Bond on Cinema

COTTAGE GROVE Short Film: Writer/Director George Ellzey, Jr & Actor/Producer TJ Harris Discuss their Compelling Film of Reconciliation

Ladies and gentlemen, I see hundreds of short films per year and there are those that stand out for various reasons. COTTAGE GROVE is one of those films that stand out because of the brilliant writing and acting that matches the writing.
George Ellzey, Jr solidified himself as a filmmaker who is one to watch in the world of cinema. COTTAGE GROVE follows Emmanuel, a mild-mannered, rule-following paralegal (and a ticking time bomb of anger, who finds peace in his daydreams), and his estranged father, Senior, has had a stroke. He only can say five words and moves with a limp.
The film is set in the south side of Chicago during the Summer. Father and son, or I should say son and father try to find common ground in a grocery store parking lot.
The closed space of the front seat of a car mimics a boiling pot with the lid on it, and sometimes that’s a good thing, because eventually it all has to come out. Healing only begins when what’s inside festering has to come to the surface so the sins can be forgiven and the wounds of those hurt can begin to heal.
The cinematography matches the brilliance of the writing and acting. If I saw this in a theater, I would expect them to turn off the AC so you can feel what the characters are feeling.
COTTAGE GROVE could actually be a feature film that could rival Nickel Boys or Sing Sing. It has everything, emotion, tension, insecurity, blame, forgiveness, love and ultimately healing.
COTTAGE GROVE is available now on AMC+ and I encourage you to watch it. When you see it, you’ll feel what I feel and know that the story will resonate with you, and that cinema is in great hands with the likes of George Ellzey, Jr and TJ Harris.
#shortfilms #shortfilm #writer #filmdirector #actor #filmproducer #forgiveness #reconciliation #fatherson #storytelling #family #absenteefather #filmmaker #filmmaking #cinema #cinematography #chicago #cinephile 

HELLO BEAUTIFUL Feature Film Breakdown with Director Ziad H. Hamzeh and Writer Christine Handy

Ladies and gentlemen, Hello Beautiful is a powerful and emotionally charged film that delves into the harrowing yet transformative journey of Willow, a successful model whose life is shattered by a devastating breast cancer diagnosis. Based on Christine Handy’s bestselling novel Walk Beside Me, the film explores themes of identity, resilience, and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Guided by Christine Handy’s real-life experiences, the film offers an unfiltered look at the raw, often painful reality of battling cancer while balancing the perspectives of those around Willow—her family, friends, and the medical professionals fighting alongside her. Through powerful performances, particularly by Tricia Helfer as Willow, Hello Beautiful captures the vulnerability, strength, and complexity of those affected by life-altering diagnoses.
A story of survival, transformation, and the enduring power of human connection, Hello Beautiful is more than a film about illness—it is a testament to the spirit of those who rise from their darkest moments, embracing life with newfound purpose and love.
HELLO BEAUTIFUL is a feature film that knows how to tell a complete story. Tricia Helfer brings Willow to life and embraces every emotion of one who is facing her mortality and finding her true self in the process of the unthinkable.
This film gets five stars from Bond on Cinema as it is a must see film. Once you see it, you’ll walk away a different person and if you don’t, you need to see it again.
#film #featurefilm #cancer #breastcancer #cinema #cinematography #cinephile #family #marriage #selfdiscovery #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmfestival #mortality #trueself #purpose #supermodel

Broadcast Journalist Charlie Webster discusses the ABC/HULU Docu-Series SCAMANDA: A Woman Faking Cancer

Host Ward W. Bond and broadcast journalist Charlie Webster discuss the shocking truth about Amanda C. Riley faking cancer for attention. This story is highlighted in the ABC/HULU docu-series.
In 2012 a young, San Jose mom started a blog, documenting her journey after getting a devastating diagnosis of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The blog quickly took off as she went through treatment after treatment. She wrote about being told she would not live to see her 30th birthday. But despite the terminal prognosis, Amanda C. Riley became a beacon of hope, bravery, and perseverance. She had a gift of immediately connecting with people, which she used to her advantage. Her blog told amazing stories of generosity, grace, and love, rallying friends, family, and strangers to help. But someone believed that Amanda Riley was lying.
For the rest of the story, you’ll have to watch the mini-series. Charlie Webster’s hit podcast SCAMANDA became the source for this mini-series. The four-episode limited series peels the many layers of this incredible saga, revealing never-before-told details of the investigation, the friends and family who supported Amanda, and what has happened since the podcast ended.
#fakingcancer #cancer #cancersurvivors #manipulation #narcissism #investigation #investigativereporting #broadcastjournalism #journalism #docuseries 
 
 

Actor Neal McDonough discusses his New Film THE LAST RODEO, Faith, Family & His First Onscreen Kiss with His Wife

My guest today is the multi-talented and award-winning actor and producer Neal McDonough.
Many of you have seen Neal’s scene stealing performances in Paramount’s YELLOWSTONE opposite Kevin Costner, and TULSA KING with Sylvester Stallone and who can forgot his role as Sean Cahill in SUITS?
He also owns the silver screen with past roles in MINORITY REPORT with Tom Cruise, Van Helsing, Boon, Homestead and how his newest film, THE LAST RODEO.
Ladies and gentlemen, Neal McDonough’s newest film, THE LAST RODEO is about a retired rodeo star who is trying to save his grandson.
Along the way, he confronts his past, discovers faith, and proves that true courage lies in family.
The story of THE LAST RODEO is powerful, emotionally moving, a bit of humor, but with the power of faith and family. Jon Avnet directs every scene with a watchful and with precision.
THE LAST RODEO stars not only Neal as the lead, but also incredible performances by Sarah Jones, Christopher McDonald, Mykelti Williamson, Graham Harvey and a special appearance by Ruve McDonough herself.
THE LAST RODEO is a must see film for the whole family. It comes to theaters on May 23rd, so plan on having a family night at the movies with candy, popcorn and the togetherness of family.
#film #featurefilm #newfilm #angelstudios #angelguild #cinema #bondoncinema #rodeo #bullriding #family #faith #inspiration #filmmaking #filmmaker #screenwriter #actor #yellowstone #tulsaking #minorityreport #tomcruise #kevincostner #sylvesterstallone #vanhelsing

Director Alex Kaplan Shows Us the Future of Short Films for a Variety of Addictions and Mental Health

Turning movies into a Primary Tool for Healing and Growth, Of Substance is an innovative nonprofit creating premium narrative short films - from uproarious comedies to heart-pounding thrillers - designed to explore mental health struggles in bite-sized brilliance.
They make our films available for therapists to use as tools in treatment, rehab, hospitals, prisons, schools and beyond.
Alex Kaplan’s mini-movies aren't just entertainment; they're catalysts for transformation, boosting engagement, deepening absorption, and expediting outcomes of emotional growth and behavioral change.
Visit OfSubstance.org now to unleash the magic!
Of Substance is an innovative nonprofit creating premium narrative short films - from uproarious comedies to heart-pounding thrillers - designed to explore mental health struggles in bite-sized brilliance.
They help people open up, lower barriers, and accesses deeply guarded feelings, thoughts, and emotions - using movies to accelerate the healing process.
#shortfilms #shortfilm #addiction #alcoholaddiction #alcoholism #drugaddiction #sexualabuse #physicalabuse #film #cinema #cinematography #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector #screenwriter #moviereview #filmreview #counseling #rehab #therapy

Actor William Baldwin Discusses His New Movie NO ADDRESS and How it Addresses the Homeless Crisis in America

Actor William Baldwin who has distinguished himself as an actor/producer/writer and who continues to showcase his multitude of talents in the world of film and television.
He has starred in over 80 films of varied genres and over 30 television movies and series.
He made his feature film debut in Oliver Stone's "Born on the Fourth of July,” starring Tom Cruise who should have won the Oscar that year, and he is best known for his roles in Flatliners and Backdraft.
In 2005, he starred with Laura Linney and Jeff Daniels in the critically acclaimed award-winning film "The Squid & The Whale" and was recognized on over 200 Top 10 Lists that year.
He also appeared in the hit comedy "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," with Kristen Bell & Russell Brand, co-starred with William Hurt & Tim Robbins in the independent comedy “Noise.”
He is with us today about a very important upcoming film, No Address, a scripted drama about the epidemic of homelessness in our communities.
It stars Patricia Velasquez, Beverly D’Angelo, Ashanti, Xander Berkley, Ty Pennington and others.
The movie No Address is about a group of people that are experiencing homelessness and realize they must bond together as a family if they are going to survive.
They all have no address, but earlier in life they did. The day-to-day struggle on the streets is emotionally charged with uncertainty at every corner. Shelter, food and ongoing safety threatens their daily life as each one of them has arrived on the streets through unexpected circumstances. While meeting a few gracious advocates along their journey, the family finds a refreshing new hope to live and get their lives back.
#noaddressmovie #billybaldwin #film #filmmaker #filmmaking #actor #homeless #homelessness #cinema #cinematography #bondoncinema #ashanti #xanderberkley #patriciavelasquez 

John Kelly's Animated Short RETIREMENT PLAN Really Makes You Think about Life: Interivew/Film Discussion

Ladies and gentlemen, in the throes of his overstimulated, energy poor midlife, Ray voice by actor Domhnall Gleeson fantasizes about everything he’d love to do in retirement, once he finally has the “time.”
John Kelly’s touching and funny animated short is a meditative stream of possibilities on the beauty, curiosities and fears that we wish to embrace when confronted with an escalating awareness of our own finite mortality.
RETIREMENT PLAN made its premiere at the Galway Film Festival and will screen at the upcoming Dublin International Film Festival and SXSW.
John Kelly, a filmmaker specializing in animation. His newest animated short, RETIREMENT PLAN— co-written with Tara Lawall – was inspired by his own possible mid-life crisis.
John studied at the Royal College of Art in London, and lives and works in Dublin, Ireland, where he is developing a number of projects that explore a similar line between tragedy and absurdity, including a feature-length animated documentary.
#animation #animator #graphicart #shortfilm #shortfilms #retirement #retirementplan #filmmaking #filmmaker #cinema #filmdirector #SXSW #GalwayFilmFestival #Dublin #Ireland #midlfiecrisis 

Director Bianca Poletti Discusses her Short Film VIDEO BARN bringing back the 1980s Horror Vibe

Bianca Poletti’s short film thriller VIDOE BARN will cause you to beg for more and in this case the desire to see a full length feature film. I know I want to see it.
VIDEO BARN has the perfect feel of the 1980s with a dying business of video rentals as in VHS tapes, not DVDs. The cinematography is spot on, the sound mixing takes you back to the days when real horror or thrillers were made. Real acting, no CGI, just pure unadulterated filmmaking at its best.
Bianca Poletti has directed numerous music videos, commercials, and short films. Her work has been featured in numerous publications including Directors Library, Nowness, METAL magazine, Shots Creative, Little Black Book, The cover of Ad Age, Girl Gaze, Marie Claire and many more.
Her newest short film VIDEO BARN fills the horror genre by paying homage to the 1980s surrealist films, blending dark humor, friendship, and the pull of the unknown to create a uniquely eerie horror short.
Two outcasts who work at a small town’s local video store must solve the mysteries of the town’s dark past when one of them goes missing.
Starring Grace Van Dien and Reina Hardesty, Bianca Poletti’s The film will have its world premiere at SXSW.
#shortfilm #shortfilms #horror #thriller #SXSW #MarieClaire #AdAge #videostore #blockbuster #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector #filmproduction #classicfilm #suspensethriller 

BAGGAGE The Animated Short Film That Will CHANGE Your Perspective with Lucy Davidson

The animated short BAGGAGE is about three girlfriends who check in their baggage at the airport, but one is carrying a little more than the others. As they travel along the conveyor belt to security, can she hide what’s inside?
Lucy Davidson’s charming stop-motion animated short is a comedic, but poignant film that explores female friendship and the emotional weight that true friends help carry through life.
BAGGAGE was selected for the London International Animation Festival and Flickerfest and won ‘Best Animated Short’ at the Peninsula Film Festival. It will be making its International Premiere at SXSW.
Lucy Davidson, a Stop-Motion Animator based in Melbourne, Australia, with a passion for bringing stories to life through innovative animation techniques and diverse stop-motion styles.
One of her most notable achievements includes creating the award-winning music video Speak to Me for Pink Floyd, where she utilized pixelation—a technique that animates people and objects.
In 2023, Lucy joined the crew of Memoir of a Snail, the Oscar-nominated stop-motion feature directed by Adam Elliot as a key member of the art department contributing to set dressing and animation.
Off the back of her very successful first professional placement, Lucy secured a coveted spot at the renowned Aardman Animation Academy, where she created her own short film, Baggage.
#animation #animatedshort #shortfilm #shortfilm #filmmaker #filmmaking #screenwriter #friendship #pinkfloyd #stopmotion #stopmotionanimation 

ANWAR Short Film: Would You Choose to Live Forever or Choose Heaven When Your Time Has Come?

Fawaz Al-Matrouk's new short film, ANWAR is a sci-fi about a mother who chooses to live forever and a son who longs for heaven.
We see Anwar age from 8 to 18 to 80, while Mona, the mother remains eternal throughout, until he has a final moment of doubt, and she has a final moment of hope.
This film has a storyline that is compelling, thought-provoking and shows how the human mind and the human spirit can clash in the areas of belief.
The cinematography is beautiful using natural light in the outdoor shots that bring human, spirit and the element of nature together. ANWAR is the film that will spark intense discussions among every audience that sees it and you need to see this film when you get the chance.
I can see this film going a long way this year, so keep your eye on ANWAR.
#scifi #thriller #eternallife #heaven #aging #choices #filmmaking #filmmaker #filmdirector #kerrybishe #storytelling #actor #bondoncinema #cinema #cinematography #cinephile