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Written notes/review plus live video review of By the Stream (2025) by Hong Sang-soo

By the stream review - from Lincoln Center, NYC viewing - no spoilers The hype is real - By the Stream is very good by Hong movies standards and also normal comedy-drama standards. There were like 30-40 people at Lincoln Center for the 1PM Fri 8/8/25 (opening day) screening of By the Stream.  People in that neighborhood are serious about their foreign films. Cinematography is very simple, from a canon XA small sensor HD cam, I could see familiar details, how those cams film the moon, scenes at night - it’s like a 1980s or 1990s early indie cinematography style that we do not see much these days - works well for Hong’s movies. No color grading, very simple video/cinematography. A more fleshed out movie than some recent Hong movies. In the movie a skit is prepped, and we actually get to see it performed. A couple of serious issues are discussed.  Some unexpected, light things happen. It’s a comedy-drama chill hangout movie w/ creative South Korean people - good times. Probably o...
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The hype is real - By the Stream is very good (by normal movies standard, not just Hong movies)

 
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The case for using AI for indie film reviews (if tech is developed to be able to write good reviews)

Regardless of how it is presented to the public, everything in US film (and probably worldwide) - Hollywood and indie - is about money.  If you have the money, you can make and release films, buy ads in publications, and get reviews.  There are 200+ reviews for a mediocre Hollywood movie now at Rotten Tomatoes site - for the new Fantastic Four movie. At the same time there were less than 10 reviews for an indie movie that was playing at IFC Center in NYC last week. Outside of even IFC runs, there are 100s of indie movies - fiction features and doc features - that come out on VOD and YouTube every week these days that do not get reviewed and do not get any articles written about them. With some effort I and many other indie filmmakers are able to get some reviews for our movies. However, the vast majority of new indie films are not reviewed. Film is art, it is easier to make and release films now than it was in the past, and all films deserve reviews and articles about them. ...
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Cosmic Disco Detective Rene (2023) Full Movie + The Last Days of Joseph Koch Comics Warehouse (2025) feature documentary, full movie

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YouTube Premiere 7/20 Sun 11 AM EST - new feature documentary film The Last Days of Joseph Koch Comics Warehouse

(Joseph Koch Comics Warehouse is open 12-7 PM daily until the end of July. Visit them in Sunset Park, Brooklyn - all info here -  https://kochcomics.com/  ) * Check out the new documentary here starting at 11 AM EST today/Sun 7/20:
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Info, trailer, clips, opening scene - new feature doc - The Last Days of Joseph Koch Comics Warehouse (2025) - movie coming out on Sun on YouTube!

* Watch movie here (or above at top of page, starting 11 AM EST 7/20 Sun) -  https://youtu.be/De6AXHsD5d0?si=QoqLZAJlJM-NmoBv * Final trailer:  * The subject of the doc - Joseph Koch Comics Warehouse in Sunset Park, Brooklyn - will be open to the public daily 12-7 PM until the end of July. After that, after 35+ years, the warehouse closes. Visit them at:  206 41st Street, 2nd Floor Between 2nd & 3rd Avenue Sunset Park, Brooklyn 718-768-8571 12-7 PM daily, until end of July Website -  https://kochcomics.com/ Lots of amazing deals there (over 300K+ items for $1 they say). On to the documentary - it officially comes out on Sun - on YouTube (but may be available to view earlier). I am wrapping up work on it now.  Will post link at this blog when the movie is out (UPDATE - link - https://youtu.be/De6AXHsD5d0?si=QoqLZAJlJM-NmoBv ). The doc will be 1 hour and 13 mins long - and will feature: - Intro and notes by filmmaker - A tour of the warehouse in its last day...
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Indie film news 6/23/25 - 53 Spaceships teaser trailer + GoFundMe, Andor discussion at YPA Reviews, IndieSeen - Friendship movie + Cannes, Inside the Arthouse latest

    *     *     *   From 53 Spaceships new teaser YouTube page - " Help finish and release this movie (long term/1 year goal is 100 million views on YouTube, after theatrical screenings, VOD, physical media availability) - donate to the project and get your name in the Special Thanks section, get invites to screenings, and get early VOD availability notices, thanks! :) - https://www.gofundme.com/f/53spaceships "
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Epic new no dialogue teaser/intro trailer for 53 Spaceships (2025) sci-fi movie

 
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Crazy comedy about a true life story - BitterSweet discussion - Steven Martini, Gabriela Kulaif, William Baldwin starring - movie opens in 3 LA area theaters on 6/10 week!

All info on LA area screenings here -  https://www.laemmle.com/film/bittersweet  - starts on 6/10! * Winner of Best Director for Steven Martini and Best Supporting Actor for Billy Baldwin at Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema.  Winner best Producer for Gabriela Kulaif at Los Angeles Independent Women Film Festival. * * Trailer     *  * Discussing the movie with Chicago film critic Ian Simmons and NYC indie filmmaker Sujewa Ekanayake   * All info on LA area screenings here -  https://www.laemmle.com/film/bittersweet  - starts on 6/10!
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Cinema of Being

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Christmas Eve controversial, fun discussion - 1 of the best American indie filmmakers - Amir Motlagh

Inside the Arthouse ep 2

Full Movie - SNEAK PREVIEW - Cosmic Disco Detective Rene And The Mystery Of Immortal Time Travelers

NEW - COSMIC DISCO DETECTIVE RENE (2023) - TRAILER!

The Secret Society For Slow Romance (2022) - available to rent as a new release starting January 1

The Secret Society For Slow Romance - NEW RELEASE - Coming January 1, 2022 from Sujewa Ekanayake on Vimeo.

Werewolf Ninja Philosopher at Vimeo VOD

Werewolf Ninja Philosopher from Sujewa Ekanayake on Vimeo.

Reading Material

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Indie Film Blogger Road Trip

Indie Film Blogger Road Trip from Sujewa Ekanayake on Vimeo.