2023

Magazine Dreams 🏋️‍♂️

The scariest people are the ones with nothing to lose.

Magazine Dreams follows Killian Maddox, a part-time grocery store clerk and an aspiring body builder (played by Jonathan Majors) who is trying to make it pro, but over investing in his physical obsession isn’t enough to overcome the issues he’s been plagued with mentally.

This story is essentially about what happens when what you love, doesn’t love you back

As much as I have enjoyed this review page and all the cool things/people it’s introduced me to, I’m well aware that this isn’t a feasible way of living, so I treat it more like a hobby I’m passionate about - though at times I wish I could give it more attention.

Killian on the other hand lives his entire life to serve his ultimate goal, which is going pro as a body builder.

It’s inspiring when someone gives there all to something that’s more risk, than reward but the consequence of those actions play into the harsh reality of this story.

I really bought into the first half of this, it was like watching an intimate take on Arnold’s Pumping Iron documentary but instead focusing on how it plays out for those that don’t get the glitz and glamour of it all.

The second half felt unsure of itself, which is true to what Killian himself was going through so it kinda worked.

There’s this idea of wanting to feel seen, receiving some sort of validation for all the hours you’ve put in that I think will resonate with a lot of people.

Personally, the powerful performance by Jonathan Majors does more for both the plot and the character - making him an early candidate for Best Actor at the 2024 Oscar’s.

With an unforgettable performance that you wont be able to turn away from, and a truly captivating story - this movie is well worth the price of admission

Enjoy!

7.3/10 🎥 🍿

Runtime: 2hrs03mins

Where: Sundance Film Festival 2023

Magazine Dreams (2023) The Richmond Reviewer.

#JonathanMajors #WorkOut #BodyBuilding #Fitness#WeightLifting #FilmFestival #Movie #MovieReview #Sundance #Sundance2023 #YVR #Vancouver. #SundanceFilmFestival

SCRAPPER 🚲

Fake it till you make it.

SCRAPPER follows Georgie, a wildly rambunctious 12 year old who is trying to come to terms with a loss of a loved one, but when the father she’s never met comes knocking at her door - both of their lives will be thrown for a loop.

This is such a raw, yet wholesome story that feels like a side-hug that’s actually meant to express so much more than that - and in this it does!

It weaves in the sadness with the silliness so well, and will leave you wanting so much more of this Georgie character.

She’s played by Lola Campbell, in her big screen debut - and she completely steals every scene she’s in.

I can’t wait for her to be introduced to the masses.

The heart of this story lies in two people who are just trying to figure out how to manage life altering moments on the fly - and though it may not be graceful, if your hearts in the right place, sometimes that’s all that matters.

I’m not sure when this will hit theatres, or if it will go straight to streaming - but highly recommend keeping this on your “to watch” list for 2023.

Enjoy!


7.5/10 🎥 🍿

Runtime: 1hr24mins

Where: Sundance Film Festival 2023

Note: SCRAPPER won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize for Dramatic film at the Sundance Film Festival. 🎞

Scrapper Review (2023) The Richmond Reviewer.

#MovieReview #Movie #Festival #FilmFestival #Grief #BBC #BBCFilm #England #HARRISDICKINSON #LOLACAMPBELL #ALINUZUN #SundanceFilmFestival