Film | Rivenmaster Raves

April 29, 2023April 29, 2023

Sweet Tooth an entertaining and captivating Triumph

I just finished marathoning Season 2 of Sweet Tooth on Netflix. If you have been missing out on this one, you’re in for a treat. Do start with Season One, as it’s totally worth every minute of viewing time.

The Story

Sweet Tooth is a popular Netflix series that has captured the attention of viewers worldwide. The show is based on a comic book series of the same name by Jeff Lemire. The series is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a virus has wiped out most of humanity, and hybrid children are born with animal features.

The story revolves around Gus, played by Christian Convery from Vancouver, Canada. Christian portrays a young boy who is part deer and part human. He lives in a secluded forest with his father, who has sheltered him from the outside world. When his father dies, Gus sets out to find his mother, who he believes is still alive. Along the way, he meets a tough loner named Jepperd, (Nonso Anozie) who becomes his protector and guide.

The show is a thrilling adventure that takes viewers on a journey through a world that is both beautiful and dangerous. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the relationships between them are heartwarming. The show also tackles important themes such as family, survival, and the impact of technology on society.

Sweet Tooth is an excellent example of how a post-apocalyptic story can be both entertaining and thought-provoking. It is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys a good adventure and wants to see how humanity can survive and thrive even in the most challenging circumstances.

Sweet Tooth (Christian Convery)

Convery’s performance as Gus is remarkable, as he manages to convey the innocence and vulnerability of a child while also portraying the strength and resilience needed to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. The show’s creators have done an excellent job in casting Convery, as he is a perfect fit for the role.

Throughout the series, Convery’s performance is consistently impressive, and he manages to hold his own alongside the more experienced actors in the cast. His ability to convey emotion and deliver lines with conviction is a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft.

Although Christian is just 13 years old, he has played alongside some of the biggest names in Hollywood. He most recently was seen on the big screen as ‘Henry’ in the comedy-horror-thriller Cocaine Bear alongside Keri Russell and O’Shea Jackson Jr.

Some of his past credits as listed on IMDB include Highland Films’ drama Tiger Rising (2022); Disney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2021); Paramount Pictures’ Playing With Fire (2019); Amazon’s critically acclaimed film Beautiful Boy (2018) opposite Timothee Chalamet and Steve Carell; Netflix’s Pup Academy (2019-2022); Disney’s Descendants 3 (2019); Marvel’s Venom (2018); Syfy’s Van Helsing; CW’s Supernatural (2016) and more.

Synopsis

Overall, Sweet Tooth is an excellent series that is made all the more enjoyable by Convery’s performance. He is a rising star in the acting world, and his portrayal of Gus is sure to be remembered for years to come. Everything about the series is captivating, the characters, the music score, the directing, the scenery, the special character makeup and effects, all make this the one to watch. I can’t wait for Season 3 as I’m sure we will see Sweet Tooth finally be reunited with his mother.

If you haven’t watched Sweet Tooth yet, I highly recommend it, as it is an excellent example of the talent and skill that can be found in the world of acting. Parents should be advised that the series is rated TV-14 for some mild language and violence.

You can watch both season 1 & 2 now on Netflix.

SEASON ONE TRAILER

SEASON TWO TRAILER

For more about Christian Convery visit:

April 23, 2023April 23, 2023

Uriah Shelton a proficient and skillful young actor

In 2011, I published a movie review for the film called “Lifted” starring at that time, a very young Uriah Shelton. That review was so well received, I republished it in 2019 on Rivenmaster Promotions. This goes to show just how impressive an actor Uriah Shelton really is, now being featured on all three branches of this promotional network.

Uriah the Actor:

Uriah Shelton is more than just a talented young American actor. He is an actor that just keeps giving and continues to be increasingly popular. Some of his latest appearances were “Looking for Alaska” a Miniseries and “Sky Watch” both in 2019, “Freaky” 2020, a short film released in 2021 called “Kiss Marry Kill”, and his most recent work as Danny in “Unhuman” this past year.

My personal favorite continues to be his 2010 performance in “Lifted“. Uriah portrayed Henry Matthews; a young pre-teen boy separated from his father who was serving overseas in the military. However, it wasn’t just his ability to portray Henry that was so captivating, but he also showcased his outstanding vocal skills delivering an emotional and a heart-touching performance.

If you are part of the younger generation and have not yet seen this film, you can view some of the clips by visiting the review on the Org Site.

Another Favorite:

Today however, I want to call your attention to an even earlier film in his career called “Alabama Moon” where he co-starred with young actor Jimmy Bennet.

Alabama Moon is a film that follows the story of an 11-year-old boy named Moon Blake, who has grown up in the wilderness with his father before his untimely passing. Living off the land, Moon has a deep connection with nature and a strong sense of independence, but when he is forced to move to the city, Moon struggles to adjust.

Jimmy Bennet plays the role of Moon Blake, imbuing his character with a raw and authentic energy that connects with the audience. Bennet’s portrayal of an independent and self-reliant child is both captivating and heart-warming, perfectly capturing the essence of Moon’s character.

Uriah Shelton plays the role of Kit, a street-smart and adventurous teenage boy who befriends Moon. Shelton delivers a powerful performance, creating an unlikely but heartfelt bond between himself and Moon.

At its core, Alabama Moon is a film about finding your place in the world. It explores themes of identity and resilience, and the importance of standing up for what you believe in. The film is a touching and inspiring reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the power of friendship.

In conclusion, Alabama Moon is a beautifully crafted film that tells a heart-warming and inspiring story. The stunning performances of the lead actors, Jimmy Bennet and Uriah Shelton, bring the film’s characters to life, immersing us in Moon’s world and showing us the importance of staying true to oneself. With its powerful message and exceptional storytelling, Alabama Moon is a film that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.

Overall, Uriah Shelton has rightfully earned his place in the entertainment industry with his exceptional acting abilities. He is an actor who has demonstrated his talent for portraying real-life characters, with depth and nuance. “Lifted” and “Alabama Moon” are just two examples of his exceptional performances, and audiences can look forward to seeing what he does next.

You can watch Alabama Moon now on Tubi , Prime, and YouTube for free, but I highly recommend you purchase it as it’s a film you will watch time and time again.

November 8, 2022March 25, 2023

Cormac Thompson Amazing Teen Singing Prodigy

Rivenmaster has always taken pride in finding some of the best talent in the world and England born, 13-year-old Cormac Thompson is no exception. After making contact through my good friend Matthew Todd, I was delighted to finally be able to reach his parents to tell them of an amazing opportunity for Cormac to attend Prodigy Camp with Director Rick Stevenson in Washington State. It’s been a few months now since his experience in the states, and now I’m proud to introduce him here to the world with his complete story written largely by his mother Alison and father Anthony Thompson. Big thanks to Cormac’s family for allowing Rivenmaster to be a part of Cormac’s journey!

Cormac’s Story:

Winning a school talent competition when he was 9 years old must seem like a long time ago now for the young British talent, Cormac Thompson but it was back in 2018 that he had his first taste of success. Singing and accompanying himself on the portable keyboard that his mum and dad got him for his birthday on e-bay! Keane’s “Somewhere only we Know” could be heard belting out from the Scout Hall.

Cormac’s first main break came though when he joined the children’s choir of Manchester’s, world famous, Halle Orchestra. Successfully auditioning to be their Christmas soloist, Cormac sang ‘Howard Blake’s’ iconic song ‘Walking in the Air’ to a full screening of the globally acclaimed film ‘The Snowman’. Accompanied by The Halle’s symphony orchestra, the concert was held at ‘The Bridgewater Hall, to a sell-out house of nearly 2,500. While only 9 yrs. old at the time, it was still a very memorable performance, even if a bit knee – shaky.

After this, Cormac started to take his singing a little bit more seriously but then along came 2020 and the pandemic, it looked like that was the end of that! …. Or was it?? Unable to visit his much – loved Nannie in Northern Ireland, he decided to record songs for her and put them up on YouTube (they are still there). What a surprise, for the then 11yr old, when his mum got an email from global record label Decca. Within weeks Cormac was auditioning again, this time at world famous London studio ‘Metropolis’ where the highlight for him was not just the experience itself but getting to play ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ on Freddie Mercury’s very own Fazioli piano, housed in studio A.

***On Site at Decca Music Video Shoot***

The audition went well, Cormac was signed, and he spent the rest of the summer holidays keeping it a secret, learning songs and recording his debut album! Once the news was out, there was a flurry of media interest and Cormac’s unique story hit the headlines. TV and radio interviews, to promote the album, followed. Many on Zoom but not all and on the 4^th, December 2020, finally people got to hear what all the fuss was about.

Peaking at #11 in the UK Classical charts and getting to #3 on Australia’s Classical Crossover charts; it was a great privilege for Cormac to be label mates with the likes of Andrea Bocelli, and Gregory Porter. Cormac’s album ‘Hear my Voice’ also won the coveted award for “Album of the Week” on Global Media’s station ‘Classic FM’ and it was really exciting for him to hear his songs played on national radio.

A performance on national TV and another Christmas concert, with the Ulster Orchestra in Belfast this time, brought the excitement of the album to a close. Cormac’s favorite bit by far, when he was in Northern Ireland, was finally getting to see his Nannie again.

Fast forward to May 2021 and undeterred when the record deal came to an end, with the support of his family, pianist / producer Dominic Ferris and his singing teacher, Daphne Sumbler, a now 12 yr. old Cormac, carried on recording. Some of his biggest hits to date, have been as an independent artist, racking up well over 7.5 million views and streams across all digital platforms.

Cormac’s unique way of taking well – known songs, like ‘Empty Chairs at Empty Tables’ from Les Misérables and ‘Bright Eyes’ from the 1978 film ‘Watership Down’ and re-imagining them to more current events, clearly demonstrates just what can be achieved with a little bit of thought and determination.

A finalist in the BBC’s Young Chorister of The Year competition (2021), he almost made it to the semi-final of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ too! 2022 continued to be a year of firsts when Cormac was offered a place at ‘Prodigy Camp’ in the USA. London to Leavenworth, Washington State beckoned. And it was here, surrounded by beautiful mountains and on the banks of ‘Icicle Creek’ that the next stage of the journey begins. A camp for talented teens, for the first time ever, Cormac was surrounded by people who loved to create things, just as much as he did. Whether it was writing songs or directing films, or campfire chats, it didn’t really matter, it was the atmosphere, the nurturing of the camp staff and the friendships that Cormac made, that will stay with him forever. In his own words ‘this has changed me’ what an accolade for an experience that only lasted 7 days and he just can’t wait to go back next year.

***Cormac performing at Prodigy Camp Director Rick Stevenson looking on***

The rest of 2022 went well, there was even time to squeeze in a bit of mountain biking, in between starting the new school and recording the 9 new tracks, for release in 2023. The song writing experiment that started at Prodigy Camp is well underway and the kit needed for it is on the Christmas list, e-Bay again maybe? It’s as good a place to start as any!

Cormac is beyond grateful to everyone who has supported him in his journey so far but there does need to be a special shout – out to his parents, Alison and Anthony, his singing teacher Daphne, pianist and producer Dominic Ferris and producer Jon Cohen and tenor Matthew Todd, not to mention the wonderful team at Prodigy Camp too, whose collective belief in him has made all of this possible.

Here is Cormac’s Latest Music Video “Bright Eyes”

A very special mention must also go to all the wonderful people who stream Cormac’s music, watch his videos on YouTube and follow and support him on social media too. None of this would have a great deal of point if no-one wanted to listen and it means the world to him that they do.

Like with any teenage boy who sings, a changing voice isn’t always an easy voice to manage. As a passionate advocate for young boy singers, Cormac hopes that what he has been able to achieve will inspire others. Very much at the beginning of his own journey on that, the next few years should be very interesting indeed for the young musician from England.

UPDATE : March 25th 2023

A Borrowed Gift: Cormac’s Story So Far

For more information about Cormac:

Cormac’s Official Website

Cormac’s Social Sites: