'Everything I Own' Review: Can You Save a Fractured Family?
Filmmaker Andrew Garbus bravely shares his most private moments in the achingly poignant film, Everything I Own. Combining intimate handheld interviews with over 10 years of home videos, Andrew documents the tumultuous days leading up to the sale of his familial home as a result of his parents' separation. Raw and unflinching, Everything I Own is a cinematic portrayal of the five stages of grief.
A House Divided
Often, the hardest stories to tell are the ones that hit closest to home. No pun intended, filmmaker Andrew Garbus knows this all too well. Armed with a camera and a quest for resolution, Andrew questions his parents, individually and together, about their impending divorce after nearly 30 years of marriage. Despite their honesty, their answers will never be enough to fill the hole in Andrew's heart. The sale of the family's Long Island home is the catalyst of the film, as well as a major pain point. The stability he once knew and relied on is essentially vanishing. Having already been predisposed to depression and anxiety, Andrew's increasing helplessness is devastating. To make sense of his new reality, he turns to filmmaking, to which this documentary is the result.
Everything I Own is a highly emotional watch, and one can assume quite cathartic for Andrew. Through an abundance of tears and frustrated outbursts, Andrew is eventually able to emerge on the other side with a deeper understanding. Not all of his questions get answers, but that's not the point of the film. To that end, it's important to remember that his parents aren't characters. They are real people, flaws and all, which is what makes this film such an effective watch.
Director's Statement
"The film combines intimate vérité footage, handheld interviews, and decades of home videos. Its structure mirrors my psychological journey during that week, beginning with raw, reactive encounters and gradually moving toward quieter reflection. As both director and subject, I pass the camera between my parents and myself, shifting the balance of who is observing and who is being observed. Through that process, I try to understand not only the breakdown of my parents’ marriage, but the patterns of pain, avoidance, and love that shaped all of us.
The film does not attempt to provide definitive answers. Instead, it remains inside the uncertainty of what comes afterward: whether forgiveness is possible, what healing might look like, and how a family can grieve what it has lost without denying the love that remains. In making the film, I wanted to create one final family home movie, not as a record of the family we once appeared to be, but as an honest portrait of who we were becoming, and to find some hope amid the end of an era and the beginning of an unknown new chapter." - Andrew Garbus
Takeaway
A powerful exploration of memory, fractured family dynamics, and deep pain, Everything I Own crafts a layered portrait of a complicated love. The film had its World Premiere at the 2026 San Francisco Jewish Film Festival.
'Floored' Review: That's One Way to Face an Identity Crisis
Connecting to your root chakra is a key to empowerment, as seen in the short comedy Floored. Co-directed by Marchelle Bradanini and Emily Alpren, Floored uses witty humor to poke fun at the identity shift and sexual disconnect that former career-oriented women turned middle-aged housewives stereotypically face. A recent selection of the 2026 Indy Shorts Film Festival, this indie darling is a satirical delight.
An Aging Actress Connects with Her Primal Power
Eleanor (Trilby Glover), a former BAFTA-winning actress turned stay at home mom, now finds herself fighting for her sense of relevancy. Waking up to news in the trades that she lost the part in her husband's upcoming film, to a beautiful and young actress no less, is her last straw. Eleanor loves her three children dearly, but can't shake the feeling of dissatisfaction. She is no longer willing to live in the shadows and is determined to reconnect with her former self.
To regain her sensuality and purpose, Eleanor enlists Marla (Sheila Carrasco), a pelvic floor therapist, to uncover the source of her pain. This journey is one that's best enjoyed with friends, and so Eleanor invites her sisterhood of women friends to experience this transformational session along with her. It's not long before the crystals and gadgets are brought out to awaken these women's dormant desires. As their session comes to a close, Eleanor's newfound peace, love, and harmony persona takes a hilariously unexpected turn. It turns out, her enlightened self is far more confident expressing her true desires, even at the detriment of her unsuspecting target.
A True Hollywood Story
Co-directors Marchelle Bradanini and Emily Alpren drew on inspiration from their own lives to create the world of Floored. Both creatives and mothers, their stories echo a familiar tale that many mothers in the arts face (including myself!). Bringing this sharply-penned script to life are the equally compelling performances. Trilby Glover is a dynamic leading lady, but it's a guest role by Mara Wilson (Mrs. Doubtfire, Matilda) that steals the show. Her return to the screen is such a rarity and I wanted to soak up every second of it. The expressive and colorful costumes and intentional art direction are additional elements that ground the film in satirical suburbia.
The score is another critical facet that ties the whole film together. Composer Amy Ileen Wood lends her sonic sensibilities to the story, and the result is spot on. Fans of Fiona Apple will be thrilled to learn that Floored features one of her new songs, as Amy Ileen Wood is a longtime collaborator with the artist.
Director's Statement
"Floored explores the often brutal isolation after childbirth. We wanted to examine the loss of identity that comes with motherhood and the desperate measures to find oneself in. Ultimately, as mothers ourselves, we’ve found the answer isn’t in solitude, comparison, competition or red light therapies, but in commune with the women we never thought we’d ever identify with in the first place." - Marchelle Bradanini and Emily Alpren
Takeaway
The ending may be an exaggeration of the femme experience, but Floored's cunning execution is quite an impressive feat. I hope to see more from Marchelle Bradanini and Emily Alpren in the near future.
'Hadestown' Review: Broadway Comes to the Big Screen
It's a sad song. It's a tragedy. But that doesn't stop fans from flocking to see the award-winning musical, Hadestown. I have become so transfixed by this show that during its run at the Ahmanson Theater in downtown Los Angeles three years ago, I went back for a second performance. The story of an Ancient Greek myth set to modern American folk music mixed with New Orleans-inspired jazz makes Hadestown a stunning and unforgettable show. And now, the spirit of the stage play lives on in the live theater capture, Hadestown: The Musical.
A Journey to the Underworld and Back
This filmed performance features the original actors of the Broadway company, including Reeve Carney as Orpheus and Eva Noblezada as his love interest, Eurydice. Rounding out the cast is Amber Gray as Persephone, Patrick Page as Hades, and the phenomenal Andre De Shields as Hermes who, at eighty years young, is the anchor of the entire experience.
Filmed at London's West End, Hadestown follows two intertwined love stories between Orpheus and Eurydice, and Hades and Persephone. Their affective songs about love and longing are both haunting and devastatingly beautiful. Despite my familiarity with the show and knowing the ancient mythology, I once again found myself taken aback by the riveting performances. Songs like "Wait for Me (Reprise)" and "Road to Hell" sent chills down my spine, as did seeing the actors up close for the first time. Using a multi-camera setup, we are able to witness the actors' nuanced and emotive expressions, makeup, costumes, and more. This up close and personal vantage point allows the audience to fully appreciate these details, giving the cast the attention they deserve instead of getting lost on stage.
Takeaway
Like Hamilton's live capture before it, Hadestown proves that musical theater can successfully translate in a movie theater. See for yourself and catch Hadestown in theaters beginning Friday, July 24th for five nights only.
'6,000 Waiting' Review: An Empathetic Call to Action
Living your life in a constant state of "what if" is a daunting state of being. Finding the strength to keep going in the face of such uncertainty is no small feat. The short documentary 6,000 Waiting introduces us to three Georgians who are living on the cusp of a life-changing decision. Directed by Michael Joseph McDonald, 6,000 Waiting is a timely call to action that encourages a deeper look into a broken U.S. Healthcare system.
The Fight for Justice
Nick, Ben, and Noah, have something in common, aside from living with developmental disabilities. They also sit on a waiting list of over 6,000 names long hoping to receive federal assistance to aid in their care. In the state of Georgia, federal law guarantees one's right to live in their own communities rather than institutions. However, a broken system and an overwhelming number of applicants makes this expectation seem like a farfetched reality. In spite of waiting for an answer that seems to never come, the men and their loved ones continue to fight for their rights that the federal law promises them.
Not only is 6,000 Waiting an empowering character study of three strong-willed activists, it is also a sobering look at how society as a whole treats people who have a disability. From the inaccessibility of city sidewalks to lackadaisical momentum of government initiatives, filmmaker Michael Joseph McDonald makes his statement clear: this situation is inhumane. Close up and personal, Nick, Ben, and Noah's stories are told through intimate interviews with eye-catching montages and creative editing.
Director's Statement
"When 6,000 Waiting premiered in 2021, it documented the everyday realities of families navigating years-long waiting lists for community-based disability services guaranteed under the Supreme Court’s landmark Olmstead v. L.C. decision. At the time, the film asked what it means when rights recognized in law remain inaccessible in practice. Five years later, those questions have taken on renewed urgency.
In June 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that federal disability law does not require states to provide services in community settings—a departure from decades of federal interpretation of Olmstead. While the Supreme Court’s decision remains binding law, the opinion has sparked national concern among disability rights advocates about the future enforcement of one of the movement’s most significant civil rights protections.
Viewed today, 6,000 Waiting offers more than a portrait of three families navigating a broken system. It provides a deeply human window into what is at stake when the right to live in one’s own community is no longer simply a question of policy, but of whether decades of progress will continue to move forward—or begin to unravel." - Michael Joseph McDonald, director
Takeaway
Winner of the Best Short Documentary Award at the 2021 Montreal Independent Film Festival, 6,000 Waiting begs the question, "What happens when the greatest threat to a family isn’t tragedy, but waiting?"
'Last Stand at Butte City' Review: A Mother's Unconditional Love
A grieving mother is torn between her head and her heart in filmmaker Natalie Schwan's Last Stand at Butte City. Facing an ultimatum that stands to disrupt her humble livelihood, this strong leading lady is determined to fight for what is hers. The result is a powerful portrait of strength and resilience.
Home is Where the Heart Is
The year is 1880 in Butte City, Montana, when 58 year-old rancher Charlotte (Kerry O’Malley) receives devastating news. After more than 30 years of a self-imposed reclusive lifestyle on her picturesque ranch, she is being forced to evacuate. The Northern Pacific Railway is laying tracks right through Charlotte's home, leaving her no choice but to pack up and move out. For weeks, she protests the company's demands, ignoring their letters to vacate and carrying on as if the impending disruption is imaginary. However, Charlotte eventually faces the harsh reality, and with it, the long-dormant traumatic experiences that tie her to the land.
Charlotte's denial stems from unresolved trauma surrounding the loss of her daughter, who is buried on the land. As she traverses her ranch, she reminisces about the simpler times. The thought of leaving those memories behind haunts her, which is why Charlotte is willing to defend her home and land at any cost. Having suppressed this painful memory for so long, Charlotte unexpectedly finds herself re-grieving her daughter's loss. Despite wanting to stay on the land to be close to her buried loved one, she realizes that her daughter will now only live on in her memory.
An Evocative, Stirring Portrait of Strength
To portray the circumstances that led to Charlotte's current state of mind, the film incorporates flashback sequences. These sequences involve her younger self, played by Jamie Lynn Richards, with her young daughter. The flashbacks aren't linear; their fluid nature acts as fleeting moments in time that will forever be etched in Charlotte's memory. Aiding the emotional resonance is the beautifully evocative score by composer Clark Rhee. The acoustic nature leans into the Western genre without becoming stereotypical. Filmmaker Natalie Schwan's vision is artfully realized; from the strong performances to the heartfelt script. Despite being only 17 minutes long, Last Stand at Butte City tells a full story.
Takeaway
Last Stand at Butte City is a story of resilience, strength, and a mother's unconditional love. The film recently premiered at the 2026 Lighthouse International Film Festival.
'Pangea' Review: Capturing the Elusive Bohemian Spirit
In Pangea, triple threat filmmaker Mimi Davila captures the essence of a relationship in all of its raw and radical multitudes. As director, writer, and co-star, Mimi dissects the complexities of identity, displacement, and emotional bonds through rich visual storytelling. Strong performances and stunning cinematography makes Pangea a standout short film with big impact.
Reconnection Leads to Reflection
Pangea takes place over the course of 24 hours in New York City. Rita (Davila), an artist, is visiting her ex-lover Echo (Sasha Merci), whose apartment becomes both their oasis and a stark reminder of a relationship that once was. The reunion between the two Latina women wavers between lighthearted fare, intimate conversations, and sexual release. However, their time together isn't without hiccups, as miscommunication and passive aggressive comments lead to moments of tension. Overall, their reunion is strengthened by their ability to discuss sensitive topics like race, displacement, and desires. This deepens the relationship, leading to compelling revelations and reflections.
Capturing the Elusive Bohemian Spirit
Strongly atmospheric with vivacious performances, Pangea captures an elusive bohemian spirit. This is not an easy feat, but Mimi Davila confidently engages in a black and white visual aesthetic to achieve this. The cinematography, led by Melina Valdez, is very fluid and kinetic. It mirrors the movement between the characters on screen, creating a whirlwind of energy. Certain scenes, like ones that take place in the apartment, have a specific cadence to them that feel more like a stage play than a film. I say this as a compliment; the sharp dialogue and lived-in performances feel unique for a short film.
Director's Statement
"Growing up in Miami, I was constantly surrounded by lovers and friends whose complex identities triggered similar qualms and I didn’t want to shy away from the tensions around race within the Latino community. Echo is a light-skinned Afro-Latina who doesn’t feel 'Black enough' or 'Latina enough' to fit neatly into any box. Rita is a white Latina whose perceived whiteness shifts depending on who is looking at her, never quite 'Latina enough,' never quite 'white enough.'
The two women mirror that irritation in each other, an experience ripped straight from my real life. Though their connection is turbulent, the women recognize something familiar in each other: the inherited effects of diaspora, carried not just in memory, but in the body. In that recognition, they briefly find a sense of home in one another, even if only for a moment." - Mimi Davila, writer & director
Takeaway
There is an aliveness in Pangea that feels electric and fresh, making it a memorable work. Pangea is currently on the festival circuit, recently screening at the 2026 Maryland Film Festival.
'S86' Review: Kill Your Darlings
A wise man once said, "With great power comes great responsibility." This motto isn't just for superheroes, it also applies to companies who may have a level of influence. The motivation for any business should be to improve the lives of their customers through their products or services, not endanger them. In filmmaker J Lee Vertz's sci-fi/thriller S86, a shady corporation finds itself at the center of a scandal when an illegal mind-controlling drug threatens to wreak havoc on humanity as we know it.
Kill Your Own Creation to Save Humanity
The pharma giant, Pharmacyn, may appear to be a stellar health company, but behind the scenes there is evil brewing. One of the company's top scientists, Dr. Love (Johnny Rocko), operates in the shadows on his passion project: a mind-control drug capable of turning human subjects into obedient killers. In the shadow of darkness, Dr. Love and his cronies abduct innocent victims and conduct illegal human trials by injecting their captives with a substance mysteriously called Solution 86. So far the experiments have been unsuccessful, as everyone who receives S86 dies. That is, until they test it on Subject 13 (Saw Gud).
Subject 13 defies the odds and survives the brutal injection, turning the pain into his superpower. This catches the attention of another scientist, Dr. Andy Jensen (Robert Snow), who recognizes the impact of this moment and knows that he is the only one who can put a stop to the inevitable madness that's coming. Despite Dr. Jensen's attempts to expose the illegal operation, Dr. Love quickly tries to silence him. Dr. Jensen is kidnapped, tortured, and left to fend for himself against Subject 13, who has been given orders to destroy him. Like Frankenstein's monster, Dr. Jensen must ultimately kill his own creation to save humanity.
Man vs Human-Made Machine
Like a twisted game of cat and mouse between man and a lethal human weapon, S86 is a thrilling watch from start to finish. Viewer adrenaline is high throughout the film's runtime, as we watch Dr. Jensen and Subject 13's blood-soaked chase to the death. Director J Lee Vertz, who also acts as Executive Producer, Editor, and Sound Designer, smartly places emphasis on the music and sound design, which provide deep creative meaning rather than just cinematic flair. The sonic storytelling shapes the film's pacing and psychology; J Lee knows when to activate composer Mezus' beat-heavy score to invoke the thrills while also leaning into the quiet, more suspenseful moments by utilizing silence.
Director's Statement
"At its core, S86 is about systems that normalize harm through distance and design. It explores how language, procedure, and corporate logic can strip humanity from decision-making, allowing violence to effortlessly exist in the shadows without spectacle. The film is less interested in villains than in environments—spaces where moral responsibility is diluted until no one feels accountable. S86 is... a film born from collaboration and persistence. Ultimately, it reflects my belief that sometimes the most unsettling stories are not about imagined futures, but about the structures we already live inside—and how easily we learn to accept them." - J Lee Vertz, director
Takeaway
Proving that both style and substance is achievable in horror, S86 avoids traditional genre tropes to create unique visceral tension.
'Dragon Mom' Review: A Fiercely Honest Portrayal of Resilience
As a first time mom to a three-month-old baby boy, I have become much more sensitive to stories of motherhood. And to that point, filmmaker Harrison Buck has no trouble pulling at my heartstrings in his short documentary Dragon Mom, which highlights the powerful bond between a mother and her disabled son. In his film, the term "Dragon Mom" is used to describe the mother of a child with a life limiting illness. Much like the name suggests, Dragon Mom is a fiercely honest portrayal of resilience and a mother's unconditional love.
The Secret to a Fulfilling Life: Gratitude
If ever there was a parent who shines bright with positivity and optimism, despite incredible challenges, it's Laura Will. Laura is the mother to a five-year-old son, Alden, who lives with a severe disability. Alden is nonverbal and paraplegic, and fully dependent on Laura for every basic need. Despite his limitations, Laura commits to giving Alden the same opportunities his able-bodied peers can experience. This includes advocating for accessibility at her local playground and taking Alden skiing by way of adaptive equipment.
Gratitude is what gives Laura the strength to keep going in the face of emotional, physical, and societal complexities. She explains that she lives her life in deep gratitude for the little things Alden can do. She doesn't dwell on what he can't. Her wisdom is admirable, and offers the viewer a deeper understanding of what it means to be truly compassionate.
On Redefining Resilience
One may look at Laura and pity her situation. It is absolutely devastating to know that a parent will outlive their child. However, Laura is the last person to see herself or Alden as victims. Instead, she takes her passion for inclusivity and channels that into tangible action to create a better life for her son. Through intimate interviews, Laura gets real about the struggles and joys of raising a disabled son in a mostly able-bodied world.
Director's Statement
"This film has been an absolute joy to work on. I think the most challenging part for me was just making sure in the end that we captured Laura’s voice, life and story as honestly as possible, and doing the best justice to those attributes as possible. My hope is that [viewers] see the world with just a little bit more empathy and understanding of what others are going through." -Harrison Buck, director
Takeaway
Dragon Mom is a resounding achievement of inclusive storytelling and a beautiful beacon of empathy. The film recently premiered at the Lighthouse International Film Festival.