May 2019
FLIX PREMIERE Close-Up
this month’s UPCOMING PREMIERES
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome Readers: The purpose of this magazine is to share with our movie-goers, the industry and our partners updates about what is happening at Flix Premiere each month. We aim to highlight and explore the upcoming month’s film premieres in each market, and occasionally announce new developments on our platform. Happy reading!
Th e Ca nn on
IN THIS ISSUE:
Cong ratul ation s
Sug ar
May Premieres Snapshot Learn about our exclusive new premieres showing each week. US May Premieres Snapshot - pg. 3
Ab st ra ct
io n
UK May Premieres Snapshot - pg. 4
Close Up: Premieres Feature Reviews A chance to immerse yourself in the wonderful stories premiering each week. The View from Tall
Congratulations - Brian Dietzen, Abby Miller, Debra Jo Rupp, Kevin Rankin, Terryn Westbrook, Blaise Miller - pg. 5 The View from Tall - Amanda Drinkall, Michael Patrick Thornton, Carolyn Braver, Josh Bywater - pg. 6
The Paddy Lincoln Gang - Dean S Jagger, Joseph DiMasso, Richard Wagner, Demetri Watkins - pg. 7 The Cannon- Bob Frazer, Megan Charpentier, Teagan Vincze, James Neate, Jenn Griffin, April Telek - pg. 8 The Middle Distance - Ross Partridge, Joslyn Jensen, Kentucker Audley, Jennifer Lafleur - pg. 9 Abstraction - Eric Roberts, Ken Davitian, Korrina Rico, Manu Intiraymi, Mindy Robinson - pg. 10
HOME OF AWARD-WINNING CINEMA AND MORE
“Brave, honest and heartfelt.” Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction TV
US PREMIERE May 10, 2019 - 7pm EST
A 17-year-old student finds an unlikely lifeline in her disabled therapist after a sexual transgression.
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“A heartwarming story”
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US PREMIERE
Sean Kelly, www.Skonmovies.com
May 17, 2019 - 7pm EST
An ailing adult-film star struggles to prevent the collision between his personal and professional lives.
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A 17-year-old student finds an unlikely lifeline in her disabled therapist after a sexual transgression.
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US PREMIERES SNAPSHOT
Starring: Brian Dietzen, Abby Miller, Debra Jo Rupp, Kevin Rankin, Terryn Westbrook, Blaise Miller
maY 3, 2019 - 7pm EST
Starring: Amanda Drinkall, Michael Patrick Thornton, Carolyn Braver, Josh Bywater
maY 10, 2019 - 7pm EST
Starring: Bob Frazer, Teagan Vincze, Megan Charpentier, James Neate, Jenn Griffin, April Telek
may 17, 2019 - 7pm EST
Starring: Ross Partridge, Joslyn Jensen, Kentucker Audley, Jennifer Lafleur
maY 24, 2019 - 7pm EST
Starring: Eric Roberts, Ken Davitian, Korrina Rico, Manu Intiraymi, Mindy Robinson
maY 31, 2019 - 7pm EST
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UK PREMIERES SNAPSHOT
Starring: Brian Dietzen, Abby Miller, Debra Jo Rupp, Kevin Rankin, Terryn Westbrook, Blaise Miller
MAY 4, 2019 - 7pm BST
Starring: Dean S Jagger, Joseph DiMasso, Richard Wagner, Demetri Watkins, Stephen Bridgewater
MAY 11, 2019 - 7pm BST
Starring: Bob Frazer, Teagan Vincze, Megan Charpentier, James Neate, Jenn Griffin, April Telek
MAY 18, 2019 - 7pm BST
Starring: Ross Partridge, Joslyn Jensen, Kentucker Audley, Jennifer Lafleur
May 25, 2019 - 7pm BST
Congratulations
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Close Up: Premiere Feature Review US Premiere MAY 3 - 7PM EST UK Premiere MAY 4 - 7PM BST
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im carefully planned a weekend road trip with his girlfriend, Bridget, to visit his mother. In the car, he has packed a blanket and a picnic. He knows exactly where he wants to stop for a romantic lunch in the woods. Most importantly, he has brought a large diamond ring with him to accompany the big question that he intends to ask. Everything goes according to plan, and even better – until Bridget declines his proposal. When they arrive at the house, Jim is so stunned and upset that he has forgotten to phone ahead and warn his mother that the engagement is not going to happen. Which means they are greeted by a congratulatory banner and the promise of an engagement party the very next day to fête their nuptials. The excitement and enthusiasm of Jim’s mother, who is mourning the one-year anniversary of her husband’s death, is too bright and sunny a departure from her usual melancholia for Jim to destroy it with the truth. So, the couple plans to pretend that they are engaged for the duration of the trip. The ensuing stay offers a series of comic and ironic circumstances that quickly puts their relationship to the ultimate
Congratulations [...] offers an angle that is unique and refreshing in the current indie romantic dramedy canon. Tony Beaulieu, Renegade Cinema
test. Will the pair’s love be able to survive both the rejection of Jim’s proposal and a weekend of pretending otherwise?
will be with an original story that conveys more depth than we are accustomed to finding in the genre.
Juan Cardarelli and Eric Levy team up to direct this romantic comedy that does not shy away from asking tough questions about love, marriage, and family. The typical rom-com announces the inevitable reconciliation and engagement of its protagonists far in advance of the resolution of all of the obstacles that they must overcome to get to the wedding chapel. Congratulations leaves the viewer guessing until the very end what the fate of the couple
Brian Dietzen’s Jim displays a range and breadth of character that is atypical of a masculine lead in a comedy. Abby Miller brings her uncanny ability to convey strength, brokenness, and fragility all at once to the role of Bridget. The volatile and relatable pair are accompanied by Debra Jo Rupp, who shines as the well-intentioned but overbearing mother. Congratulations is a comedy of errors – both small and profound – that is not to be missed.
The View from Tall
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Close Up: Premiere Feature Review US Premiere MAY 10 - 7PM EST
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t’s a scene familiar from coming-of-age movies. A social outcast walks through the halls of her high school, turning inwards as everyone passing by stares at her. Caitlin Parrish and Erica Weiss’ The View From Tall does something great with the trope. It doesn’t feel cliché. It feels fresh, particularly because of how well-written (and performed) the protagonist is. Justine (Amanda Drinkall) is a tall, be-spectacled and dignified young woman, who has created a scandal because word got out that she was involved with a teacher at the school, who has since absconded. Students tease her with words from her diary. Boys grope and verbally assault her. She takes it in stride, counting down the days until she can move out of her hometown and begin her college scholarship. To make matters worse, her home life is kind of a mess. Her parents don’t pay enough attention to her out of embarrassment for the scandal, and her younger sister Paula (Carolyn Braver) has developed a troubling drinking habit. Her main solace comes from writing and in books. But her
The View from Tall is everything a great independent film should be. Scott Menzel, We Live Film
parents force her to attend therapy sessions, and, quite reluctantly, she does. In a meet-cute, she sees a man in a wheelchair drop his cigarette box in the parking lot, and she runs to pick them up. They commiserate over not wanting to attend their next meeting. A few minutes later, much to their surprise, they end up in the same room. The man, as the therapist, and she as the patient. The next few sessions are a little bit tumultuous, and they end with the therapist quitting. Although in a captivating twist of fate, they end up meeting again, under very different circumstances. The View From Tall shines in all aspects, but particularly in its crafting of such a charismatic
lead, both confident and sensitive at the same time. Justine, who is expertly performed by Drinkall, is a force on the screen. She commands the viewer’s attention through her presence and wit. And she endears them with her moments of vulnerability. The View From Tall portrays a difficult subject with grace and compassion, showing that even when there are high school students who may criticize or ostracize Justine, there are those who will support her and understand her struggles - and just how much she has to offer. This is a film that sparkles with wit, sincerity, and beautifully constructed characters. It’s both heartwarming and powerful without being moralizing or heavy-handed.
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The Paddy Lincoln Gang
Close Up: Premiere Feature Review UK Premiere MAY 11 - 7PM BST
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irector Ben Jagger’s The Paddy Lincoln Gang is gritty, dark, and triumphant. Centering on the story of Rob McAlister (Dean Jagger), who is Irish born and now living in Los Angeles or “The city of angels” as he calls it. He’s found his angels in LA: in Tom Dufresne (Demetri Watkins), Steady Eddie (Joseph DiMasso), and Dan Craine (Stephen Bridgewater). They’re all a part of a successful band called the Paddy Lincoln Gang, with Rob as the lead songwriter and Tom as the chief musical genius. The band has given him everything he’s ever wanted: a true family, music, love, and the rock and roll lifestyle. He dates Leyla Dufresne (Amy Argyle), Tom’s sister, and they have everything. Until one night at a dinner with executives from the label, when Dan and Steady Eddie behave erratically; getting drunk and being loud and disruptive. The manager tells Rob and Tom that the best shot the band has at stardom is to remove Steady Eddie and Dan, but Rob is heartbroken and resolute that he can help the others get their act together. Rob is a bit of an advice guru, filled with wisdom and love but also teeming with mystery. There is a mythos surrounding him. He seemingly boarded
Brilliantly written and thematically challenging. Nicholas La Salla, Forest City Film Review
a plane from Dublin to LAX at 28, found his people, and became a star overnight. But no one knows the real him, not even Leyla, as she grows frustrated with his lack of communication, and her hazy knowledge of his past. Rob gets the sense that Leyla is beginning to foster a relationship with someone else, and all at once, Rob’s once idyllic world is starting to crumble... The Paddy Lincoln Gang is the story of him trying his best to keep the band together. Ben Jagger truly shines in his characterization of Rob, who becomes an enduring and
intoxicating figure. He’s mysterious and wise, edgy yet heartfelt. The viewer sees the world through his eyes, which are full of both sadness and wonder in equal parts. The writing is superb, creating characters with nuance and life, who feel so real but surreal at the same time. The writing, and the performances, shine brightly - especially as conflict begins to emerge. We hope and believe in Rob being able to carry the band just as much as we are intrigued by his shadowy past. The Paddy Lincoln Gang is a sublime and tense drama, filled with memorable characters and a soaring rock and roll soundtrack.
The Cannon
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Close Up: Premiere Feature Review US Premiere MAY 17 - 7PM EST UK Premiere MAY 18 - 7PM BST
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hey call him Cannon, but there is more to this aging porn star than meets the eye – and he is determined to show his mettle to the world before it is too late. Why not try, when the world has already seen the rest? And strive he does, against all odds. Colton juggles the work of being an adult icon, a serious actor, and a dad in a balancing act that makes for heartfelt comedy. After years of success in a pornography career spanning from video to streaming production, Colton “The Cannon” finds himself suffering from early symptoms of ALS. The onset of the disease, which was responsible for the death of his mother, is a brash wakeup call. Either Colton will finally achieve his dream of success as a dramatic actor, or his porn credits will be the only legacy he leaves behind for his teenage daughter. Thus far he has kept his profession a secret from her. But when major changes at the studio, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with an arthouse cinema director, and his own health problems frenetically overlap during her visit, he risks being exposed. What ensues is Marshall Axani’s breakthrough feature, The Cannon, which walks a tight line between humor and personal tragedy. One of the refreshing elements of the film – and no small source of its comedy – is its seamless movement from the porn studio to other arenas of Colton’s life Axani takes a taboo space, and shows the viewer its flood lighting, its cheap sets, its long shoots, improvised dialogues, and the rest of the
Vincze’s scorching turn as Natalie is a real head turner. Kirk Haviland, In The Seats
Boogie Nights meets The Wrestler Addison Wylie, Wylie Writes
unglamorous mechanics of the porn studio that prop up the veneer of fantasy. The result is that we discover it is a workplace, much like any other that has hit a rocky patch. With its own financial problems, and disaffected employees worried they are watching their life pass them by. This banalization of the porn industry provides an original and cheeky backdrop to Colton’s problems. Bob Frazer portrays the full array of those dilemmas and “The Cannon’s” daily life with depth, giving a multifaceted and memorable performance as the lead. The role requires no small level of vulnerability, both in its physical and emotional nakedness. Frazer brings the perfect combination of playful charm and sex
appeal to Colton and convinces us that such an exterior is a fading mask. Underneath the neon glow of the porn star there is a reservoir of anxiety and urgency. In the face of our own mortality, humans search for meaning and purpose in our lives. We see, more clearly, the delicate nature of our legacies and the importance that we put them in order. We are brought back to the origins of our hopes and dreams. The beauty of Marshall Axani’s The Cannon, is that it reminds us of this profound truth through the fun, unlikely, and funny world of a porn star. Watch it on Flix Premiere.
The Middle Distance
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Close Up: Premiere Feature Review US Premiere MAY 24 - 7PM EST UK Premiere MAY 25 - 7PM BST
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n the wake of his father’s death, wheeling and dealing Los Angeles consultant Neil returns to his childhood home in rural coastal Michigan. It’s the peak of winter and the businessman has not bothered to see his family in years. The mood between them is as frosty as the weather outside. But the house must be prepared for the realtor and sold in order for Neil to get back to his life. So, he is determined to make the best of it and pitch in with the effort. When his brother is suddenly called out to Chicago for a music gig, though, his only option is to befriend his sibling’s free-spirited fiancé or deal with all of the mess on his own.
highly recommended [...] hidden gem Don Shanahan, Every Movie Has a Lesson
The Middle Distance is a family drama that is equal parts coming-of-age tale. Neil is already an adult, of course. He has a high-profile job, a fancy loft, and a fast life of women and whiskey to vouch for it. Rather, facing so much evidence of who he was in his past–and accompanied by a new kindred spirit who shows him what life could be in the future – Neil has the opportunity to grow into a better version of himself. The film paints a familiar portrait of a guy whose only purpose in life is to win, to drive the fancy car, and to sleep with all of the most gorgeous woman. But The Middle Distance manages to humble this archetype when tasking him with yardwork, basic household repairs, and plumbing issues. It suggests
For a film that’s set in the cold, The Middle Distance is awfully warm and one gets the sense this is a director who’s just heating up. Stephen Saito, Moveable Fest
that even a man of such a hardened exterior may have hidden sensibilities, a tender spot in his past, and a chance at becoming a warmer family member, friend, or lover in the future. Ross Partridge gives a masterful performance as Neil. He achieves the rare combination of playfulness, mischief, and ego that make a guy a likeable jerk. The sincerity of his acting, and director Patrick Underwood’s ability to draw it out and capture it in the shot, are one of the highlights of the film. Joslyn Jensen compliments his performance remarkably as the photographer-fiancé Rebecca. The two actors build chemistry in this pairing of opposites that
the film deals with in a realistic and heartfelt way. Cinematographer Kevin Duggin frames both them and the wintry landscape with impeccable compositions. Duggin finds the tidy square frames within the shots. And it as if we were watching a cinematic reproduction of the landscape photography that Rebecca produces in her work. In the hustle and bustle of modern life we are all well reminded that occasionally slowing down to reconnect with ourselves and those who are important to us is critical. So, take pause and journey The Middle Distance with Flix Premiere.
Abstraction
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Close Up: Premiere Feature Review UKUSPremiere PremiereAPRIL MAY 31 20 -- 7PM 7PM EST GMT
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rand theft specialists, Tommy [Hunter Ives] and Gary [Richard Manriquez], are sidelined and forced into an early retirement after a heist at a mechanic shop goes incredibly wrong. During their botched operation, more than one person died, and their closest criminal associate was caught by the police. In the wake of so much disaster, retreating to a quiet existence of underpaid and underappreciated manual labor seems like the only way to move forward. Enter Scarlet, the unassuming bombshell who strikes up a romance with Tommy after resisting his initial advances. Their love story starts like any typical budding relationship, but it quickly becomes clear that there is more to Tommy’s girlfriend than meets the eye. Scarlet observes the financial hardship that Tommy is suffering and suggests an extreme and unexpected solution – a plot to steal a painting worth half a million dollars. Will Tommy, Gary, and Scarlet succeed in pulling off one last smooth operation?
Abstraction excels [...] in the way it twists and turns throughout the story Jesse Crump, HorrorNews.Net
Abstraction is an action-driven heist film that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats and guessing as it loops through a series of startling plot twists. From the opening shootout at the mechanic shop, through
the surprise ending, director Prince Bagdasarian manifests a keen sense of rhythm and timing in the elaboration of his story. What is more, as a screenwriter, he has crafted a film that generously supports its narrative pivots with a rich and substantive backstory, lending to their plausibility and the overall enjoyment of the lawless gang we are observing. Actors Ives and Manriquez portray the criminal duo of Tommy and Gary, creating a portrait of a pair of friends carrying a long history of collaboration and hardship on their backs. A set of pals keenly aware of each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and pressure points. Korrina Rico
counterbalances this dynamic as the newcomer to the scene, who disrupts the partnership, Scarlet. Striking a mix of ingénue with a hint of femme fatale, Scarlet offers the solution to the economic problems and social castration that the boys are facing. But when Gary becomes jealous of the freshly minted couple, the strength of friendship is tested and the fundamental question arises – who can you, ultimately, trust? For thrill-seekers, Abstraction delights with a well-paced and painstakingly constructed web of action, obstacles, and deceit. Do not miss it on Flix Premiere this month!
HOME OF AWARD-WINNING CINEMA AND MORE “An excellent, gritty film.” Scarlett de Courcier, Geek Town
UK PREMIERE May 11, 2019 - 7pm BST In this life changing story, a workaholic attorney is forced to reinvent The Paddy Lincoln is a rock suddenly band withleaves. everything, her life afterGang her husband but their charismatic lead singer holds a dark secret from his past.
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“An auspicious debut for Underwood, whose sharp eye for character [...] is evident from the film’s very first frame” Stephen Saito, Moveable Fest
UK PREMIERE May 25, 2019 - 7pm BST A whiskey-soaked workaholic is in rural Michigan to sell his dead father's cottage, but forges an unlikely bond with his brother's fiancee.
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