Justin Theroux and his Uncle, Paul Theroux team-up to tell a story, personal to their family in THE MOSQUITO COAST! See this brand-new Featurette.

Synopsis:

From award-winning novelist Neil Cross, and based on the best-selling book by Paul Theroux which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, “The Mosquito Coast” is a gripping adventure and layered character drama following the dangerous journey of a radical idealist and brilliant inventor, Allie Fox (played by Justin Theroux), who uproots his family for Mexico when they suddenly find themselves on the run from the US government.

The seven-episode first season is created for television and executive produced by Neil Cross. Also executive producing are Rupert Wyatt, who directs the first two episodes, author Paul Theroux, star Justin Theroux and Edward L. McDonnell. Alan Gasmer, Peter Jaysen and Bob Bookman also serve as executive producers for Veritas Entertainment Group. Developed by Neil Cross and Tom Bissell, “The Mosquito Coast” is a Fremantle Production for Apple TV+.

THE MOSQUITO COAST debuts on Apple TV+ Friday, April 30, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)

Michael Douglas is back in Season 3 of THE KOMINSKY METHOD. See this new Trailer for the season which arrives in May.

Netflix release THE KOMINSKY METHOD Season 3 Friday, May 28, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

By George Kozera

Infrequently, I’ve watched a Documentary then wonder why in the world was it even made. MOLECULES is one of those. Marketed as a son investigating his failed relationship with his father while in lockdown in Venice, it includes numerous scenes that lead nowhere and spews platitudes like “is there anything you can see in the invisible” on the soundtrack that had me scratching my head so intensely that I will never develop dandruff. Other than the remarkable scenes of Venice emptied of people on the streets and boats on the canals, I can think of no reason to see this.

By George Kozera

ALL-IN follows Hakim and Ismail, both from small villages, as they work the summer months at a luxury, all-inclusive resort on the Turkish Riviera. Ismael is younger, always smiling, willing to learn new skills and highly productive. Hakim is more introspective, somewhat surly and lax with rules, regulations and management. The two develop a lovely friendship and it was interesting to watch how two distinctly people react to different scenarios, especially when it comes to customer service. Yes, there are “Karens” worldwide!

There are perhaps too many scenes with Hakim spewing philosophical and too few scenes where we really get know more about what makes Ismail tick and one winds up ultimately feeling uninvolved and not totally invested in this movie.

By Justin Waldman

Three couples, with three different starting points to their relationships, are tasked to have candid conversations with the same questions being asked by Director Dorota Proba making them re-evaluate what they want, what they want to experience, and what their relationship is.

Unfortunately, Between Us misses the mark with their questions and answers that are expressed throughout the Documentary. It is an unsettling, awkward experience watching these couples answer these questions that push the boundaries of their relationship and in some instances put them on-the-rocks, its almost watching a relationship dissolve in front of ones eyes.

By Justin Waldman

There are very few Documentaries that feel as timely and powerful as The Return: Life after ISIS, as it follows several women but focuses on two specifically. These women left their respective homes to join ISIS, have left ISIS and want to return to their home countries, except they are no longer welcomed.

Since their home countries no longer are accepting them back home, they are trapped in Syria and living in detention camps with their children who they are taking care of. Their stories are told, mainly through the writing workshop that they are doing to talk about why they joined. The Documentary asks its audience to re-evaluate any predetermined notions that would be had about women who joined ISIS and changed their mind and want to return back to their normal life.

By George Kozera

It is imperative that I first note that the black and white Cinematography in GREY ROADS is beyond impressive; it is moody and atmospheric and sensual, making the sleepy town of Markdale, Ontario (not far from Toronto and home to Chapman’s Ice Cream manufacturing plant) a fascinating character on its own. Filmmaker Jesse McCracken (who edited, filmed, produced and directed this Film) takes us on his quest back home to reconnect with his estranged father and his gentle, soft-spoken grandfather. The two men differ wildly: his father is part of a motorcycle gang going by the name of Redneck Riders and the grandfather is involved in local community events. This is where GREY ROADS faltered for me as I was genuinely disinterested.

As much as we all might feel that our lives would make a fascinating movie, it is prudent to say that not everything in life is worthy of a Documentary feature film. There is no denying that Jesse McCracken is supremely talented and I anxiously hope he finds a compelling story, be it fictional or not, to highlight and share in the near future.

By Justin Waldman

In 2004, the Silk Road reopened between China and Tajikistan which was great for the latter as it was the economic boost the country needed. Davlat, who is the subject of this Documentary bought some freighters and tried to pave a new life for his family. Unfortunately, Capitalism intruded these plans and made life exceedingly more difficult for Davlat and his family.

The New Plastic Road shows one mans motivation for a better life, and his drive and tenacity but also what modern Capitalism and bigger pockets can do to nearly crush one’s spirit and drive. It is a beautiful Documentary that looks into what even the fight that humans will give to protect what is theirs.

By George Kozera

WELCOME TO SPAIN opens with an undisputable fact: Seville is the most beautiful city in Spain. Having spent a few days there many years ago, I wholeheartedly agree! When the city’s last brothel turns into a refugee recreational center for those seeking to start a new life in the country, Filmmaker Juan Antonio Moreno Amador meets a number of the people of different nationalities and starts a two year quest as he films their journeys while they try to adapt to a new culture and experiences. It’s an eclectic group.

Omnia is perhaps 8 years old and she, alongside her parents and two younger siblings, escaped from Yemen. Amelia is the oldest of the group. She’s a grandmother of nine, a retired schoolteacher and left Venezuela to start a new life in Spain. Marouane is 18, proudly gay and fled Morocco seeking asylum from sexual persecution back home. One cannot help but to cheer all of them on, praying they succeed.

WELCOME TO SPAIN, with great sensitivity, takes the audience on a trek while these newly displaced people adapt to new cultures, religious beliefs and food, unfamiliar places and ways of thinking. We smile as broadly as Omnia does when she receives a Christmas gift from one of the Three Wise Men or learns something new at the school she attends. When Marouane celebrates attending his first gay pride parade in Madrid, his enthusiasm and love of the freedom that he can finally express his true identity without shame or fear is palpable.

WELCOME TO SPAIN is replete with scenes that are humorous, heartbreaking, life-affirming and fascinating, it is a film with no fillers nor judgment and I enjoyed it tremendously.

By George Kozera

I first saw Italian Director Luchino Visconti’s Oscar-nominated “Death in Venice” at a private screening in the early ’80s. Whereas I was not as enamored by the Film as others, I found Dirk Bogarde’s performance as a sickly Composer fixated on a young boy while recuperating in Venice astonishing. What made it fascinating and believable was the look of the lad and, playing Tadzio, Bjorn Andresen embodied pulchritude. Described by Visconti at the Premiere of the Movie at the Cannes Film Festival as THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOY IN THE WORLD, Andresen evoked an androgynous innocence, immortalized forever on celluloid. Whereas Andresen was never able to parlay that initial fame into a profitable career, he looks back on the 50 years since the release of “Death in Venice” with honesty and clarity. His personal life may have been in shambles which he never disowns but there is also a little sense of pride that his face inspired Japanese Manga.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOY IN THE WORLD held me enthralled throughout. Bjorn Andresen’s life is worth visiting.