Indie Showcase: Casey's Haul (Short Film)

There are many ways to create a meaningful work of art that connects with its audience. While their methods might vary, all of these approaches have one thing in common - they speak some manner of truth about the human experience. In the case of the short film Casey's Haul, that truth involves the recent disaster that struck the entire world and that is the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Here, the same short movie manages to tell a story that will reverberate with anyone who is or continues to struggle in the same dire circumstances.

The plot of the film is very familiar to millions across the world. It focuses on Ala'Rico (played by Emmanuel Moulton known as Big Dawg079), a family man who is stricken by a potential disaster. His daughter Casey becomes ill with COVID-19 and gets through it, but remains burdened by a range of health issues because of it. She can go through treatment, but the price of this is not something her family can afford.  Ala'Rico, left with no job because of the pandemic, decided to do the unthinkable and rob a bank.

This sets a dramatic chain of events in motion. The film focuses on Ala'Rico and his moral dilemmas, as he is torn between the desire to help his loved ones and do the right thing. Through his contact with Detective Karuba, Ala'Rico works through this dilemma, knowing that a tragic solution is waiting for him at the end of that journey nonetheless.

Casey's Haul is without any doubt a work of passion and dedication. It shows the ability of one global calamity - which is the pandemic - to influence the lives of ordinary people beyond simply catching the virus. Instead, it resonates through different aspects of life and can easily make fictional stories like this one all too real. The movie cast does a great job of presenting this complex emotional network that connects all of them, which Moulton shines through as the dominant figure. His anguish and constant tension of what he has done and what he feels is the right thing to do feels more than authentic.

While technically a small indie film, Casey's Haul is an important piece of art about our collective experience of this terrible pandemic. It will remain an essential artistic document of our time and get only more important once the pandemic is finally over. Watch the whole short film right here and find out how you can support its creators on Big Dawg079 YouTube channel as well!

The Diabolical Schemes of Thadeus Jackson - Indie Superhero Movie with the Makings of a Future Cult Classic

 

Sometimes, you don't need much to figure out that a movie has all of the right stuff. In the case of The Diabolical Schemes of Thadeus Jackson, that moment comes from the trailer, when a character asks "Who wants to see the Supremacist dead?" (the Supremacists being a horrible superhero) and everyone in the room raises their hands. This is just one of the numerous details and quirks that this movie has, which all come together into a more than promising independent superhero movie, along with a very serious plot focus. Here's how the film describes its plot:

The Diabolical Schemes of Thadeus Jackson'' revolves around the story of Thadeus Jackson, played by Sean Simmons. Jackson plays the role of a former NSA Agent who is out on a mission to kill The Supremacist, Defender of Capitalism, and The American Way, and is ready to risk it all to make the world a better place.

Brandon Crowson, an award-winning US filmmaker from Minneapolis, is the main creative force behind the film. Its development began several years ago and even though it features themes like superheroes, it was inspired by real-world events. These include protests against police brutality in the US and the Black Lives Matter movement. Crowson decided to embed his anger and frustration about the injustice people of color in the country face in this work of art.

The result is a film that looks incredibly entertaining as a dark comedy, but also something laden with serious social commentary about the contemporary US. To see why, check out The Diabolical Schemes of Thadeus Jackson trailer right here:

The movie is scheduled to have its Premiere on September 2, 2021, at the Parkway Theater, Minneapolis. Following the Premiere, the film will be officially released on Prime Video worldwide and DVD September 3, 2021. Tickets to the premiere are on sale now!

To get more info about the film, visit the movie’s IMDb page, Facebook fan page, and Instagram account. After that, enjoy The Diabolical Schemes of Thadeus Jackson as soon as it gets out!

Two Paragraph Review: Things Heard & Seen (2021)

Now, if Things Heard & Seen was a subtle parody, it would probably be among my favorite new films that lampoon the resurgent "evil house" horror genre. However, it is not a parody, but a movie so badly acted, wrongly acted, and weirdly acted that it simply leaves you dumbstruck by its unintentional, but abundant, comedy.

The story of the film sets up a well-known cliche. A family moves to a secluded house, where a series of horrible lives, culminating in horrible murders, took place. As the family sets in, things go to hell, almost literally. Yes, the film tries to pursue an artistic note with the Thomas Cole paintings, but that narrative vector is both underused and also comedic in its worst moments - like the ending of the film. So, if you love horror but you're also up for a laugh or two, check out Things Heard & See.