Tag: film

Film, Family, and Frida: What’s New at the 46th CineFestival San Antonio

Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center announces the 46th CineFestival San Antonio. Photo: CineFestival San Antonio, used with permission.

🎬 46th CineFestival San Antonio: A Celebration of Latinx Film, Music & Culture

July 9–13, 2025 | Multiple Venues Across San Antonio

The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center is thrilled to unveil the full program for the 46th annual CineFestival San Antonio, taking place July 9–13, 2025. As the city’s original and longest-running Latinx film festival, CineFestival promises a vibrant showcase of stories that reflect the diverse cultural tapestry of San Antonio, Texas, and the Latinx experience in the U.S. and beyond. (CineFestival San Antonio, 2025)

👉 Full schedule, festival passes, and tickets available online.

⚠️ Please Note: Due to mature content and unrated films, parental discretion is advised. All non-English films include English subtitles. Programming and times subject to change.

📍 Screening Venues

Hosted by the Carver Community Cultural Center, the festival will span four iconic locations across the city:

  • Little Carver Civic Center, 226 N Hackberry St
  • Jo Long Theatre, 226 N Hackberry St
  • Santikos Mayan Palace, 1918 SW Military Dr
  • SAY Sí, 1310 S. Brazos St

🎥 Festival Highlights

With 95 films on the lineup—including 12 features and over 25 screenings of short films—this year’s festival is an expansive tribute to Latinx voices in cinema.

  • 33 films by San Antonio-based artists
  • 38 films produced in or connected to Texas
  • 16 films nominated for the Mesquite Award for Best Texas Short Film

🌟 Headlining Documentaries

Two highly anticipated documentaries will lead this year’s program:

  • Selena y Los Dinos, directed by CineFestival alumna Isabel Castro, tells the story of the Queen of Tejano Music through never-before-seen footage. Produced in collaboration with Selena’s siblings, the film will premiere with Castro and some cast members in attendance.
  • Take It Away, by Adrian Alejandro Arredondo and Myrna Perez, follows the life and legacy of beloved Tejano music host Johnny Canales, whose show introduced legends like Selena and Ramon Ayala to mainstream audiences.

“At CineFestival, we share the pride that Selena y Los Dinos brought to Mexican American communities of Texas and beyond.” – Eugenio del Bosque, Festival Director

🎬 Featured Films

Here are some of the standout features included in the 2025 program:

  • Carnalismo (dir. José Luis Cano) – A vibrant film exploring cumbias, lowriders, and brotherhood in Durango, Mexico.
  • Hola Frida (dir. André Kadi & Karine Vézina) – An animated journey into the whimsical early life of Frida Kahlo.
  • Prodigal Daughter (dir. Mabel Valdiviezo) – A deeply personal documentary on family, immigration, and healing.
  • Spring of the Vanishing (dir. Andrew Glazer) – A chilling look into the crisis of disappearances along the U.S.-Mexico border.
  • The Ladder (dir. Emilio Miguel Torres) – A poetic sci-fi tale exploring age, ethics, and reinvention.
  • The Place In Between (dir. Laura Perez) – A San Antonio-shot road trip dramedy about grief, reconnection, and unexpected bonds.
  • Uvalde Mom (dir. Anayansi Prado) – A gripping portrayal of a mother’s courageous act during a tragedy that shocked the nation.
  • Valentina or the Serenity (dir. Ángeles Cruz) – A poignant story of Indigenous resilience and childhood love.

🏆 Texas and San Antonio Showcases

  • Mesquite Award Nominees: 16 Texas short films (13 narratives, 3 documentaries) showcasing local talent.
  • Vistas de San Antonio: Featuring My Rocking Chair by Alejandro Aldana and 17 shorts made by students and local creatives from Northwest Vista College, St. Mary’s University, UIW, and UTSA.
  • Texas Showcase: 15 short films from across the state, reflecting the bold and fresh perspectives of emerging filmmakers.

🎞️ Shorts & Youth Films

The festival also proudly presents:

  • U.S. Latinx Shorts Program – A diverse slate of award-winning and thematically rich short films by Latinx creators nationwide.
  • Youth Films – Projects by filmmakers aged 18 and under, representing schools and media programs in San Antonio, Texas, and neighboring states.

🤝 Supported By

The 46th CineFestival San Antonio is made possible with generous support from:

City of San Antonio Department of Arts and Culture,
San Antonio Film Commission,
Texas Commission on the Arts,
National Endowment for the Arts,
The Ford Foundation,
San Antonio Area Foundation,
H-E-B, and AARP.

🎟️ Don’t miss this landmark celebration of Latinx stories on screen!
Get your passes and explore the full lineup today:
👉 CineFestival San Antonio

Photo: CineFestival San Antonio, used with permission.
Photo: CineFestival San Antonio, used with permission.

‘The Sound’ Review: Horror Meets High Altitude in This Survival Thriller

The Sound is available on Video On Demand. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Movie Review: The Sound (2025)

Survival, Supernatural Terror, and the Forbidden Wall

Release Date: June 27, 2025
Available in Theaters & On Demand
Distributor: Blue Harbor Entertainment
Rating: R (Language and Some Violence)
Running Time: 104 mins
Genres: Thriller / Horror / Action

Synopsis

Survival horror thriller The Sound opened nationwide in theaters and on Video on Demand on June 27, 2025. Distributed by Blue Harbor Entertainment, the film plunges audiences into an adrenaline-charged nightmare on one of the most dangerous climbs ever attempted. (EG-PR, 2025)

A world-class team of climbers is granted access to the Forbidden Wall, a mysterious rock face sealed off for decades. Among them is Sean (Marc Hills), whose grandfather’s doomed attempt 63 years ago has become legend. But as the climbers ascend, they are confronted by a malevolent force that transforms their expedition into a terrifying battle for survival—hundreds of feet above ground and completely isolated from help.

Cast & Crew

  • Produced, Directed & Written by: Brendan Devane (The Canyonlands)
  • Executive Producer: James Devane (Sadieland Productions)
  • Director of Photography: Ryan Galvan
  • Editing: Alex Russek (Reel Rock)
  • Score by: James Iha (The Smashing Pumpkins)

Starring:
Marc Hills (Elephant Department), Rachel Finninger (American Horror Story), Nicholas Baroudi (The Hating Game), Jocelyn Hudon (The Strain), William Fichtner (Crash, Armageddon), Christina Kirkman (Trigger Happy), Jolene Kay (Star Trek), David Clennon (The Thing), Hazel Findlay (Reel Rock), Brette Harrington (The Alpinist), Adrian Ballinger (Edge Of The Earth), Alex Honnold (Free Solo)

Review

The Sound is a chilling and suspenseful horror thriller that combines the physical danger of a mountaineering expedition with the creeping dread of supernatural terror. Set against the dizzying heights of the Forbidden Wall, the film begins as a survival story and spirals into a psychological nightmare.

Marc Hills gives a standout performance as Sean, a climber burdened by his family’s haunted legacy. The eerie backstory involving his grandfather’s failed expedition adds depth and mystery, enhancing the film’s foreboding tone.

While the film excels in atmosphere and breathtaking cinematography, particularly during the sweeping climbing sequences, it stumbles slightly in character development and pacing. Some of the supporting roles fall into familiar tropes, and not all supernatural elements are fully fleshed out. However, the originality of combining climbing with horror, along with a memorable plot twist at the end, helps The Sound stand out.

Fans of vertical thrillers like The Descent or The Ritual will find much to enjoy here. The Sound leaves viewers gripping their seats—and maybe thinking twice about what lurks on forgotten mountainsides.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

*Thank you to EG-PR for the screener link for review consideration. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Have you seen The Sound? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Related post: ‘The Sound’ Echoes with Terror: A Climbing Thriller That Goes Beyond the Edge

Kat Cunning Leads in Star People, a New Sci-Fi Feature Inspired by the Phoenix Lights

Star People will have its World Premiere at Dances With Films: LA 2025. Photo: Blue Harbor Entertainment, used with permission.

🌟 STAR PEOPLE to Premiere at Dances With Films: LA 2025 🌟

The highly anticipated sci-fi thriller STAR PEOPLE will have its World Premiere at the 28th Annual Dances With Films: LA on Saturday, June 28 at 7:15p.m. at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood. It will hit theaters July 25 and Video on Demand on August 12. (EG-PR, 2025)

🎬 Directed by Adam Finberg in his narrative feature directorial debut, STAR PEOPLE stars a powerhouse ensemble:

  • Kat Cunning (The Deuce, On Swift Horses)
  • McCabe Slye (Destroyer, Fear Street Trilogy)
  • Connor Paolo (The Last Stop in Yuma County, Gossip Girl)
  • Eddie Martinez (The Sinner, Night Swim)
  • Bradley Fisher (Westworld)
  • Adriana Aluna Martinez (Duster)

Written and Directed by: Adam Finberg
Produced by: Adam Finberg & Josh Shader
Runtime: 103 minutes
Language: English
Country: USA (2025)

🔭 Inspired by Real Events

Loosely based on The Phoenix Lights, the largest mass UFO sighting in U.S. history, STAR PEOPLE follows a determined photographer (Kat Cunning) who receives a tip that might explain her childhood alien encounter. But as a deadly heatwave grips the region and uninvited guests arrive, her obsessive quest for the truth spirals into something far more dangerous.

🎥 Meet the Filmmaker: Adam Finberg

Adam Finberg, a Phoenix native and graduate of the American Film Institute’s directing program, brings over two decades of storytelling experience to his first narrative feature.

He began in music videos (Armin van Buuren, Otis) and commercials (GoDaddy, Napoleon Perdis), then transitioned to socially conscious documentary work. His film The Business of Recovery exposed corruption in the addiction treatment industry and was featured on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and at the International Drug Policy Reform Conference in Washington, D.C.

Finberg has also served as lead editor on numerous unscripted shows across networks like Discovery, MSNBC, Showtime, VH1, and ABC.

Adam Finberg. Photo: Blue Harbor Entertainment, used with permission.

🎟️ Festival Screening Details

Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025
Time: 7:15 p.m.
Location: TCL Chinese Theater
Address: 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

🎞️ About Dances With Films

Now in its 28th year, Dances With Films (DWF) continues to uplift fiercely independent storytellers. Unlike other festivals that focus on celebrity status, DWF champions raw talent, innovative ideas, and relentless creativity. Its alumni have gone on to shape the future of film and television across genres and platforms.

Mark your calendars—STAR PEOPLE is set to be one of the standout sci-fi debuts of 2025.

Stay tuned for tickets and updates! 🚀

Photo: IMDb

‘The Fostered’ Review: A Haunting Thriller That Twists Perception

The Fostered is now available on digital and on demand. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The Fostered – A Chilling New Thriller Debuts This Week

Available on Digital and On Demand starting June 24, 2025

🎬 Synopsis

After their parents’ tragic murder-suicide, twin sisters are taken in by a gentle foster mother and her resentful husband. As tensions rise in the dysfunctional household, it becomes unclear whether the real danger comes from the cruel foster father—or from the girls themselves.

“Don’t be afraid of what you see… Be afraid of what you don’t!”

⭐ Review

The Fostered is a tense, slow-burning psychological thriller that explores grief, trauma, and the thin line between victim and threat. Following the horrific loss of their parents, twin sisters find themselves in the care of a seemingly kind foster mother, Amy, and her cold, volatile husband, Kevin.

Directors Gunnar Garrett and Ritchie Greer build a suffocating atmosphere, using dim lighting and claustrophobic spaces to mirror the emotional intensity inside the home. Real-life twins Serena and Savina Perey deliver eerie, pitch-perfect performances that keep the audience guessing. Are they survivors—or something more sinister?

The film thrives on emotional ambiguity and psychological tension. It refuses easy answers and leans into moral complexity. Is this a tale of children in danger, or is something darker lurking behind their wide eyes?

With its haunting tone and loaded silences, The Fostered is a psychological puzzle that lingers long after the credits roll.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this film and received a screener link. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

🎥 Film Details

Written by: Gunnar Garrett
Directed by: Gunnar Garrett & Ritchie Greer
Starring: Robert Palmer Watkins, Brittany Underwood, Serena Perey, Savina Perey
Genre: Thriller
Run Time: 1 hour 16 minutes

Watch The Fostered on YouTube, Fandango at Home, and Apple TV.

The Fostered still. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

‘The Sound’ Echoes with Terror: A Climbing Thriller That Goes Beyond the Edge

Brendan Devane’s ‘The Sound’ opens theatrically and on Video On Demand nationwide on June 27. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

🎬 THE SOUND – A High-Stakes Horror Thriller Set Against a Vertical Nightmare

Release Date: In Theaters and On Demand – June 27 (US)
Genre: Thriller / Horror / Action
Rating: R
Running Time: 104 minutes

🔥 Synopsis

In the gripping new horror thriller The Sound, a team of elite climbers is given rare access to the Forbidden Wall—a towering, remote rock face that has remained closed off for decades. Among them is Sean (Marc Hills), a seasoned climber haunted by the memory of his grandfather’s doomed attempt on the same wall 63 years prior.

But what begins as a high-adrenaline expedition soon devolves into a terrifying fight for survival. As the team ascends, they encounter a chilling and malevolent force lurking within the rock, one that will push them far beyond their physical and psychological limits—hundreds of feet above solid ground.

The Sound courtesy clip, used with permission.

🎥 Key Cast

  • Marc Hills (Elephant Department)
  • Rachel Finninger (American Horror Story)
  • Nicholas Baroudi (The Hating Game)
  • Jocelyn Hudon (The Strain)
  • William Fichtner (Crash, Armageddon)
  • Christina Kirkman, Jolene Kay, David Clennon, and elite climbers Hazel Findlay, Brette Harrington, Adrian Ballinger, and Alex Honnold (Free Solo) add realism and intensity to the climbing sequences.

🎬 Creative Team

  • Written, Directed & Produced by: Brendan Devane (The Canyonlands)
  • Executive Producer: James Devane (Sadieland Productions)
  • Cinematography: Ryan Galvan
  • Editor: Alex Russek (Reel Rock)
  • Original Score: James Iha (The Smashing Pumpkins)
  • Distributor: Blue Harbor Entertainment

🎟️ Where to Watch

In Theaters – Limited release in key cities:

  • Los Angeles: Lumiere Music Hall
  • New York Metro / New Jersey: Cineplex 12 Newark
  • Dallas: Angelika Dallas
  • Denver: Bow Tie Movieland 7, Carbondale
  • Chicago: Roxy Cinema, Ottawa
  • Boston Area: Scene One Gilford Cinemas
  • Minneapolis: St. Michael Cinema
  • Detroit: Bel Air Cinema
  • Orlando: GQT Merritt Square
  • Atlanta: Fieldstone 6, Hiawassee
  • Saratoga Springs: Scene One Milton Mall
  • …and more cities nationwide

On VOD – Available on all major platforms including:

  • Apple TV
  • Amazon Prime Video
  • Fandango At Home
  • And more

🧗‍♂️ Final Thoughts

The Sound promises an intense blend of claustrophobic fear, psychological horror, and heart-pounding action—all set on a precarious vertical battlefield. With real-life climbing legends in the cast and a chilling supernatural twist, this is one summer thriller that will leave audiences hanging… literally.

Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Now Streaming: ‘Bound,’ a Raw Tale of Survival and Redemption

Acclaimed indie drama Bound is now streaming. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Indie Drama Bound Now Streaming on Major Platforms

📍 Los Angeles, CA – Freestyle Digital Media has officially released the acclaimed indie drama Bound, now available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play, Fandango at Home, and Apple TV.

Centered around themes of found family, survival, and forgiveness, Bound is a raw, emotionally charged story that has captivated audiences across the festival circuit. Since its world premiere at Dances With Films, the film has earned an impressive 11 wins and 34 nominations.

🎬 About the Film

Bound marks the directorial debut of Broadway actor Isaac Hirotsu Woofter (War Horse), who also wrote the screenplay. Inspired by true events, the film tells the story of a young artist who escapes her drug-dealing stepfather, fleeing to New York City with only her pet flying squirrel. There, she reinvents herself with the support of a new, unconventional family—only to later return home to confront her past and truly find freedom.

⭐ Cast

  • Ramin Karimloo (Holby City)
  • Jessica Pimentel (Orange is the New Black)
  • Alexandra Faye Sadeghian (Ditch Boys)
  • Bryant Carroll (Hit Man)
  • Pooya Mohseni (The Walking Dead: Dead City)
  • Jaye Alexander (film debut)
  • Bandit the flying squirrel

🎞️ Film Details

  • Genre: Drama / Crime / Thriller
  • Run Time: 1 hr 41 min

🎤 Director’s Statement

“From outdoor Shakespeare to Lincoln Center, I spent 25 years telling other people’s stories. Five years ago I decided to tell my own story. We’re thrilled to finally bring this gritty underdog tale to your screen. I like gut-punching movies that take you for an emotional ride, so strap on your hard hat and fasten your seatbelt. Let’s go.”
— Isaac Hirotsu Woofter

If you’re a fan of indie cinema with grit, heart, and originality, Bound is a must-watch. Add it to your watchlist today and experience one of the most talked-about indie films of the year.

“Films like Bound are great examples of what true independent filmmaking should look like” — Film Threat

“This pulse-pounding thriller is bound to move audiences on an emotional level. Once you see Bound, it will be impossible to forget it.” — Digital Journal 

“Evoking early Sean Baker, Woofter brings together an excellent cast and gives them idiosyncratic and interesting characters.” — Flickering Myth 

Bound still. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

‘Final Recovery’: A Twisted Descent Into Rehab Gone Wrong

Final Recovery is now available for streaming. Photo: IMDb

🎬 Final Recovery – Movie Review

📖 Synopsis

When Rodney winds up in the Sage Treatment Facility and in the care of the twisted Nanny Lou, his drive to do better for his family and new friends leads him into more trouble. As he rebels against his ornery captor, he uncovers a dark conspiracy. With fellow patients mysteriously vanishing, Rodney takes on a new mission: exposing the prison his addiction has built around him.

Genre: Horror, Thriller
Run Time: 1 hr. 36 mins

Where to Watch:
📺 Stream for free on Tubi
🎥 Rent or purchase on Fandango at Home and Amazon Prime Video

🎬 Creative Team

Writers: Jerry Lee Davis & Nick Theurer
Director: Harley Wallen

👥 Cast

  • Charlene Tilton – Nanny Lou
  • Jasper Cole – Rodney
  • Richard Tyson – Dr. Sam Potter
  • Michael Emery – Levi
  • Kaiti Wallen – Cindy Porter

📝 Movie Review: Final Recovery

Final Recovery is a tense psychological thriller that explores the fragile boundaries between rehabilitation and manipulation. The film centers around Rodney (Jasper Cole), a troubled man desperate to rebuild his life for the sake of his family. His journey takes a dark turn when he lands in the eerie Sage Treatment Facility, where healing comes with a sinister cost.

Nanny Lou, played with chilling precision by Charlene Tilton, is not your typical caregiver. Her twisted methods of control and psychological torment, fueled by childhood trauma, create a suffocating atmosphere that quickly consumes Rodney. The film builds suspense as Rodney’s initial compliance gives way to rebellion, sparked by his growing connection to fellow patients and his deep longing to return to his family.

The cinematography enhances the claustrophobic feel of the facility, while the score amplifies the underlying dread. Though the pacing slows midway, strong character arcs and an emotional payoff keep viewers engaged. Rodney’s transformation from passive patient to defiant fighter is compelling, though a few plot twists feel rushed.

Ultimately, Final Recovery is a disturbing yet gripping tale of resilience. It asks: Can true recovery be found in a place designed more to break than to heal — or must some battles be fought entirely from within?

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this movie. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

World Premiere Spotlight: Lemonade Blessing at Tribeca 2025

Jake Ryan in Chris Merola’s Lemonade Blessing. Photo: Submarine Entertainment, used with permission.

Spotlight on Tribeca Film Festival 2025

The Tribeca Film Festival, founded in 2002 by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff, celebrates storytelling in all its forms. Held annually in New York City, the festival showcases a diverse range of films—from independent features and documentaries to immersive experiences and short films.

Originally created to help revitalize Lower Manhattan after 9/11, Tribeca has since grown into a major cultural event. In addition to film screenings, the festival features industry panels, interactive media, and cutting-edge virtual reality. It offers a platform for both emerging voices and established filmmakers, fostering creativity, conversation, and community across the global film landscape.

📅 This year’s festival runs from June 4 through June 15, 2025.

World Premiere: Lemonade Blessing

One of the standout selections in the US Narrative Competition is the world premiere of Lemonade Blessing, a feature film directed by Chris Merola, a native New Yorker and recent graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. This marks Merola’s feature directorial debut. (EG-PR, 2025)

🎬 About the Film

Title: Lemonade Blessing
Running Time: 100 minutes
Language: English
Country: USA
Genre: Drama

🎭 Cast

Jake Ryan, Jeanine Serralles, Skye Alyssa Friedman, Miles J. Harvey, Michael Oloyede, Todd Gearhart, Keith William Richards

🎥 Producers

Chris Merola, Raza Rizvi, Aruba Sülzana, Samuel Ashurov

📖 Synopsis

Freshly tossed into a private Catholic high school by his devout mother, John (Jake Ryan) falls head over heels for a devious classmate who’s ready to push his faith—and morals—to the brink. What unfolds is a series of increasingly uncomfortable acts, all in the name of love.

🎟 Public Screening Schedule

DateTimeVenueLocation
Thursday, June 57:15 p.m.SVA2 – BeatriceSVA Theater, 333 West 23rd Street
Friday, June 69:00 p.m.VEC-04Village East Cinemas, 181-189 2nd Avenue
Saturday, June 146:00 p.m.VEC-04Village East Cinemas, 181-189 2nd Avenue
Sunday, June 1511:15 a.m.VEC-02Village East Cinemas, 181-189 2nd Avenue

🔗 Buy Tickets Here

Chris Merola is a writer and filmmaker from Long Island, New York. Lemonade Blessing is his first feature film.

‘Finding Nicole’: A True Story of Survival, Strength, and Justice

‘Finding Nicole’ is available to rent or purchase. Photo: Fandango

“Finding Nicole: A True Story of Love, Loss, Betrayal, Fear, and Hope”

By Nicole Beverly

In her powerful memoir, Finding Nicole: A True Story of Love, Loss, Betrayal, Fear, and Hope, author and advocate Nicole Beverly shares an unflinching, deeply personal account of her journey from domestic violence victim to survivor—and ultimately, to warrior. (Amazon, 2025)

The Cycle of Abuse

Nicole met her ex-husband in college, and over the course of a decade, found herself trapped in a progressively abusive and violent relationship. Like so many victims, she stayed for a complex mix of reasons: love, financial dependency, her children, and fear. In 2009, she finally left—but the danger didn’t end there.

For more than two years after leaving, Nicole endured relentless stalking, threats, and harassment. Her powerful victim impact statement at his sentencing eventually led to her ex-husband’s conviction for stalking. Yet even behind bars, he continued to pose a lethal threat—attempting to hire inmates to kill Nicole and their children.

A System That Failed Her

Nicole’s story also sheds light on the failures of the criminal justice system. Due to errors by law enforcement, breakdowns in communication, and a hesitant prosecutor, her abuser was almost released despite these credible threats. In a desperate bid to protect her family, Nicole even considered identity change—only to discover how difficult it would be to start over without a past.

Fighting Back—and Winning

Instead of disappearing, Nicole chose to fight. She turned to social media to share her story and rallied support from family, friends, fellow survivors, and strangers across the globe. In just a few weeks, her plea for justice went viral.

Thanks to public pressure, the Attorney General of Michigan took on her case. After 13 months, multiple court hearings, and unwavering courage, Nicole’s abuser was found guilty of new charges and sentenced to a longer prison term—giving Nicole and her children some much-needed peace.

A Guide for Survivors

Nicole’s book doesn’t end with her story. In its final chapters, Finding Nicole serves as a guidebook for survivors of domestic violence, stalking, and toxic relationships. With practical advice and heartfelt encouragement, she offers tools to help others leave safely, reclaim hope, build resilience, and ultimately, find themselves again.

A story of fierce determination and the power of collective voices, “Finding Nicole” is a must-read. It’s not just a memoir—it’s a call to action for justice, awareness, and unwavering support for survivors everywhere. The film adaptation is available to rent or purchase on YouTube, Google Play Movie, Fandango at Home, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video.

Movie Review: Finding Nicole — A Powerful Story of Survival and Strength

If you’re looking for a film that will leave a lasting impression and stir your soul, Finding Nicole is a must-watch. Based on the true story of Nicole Beverly, this film chronicles her harrowing journey through domestic abuse and her courageous fight to protect her children and reclaim her life.

Nicole’s story has been featured on Inside Evil with Chris Cuomo, Til Death Do Us Part, and in her top-selling book of the same name. The movie adaptation does a remarkable job of bringing her experiences to life with authenticity and emotional depth. Rather than sensationalizing the violence, the film focuses on the psychological impact of abuse and the long road to healing.

Kaiti Wallen delivers a standout performance, capturing Nicole’s quiet strength and vulnerability. Through gripping courtroom scenes and haunting flashbacks, we witness not only the terror Nicole endured but also her unwavering determination to break free.

Finding Nicole is more than just a film—it’s a powerful statement about resilience, justice, and hope. It’s an emotional, necessary watch that sheds light on the very real issue of domestic violence and the courage it takes to survive it. This is storytelling with purpose.

Cast

Kaiti Wallen – Kaiti Wallen
Mari G. – Warren Beverly
Sean Whalen – Cameron Banks
Shawntay Dalon – Shonda Wright, Esq
Richard Tyson – Judge Carter

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this film and received a screener link. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Clowns, Cornfields, and Carnage: A Look at Horror’s Creepiest Villains

The movie adaptation of Adam Cesare’s ‘Clown in a Cornfield’ is in movie theaters now. Photo: Barnes & Noble

The Terrifying Appeal of Clowns in Horror

Clowns have long been a staple in horror movies, tapping into a deep-rooted fear known as coulrophobia. Their exaggerated makeup, forced cheerfulness, and unpredictable behavior create a sense of unease, making them perfect villains.

From It’s Pennywise to Poltergeist’s creepy toy clown, these characters distort childhood innocence into pure terror. The contrast between their playful facade and sinister intentions fascinates audiences, offering a twisted reflection of trust gone wrong. Over the years, horror clowns have evolved from quirky jump-scare devices to complex symbols of chaos—continuing to captivate moviegoers who crave both fear and fascination in equal measure.

Book Spotlight: “Clown in a Cornfield” by Adam Cesare

Bram Stoker Award Winner for Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel

In Adam Cesare‘s terrifying young adult debut, Quinn Maybrook finds herself caught in a battle between old and new, tradition and progress—a conflict that may cost her life. (Barnes & Noble, 2025)

Quinn and her father move to the tiny, seemingly boring town of Kettle Springs, hoping for a fresh start. But since the Baypen Corn Syrup Factory shut down, the town has split in two:

  • The adults, desperate to return to a conservative past
  • The teens, eager to move on, party, and escape

Enter Frendo, the town’s former factory mascot—now a homicidal clown in a pork-pie hat. As tensions boil over, Frendo takes it upon himself to “cull the rotten crop” of local teens in a bloody attempt to restore order.

The series also includes:

  • “Frendo Lives: Clown in a Cornfield Book 2”
  • “The Church of Frendo: Clown in a Cornfield Book 3”

The movie adaptation is now in theaters nationwide.

Movie Review: Clown in a Cornfield

Clown in a Cornfield is a slasher horror film that blends old-school gore with modern teen angst, offering a chilling—if somewhat familiar—ride through rural Americana. It follows Quinn and her father as they settle in Kettle Springs, only to encounter terror when the clown-masked Frendo begins a gruesome rampage.

The movie taps into generational tension, pitting rebellious teens against a town stuck in the past. Frendo’s clown mask is genuinely unsettling, as is his menacing giggle, and the film delivers scares in everything from cornfield chases to abandoned farmhouses.

While the story doesn’t break new ground, its brisk pace, creative kills, and intense finale make it a solid entry in the teen slasher canon. If you’re in the mood for bloody fun with a side of small-town social commentary, Clown in a Cornfield delivers just enough thrills to satisfy.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Having read the book before watching the movie, I can attest that the major plots present in the book made it into the movie and it has just a couple of major differences: Quinn’s father Glenn is given a more heroic role in the movie and Janet, the teen group’s queen bee, is not as deeply developed in the movie as she is in the book.