#Matthew Merenda

[gebo4482]

MIND BODY SPIRIT (2024) - Official Trailer

Dir: Alex Henes / Matthew Merenda Star: Sarah J. Bartholomew / Madi Bready / KJ Flahive

[fearsmagazine]

MIND BODY SPIRIT - Review

DISTRIBUTOR: Welcome Villain Films

SYNOPSIS: Anya receives a distinctive opportunity when her estranged grandmother bequeaths her the entire estate. As a budding yoga influencer, she draws from her grandmother's ritualistic practices to create her videos. Initially intended as a spiritual self-help guide, the videos take a sinister turn as Anya becomes engrossed in the enigmatic power of the ritual. Unaware, she releases an entity that perniciously permeates her videos and life. Anya embarks on a frantic quest to uncover the truth before her descent into madness engulfs her mind, body, andspirit.

REVIEW: The modern tale "Mind Body Spirit" follows an inspiring influencer who strives to enhance her online videos through her grandmother's book of rituals. While the film evokes the eerie atmosphere of "The Blair Witch Project" or "Paranormal Activity," certain initial logical flaws hinder it from realizing its full potential within the genre.

The plot follows a familiar narrative: an estranged grandmother with unknown origins, hidden passageways in an old house, an old handwritten tome, and undisclosed family secrets. To add a bit more interaction in the narrative, Anya enlists her influencer friend, Kenzi, to record videos in an attempt to increase her viewership. Furthermore, Anya has a couple of video calls with her mother, Lenka, who seems to possess some knowledge but doesn't convey a sense of urgency regarding Anya's use of the book or her departure from the house. The dialogue is lively, but the mythology behind the ritual is relatively shallow. As the story progresses toward its climax, it becomes increasingly predictable.

The filmmakers had an excellent location. The costumes were basic, as most scenes featured Anya in yoga attire as she records her videos or exploring hidden areas of the house. Her grandmother's secret lair needed more gravitas, and her secret journal/spellbook lacked the appearance of age.

Some interesting and creepy effects were nicely accentuated by the sound design. The film is shot from the point of view of Anya's phone/computer, with the camera mysteriously moving early in the story. This was a bit jarring. The narrative was further disrupted by several awkward commercial moments, which felt out of place given the film's genre.

Sean Thatcher Hubrich's score is used to emphasize the moments when the "supernatural" entity takes control of Anya's phone. While the score is subtle and works with the sound design, I don't think the genre needs such a cue.

“Mind Body Spirit” has a talented cast, the story supported by Sarah J. Bartholomew’s performance. Creating a likable character who spirals into darkness, she eventually becomes confrontational and evolves into something else. Her engaging performance is accessible to the viewer and allows them to take the journey. Madi Bready and Anna Knigge deliver organic performances. This wonderful ensemble cast sustains the viewer’s engagement, making for a very watchful experience.

Although "Mind Body Spirit" lacks an explicit disclaimer at the beginning indicating its found footage in nature, certain moments in the film hint at this style. As the story unfolds, Anya, who has seemingly been in the house for some time, starts recording yoga sessions. The filmmakers introduce supernatural elements early on, employing camera movements that occur without visible provocation. The film features a blend of organic, practical scare moments enhanced by digital effects. While some elements may feel out of place and appear to be added for the sake of extending the runtime, the film is elevated by its solid performances and well-crafted characters. Despite its imperfections, "Mind Body Spirit" stands as an intriguing and effective homage to several films in the found footage genre that came before it.

CAST: Sarah J. Bartholomew, Madi Bready, Anna Knigge & KJ Flahive CREW: Directors/Screenplay - Alex Henes & Matthew Merenda; Producer - Dan Asma; Cinematographer - Blake Horn; Score - Sean Thatcher Hubrich; Editor - Matthew Merenda; Production Designer - Preethi Sehrawat; Costume Designer - Jaclyn Britz; Special Makeup Effects Artist - Aldrich Chica; Visual Effects Supervisor - Fulvio Sestito OFFICIAL: welcomevillain.com FACEBOOK: facebook.com/WelcomeVillain TWITTER: twitter.com/WelcomeVillain TRAILER: https://youtu.be/dUHF4jXVp3I?si=BvcdjBV31Z2qvRID RELEASE DATE: On Digital May 7th, 2024.

**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay), or 👎 (Dislike)

Reviewed by Joseph B Mauceri

[babadork]

[themnmovieman]

Movie Review ~ Mind Body Spirit

Instead of offering a fresh take on the format, a lack of robust execution in MIND BODY SPIRIT leaves the film uncentered and indistinct.

Mind Body Spirit Synopsis: An aspiring yoga influencer embarks on a ritual practice left behind by her estranged grandmother.Stars: Sarah J. Bartholomew, Madi Bready, KJ Flahive, Anna Knigge, Kristi NooryDirectors: Alex Henes & Matthew MerendaRated: NRRunning Length: 80 minutes Review: While the found footage horror film may have worn out its welcome thanks to a saturation of the market as…

[moviesandmania]

MIND BODY SPIRIT Supernatural yoga horror - new poster

‘Make space’ Mind Body Spirit is a 2023 found footage horror film about an aspiring yoga influencer who embarks on a ritual practice left behind by her estranged grandmother. The movie was directed by Alex Henes and Matthew Merenda from a screenplay co-written with Topher Hendricks. Produced by Jesse McClung and executive-produced by Dan Asma. The Sunday Scaries Production stars Sarah J.…

[voguecovers]

Vogue Australia, November 2024

South sudanese supermodel Adut Akech Bior, photographed by Jesse Lizotte

❛ Adut wear Chanel, Roisin Pierce, Marc Jacobs and Paspaley jewelry. styling Kaila Matthews, head of content and interview Christine Centenera

Adut is pictured with her mum Mary, her siblings, her husband, Samuel Elkhier, and her brother Bior’s girlfriend, Monique Merenda ❜

[mediamixs]

Mind Body Spirit: an unknown evil

Mind Body Spirit is a 2023 found footage horror film directed by Alex Henes and Matthew Merenda. The film follows Anya, an aspiring yoga influencer, as she embarks on a ritual practice left behind by her estranged grandmother Verasha. After inheriting Verasha's spacious California estate, Anya discovers a secret door and a diary detailing a traditional 30-day Slavic ritual called "The Joining". Desperate to grow her Mind Body Spirit YouTube channel, Anya decides to document herself performing the ritual, unaware of the dark supernatural forces she is unleashing.

The film has been praised for its clever use of the found footage format, with the camera work creating a sense of unease and the feeling that Anya is never truly alone. Critic Blake Horn notes that the filmmakers "achieve a continual level of tension as the camera is attracted to Verasha's private quarters, where her bread-rolled candle holders and makeshift altar exist, like a magnet to the house's prevailing evils." Lead actress Sarah J. Bartholomew delivers a standout performance, capturing Anya's sheepish attempts at faking her way through upbeat yoga videos while also conveying the character's growing sense of dread and desperation. The film has been described as a "knockout horror session for the livestream era", effectively blending themes of influencer culture and the supernatural.

The plot of Mind Body Spirit revolves around Anya, an aspiring yoga influencer who inherits her late grandmother's house and discovers a traditional Slavic ritual called "The Joining" in a diary left behind by her grandmother. Eager to boost her YouTube channel, Anya decides to document herself performing the ritual, unknowingly unleashing dark supernatural forces that threaten her existence. As she delves deeper into the ritual, she faces a sinister entity that challenges her sense of self-worth and leads to a bloody finale, showcasing the unraveling of her character amidst a blend of found footage horror and themes of influencer culture. Overall, Mind Body Spirit has been well-received by critics as a competent and unsettling entry in the found footage horror genre, with its clever camera work, strong performances, and timely exploration of influencer culture.

[october24th]

Resoconto Giorno 143

Ieri ho posato il cellulare verso l’una e ho provato a dormire. Avevo mal di testa e sentivo molto freddo. Mi sono addormentata abbracciando il cuscino, di nuovo, e ho dormito benissimo anche se mi sono svegliata in continuazione per bere; credo di aver bevuto un litro d’acqua. Zero incubi.

Questa mattina mi sono svegliata senza Lola sulle gambe, è venuta da me poco dopo il mio risveglio. Ho guardato una puntata di My Hero Academia e poi ho mangiato il cornetto che papà ci ha portato. Dopo la colazione ho visto una puntata dell’anime con Robb, belliiiiiisssima mi sono commossa e anche lui, davvero una puntata troooooppo carina. Poi ne ho vista una da sola e infine l’ultima puntata con lui. È stato strepitoso questo animeeee, lo adoro!!! Non pensavo di affezionarmi così tanto o che solo mi sarebbe piaciuto. Non vedo l’ora esca la quinta stagioneee!!! Nell’attesa ho intenzione di rivedere il mio anime preferito e altri tre già visti anni fa. Il mio periodo otaku sta ritornando, lo sento.

Ho pranzato giù da nonna. Mamma e i miei zii mi hanno raccontato altre cose della loro infanzia, è sempre bello venire a conoscenza di quei dettagli, sembrano storie estranee a questo mondo. Ogni volta che ce le raccontano vedo una luce nei loro occhi, ritornano bambini per un attimo. Dopo pranzo ho fatto un pisolino durato un po’ troppo e poi mi sono messa un po’ nel letto di mamma con lei e Lola a giocare con il coniglietto Bimbo. È venuto papà nel tardo pomeriggio e siamo stati in cucina a parlare e a giocare con Lola, io ho fatto merenda giocando alla PlayStation a Ghost of Tsushima. Quando papà è andato via ho preso carta, penna e il barattolino di vetro e mi sono messa a scrivere tutte le cose successe dal primo gennaio ad oggi che per me hanno un significato particolare. Mi sono venuti 16 bigliettini, pensavo peggio; in due di questi compare Robb, in altri due Imma, i restanti riguardano cose fatte con la mia famiglia o successe a me personalmente.

Impotenza.

Mi sono messa nuovamente nel letto di mamma con lei e Lola a leggere poesie. Ho le mani congelate. Come da manuale ho aperto una pagina a caso di L’amore è alle porte ma io ho traslocato, pagina 56 poesia La mancanza dei domani di ieri. L’autore, Marco Gregò, indirizza i suoi pensieri ad una persona di cui sente la mancanza così tanto da non riuscire a dormire, da non riuscire a vivere e sentirsi così stanco del nulla più assoluto che sente dopo tale perdita. Parla di quella mancanza che si fa sentire nell’aria e che rende ogni cosa amara; quella mancanza che ti costringe a fermarti, accucciarti e che si amplifica fino a farsi sentire nelle ossa, fino a manifestarsi nei passi vani e nelle dita che scrivono parole difficili da capire. Robb ha detto che gli è piaciuta e che lui sente la mancanza di un qualcosa che non ha mai avuto.

E anche se mi muovo a destra e a manca,

per mancare gli ostacoli,

manco sempre il bersaglio

della mia felicità

da quando manchi tu

Ho fatto lo stesso con Madness Poems, pagina 80 poesia E venne il giorno. Jake Matthews scrive Nessun uomo è mai stato salvato da una donna ma da un suo bacio. Scrive che a notte fonda nessuno lo può salvare perché ormai la magia di notte è svanita per fare spazio alla mortalità immatura che colpisce tutti, che scappano da quattro mura confinanti in cerca di amore, avventura e follia solo per una notte. Poi venne il giorno e venne lei, poi venne la notte e il suo ultimo bacio e la salvezza. A Robb è piaciuta anche questa, trova particolarmente affascinanti queste poesie folli.

Sono un poeta senza fissa dimora

per fortuna il cielo non manca

da nessuna parte

altrimenti non potrei continuare

a salvarti da lontano

Alle dieci io, mamma e le altre abbiamo mangiato i cornetti e mentre lo mangiavo pensavo che sarebbe stato meglio prenderlo vuoto o non prenderlo proprio. No vabbè era squisito, ma da domani di meno eh. Mi sono messa in cameretta cercando di riscaldarmi sotto le coperte, è da stamattina che ho le mani congelate e gli occhi e il naso rosso. Ho messo le cuffiette e ascoltato Aiello cullarmi dolcemente. Ho sentito un monologo sull’omosessualità e ho pianto. Domani inizierò il nuovo turno a lavoro e sono emozionata, sono impaziente di iniziare questo nuovo piccolo capitolo e di proseguire in questo modo accogliendone altri. Crescita e dinamicità.

Guardo il mondo dal filtro delle cicatrici: le vedo come se fossero i miei superpoteri

Otaku: è un termine della lingua giapponese che dagli anni ottanta indica una subcultura giapponese di appassionati in modo ossessivo di manga, anime, e altri prodotti ad essi correlati.

17 Gennaio

[fearsmagazine]

MIND BODY SPIRIT | Official Trailer, Image & Poster

MIND BODY SPIRIT follows Anya, an aspiring yoga influencer, as she embarks on a ritual practice left behind by her estranged grandmother. What starts as a spiritual self-help guide quickly evolves into something much more sinister. As Anya becomes obsessed with the mysterious power of the practice, she unwittingly unleashes an otherworldly entity that begins to take control of her life -- and her videos. Now Anya must race to unlock the truth, before her descent into madness threatens to consume her mind, body and spirit.

Directed by, and screenplay by, Alex Henes & Matthew Merenda, MIND BODY SPIRIT stars Sarah J. Bartholomew, Madi Bready and KJ Flahive.

Welcome Villain Films will release MIND BODY SPIRIT on Digital May 7th, 2024.

[babadork]

[moviesandmania]

MIND BODY SPIRIT Supernatural yoga horror

‘Make space’ Mind Body Spirit is a 2023 American found-footage horror film about an aspiring yoga influencer who embarks on a ritual practice left behind by her estranged grandmother. The movie was directed by Alex Henes and Matthew Merenda from a screenplay co-written with Topher Hendricks. Produced by Jesse McClung and executive-produced by Dan Asma. The Sunday Scaries Production stars Sarah J.…