mountain top in Santa Clara County, California. Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2024 – The Invisibles

Posted on March 10, 2024 by ricbret

The Invisibles appears in the Cinequest 2024 catalog under the dual category of Fantasy / Drama. And while both are correct, it sells the film short. But then, I’m hard pressed to find a category that would give the appropriate credit due here. Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2024 – Tim Travers and the Time Traveler’s Paradox

Posted on March 8, 2024 by ricbret

This one of a series of reviews from this year’s Cinequest film festival in San Jose, California. Read more about the festival here, and buy tickets for showings of this and other films here. A scientist creates a time machine in order … Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2024 – Human Resources

Posted on March 5, 2024 by ricbret

This one of a series of reviews from this year’s Cinequest film festival in San Jose, California. Read more about the festival here, and buy tickets for showings of this and other films here. Update: 3/8/2024I meant to add an … Continue reading →

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How to Survive Cinequest 2024

Posted on March 5, 2024 by ricbret

An updated viewer’s guide to what USA Today readers voted the Best Film Festival. It’s about to be Cinequest time, which means getting slightly ahead of the festival schedule so that I can provide you some idea about which films … Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2023 – Paul & Trisha The Art of Fluidity

Posted on August 27, 2023 by Debbie Bretschneider

As Paul says “not everybody gets you”. And Paul & Trisha are ok with that. Continue reading →

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