About Zed Kosnar

Licenciado/Profesor/Doctor en NADA, nomas me gustan los filmes y hago mi opinión sobre ellos, pero lo hago CON BASES.. Siganme bajo esa advertencia.

Desde TIFF 2025: Marriaginalia … ¿Hasta que lo raro nos separe?

Posted on 6 September, 2025 by Zed Kosnar

Ayer se estrenó el cortometraje «Marriaginalia» de la directora Hannah Cheesman en el festival Toronto international Film Festival que se está llevando desde 4 de Septiembre al 14 de 2025. Tuvimos la oportunidad de verlo (remotamente) y aqui les podemos dar una breve opinión.

De la traducida synopsis oficial:

«Marriaginalia» es un retrato surrealista de la vida matrimonial, narrado a lo largo de un día en tres partes. Una pareja navega por las pequeñas rupturas de la vida —el mundo se distorsiona, el cuerpo sorprende—, pero su vínculo perdura, sereno y ligeramente desequilibrado.

Ok, siendo que este corto dura solo 3 minutos, como que no puedo decir mucho sin caer en spoilear toda la trama.

Lo que puedo decir es que me gustó el corto, pero más que por la historia, fué por la forma en que fué contada.

Me habían advertido que la historia podría ser muy grotesca y repulsiva… Y en cierta forma es posible que sí, pero puedes elegir no sentir asco, ya que la trama se presta a ser interpretada de dos formas.

Puedes simplemente ver la vida diaria de una pareja que cuando les pasan unas cosas muy extrañas en su día a día, lo resuelven de una forma muy tranquila, o… Puedes elegir la otra ruta.

Este no es un corto que puedo recomendarle a todos, pero si lo llegan a ver, por favor déjenme saber qué les pareció.

El corto se estrenó ayer en el festival, pero tendrá una segunda presentació el 11 de Septiembre.

El festival Toronto international Film Festival se está llevando desde 4 de Septiembre al 14 de 2025.

From TIFF 2025: Marriaginalia … Until Weird do us part?

Posted on 6 September, 2025 by Zed Kosnar

Coming from the Toronto international Film Festival, we got the change to see this new short from Hannah Cheesman.

From the official Synopsis:

«Marriaginalia» is a surreal portrait of married life told across a day in three parts. A couple navigates life’s smaller ruptures — the world distorts, the body surprises — but their bond holds, serene and slightly off-kilter.

Ok, since this is a short that only lasts 3 minutes and a half, I cannot say much, without spoiling the whole thing.

I just can say that I liked it, but I think I liked it more due the way the story is told, than the idea itself.

I was warned that the story was very gross and repulsive… I say, yes, it can be, but you can choose to not be grossed out, since the story can have two interpretations of what is going on.

You can choose to just see the daily life of a couple that very candidly go through some strange situations, or… another route.

The short had its 1st premiere yesterday morning, but will have a second showing on the 11th.

It is not for everybody, but if you happen to see it, please share your thoughts!

The Toronto international Film Festival Is taking place from September 4th to 14th, 2025

Desde FrightFest 2025: «The Haunted Forest»

Posted on 25 August, 2025 by Zed Kosnar

Lo que parecía un trabajo de ensueño en una atracción de espantos, se convierte rápidamente en una pesadilla en “The Haunted Forest” el nuevo filme escrito y dirigido por Keith Boynton. La película fue exhibida recientemente en el festival de Frightfest 2025 en Londres, y tuvimos la oportunidad de verla (pero de lejitos, desde nuestra choza)

Vamos a parafrasear la sinopsis oficial!

“Zach es un fan acérrimo de las películas de terror que prefiere dibujar cómics macabros en clase en vez concentrarse en sus estudios. Así que, cuando su primo Mark lo invita a trabajar en el legendario “Bosque Encantado” una atracción de espantos, Zach acepta encantado. En su primera noche, Zach conoce a Sarah, una maquilladora guapa y misteriosa, y a Jacko, un empleado veterano que lo toma como su aprendiz. Zach se encuentra rápidamente en su mejor momento, disfrutando de su pasión por todo lo mórbido, pero cuando Jacko es hallado muerto, el mágico mundo del Bosque empieza a parecer siniestro, y Zach no puede evitar preguntarse dónde atacará el asesino la próxima vez.”

A la larga, disfruté mucho el filme. Me gustaron la mayoría de los personajes, y me gustó mucho la dinámica entre ellos, ya que sentía muy orgánica. El filme hizo un buen trabajo manteniendo mi atención todo el tiempo, mostrando como los empleados del parque se las ingeniaban para mantener a los visitantes bastante aterrados.

El personaje principal Zach es bastante simpático y podemos fácilmente simpatizar con él (Osea, el cuate se la pasa dibujando cosas de terror en la clase, ¿como no nos va a caer bien?), al principio vemos como le batallaba en su trabajo de asustador, y como poco a poco se va haciendo de experiencia y se va ganando su lugar en el parque. Y como si fuera poco, hasta se consigue una novia de esas guapetonas!

(inserte el meme de “DEBERÍA SER YO! Aquí)

Asi que naturalmente, cuando las cosas se empiezan a poner escabrosas y empiezan a aparecer difuntitos, nos preocupamos por Zach, su primo Mark, y el resto de los empleados de bosque.

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Desde FrightFest 2025: «Self-Help»: Dando terapia de locura… Mortal!

Posted on 25 August, 2025 by Zed Kosnar

Recientemente presentada en FrightFest 2025, tuvimos la oportunidad de ver “Self-Help”, el nuevo filme de Erik Bloomquist, el director de “Founder’s Day” que vimos el año pasado en los cines.

A llegarle con todo!

Motivada mas que nada por la oportunidad de cerrar viejas heridas, y por insistencia de su mejor amiga Sophie, Olivia, una joven estudiante de universidad, decide reunirse con la madre que no ha visto por mucho tiempo, es un retiro motivacional que se llevará a acabo ese fin de semana.

Tan pronto como las dos chicas llegan a este retiro espiritual, las alarmas y las banderas rojas brotan en la mente de Olivia. No solo porque todos los presentes están usando máscaras de hule representando sus personalidades y miedos, sino también porque Rebecca, la madre de Olivia, anuncia ahí mismo que lleva rato saliendo con un hombre llamado Curtis Clark, quien casualmente es también el carismático líder de este retiro, y que ella desea que Olivia se una a esta nueva familia que ha encontrado.

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From FrightFest 2025: «The Haunted Forest»

Posted on 25 August, 2025 by Zed Kosnar

What seemed to be a dream job in a haunting attraction, quickly becomes a nightmare in “The Haunted Forest”, the new film directed and written by Keith Boynton. The film has just been screened at Frightfest 2025, and we had the chance to see it (remotely, mind you).

Let’s have the official synopsis!

“Zach is a horror-movie obsessive who’d rather draw gruesome comic books in class than concentrate on his studies – so when his cousin Mark invites him to work at the legendary Haunted Forest, Zach is thrilled beyond belief. On his first night, he meets Sarah, a beautiful and intriguing makeup artist, as well as Jacko, a veteran employee who takes Zach under his wing. Zach is living his best life, indulging his passion for all things morbid – but when Jacko is found dead, the magical world of the Forest begins to seem sinister, and Zach can’t help but wonder where the killer will strike next…”

Overall, I enjoyed the film. I liked most of the characters, and I found their interactions very organic. The film did a very good job at grabbing my attention with the haunt and how all the staff works together to keep the customers scared.

Our main character Zach is very charming and easy to relate to (I mean, the guy draws horror comics in class! How can you not love the dude?), we see him struggle at first as a scare actor, and little by little paying his dues, earning his place at the haunt. Heck, he even gets a mysterious cute girlfriend!

(insert the «IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME!: meme here)

So naturally, when things start to go awry, we worry for him and the rest of the staff, and we start to wonder who is behind these killings and accidents.

Continue reading →

From FrightFest 2025: «Self-Help» offers a killer therapy.

Posted on 25 August, 2025 by Zed Kosnar

Recently screened at FrightFest 2025, we had the chance to check “Self Help”, the new film from Erik Bloomquist, director of last year’s “Founder’s Day”.

Let’s dig in!

Motivated more than anything by the chance to close old wounds, and due the insistence of her best friend Sophie, Olivia, a young woman studying college, decides to reunite with her estranged mother at a self-help seminar for the weekend.

As soon as the two girls arrive at the spiritual retreat, red flags and alarm whistles start popping in Olivia’s head. Not only because all the attendees are wearing rubber masks that depict their personalities and fears, but because Olivia’s mother Rebecca, announces on the spot that she has been dating for some time a man called Curtis Clark, that also turns out to be the charismatic leader of this retreat, and that she wants Olivia to be part of her new found family.

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From Fantasia 2025: «The School Duel» is pulling no punches and asking though questions.

Posted on 3 August, 2025 by Zed Kosnar

Recently screened in the last days of Fantasia 2025, we had the opportunity to see “The School Duel”: a very daring, interesting film written and directed by Todd Wiseman Jr.

Set in an alternative America, the independent state of Florida holds a state-wide competition where several young males participate in an all-for-all shooting battle called “The School Duel”. This competition looks to counter the rise of school shootings, as the state of Florida prides itself in upholding the good traditional values, keeping gun control outlawed, and God’s lessons in the public school classrooms.

Here we meet 13-year-old Sam, a short, weak boy, who is bullied constantly at school. Lonely in part due his father’s death, Sam looks for connection among online influencers and his favorite is one of “The School Duel” previous years winner. One day, when he manages to stand up to one of his tormentors, Sam gets noticed by Captain Stegmann, a recruiter for the competition.

Despite the protest of his mother, Sam enters the competition, and learns several lessons quickly on how dark the real world can really be, as he pushes himself through the different stages of the tournament, where any false step could be his last.

I’ll so straight to the point:

The movie does not pull any punches, it’s a very stern, raw, dark and sharp critique of the American society, and the scarier part is that contrary to other dystopian films like “Battle Royale”, it never presents any elements that could make the story feel like a parody or a farce. It tells you straight to the face and without being preachy “This is where we could go, Are you sure this is what you want?”.

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From Fantasia 2025: «Hellcat»

Posted on 30 July, 2025 by Zed Kosnar

When I first heard about «Hellcat», I was intrigued by the premise, but a few minutes in, I was hooked. This film written and directed by Brock Bodell, it was screened recently at Fantasia 2025 and I believe it has several elements that could turn it into a new classic among the horror community.

A young woman called Lena wakes up inside a trailer home, without any clue as to how she got there. She can sense that the trailer is on the move, and as her mind tries to clear up, she notices a strange wound in her arm, one wound she does not remember how she obtained.

A mysterious voice of someone that identifies himself as “Clive” can be heard through a speaker, it seems to be the driver of the trailer. Clive claims that he found Lena in the woods and that she is now infected with a very dangerous disease and that they are on their way to meet Dr. Janekowski, the only person that can help her.

Clearly not trusting “Clive”, Lena tries real hard to find a way to escape from the trailer. Clive explains that she needs to stay calm, otherwise the infection will invade her body faster and she will not be saved. As Lena rummages through the trailer, she discovers a locked door, with another girl imprisoned inside the room behind it. Clive insists that Lena needs to trust him, but she decides to do whatever she needs to protect her life, and the one growing inside her womb.

This is one of those films that are very good, but I struggle to explain why they are so good, due not wanting to release too many details, since some are CRUCIAL for the plot, but also would ruin a lot of good surprises.

Continue reading →

From Fantasia 2025 : Music is the new battlefield in «Ya Boy Kongming! The Movie»

Posted on 30 July, 2025 by Zed Kosnar

I’m a big fan of the anime “Ya Boy Kongming!”, which is based on the manga created by writer Tato Yotsuba and manga artist Ryo Ogawa, So when I heard that the Live Action film adaptation was going to be presented in Fantasia 2025, I immediately put it on my list of «Must Cover». What I did not know at first, is that this film is not a recap or adaptation of the beginning of the story, instead is a SEQUEL to the LIVE ACTION TV Series adaptation of the manga.

So yes… I did my homework and watched the live action series (you can catch it on Netflix in the USA) before jumping into this movie.

For those who are not familiar with the story, here is a little recap:

In “Ya Boy Kongming!” the legendary military strategist Zhuge Kongming (from China’s War of the “Three Kingdoms” era), reincarnates in modern day Japan, looking as a young adult, but with all his memories (and wisdom) intact.

As he always longed to live in a peaceful world and died before the “Three Kingdoms” war was over, Kongming decides to become the manager (or more precisely, the “tactician”) of Eiko, a talented young aspiring singer that he meets shortly after reincarnating, and due being touched by her songs. From then onwards, the wise Kongming uses all his wits to navigate through the intricate world of the music industry, with the goal of having the world hear Eiko’s music, and maybe, create the world peace he always wished for.

Even when I am not a fan of musicals, I love “Ya Boy Kongming!”, and the music is a very important part of the series. This sequel picks up where the live action series ends, and shows us how Kongming gets Eiko to be part of a musical tournament event created by the 3 major Japanese recording companies. Continue reading →

From Fantasia 2025: «Blazing Fists» brings a shot for redemption

Posted on 30 July, 2025 by Zed Kosnar

Inspired by a speech delivered by Mikuru Asakura, a former delinquent and now a respectable MMA fighter, Ikuto and Ryoma, two inmates in a juvenile detention center, decide to turn their lives around, and dedicate themselves body and soul to follow Asakura’s foot steps and train to earn a place in the “Breaking Down” tournament once they are released.

The path to this goal, as you might imagine, won’t be easy.

This is the premise of “Blazing Fists”, the new film directed by the iconic director Takashi Miike, which was screened recently in Fantasia 2025. This sport drama combines themes of juvenile gangs, corrupt systems, and a shot of redemption.

After being released from the juvenile detention center, we see both the shy Ryoma and the apparently chill (but powerful) Ikuto training to reach their goal. At the same time, they are dealing with their own family troubles, as Ikuto’s father is awaiting trial, accused of murder, and Ryoma can’t go home due to her mom’s new boyfriend. While the friendship between Ikuto and Ryoma looks strong on the outside, there is fear and shame deep inside Ryoma. This is because he can’t find the courage to confess that he was actually the culprit of the crime Ikuto was wrongly accused and imprisoned for.

Continue reading →