Jar Lid

A fun thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously. Great editing and some awesome manic performances keep you engaged and on the edge of your seat for this race-against-the-clock flick. But humor is used skillfully that doesn't deflate the heart or tension by some great character actors including interactions with Uber drivers, party strays, pawn shop brokers and cops.

8/10 Jars.

In Jar Lid, the two main characters, estranged siblings who have to come up with $20,000 in a short amount of time, are two sides of the same coin. One is book-smart, the other street-smart. (That's code for, one of them is polite and professional, and the other isn't afraid to break the law to get what he wants.) The characters end up being variations on a theme of what it takes to be resourceful, and even how to find your self-worth.

It strikes me as unique then, that a movie about being resourceful is also made very resourcefully-on a $2,000 budget, the filmmakers make the most out of the family, friends, locations, equipment, and more that they have around them. In the process, Jar Lid reveals a much more personal touch than a lot of multi-million-dollar blockbusters. The film has a tough balancing act to do, juggling a lot of different tones and genres (from familial drama to satirical comedy to mystery thriller), but the way it's put together demonstrates the themes that are at the heart of the story and characters-and that's always a good thing when a movie can do that, no matter how big the budget.

Jar Lid had me on the edge of my seat the whole time, and that's not just because the screening room was so crowded and I had to share my seat with another person. It's tense and gripping from start to finish.

It also features a cast of impressive local actors, but Jesse DiFranco is the standout and clearly a star in the making. He's like the Steph Curry of acting...he's got mad range! Jesse DiFranco from waaaaaay downtown for threeeee!

If I could bottle up this movie and keep it in a jar forever...I'd be doing a major disservice to audiences everywhere! This is a movie that needs to be seen.

A fun movie about two siblings who, after going their separate directions in life, must come together to complete a time-limited, high-stakes situation.

The film is complex, and quite funny- its script is well fleshed out and incredibly well paced. It never feels like too much or too little. It never feels like it's holding your hand or stuffing its hardships down your throat, it is simply a well done story. It creates good moments of tension between the siblings and the situations they get into.

The acting was great across the board, especially from the lead characters. Martha (Sarah Wyatt) and Larry (Jesse DiFranco). The direction from Jonathan Klein flowed the story along, so that you're never bored and always engaged.

If you want an enjoyable movie that combines humor, mystery and emotion, then I recommend giving this one a watch.