Another Hole in the Head 2024 Round-up
We’ve already looked at six films recently screened as part of the Another Hole in the Head Film Festival. You can click the following links to read up on any of those:
Unspeakable: Beyond the Wall of Sleep
There are still four more movies in need of some attention. These films don’t quite fit the horror genre…but are worth sparing a note or two, nonetheless. From a light Groundhog Day style comedy to a vicious crime drama to whatever is going on in Sincerely Saul…Another Hole in the Head presented a diverse pool of films to choose from.
And Through the Portal We Go
Directed by Mike Hayhurst
Written by Mike Hayhurst, Sarah Goeke, Joseph Lymous and Taylor Dalton Curtis
Starring Sarah Goeke, Joseph Lymous, Taylor Dalton Curtis and Thomas Cambridge
Plot sSmmary: Katie, Craig, and Mikey are the final three members of a cult that has prepared for years to achieve transcendence by stepping through a luminous portal in the woods. After completing their final duties, the trio enter the portal… only to find themselves back at the start of the previous day. In an attempt to transcend, the trio must figure out why they are unable to get through the portal as their fellow cult members did. Will adhering closely to the cult’s teachings help them finally achieve perfection, or will they need to learn more about themselves – and each other?
Characters facing a repeating day puzzle have become a consistently successful subgenre. And Through the Portal We Go is no exception. The three leads find themselves stuck on the day they are meant to ascend as a reward for following the ways of their cult. When it doesn’t happen…they are left to ponder what they’ve done wrong. Personal growth and subtle comedy combine for an interesting entry in the Groundhog Day like movie type. The three leads are likable, and the result is a sweet, funny experience.
Dangerous Rumors
Directed by Craig Lobo
Written Craig Lobo
Starring Lindura, Ry Barrett, Lindsay Smith, Timothy Paul McCarthy, Steve Kasan, Taytem Douglas and Ian Ottis Goff
Plot Summary: Notorious mob boss Jimmy “Mad Dog” Marconi rules the criminal underworld of Toronto, Ontario Canada during the late 1990’s with an iron first. A young mother and her son go on the run after crossing the powerful mobster.
Dangerous Rumors boasts a fantastic performance by Lindsay Smith as a hitman with a heart of…well…not gold. But some kind of precious metal. At least compared to the people she works for. Tasked with protecting a woman and her child…until their plight crosses with her own. A good-looking picture that doesn’t glorify its violence. It’s just a part of the job.
Dead in Love
Directed by Nicole de Meneses
Written by Nicole de Meneses
Starring Linda Maria Girón, Livia Gomes Demarchi and Arturo Rangel
Plot Summary: The ghost of a bisexual young woman becomes enamored with an attractive couple living in her former home. She utilizes her poltergeist abilities to haunt her way into their hearts in this paranormal polyamorous romantic comedy.
There’s a solid premise here. Sometimes it feels like Dead in Love wants to be Skinamax-type feature…but won’t pull the trigger on all that entails. It has some things to say about relationships…but they feel like the story is talking at you instead of engaging with you. The ending is messy. The journey towards it is full of ups and downs. A likable lead covers some. Ultimately, not enough.
Sincerely Saul
Directed by Ian Tripp
Written by Ian Tripp
Starring Ryan Schafer, Mickey Faerch, Augie Duke, Karl Backus, Brendan Cahalan, Amber Grayson and Paul Fisher III
Plot Summary: Stuck at home with his bedridden Grandma, Saul plans to kill himself on his 27th birthday if he doesn’t lose his virginity by then.
Sincerely Saul looks and feels like a 90s indie movie. Visually…it’s like a rougher Clerks. Content wise…it’s something decidedly different. Purposely aimless at times, Sincerely Saul is its own animal. I never quite figured out exactly what I was supposed to take away from it…but it leaves an impression, nonetheless. One inspired choice partway through the narrative hints at bigger ideas than the story inevitably strives for.
