Fresh Kills

I was lucky enough to catch the premier at the cinequest film festival. I love the idea of a mob movie told from perspective of the women it affects. The anxiety, the danger, the violence. As with the men the idea of not being able to walk away and protecting the family that exposes you to so much trauma and heartache is a powerful study. Visually it's beautiful and captures the era. Great camera work, effects, and costume design. I've never seen the lead in anything else but she makes the movie.... The lack of dialogue she tells a story with her eyes. The sister played by Pamela aldon daughter was dope she was like the female version of Pac in Juice. I guess my only critiques would be the lack of music in the first act, the rushed pacing together to the climax, and how quickly the climactic event got us over tue finish line. I wish In The best part of the film there was more remorse from shown from the father. All in all Jennifer Espisoto did a great job. It was a great first film that I highly recommend.

FRESH KILLS is the BEST film I have seen on the festival circuit in the last 15 years. A gritty, gut wrenching story about two sisters that are stuck in a life they didn't choose... Their father's mob world. BUT, It's NOT a Mob film.

The depth of character these two young actors (Emily Bader & Odessa A'zion) share in their performances, explodes from the script on to the screen, via the expert direction of Esposito. Like all classic Independent Films, FRESH KILLS is intimate and raw, while bursting at the seams with story, content and style. It should be on everyone's must see list for 2024 and beyond!

I saw this film on opening night. The audience was comprised of Jennifer's family, friends and film students. All who were told to post glowing reviews online. THE TRUTH: THIS FILM WAS TERRIBLE. Plot was barely there, and what you get is endless stereotypical Italian profanity laced dialogue. And the male and female characters essentially speak in the same manner, as if the writer is using the same voice for all characters. This goes to the inexperience in the writing and directing. 2 hours long, 30 of which could have been cut. This is basically a self-funded student film. Tubi is waiting for you.

Honestly though, the mob stuff felt like the trappings around the real heart of it (to me), what do you do when you feel alone in the midst of family; when everything you know is isolating, when the people who are supposed to be your rock don't understand or relate to you? The undertones of feeling trapped in your life and just needing to run, to get out, hung strong with me. This was so well done, felt so real and lived in. Phenomenal acting, writing, directing, cinematography, wardrobe, everything. It's a drama, not an action movie, and there is no thriller aspect here, just real life trauma.

What a great side of a story that has never been on filmed (well at least that I know of) starts a bit slow, but worth the wait....i grew up in the 70's. My father owned a bar in the combat zone in Boston. I was there weekly. I can understand the "different" life style now that I am an adult.sad times now cause we don't even know our neighbors. I recall walking in the front door of any neighbors house to grab sugar milk bread etc and walking out not even thinking it was an issue. Our dog walked the neighborhood for hours til the school bus came home. Within a 5 mile radius everyone knew all families, kids,pets,extended family members,etc.