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Dominic Savage’s ‘CLOSE TO YOU’ (2023) – Movie Review – PopHorror

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Dominic Savage’s ‘CLOSE TO YOU’ (2023) – Movie Review – PopHorror

When I was a kid, I was different from my entire family. I fit right in punk rock; that was my passion and style choice. However, the torment I went through does not compare to people who aren’t happy with their gender. We put people who are different into a big pot of culture. I love being an outsider, and Close To You, directed by Dominic Savage, was almost like an anthem of strength for people who deal with darkness and confusion.

Synopsis

Sam (Elliot Page The Umbrella Academy) who found comfort in his new purpose and gender, is headed home for their fathers birthday. Sam had been gone for years and fell off the map. Upon Sam’s return, he struggles with acceptance from the people he loves. Sam protects his dignity and fear of not being accepted.

After his family welcomes him with open arms and general conncern Sam has to dig deep to find the love he used to have. With the entire family together, he has to deal with strong criticsm from his brother in law Paul (David Reale Molly’s Game). While Sam is growing, he runs into an old love Katherine (Hillary Baack, Helen). When the pot boils over between Sam and Paul, Sam’s  life collapses. He slowly starts to bring himself back. Old memories and old flames are rekindled.

“The films I have been making over the past years have all been made with, and written
specifically for, a particular lead actor. They are, I feel, special collaborations that result in
stories that are rooted in absolute truth that have deep meaning and resonance for both me
and, most importantly, the actor. They are films about the complexities of our relationships, the
difficult parts of our lives, the every day of our existences, yet the striving for meaning and truth
within them.” -Dominic Savage

As much as I live for the horror community, sometimes drama movies impress me. However, I wouldn’t exactly call this drama. I think of it as empowering for people who can relate to it. I understand how hard it is for someone to accept and love you as you are. Sometimes, we need to hear that it’s OK to be different. That is what Close To You was centered around. The acting and emotion are powerful. Everyone landed their role perfectly; you could feel the tension in your own mind. What got me the most was the realism of the situation for so many people out there who just feel different.

In The End

I also loved the acceptance from the people who love Sam the most. I didn’t have the love I always yearned for with my parents. There are many scenes where you cheer on Sam and feel the crushing weight of emotions built inside. You can also feel everyone trying to build Sam up in self-confidence. Close To You is a movie I think everyone should see just once, just for a perspective for the people who may be intolerant. Some of us still believe in equal rights, and we don’t have to live it to accept it.

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Close To You hits digital platforms August 16th.

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Movie Reviews

Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu Review: USA Premiere Report

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Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu Review: USA Premiere Report

U.S. Premiere Report:

#MSG Review: Free Flowing Chiru Fun

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It’s an easy, fun festive watch with a better first half that presents Chiru in a free-flowing, at-ease with subtle humor. On the flip side, much-anticipated Chiru-Venky track is okay, which could have elevated the second half.

#AnilRavipudi gets the credit for presenting Chiru in his best, most likable form, something that was missing from his comeback.

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With a simple story, fun moments and songs, this has enough to become a commercial success this #Sankranthi

Rating: 2.5/5

First Half Report:

#MSG Decent Fun 1st Half!

Chiru’s restrained body language and acting working well, paired with consistent subtle humor along with the songs and the father’s emotion which works to an extent, though the kids’ track feels a bit melodramatic – all come together to make the first half a decent fun, easy watch.

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– Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu show starts with Anil Ravipudi-style comedy, with his signature backdrop, a gang, and silly gags, followed by a Megastar fight and a song. Stay tuned for the report.

U.S. Premiere begins at 10.30 AM EST (9 PM IST). Stay tuned Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu review, report.

Cast: Megastar Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh Daggubati, Nayanthara, Catherine Tresa

Writer & Director – Anil Ravipudi
Producers – Sahu Garapati and Sushmita Konidela
Presents – Smt.Archana
Banners – Shine Screens and Gold Box Entertainments
Music Director – Bheems Ceciroleo
Cinematographer – Sameer Reddy
Production Designer – A S Prakash
Editor – Tammiraju
Co-Writers – S Krishna, G AdiNarayana
Line Producer – Naveen Garapati
U.S. Distributor: Sarigama Cinemas

 Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu Movie Review by M9

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Primate

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Primate
Every horror fan deserves the occasional (decent) fix, andin the midst of one of the bleakest movie months of the year, Primatedelivers. There’s nothing terribly original about Johannes Roberts’ rabidchimpanzee tale, but that’s kind of the …
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Movie Reviews

1986 Movie Reviews – Black Moon Rising | The Nerdy

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1986 Movie Reviews – Black Moon Rising | The Nerdy
by Sean P. Aune | January 10, 2026January 10, 2026 10:30 am EST

Welcome to an exciting year-long project here at The Nerdy. 1986 was an exciting year for films giving us a lot of films that would go on to be beloved favorites and cult classics. It was also the start to a major shift in cultural and societal norms, and some of those still reverberate to this day.

We’re going to pick and choose which movies we hit, but right now the list stands at nearly four dozen.

Yes, we’re insane, but 1986 was that great of a year for film.

The articles will come out – in most cases – on the same day the films hit theaters in 1986 so that it is their true 40th anniversary. All films are also watched again for the purposes of these reviews and are not being done from memory. In some cases, it truly will be the first time we’ve seen them.

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This time around, it’s Jan. 10, 1986, and we’re off to see Black Moon Rising.

Black Moon Rising

What was the obsession in the 1980s with super vehicles?

Sam Quint (Tommy Lee Jones) is hired to steal a computer tape with evidence against a company on it. While being pursued, he tucks it in the parachute of a prototype vehicle called the Black Moon. While trying to retrieve it, the car is stolen by Nina (Linda Hamilton), a car thief working for a car theft ring. Both of them want out of their lives, and it looks like the Black Moon could be their ticket out.

Blue Thunder in the movies, Airwolf and Knight Rider on TV, the 1980s loved an impractical ‘super’ vehicle. In this case, the car plays a very minor role up until the final action set piece, and the story is far more about the characters and their motivations.

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The movie is silly as you would expect it to be, but it is never a bad watch. It’s just not anything particularly memorable.

1986 Movie Reviews will continue on Jan. 17, 2026, with The Adventures of the American Rabbit, The Adventures of Mark Twain, The Clan of the Cave Bear, Iron Eagle, The Longshot, and Troll.


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