QUANTUM STORM PICTURES STUDIO AWARD HISTORY

THIS IS JUST A SMALL LOOK AT OUR GROWING TEAM

D. R. Quintana is the producer and publisher of the Award Winning Quantum Storm .357 E-Magazine; the publication is owned and operated by its parent company, Micro Entertainment.

Established and covering Texas filmmakers since 2021, the QSE.357 has grown to encompass the Texas statewide independent filmmaking scene.

Mr. Quintana holds two degrees, served honorably in the United States Navy Submarine Force for twenty years [now retired], has filmed over 200 independent films, and has volunteered in his community for over 18 years. He has served on numerous independent film committees, worked in advisory and consulting positions, and has worked as an actor and director in films and professional photography across the country.

Born and raised in West Texas, eventually earning a film degree in Southern California, Mr. Quintana is a director, writer, editor, and producer of film and the publisher of the QSE .357 that helps independent filmmakers bring their ideas to the big screen, understand the process of producing films, providing guidance with the positive and negative cultures of the independent film culture, giving to charities, providing funds to those in need and helping out where help is needed.

Saira Ramos is an established independent film actress and has been a prominent figure of many of the studios web series productions, short film and feature film co-star. She is a huge supporter of independent films, often previewing new films and sometimes even being a critic to some of the previews she's witnessed. She is fit and tough and has shown interest in partaking in stunt woman positions within some film productions.

A proud Houstonian through and through, she has worked in a few professional film roles as an extra and also has worked as a model in many photoshoots crossing many formats. She has taken a huge leap in working more behind the camera, adding her talents to production as a camera operator and a behind the scenes producer on several recent video productions.

Saira is widely known for her work in the convention circuit, lending her talent to procure professional actors to some of the largest film and art conventions in the nation. She always stays positive in some of the most stressful situations on set and has never been ill prepared for any job related position placed upon her.

Lora Mao has worked in the Houston area independent film scene for well over ten years. A plethora of her music compositions have been used in both semi-professional and bonafide independent film production musical scores. She is known to work extra-expedient in time crunch situations during film productions that require only hours to prepare music for a specific scene.

Lora is extremely confident with her musical skills and is always in a positive mindset when working along film teams. She has partook in many roles in film as an extra and most of her acting work is unaccredited. Whether she is chosen to play a zombie, a monster, or just a receptionist, she gives her full attention to her position and always has an eye for detail. Her wide range of music scoring cover drama, comedy, SciFi, romance, and steampunk genre's, which anyone can fall in love with.

Many of Lora's musical tracks are also loaded up on YouTube and easily acceptable for preview or downloading to add to future films. 

 

Adriana Villedas is a mind-blowing makeup artist who just surfaced from out of no where and has hit the local Houston area with a plethora of makeup jobs that are truly breathtaking. Her first works in independent films was on the set with Quantum Storm Productions "ZERO-ZERO ONE" where she masterfully produced monster/zombie makeup works to a large cast of actors in a relatively short time.

Adriana has also produced makeup work for local models with exceptional ease, but professional results which have proven to be quite a gift to local photographers and filmmakers alike. 

Rest assured, if Adriana is hired for your project; whether personal or professional, you will not be disappointed with her makeup skills or positive attitude whenever she puts a brush on a face.

QUANTUM STORM .357 ISSUE 24 IS RELEASED FOR SEPTEMBER 2023!

QSE .357 ISSUE 24 dtd 9/1/2023

36 Pages

ON THE COVER - Fitness Model. Used by permission.

MAIN ARTICLES

The local arena of Fitness Modeling - We interviewed ten of the top fitness models hired in the state of Texas. You can see their image everywhere; sports shops, posters, ads, and TV commercials.

 Are you ready to workout? - An interview with a physical trainer certified in Crossfit Levels I, II, and an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer, who provides some workout suggestions, dietary recommendations, and provides guides to controlling muscle tone and weight gain.

Some of the best workout equipment - If it's your first time in the gym, don't try to "wing it," do your best to find a fitness trainer to get you started on the right equipment to maximize your workout. We introduce you to three gym managers who provide insight on what to look for in a gym.

 

YOU MUST BE A SUBSCRIBER TO VIEW THE FULL CONTENTS THIS NEW 2023 ISSUE OF THE QUANTUM STORM .357 E-MAGAZINE AND FOLLOW THIS BLOG

 Thank you for stopping by! 

APPLE TV'S "INVASION" JUST CAN'T GET OFF IT'S FEET FAST ENOUGH...

🎥🎞️Series Review🎞️🎥 - INVASION [2021] - Season 1 - APPLE TV - [PG13 or TV MA] - Written by Simon Kinberg, David Well, Adam Benic, Gursimran Sandau, Andrew Baldwin, David Rosen, and Uzoamaka Maduka. Directed by Amanda Marsalis, Jakob Verbruggen, Jamie Payne, and Alik Sakharov. Sam Neill, Shioli Kutsuna, Golshifteh Farahani, Shamier Anderson, and Billy Barratt. There was a tremendous promotional push for this series with action filled trailers and TV ads.

This series spins plot about five groups of naive people from various cultures and countries who find themselves in the middle of an alien invasion, a few are too busy in their own personal worlds to see what's actually taking place around them until it's way too late for them to accept what's going on. After local communications and power grids are disrupted, we see how losing the internet, communications, and television can start a quick panic between countries. There is no standout star in this series, except it is somewhat expected that all of the characters presented in the show are surely going to cross paths at some point. There is plenty of chaos, unexplained explosions, some blame on terrorists, and love triangles that bend this sci-fi series in a direction that can either lead the characters to save the world or doom the livelihood they all lived in.

THE GOOD - There are no big names in the series, Sam Neill's part is cut short, but he brings a very interesting twist to the show's beginning. There is a story arc of some Navy SEALS who are presented in the series and I was pleasantly pleased with the tactical prowess and comradery of the team shown in the first four episodes. The location spotting for the series took tremendous effort for the series production team, and they presented some realistic locations for the show.

THE BAD - Apple TV pushes the gay/Lesbian agenda in this series, presenting right away that the earth's only hope to communicate with the alien race is the love bond between two women....and some viewers might admire the production team spending tons of time developing characters, and I feel that the method used in the screenplay seems to drag on a bit too long, cutting back and forth between the five sub plots and then having to read captions throughout most of the important scientific jib-jab in the show. The sound quality is very bad, especially where the director felt the need to focus on the sound of rain and wind, instead of making the characters clearly communicate during moments building up to some much desired action sequences; the whispering dialog is so bad at some points that I had to switch to a head set and then captions to understand what anyone was saying. The aliens aren't explained at all and most of their appearance is presented in shadows and dark places; very little detail to show expect that their fast, have a gaping mouth[?] area and they love to tear people apart. For all of the aliens know ability to shred humans pretty instantly, there's very little blood and gore.

POST MORTEM - I was not impressed with this series. By the time the aliens began to show themselves and make moves against the main characters, there was some cheesy reason why the alien advance was suddenly turned around and how several characters suddenly had the ability to suddenly control the aliens or see into their actions to prevent certain death. Watch this series if your seriously bored and have nothing else to do. On a side note, I stumbled on to the fact that there's a Season 2 already released and I was wasn't impressed that the new season presents the alien species suddenly attacking in full force and in broad daylight...and don't get me started with the notion that a "one woman warrior" now knows how to kill the aliens....puh-lease...I'll pass on Season 2.

⭐️⭐️💫[2.5 out of 5 Stars]

APPLE TV’S "THE MORNING SHOW" SURPRISES AUDIENCES WITH DIABOLICAL EASE

🎥🎞️Series Review-🎞️🎥 THE MORNING SHOW Season One [2019] - Apple TV - R - Created by Jay Carson. Executive Producers Jennifer Aniston; Reese Witherspoon; Kerry Ehrin; Michael Ellenberg; Mimi Leder; Kristin Hahn; and Lauren Levy Neustadter. Starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carrell, and Billy Crudup. Season One actually won a ton of Emmy and Independent Film awards.

The series covers a plot and story which is loosely based on the "Today Show's" criminal antics of Matt Lauer; who was disgraced from the popular morning show in 2017. Carrell plays "Mitch Kessler," a popular morning anchor who is accused of several instances of sexual assault and harassment in the workplace. Anniston plays Alex Levy, his cohost who is pushed into a political fight to try and keep her job, after Kessler is removed from the morning show. Witherspoon plays Bradley Jackson, a stern and upfront, small town reporter who is hired by the morning shows new executive producer, to fill in Kessler's void but also possibly replace Levy should contract negotiations fail. The series is professionally produced in epic movie format with stationary cameras, soft lighting, fantastic sound and controlled sets.

THE GOOD - Aniston and Witherspoon perform brilliantly in this series format, breaking away from quirky comedy and going straight for the dramatic. Carrell also stands up and portrays an overly dramatic character who has spent years being pampered by the shows network and he now finds himself on the edge of losing everything for his behind the camera sins. The show plays out a power struggle within the ranks; everyone trying to move up in the totem pole while the sexual misconduct being alleged against Carrell's character is investigated by the same network show.

THE BAD - The "Matt Lauer effect" for the members of the morning shows cast and crew is over dramatized for obvious entertainment. Even though the power of the dollar is an obvious attribute that happens in the network business, there's a little bit too much to swallow when the actors spend their time bitching out their paychecks. Other than that, there's nothing to actually complain about with this show.

POST MORTEM - This is a fantastically produced series. Overly dramatic at times, but it delivers the message well about how things could have went down when Matt Lauer was accused of both Sexual Misconduct and Harassment.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ [4 of 5 Stars]

QUANTUM STORM .357 ISSUE 23 IS RELEASED FOR AUGUST 2023!

QSE .357 ISSUE 23 dtd 8/1/2023

40 Pages

ON THE COVER - Headshot of Hector Luna. Used by permission.

MAIN ARTICLES

Remembering C-47s Creator - Hector Luna was ahead of his time in the local Houston Indie Film Scene, creating an e-magazine filled with actor and directors interviews, production notes, meetings and activities, and an editorial by D. R. Quintana, remembering his friend.

 Who Rode Luna's Legacy - The list is long, but Luna had his favorite local Indie Film Scene actors, directors and film teams who were always presented in the C-47 Houston Magazine. Here we present a few of them and where the are today.

The Planned Hector Luna Film Festival for 2025 - Because Hector Luna loved the film scene so much, a handful of his friends have put together the first annual film festival in his honor. 

 

YOU MUST BE A SUBSCRIBER TO VIEW THE FULL CONTENTS THIS NEW 2023 ISSUE OF THE QUANTUM STORM .357 E-MAGAZINE AND FOLLOW THIS BLOG

 

 Subscribers from the local Houston Indie Film Scene came out to support this new issue of the QSE.357 E-Magazine and comment on the article concerning Hector Luna's Legacy. All comments are posted under writers 1st Amendment clause.

Thank you for stopping by!

"PLANE" IS THE SURPRISE ACTION FILM WE'VE BEEN NEEDING!

🎥🎞️Movie Review🎞️🎥 - PLANE [2023] - STARZ - [R] - Directed by Jean-Francois Richet. Story by Charles Cumming. Starring Gerard Butler [also a producer], Mike Colter, Lilly King, Tony Goldwyn, and Evan Dane Taylor. The entire production was mostly filmed in Puerto Rico and was filmed during the Covid-19 Shutdown. The film was shelved for two years before it was finally released.

This is a very dramatic and action filled film. Some of the initial scenes in the film concern a commercial plane being piloted by Captain Brodie Torrance, played by a relatively passive Gerard Butler; who plays the character of a commercial pilot with only previous military pilot experience. The plane is leaving Singapore on New Years eve and has  about 14 passengers on board, including a prisoner transfer. The prisoner, Louis Gaspare [played brilliantly by Mike Colter], is a charged criminal who spent years with the Foreign Legion. When the plane experiences some intense turbulence in a storm along the intended flight path, being hit by lightning in the process, the plane is forced to crash land in a cluster of Philippine Islands filled with hostile militants. The pilot and the criminal must work together to protect and save the passengers who have no idea about the amount of trouble they are in.

THE GOOD - The initial scenes are filled with surreal turbulence and are delivered with some intense camera angles and practical effects that work seamlessly to deliver a harrowing flight during the storm sequence. The film takes the right time to develop solid characters and also sharpen the delivery of the antagonist bad-guy, who has complete control of a group of heavily armed guerilla militants under his dark leadership.  There is a vulnerability to the crew and passengers of the plane that keeps the feeling real and Butler doesn't play the "instant hero" that he is well known for; presenting a more cautious and emotional character, than a killer behemoth. Colter's portrayal of Gaspare has qualities that could lead his character to helm a spinoff sequel to the film, which is currently in pre-production.

THE BAD - There are two to three scenes which are obviously poorly filmed with green screen. The ending to the film seemed rushed, as the plane is prevented covering 50 miles in only thirty seconds; it doesn't ruin the entire film, but I'm surprised the final action sequences of the movie decided to rush the final landing of the plane in such a poorly played order of the screenplay.

POST MORTEM - This is a finely tuned action film. The military tactics are perfect for today's military-style format and the graphics in combat are delivered perfectly and without remorse. There weren't a lot of large explosions to admire, and much of the combat scenes were kept realistic; delivering skirmish style firefights with M-16s, AR-15s, and AK-47s. I can guarantee that this film will keep you on the edge of your seat, forcing you to stay focused on what will happen next!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ [4 of 5 Stars]

LIGHTING SEPARATES THE PROFESSIONAL FILMMAKER FROM THE AMATEUR

Houston, TX [Taken from an article in the QSE.357 Emag] by D. R. Quintana - During a recent indie film conference in Austin, I was asked, "What type of director falls into the category of a first time filmmaker?" And the answer I gave raised a lot of eyebrows. In this article, I'll cover the idealism of what personal elements separates the amateur independent film hobbyist from the well trained and educated cinematographer. Always keep in mind that there are some bad film production traits in film making that can instantly be identified by even the most basically trained camera operator who has even a few film productions under their belt. With that insight out of the way, let's get started.

Where most of the problems arise with first time filmmakers? A dangerous trait that often infects the amateur film producer is the idealism that "exposure to a skill" is just as good as being schooled and trained in a professional art. In simple terms, some people are either too proud or desire instant satisfaction of success, that they'll live with the guise that "just because they witnessed someone use a film technique, like guerilla-style filming on a project," that they know how to produce an entire film. Guerilla Style Filming [GSF] isn't an approved skill provided in film school, as it doesn't require the use of specific lighting or on set camera rigs or use of "lens scoping" to prepare in capturing a scene, due to the lack of lack of obtaining permits or requiring authorization. 

GSF is rarely practiced in Hollywood today, but during the independent film genre production rise of the 1980's and 90's, classic films like Jim Cameron's THE TERMINATOR or John Carpenter's HALLOWEEN, epic films that are filled with GSF, that production staffs were scrambling to gain authorization permits up to the final hours prior to the nationwide release of these now classically successful films. Ultra-low budgeted Indie films today have to try and prosper in making films using GSF throughout their production. Many have to try and fake the viewer by using camera tricks and editing software to hide the lack of production efforts in making their films look pristine. Some film makers are successful at hiding their lack of production prowess, some fail, and some don't even try to hide the fact that they lack the skill and training of working a camera.

Knowing how and when to use lighting is a skill, not an option. Amateur filmmakers who claim to know how use proper cinematography usually fail to practice the proper use of lighting, even when there is plenty of light around to fill the scene requirement. 

Even some of the most basic standard lighting practices are learned in the photography world; learning how to adjust a camera, correcting shutter speeds, aperture adjustments and even using soft lighting. Most of these basic camera adjustments [or formats] can be easily spotted in a film when they are not in use. Most first time filmmakers make the mistake of using DSLR [Digital Single Lens Reflex] cameras and fail to calibrate the lenses prior to each use. DSLRs may seem easy to use, especially in films that require a ton of action and movement, but they also show that some cinematographers are "playing it safe" using such rigs to capture an entire film. 

Inexperience can definitely ruin a films production even before the first camera begins to roll film, especially if the film team plans on thriving with what they've seen in another film production, but not what they've actually learned over time, with proper training and leadership. Case in point is the photo to your right; shooting a photo with the sun directly behind the model and on regular shutter, speed, the model is darkened out. But with the proper settings on camera and with soft light, a more perfect and pristine photo can be captured without the loss of the sun in the background. This part of photography theology is paramount to the experience of a good cinematographer. 

In professional film production, the sun cannot be an element that changes the location of the scene at hand or the direction which one must film. Cinematographers must think their way through each scene, keeping focus on balancing the light from any angle. During a day shoot, a strong camera operator should measure the obstacles that might arise during production [as seen below and to your left].

Is lighting truly that important in making your first film? Both yes and no. If you are a high school student or amateur making your first film, you'll look passed the requirements and become instantly elated that you completed your first film, even though parts of it have horrible balance, some bad lighting arrangements, some scenes are slightly out of focus, and it only cost you a few dollars to make. So if your first film makes you truly happy and your closest friends agree, then no.

Most small film teams are only excited that their first film, even with all of it's obvious imperfections, was complete and released for all to see. The concern of being exposed to the rest of the real filmmaking world is the problem and a large part of where one might learn that an experienced camera operator or film director might have some criticisms about the film that your overly excited about making. The reviews may seem harsh and abrasive, but the advice that one should accept as an element to grow will provide providence for future success.

Where you will see that lighting IS important, is when you deliver a film that is well balanced and the views take positive recognition in your efforts to provide the best beauty in every shot of the film. The proper measured lighting will bring in the best color environments that allows one scene to seamlessly cross into another, not bringing any doubt that the film was captured in the best format with the best hands possible.

Can a filmmaker "fake it, until they make it?" Not really. The 1999 film, THE BLAIR WITCH, directed by two college students, Eduardo Sanchez and Daniel Myrick, who took the Indie film scene by storm when they released a film produced entirely by using GSF. The filmmakers claimed the film was initially produced with an ultra-low budget of $60,000, and the question isn't whether the budget was justified or not, the question arose about the legal costs involved in obtaining permits after the fact that the film was released nationwide. The film was filled with scenes lacking lighting, bad cinematography which was justified under the release that the film was shot in "documentary style" format. In truth, the college students didn't know anything about required paperwork or permits until the film was picked up by Artisan Entertainment. After the process of confirming the required production efforts to legalize the film, the budget jumped up to $200K-$750K, smashing the original "ultra-low" budget claim. However, the film was a success and brought in over $248.6 million after it's release.

Even though THE BLAIR WITCH gained significant fame with fans, professional directors and cinematographers were not impressed with the format of the film and over the course of time, the Directors Guild of America took action to prevent films with ultra-low productions to openly cut corners and allow indie films to enter into prominent industry studio contracts without completing prior format and film requirements prior to acceptance. So the "fake it until you make it" mentality will eventually fail.

Should a first time filmmaker consider going to school for the trade? If you want to be taken seriously as a professional in the field, yes. 

HULU'S "11.22.63" BRINGS TIME TRAVEL TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL!

🎥🎞️Mini-Series Review🎞️🎥 - 11.22.63 [2016] - HULU - Created by Stephen King & J. J. Abrams. Starring James Franco, Sarah Gadon, Daniel Webber, Chris Cooper, and George McKay. Directed by Kevin McDonald, Fred Toye, James Strong, James Franco, John David Coles, and James Kent.

This is a mini-series [8 episodes] based on a 2011 book by Stephen King under the same title. An English teacher named Jake Epping [played by James Franco], is friends with a diner owner named Al Templeton [Chris Cooper], who introduces him to a time portal hidden within the diner. The portal takes any traveler to the 1960s, where one can change events in history and reboot his mistakes by simply returning through the portal and entering back again. Jake is asked by his friend to enter the portal and do his best to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy  [JFK] on November 22, 1963; in order to prevent the assassination, Jake has to become close friends with Lee Harvey Oswald [played brilliantly by the talented Daniel Webber, who also portrayed Vince Neil in THE DIRT]. Jake's trip in time will equal minutes to years, so when he returns through the portal, no one will miss him while he's gone. The catch is, Jake has to live in the 1960's for over three years; find a job, make a life, and do his best to not interfere with events that could change other historical moments in time; as time has a way to make things hard for him to do so.

THE GOOD - The cinematography is simply breath taking and the layouts on the set locations are pristine to present the 1960s in their own unique style. Many of the locations used in Dallas, Texas are the real locations that exist today as a tourist attraction following the life of Oswald following the assassination of JFK. The props for the series are the best part; classic cars, wardrobe, and actual technology of the time. Episodes flow seamlessly from one scene to another, and the editing in each new episode is sharp, keeping the viewer in tune with the story and keeping the flow of the plots moving perfectly in order. There are some brilliant performances by the cast, and some very emotional "cultural diversity" moments that will leave some viewers stunned.

THE BAD - This series was under promoted and advertised, and I was shocked to only learn about this series after seeing a YouTube interview with Stephen King  over his love for the leading character; wanting to attempt writing a second season, however he just didn't have the heart to disrupt the perfect presentation of the current season, reflecting on the fact that many of his previous "book to movie" productions often fall short of their intended goal.

POST MORTEM - Totally binge-worthy, this is a great mini-series and I was floored with the amount of detail the producers provided to bring locations and performances together to make the series seem real. Even though Franco was on his top game bringing the character of Jake to life, I truly feel that it was Webber's stark portrayal of Oswald that brought a cold insight into the mind of politically confused man during the harsh and volatile atmosphere of the chaotic 1960s. In hindsight, I'm sure J. J. Abrams breathed a sigh of relief that this series closed with a solid ending; something that often eludes the plethora of movies he's associated with.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️[5 of 5 Stars]

QUANTUM STORM .357 ISSUE 22 IS RELEASED FOR JULY 2023!

 

QSE .357 ISSUE 22 dtd 7/1/2023

42 Pages

ON THE COVER - Graphics design by
Leo K. Ross. Used by permission.

MAIN ARTICLES

A Look At CosPlay - Convention Season has started. Take a look at what you might see this year in the convention circuit. Meet some of the local Texas CosPlay designers and manufacturers.

 Shake A Leg - Texas Indie Films have started to cast roles for leads, supporting leads, and extras. What you can do to stand out and win a strong role for yourself.

Best Steak Houses - It took six months, but we were finally able to finish up tasting the best grilled steaks in Texas. Is your favorite steak house listed in our top 20 list? 

Bikini Heaven - Are you in shape, wanting to show everyone your body? Here are some of the finest male and female Texas models sporting the best summer wear for the beach or your back yard.

 

YOU MUST BE A SUBSCRIBER TO VIEW THE FULL CONTENTS THIS NEW 2023 ISSUE OF THE QUANTUM STORM .357 E-MAGAZINE AND FOLLOW THIS BLOG

Thank you for stopping by!

"MRS. DAVIS" BRINGS A WHOLE NEW MEANING TO THE WORDS "FRANTIC PERFECTION"

🎥🎞️Series Review🎞️🎥 - MRS. DAVIS [2023] - Peacock - [R] - Created by Tara Hernandez & Damon Lindelof. Directed by Owen Harris, Alethea Jones, & Frederick E.O. Toye. Stars Betty Gilpin, Jake McDorman, & Andy McQueen. There's only one season of eight episodes for the series.

There is a popular Artificial Intelligence [AI] Algorithm that has swept most people under it's control through the use of cell phones. One person, a nun named Sister Simone [performed brilliantly by Gilpin], refuses to use cellphones and expose herself to the AI and is confronted to either take part of the AI's mind control or face the consequences. She makes a deal with the AI, which leads her on an unexpected adventure to destroy the Holy Grail; yes, the Holy Grail once used by Jesus during the last supper with his disciples and which was apparently either lost or kept hidden away for centuries. Sister Simone's quest takes her to the farthest edges of the earth, and with the help of a shady ex-boyfriend [McDorman] and a vision from Jesus, they set off on high adventure with some zany hired guns who are trying to stop them.

THE GOOD - The plot and story are completely original. The visual and practical effects in this film were well thought out and executed, especially during the action sequences. The back story is the best part of the entire series, as the show starts off with something that was supposed to be taken as history, which just happens to be the real part of the story; if you lost yourself in that last sentence, trust me, the series cleans every question up nice and tidy. The secondary characters and extras are the best of this series, each one getting a good ten minutes of solid character building, giving everyone a shot at the limelight. Tons of kudos go out to McDorman as the ex-boyfriend who played the role so brilliantly, I expect him to be nominated for best supporting actor. An additional actor, Chris Diamantopoulos, was beyond humorous playing an over zealous action character. There is some incredible cinematography and lighting in this series, and the production was far way above what is expected in a production filled with special effects and not requiring blue or green screen all the time.

THE BAD - This series would have made an incredible, but adventurous movie; adding to the fact that there was a lot that could have been cut from each episode, to get straight to the point. A couple of the episodes were a bit longer than needed. Each episode is filled with a lot of non-sense, but that is what the writers want you to think...after a while, it gets a little ridiculous.

POST MORTEM - There is some strong build ups that pay off at the end of each new episode. Gilpin carries the entire series on her shoulders and she can be quite a handful to accept as a leading lady playing a devout nun and also an action-filled leading actor. But it all works well and the producers did a great job explaining everything with a solid ending. You have to watch this series!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ [5 of 5 Stars]

"TO LESLIE" IS A DUD, BUT NOT A COMPLETE DISAPPOINTMENT

🎥🎞️Movie Review🎞️🎥 - TO LESLIE [2023] -Rated R - Netflix - Directed by Michael Morris. Written by Ryan Binaco. Stars Andrea Riseborough, Allison Janney, Marc Maron, Owen Teague, Andre Royo, and Stephen Root.

This award winning Independent Film tells the story of a West Texas native trailer trash single mom, Leslie [Riseborough], who wins the lottery, not a million dollars or anything, but enough to get her out of the small Texas town she's lived in her entire life. She bails on her son, her family, and winds up squandering all of her winnings on alcohol and drugs, eventually leaving her broke down and penniless. She struggles to house and feed herself. After realizing she's used up all of her favors, she seeks help from her son [Teague], she falls for alcohol, and winds up returning home trying to restart her life, but her mother [Janney] has given up on her. With the help of a motel manager [Maron], she gets a job, cleans herself up and is granted a second chance at a happy and normal life.

THE GOOD - There are some strong performances in this film from Teague and Janney. The transformation of Riseborough is a little harsh to watch as I have seen her in other movies looking pretty sultry, but in this film there's a little bit too much of her losing weight and presenting a beaten down woman on the last string of her coherent mental existence.

THE BAD - This film has no pacing. It's progression in storytelling is very slow, over developing characters and bringing nothing to the film to feel good about. There's absolutely no hope in the leading character and everyone is against her and not wanting to help her out at all. The Hotel Manager, played by Maron, just seems like he's that one actor who took the role because the Casting Manager couldn't find anyone else to fill the spot.

POST MORTEM - This movie has an aimless story. The plot of the film isn't revealed to the very end and I was surprised that a plot existed in this mess of complete hopelessness. Watch at your own risk and I dare anyone to watch it without looking at their cellphones to try and find some excitement while the movie plays on in the background. Yes, it's that bad...but there is a nice message at the end of the film.

⭐️⭐️💫[2.5 of 5 Stars]