The Gift you would have your eye on at the next White Elephant

 WHITE ELEPHANT

(COMEDY/DRAMA)

WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY COREY MOSS
STARRING LANA MCKISSACK, NATHAN MOORE, PAUL KARMIRYAN, CARMELA ZUMBADO, COCO JONES, DEVIND DRUID, AVERY NORRIS, AND MATTHEW HANCOCK

SYNOPSIS: When eight millennials convene for their annual gift exchange, a surprise marriage proposal thrusts the game into chaos and relationships to the brink.

WHAT THIS FILM DOES WELL: It takes you a ride of emotions, some moments will surprise you, some will make you chuckle, some will make you laugh but it engages you right from the onset and then takes you into a 3rd act that just explodes. Sure it's cheesy and corny at times but it has heart and isn't afraid of that, isn't afraid to twist you all up either when it comes to that explosion 3rd act I just referenced. For a one room film experience there is never static in the form of a long artistic voyeur type shot or deep thoughts or pauses that grate your patience. This movie goes and keeps going, even in the static moments. Corey Moss' choices to really give you the soak it in spots after hitting you in the head with a hammer are so well done. Moss also relying heavily on the shoulders of Lana McKissack is the smartest of choices because Lana is brilliant in this movie. She has a command of the scenes and the wherewithal to know when the moment needs a breath, needs tension, or needs that human touch that often escapes these films.  You sprinkle in the impressive comedic talents of her and her fellow castmates, especially Nathan Moore and Matthew Hancock who bring the cheese and corniness and you get a movie that doesn't just go for the cheap laugh but feels real, feels relatable, and puts a shine on the Indie concept of one room films. The entire cast really gets great moments and its well spread out and everybody seems to have a little something to sprinkle into the crazy 3rd act which really helps you stay engaged and involved.   

WHY YOU NEED TO CHAMPION THIS FILM: Films like this, represent diversity in a manner in which we should be a bit more familiar, and sadly it isn't in a lot of our lives. This needs to be applauded because we need to start looking at not fortifying expectations of acknowledging stereotypes and instead look to be a bit more inclusive and acceptant that this role is played by this person because they were the right person to play this character because of personality and chemistry with their fellow castmates. This film is also fun, engaging, and gives everyone a chance to really show what they can do for all involved on and off screen.   
 
YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS FILM IF YOU LIKED: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (if it were a tad bit more serious),  The Big Chill (if you were hoping it was funnier), Kicking and Screaming

YOU CAN SEE THIS FILM ON-DEMAND HERE

YOU CAN WATCH OUR INTERVIEW WITH LANA MCKISSACK, PAUL KARMIRYAN, AND WRITER/DIRECTOR COREY MOSS ON THE SEASON FINALE OF OUR SPOTLIGHT SERIES