‘A Desert' Review: Motel Hell
Alex (Kai Lennox), the hero of Joshua Erkman's languid, atmospheric neo-noir 'A Desert,' is a photographer past his prime. His first book, a collection of landscapes channeling the desuetude of small-town America, put him on the map 20 years ago, and now he's cruising the highways and byways of the Yucca Valley in California, chasing his former glory.
It's in the nature of stories like this to offer its hero the reprieve of a disruption, and it arrives, violently, in the form of Renny (Zachary Ray Sherman), a lanky, keyed-up stranger Alex befriends at a roadside motel. Renny is clearly bad news, and for about 40 minutes, it seems obvious where 'A Desert' is going. But Ekrman's screenplay is slyly intelligent, and in the second act the film takes a sharp turn that is genuinely shocking.
Erkman's use of stark lighting — high beams cutting through the desert night — evokes 'Lost Highway,' and there's some 'Mulholland Drive' in the underworld theatrics detailed on the story's periphery. Lynch is a difficult influence to wield responsibly, yet Erkman keeps it largely under control: 'A Desert,' if at times too ambitious, certainly feels distinct.
It's a strange film, but it works, and feels grounded, because of its ensemble cast. Both Lennox and Sarah Lind, as Alex's wife, Sam, are serious and convincing, and the musician David Yow, as an oddball private detective following in Alex's wake, gives the movie some idiosyncratic flair. But the highlight is Sherman, whose menacing Renny is truly creepy and, when he really goes berserk, electrifying.
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2 days ago
- Yahoo
Days of Our Lives Recap: Carrie Comes Home
Days of Our Lives Recap: Carrie Comes Home originally appeared on Daytime Confidential. On today's Days of Our Lives recap: Titan/DiMera: Belle arrives to see Alex to investigate Philip's beating. Alex tries to avoid the topic because he's busy, but Belle says she will be brief. Belle asks about the Sepsis drug and Alex says he's been filled in and can't believe he would do something so stupid, yet again. He goes on to say he didn't know about the fraudulent letter until recently and thinks he could have stopped his cousin before he tried to steal the drug. Alex remembers seeing Philip eating dinner with Kevin Lambert. The next day he say Kevin having a hushed conversation with Steve and Shawn Douglas. Belle says none of this situation is his responsibility. Belle says she knows things the police don't about possible motives for Philip's beating. She suspects Alex knows similar information and straight up asks if he thinks Xander is guilty. He pleads the fifth. Belle says she is building a case and he's going to eventually answer questions from the police. If he knows anything, he may as well come clean. Alex says he saw Xander in the square yesterday coming from the direction of the Salem Inn. He was distracted and tense, made mention of a snag they hit in trying to purchase the hospital, and quickly leaves. Alex didn't say anything because Xander is family and owed some loyalty. He also notes Xander is innocent until proven guilty. Belle asks Alex to get Xander to call her and makes her exit. DiMera Mansion: EJ calls Brady to talk about his meeting with the hospital board when he learns about John. EJ presses about the board meeting but Brady hangs up. Kristen is listening in and asks her brother what happened to John. EJ tells Kristen that John was badly burned in an explosion. She asks for details and EJ indicates his chances aren't very good. Kristen can't believe John is in such danger and EJ awkwardly tries to comfort her. She apologizes for making things awkward as she remembers John as her first love. EJ says she was always willing to do anything to keep him, including passing him off as her child (I forgot about that!). Kristen says she wasn't in her right mind and was blinded by her feelings for John. EJ notes the creepy nature of transferring her feelings for the father to the son. Kristen shoots back about EJ sleeping with his ex-wife's sister as well as his dalliances with both Kate and Billie. He backs down and they think about how they came by their penchant for odd love interests honestly. EJ makes direct reference to Marlena as his queen of the night. University Hospital – John's Room: Marlena sits at John's bedside and discusses all the visitors he's had today. As she speaks, Carrie arrives (squeal!) and embraces Marlena. She thanks Carrie for coming and asks about Austin. Carrie says he stayed behind so Noah could walk at his high school graduation. Carrie breaks down and says how much she loves Marlena and John and once again they embrace. Carrie says she thought about John the entire flight over. She remembers when she and John thought Marlena was dead (the house exploded) and how it brought them so close (this was also when John was Roman). Flashback: Roman (John) tells young Carrie that Marlena is dead. In real-time, Carrie says she knows John is a hero but being a dad to her, Sami, Eric, Paul and Brady is his ultimate talent. Marlena says John has a soft spot for his girls. Carrie notes that includes Sami, despite all the grief she gave him over the years. She remembers the number of times John made her feel safe both as a little girl and an adult. Carrie says some folks don't even get one good father but she has two. Marlena recalls meeting five year old Carrie and what a spitfire she was. Carrie can't imagine the trouble she caused. Marlena says she always knew Carrie was Roman and Anna's daughter but she always felt like she was her daughter too, as well as John's. Carrie thanks her for always treating her like a daughter. Marlena says family is who sits in your heart and makes life worth living. With that, they both break down in tears and embrace. Flashback: John and Carrie decorate the Christmas tree. Carrie says it feels like Marlena is with them and they embrace. Carrie says their world was shattered when they thought Marlena was gone. She remembers how amazing John was during that time and how she told her school friends her father was superman and believes he still is. Just then, Carrie holds John's hands and he responds. Brady Pub: Roman arrives to find Johnny at a table. He asks about Philip and Roman says Kate is at the hospital speaking with his doctors. They switch over to John and Johnny recalls his visit with his grandfather the day before. Roman says Eric is on the way home and Johnny indicates Will is also heading home. Johnny mentions Allie can't fly because Henry has an ear infection. He notes his mother and Sydney are trying to get a flight out as they speak. Johnny mentions his name (John Roman) and doesn't think he's doing it justice. Roman takes a seat and says he needs to stop blaming himself for what happened with the adoption and notes they are now back together. Johnny says he will never let his wife down again. Johnny shifts topics and asks if he can grab some to go coffee for her. When he goes behind the bar, Johnny sees the lockbox with the gun is gone. Roman says he moved the lockbox because he didn't want folks asking questions. Johnny pushes and Roman says the gun disappeared the night of EJ's shooting. He remembers mentioning it to Johnny that same evening. Johnny wonders if he's being asked if he shot his father and vehemently denies it. With that, he storms out. University Hospital – Lobby: Paulina and Abe arrive and chat with Kate about both Philip and John. Paulina says she's working closely with Jada and apologizes Xander was let go. She says Belle is on the case and is determined to bring the culprit to justice. Paulina heads off to grab coffee and Abe asks Kate why she thinks Xander would try to kill his own brother. Kate thinks Xander is a vicious thug who doesn't want to share his birthright with his brother. Abe thinks she is holding back and pushes for more. Just then, Kate spies Philip's doctor and quickly makes her getaway. Paulina returns and asks what happened. DiMera Mansion – Living Room: Kristen brings Rachel in and says her Grandpa John is home but had an accident. She explains about the fire and how he is now in the hospital. Rachel says she doesn't feel well and says it's been that way since the tea party. Kristen thinks she's upset because her friends didn't come over. Rachel considers her mother's words and suddenly says, 'I heard a gunshot.' Kristen thinks she's talking about a dream but Rachel thinks she heard it in real life. University Hospital – John's Room: Abe walks in and embraces Carrie. Marlena thinks Abe should take a seat and visit with his friend. With that, Marlena and Carrie leave them alone. Abe takes a seat and says he's heard about all the folks who have Withbeen coming to see him. He thinks his partner has to stick around so as not to disappoint all his friends and family. As important as everyone is, the most important person is Marlena. Abe notes he was there for the origin of their love story. Flashback: John and Marlena are about to get married. He wonders why Abe never told him about how his beloved felt about her. Abe says he promised not to tell as it was during the time when he was getting married to Kristen who was actually Susan (look it up). John asks if Abe will do him the honor of, once again, being his best man. In real-time, Abe says he was so honored to have stood up for him and hopes, someday, his son (Theo) will marry his granddaughter (Claire-Bear) and they will be able to stand up for them together. He says they are family and always will be. University Hospital – Lobby: Marlena introduces Paulina to Carrie, who she recognizes as Roman's daughter. Carrie says Paulina's sister, Tamara, was always so kind to her. With that, Carrie heads off to grab coffee. Paulina wants Marlena to go change clothes, but she says she's staying and heads back to her beloved's room. Horton Square: Johnny runs into Belle and they chat about John. Belle says no one wants to be in a position where your father is dying and you haven't said what you need to say. Johnny picks up what she's laying down but says he's settled up with his father in every way he needs. Before he storms off, he advises Belle to stay the hell away from his father. Endings Carrie runs into Belle and the two embrace (I believe this is the first time Martha Madison and Christie Clark have shared scenes together). Belle asks about her dad and Carrie says he squeezed her hand. Further, Kayla says John's vital signs are improving and she just knows he is going to pull through. Marlena sits at John's bedside. Flashback: Marlena is asleep when the french doors to the balcony blow open. She hears John calling out for her and feels him all around her. She feels his essence exiting and screams for him not to go. In real-time, Marlena tells John not to ever leave her. EJ calls out for Johnny in Horton Square. Johnny heads the other direction when EJ loses his balance and hits the pavement. Johnny runs to his father as he tries to get up. Before he offers his father a hand, Johnny walks away. Kate joins Roman back at the pub and reports Philip is improving and will hopefully regain consciousness soon. She asks what's wrong and Roman tells her about his encounter with Johnny and their conversation about the lockbox and the gun. He's not certain he believes his grandson when he says he didn't shoot his father. Rachel tells Kristen the night of the shooting she woke up because she heard yelling. She came downstairs and saw Johnny, with a gun, fighting with EJ. Keep checking back for the latest Days of Our Lives recaps! This story was originally reported by Daytime Confidential on May 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
David Lynch Estate Auction Features Items From TWIN PEAKS, DUNE, and More
It's been several months now since we lost one of America's greatest filmmakers, David Lynch, at the age of 78. The world of film will never be the same without him. And soon, many of Lynch's personal items will go up for auction, which we've learned about via Gizmodo. For serious fans of Lynch's filmography like us, there are many items in this collection that we'd love to own. These gems are from his nearly 50-year career, with pieces from Mulholland Drive, Twin Peaks, Dune, and his first feature film, Eraserhead. You can check out some of the items from Julien's David Lynch auction, which goes live on June 18, below: Click To View Gallery Some of the items in the David Lynch estate auction include the menus from Winkie's, the Denny's stand-in with a terrifying being that lives behind it in Mulholland Drive. There's Lynch's personal 35mm print of Eraserhead, the film that put him on the map. And there's quite a bit from the world of Twin Peaks. Lynch's original script from the series, when it was called Northwest Passage, as well as Fire Walk With Me, are among the auction items as well. The framed photo of the atomic bomb test that was in Gordon Cole's office in Twin Peaks: The Return? It was also part of Lynch's personal collection. Which is fitting, since he played Gordon Cole in the series. One of the coolest items is Lynch's personal version of the red curtains and zigzag patterns, Twin Peaks' most iconic image. But the Holy Grail in this auction is Lynch's actual director's chair with his name on it. Whoever gets these, we honestly hope they donate them to a museum. There are 444 lots in this auction, and some of them are just common household items, like coffee makers. But if you're a diehard David Lynch fan, you'd probably want a Lynch-owned coffee maker more than almost any other item in this auction. To check out all the items yourself, head on over to the official Julien's Auctions site.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Miami Herald
Hundreds of David Lynch artifacts up for auction
By Dean Murray A treasure trove of over 450 personal artifacts from the late filmmaker David Lynch is to be auctioned. The event offers fans and collectors a rare opportunity to own pieces from the visionary director's five-decade career and personal life. The collection spans Lynch's legendary work in film and television-including Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive, Eraserhead, The Elephant Man, and Blue Velvet-and features items from his home, studio, and woodshop. Highlights include his iconic director's chair, a "Black Lodge" red curtain and zig-zag rug from Twin Peaks, his personal 35mm print of Eraserhead, a framed photograph from Twin Peaks: The Return, and prop menus from Mulholland Drive. Personal items, including espresso machines and numerous cups, echo Lynch's personal love of a "damn fine cup of coffee", a line famously uttered by FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper in Twin Peaks. "This incredible collection of one of the greatest and most revered filmmakers of all time… comes directly from the home of the visionary artist whose enigmatic films stirred our most imaginative and collective surreal dreams," said Catherine Williamson, Managing Director of Entertainment at Julien's Auctions. Lynch, who died in January at age 78, was hailed for his singular, surreal style and profound influence on modern cinema. The Julien's Auctions and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) auction is online now and live on 18 June in Los Angeles. The post Hundreds of David Lynch artifacts up for auction appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
