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Dawning is a Korean-American psychological drama that was initially conceived as a short film but ultimately became a full length feature. Set in the sweltering heat of a Californian farm, this film explores how a successful trauma therapist returns to the place where she has grown up and confronts the demons of her past.

This movie convinces on several levels. The script comes around with a few twists and turns that will keep viewers on the edges of their seats until the very end. The inspiration from genre masterpieces such as A Tale of Two Sisters is obvious throughout the film. The acting performances are excellent as well and the movie spreads a strong feminist message on the pulse of time. The subject of a clash of cultures between big city life and isolated agricultural settings, trauma therapy and farm life as well as contemporary American culture and traditional Korean viewpoints offer much food for thought and discussion.

There are two reasons why this film hasn't received a perfect score. First and foremost, it takes a little bit too much inspiration from several influential psychological dramas, horror films and thrillers. This means that dedicated cineasts and experienced genre experts won't be as surprised by this film's outcome as casual or occasional viewers. Lastly, it's obvious that this movie was supposed to be a short film at first and relatively spontaneously became a full length feature as time went by. This film's middle section for instance is a little bit dragging and repetitive if compared to the intriguing exposition and remarkable resolution.

At the end of the day, this independent movie starring numerous talented young actresses and actors, director, script writer and even an astonishing artist in the soundtrack department deserves much attention, recognition and respect. This movie impresses with an excellent script, wonderful inspirations, great acting and numerous fascinating messages and themes. Dawning deserves to be revisited on a few occasions to fully digest the different ideas and perspectives developed throughout this entertaining movie. I would recommend this movie to family members, friends and complete strangers without any significant hesitation.

Miracle Valley is the first movie directed by Greg Sestero who has also written the script and acted in this film. This refreshingly simple horror movie revolves around an occult cult that kidnaps unsuspecting victims to find perfect blood types for sinister experiments.

This directorial debut by Greg Sestero qualifies as a good horror film. The movie is tense from start to finish and keeps viewers interested until the dramatic resolution. This film has a chilling atmosphere that gradually increases throughout the film. The locations have been chosen with care and combine beautiful landscapes with sinister buildings.

The most notable flaw of this film are the restrained acting performances. Lead actress Angela Mariano offers stylish looks but few acting skills. Greg Sestero has delivered the goods in the directing and writing departments but fails to get viewers attached to his role in the movie. Rick Edwards incarnates an antagonist who is portrayed so exaggeratedly that he almost becomes a grotesque caricature. If the actors and actresses involved in this film had been more dedicated, experienced and talented, Miracle Valley might have qualified as one of the greatest old-school horror films in recent years.

As it is now, Miracle Valley still qualifies as a good horror movie going back to the style of American horror cinema of the sixties and seventies in particular. This movie convinces with a decent script that is partially based upon true events, fitting locations enhancing the flick's vibes and a grippingly chilling atmosphere that increases steadily throughout the film. Horror movie genre fans and cineasts interested in Greg Sestero's career should certainly give this film a chance.

A Colt Is My Passport, originally released as Koruto wa ore no pasupoto, is a Japanese film noir that mixes action thriller elements with melodramatic drama sections. This film was directed by Nomura Takashi who has worked as an actor throughout the fifties, sixties and seventies and who has also directed forty-four different films from the sixties until the nineties. This film is often considered one of the greatest accomplishments of his versatile career. This movie stars legendary actor Shishido Jo who should be known to anyone interested in Japanese cinema since he has participated in a whopping two hundred fifty-eight films. His gritty acting skills and unique facial features are certainly quite memorable.

This film revolves around an experienced contract killer and his driver who are hired by a mobster to assassinate a rival. After successfully completing said task, the two men are however not only tracked down by the gang of the victim and police forces but also by their employer who turns against them for strategical reasons. The two outcasts are now fighting for survival and aiming for revenge. They get some unexpected support from a young waitress who wants to organize some changes in her life.

This movie convinces on almost all levels. The plot is filled with enough tense moments to keep viewers watching until the very last scene. Regarding the latter element, this movie ends in a most explosive way that still feels spectacular to this day. The acting performances are great throughout and show the desolate lives of characters involved in organized crime. The locations have been chosen with great care and show the contrast of the luxurious mansions of accomplished criminals and the shabby hotel rooms in which poorly treated hired guns are expected to spend their time. This film has been shot with great care in form of precise camera work, fitting lighting techniques and sound elements that were quite impressive in their time.

Few minor downsides can be mentioned. The script is overall rather predictable and won't win any awards for creativity. One can also note that lead actor Shishido Jo keeps being typecast as gangster facing several opponents and getting involved with a beautiful lady. Even though you won't find much novelty when watching this film, everything has been executed with such great care that this movie can be considered a genre highlight of its time.

To keep it short and simple, A Colt Is My Passport, originally titled Koruto wa ore no pasupoto, is an entertaining gangster drama from the late sixties that impresses with wonderful acting, precise camera work, excellent lighting techniques, fitting locations, gripping plot and wonderful sound. Genre fans should certainly watch and enjoy this wonderful film that has both stood the test of time and preserved its unique charm from the sixties.