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Rewriting Mallory | Average Guy Movie Review

Have you ever wondered how much control we have over our own lives? That question is the central theme of Rewriting Mallory , as we follow two people struggling to deal with lives marred by tragedy. Drifting between Joshua's attempts to deal with the loss of his sister through writing and Mallory having what could be the worst day of her life, this curious short film offers an interesting perspective on their two lives. One reminiscent of Morpheus' words to Neo in The Matrix  about Dorothy; "tumbling down the rabbit hole". Yes, Director Emerson Adams certainly conjures some colourful imagery with this one! Strangely, for a film that handles themes such as grief and trauma in such a grounded and sensitive way, it also pulls off one hell of a magic trick. Rewriting Mallory  starts off as one thing, essentially lulling you into a false sense of security, before jack-knifing your entire  understanding of what's going on. A move that somehow adds to the intrigue withou

Live Health | Average Guy Movie Review

During the pandemic therapist Doctor Peter Marcus (Timothy J. Cox) continues to treat his patients through video calls. But in a world in which many are struggling, who helps the helper? The first thing that strikes you when watching Live Health  is a sense of familiarity. We all lived with lockdown for two years, on and off. And there were times when it felt like it may never end. This sense of confinement and uncertainty is captured perfectly by the directing team of star Timothy J. Cox and his wife Jamie. Then there's the loneliness. The good doctor may be meeting with several patients through the course of his day, but seeing it all happen through a series of video calls - and all from the doc's perspective - really rams home the fact that talking to someone through a screen is no substitute for real human interaction. The second thing that strikes you is how difficult it must be, helping people with their issues when you're struggling with your own. Now you could argue

After | Average Guy Movie Review

After his son is killed in the line of duty, a veteran police detective struggles with thoughts of vengeance. Does he trust the system and his fellow colleagues to bring the killer to justice? Or should he take the law into his own hands? Rather than being any kind of police drama, After  is a gripping exploration of grief, and the toxic effect it can have on us. Told through a conversation between father and daughter, there is an expanse forming between them, caused by their individual feelings of loss. A void that - thanks to two magnificent performances, and a subtle shooting style - is right there on the screen for us to see. Their pain, almost palpable. This isn't your typical angry Hollywood cop either. Burned by grief and out for revenge. No, this is about a father contemplating the unthinkable, and the daughter trying to pull him back from the brink. Beth Metcalf and Timothy J. Cox have a very genuine bond on screen. Together they bring Annie and Michael Darcy to life in qu

The Beech Boys Season 3 | Average Guy TV Review

The Beechwood Estates are in chaos! Dottie (Becky Brown) is dead, Cedric (Matt Tory) is on the run, and the HOA election  is still up for grabs, meaning Trey (J.J. Carroll) and Ethan (Zach Castle)'s jobs as the neighbourhood pool cleaners are still in jeopardy. That's right, it's time for one last ride along with The Beech Boys , and with the FBI circling, it's about way more than just pool cleaning! It would appear that when creators Matt Tory and J.J. Carroll got together to plan one last season of their riotous comedy series, they decided to take The Beech Boys  out with a bang. Season 3 is bigger, longer and more adventurous than previous seasons. Taking the neighbourhood - and everyone in it - to places you'd never expect. It's more insane than a live action remake of Cars 2 ! Even Todd (Joshua James) is way more unhinged than normal - if that's possible. And who can blame him when there's a criminal conspiracy tearing its way through the heart of t

Mission: Rewatch

Once again, Tom Cruise and the Mission: Impossible  franchise are taking the world by storm, with a little help from legendary writer/director Christopher McQuarrie. Naturally this felt like a perfect opportunity for another Moustache: Rewatch ... or should that be Mission: Rewatch ? Either way, I haven't watched any of these movies in years - probably Fallout  back when it was in cinemas - so revisiting them proved to be an exciting prospect. It's weird to think that this all started in 1996 - the movies, that is - and with Tom Cruise sporting a fake moustache, no less! Maybe it has something to do with how far the franchise has come since then, how much it has evolved - for better or worse - with every new instalment. Back in 1996 an up and coming IMF agent found himself on the wrong side of a mole hunt, forcing him to go rogue and attempt to uncover the real traitor. Of course this is all preceded by the operation in Prague, which really sets the tone for the whole movie. Se

The Write Place | Average Guy Movie Review

The Write Place  is the story of a father and daughter running a small stationary store. But it quickly becomes apparent that Maggie (Erin Taylor) isn't quite as passionate about the family business as Walt (Peter Gantenbein). What do you do if your child doesn't share your interest? Well, the sensible answer would be to encourage them to follow their own dream or passion. But when it comes to a beloved (by some) family business - like in this case - it can be difficult to think that it may not carry on in the family. That is the challenge at the heart of this charming and relatable short. Gantenbein and Taylor share a wonderful chemistry as a father and daughter who have reached a certain turning point in life. The pair really capture the awkwardness of a parent/child relationship in which the parent's authoritative position is waning because the child is on the cusp of adulthood. Directed by Benjamin McClain and Job Gailey, there is an honesty to The Write Place  - certai

Leon's Fantasy Cut | Average Guy Movie Review

Two first generation Ukrainian-American brothers chase the American Dream. One hopes to go into business for himself, but is stuck working in a cell phone store. The other is a small-time pot dealer looking to get into the music business as manager to a promising young rapper. They share a studio apartment in Brooklyn and bicker constantly. But all this is temporary... right? After all, this is America. Josh Caras and Jon Valde deliver a strikingly relatable tale in Leon's Fantasy Cut . Many of us will understand the place in which George (Caras) and Iggy (Valde) find themselves because we've either been there, or we are still. This is a movie that isn't afraid to broach the fact that the American Dream isn't out there for everyone - no matter how badly we want it. Moreover, the frustration, disappointment and even anger that such a realisation can bring is palpable throughout. Increasingly so, as we draw closer to a rather tense finale.  Beyond the torment of the Ameri