Entertainment
Film Preview: ‘SYNCHRONIC’ Promises a Darker Spin on Time Travel
Published
5 years agoon
By
Nicolas VeraPLANO, Tx. (FNN) – Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead return to the box office with their latest sci-fi horror directed effort, SYNCHRONIC.
The film debuted last year at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. After favorable reviews, Well Go USA Entertainment picked up the film for distribution. This is the second film that Well Go USA is distributing from the directing duo after 2017’s The Endless. The mind-bending sci-fi thriller is scheduled to be released in theaters nationwide next Friday, October 23.
SYNCHRONIC follows a tale of two New Orleans paramedics whose lives are ripped apart after a series of horrific deaths caused by a new designer synthetic drug. The infamous drug’s effects in the film involve time travel, giving the user euphoric feelings that warp perception of time and memory.
Moorhead & Benson’s directing techniques work well for this artistic angle. Their films have been heralded for their expert manipulation of time on the silver screen. This angle allows them even more freedom to execute this directive flair.
In an interview with TheWrap last year, Benson mentioned his inspiration for Synchronic came from an 80’s film that played during the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. He then added that switching up the perspective of storytelling for their movie was a vital component when writing the screenplay. Instead of telling the story from a white heterosexual male’s perspective like the 80’s film depicted, new perspectives and angles had the possibility to make the story ‘more darker,’ which became the driving component for SYNCHRONIC.
The sci-fi horror film received favorable reviews upon release. Rotten Tomatoes scored the film 85/100 after its debut at the TIFF. IMDb gave the film a 6.7/10 meta critic score. The film features a prominent lead acting duo in Jamie Dornan and Anthony Mackie. The buddy paramedic duo of Dennis (Dornan) and Steve (Mackie) give the film a new element of luster that makes SYNCHRONIC stand out from previous Moorhead & Benson films.
As the United States slowly picks up the pieces after the COVID-19 pandemic, the movie industry is taking similar steps. After suffering a massive hit for summer blockbusters, the changing landscapes of laws and safety regulations have made fall releases just as sporadic or delayed altogether. While bigger movie companies have opted to delay their blockbusters or release them strictly for streaming platforms, smaller production companies have been finding a home in this new pandemic film era.
Some theater companies such as Touchstar Cinemas and Regal Cinemas have already opened their doors locally. Each theater company has taken the necessary steps to stay in accordance with CDC guidelines in order to maintain business. While the movie theater experience in 2020 has been severely altered, the experience has not been completely changed.
For many American families, frequent movie-going is a standard weekend activity that has been affected due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Slowly but surely, industries are finding ways to operate with the virus and continue the flow of commerce. But it’s important to maintain proper safety protocols in order to not exacerbate the number of cases even further.
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Nicolas Vera is a Florida National News contributing writer. | info@floridanationalnews.com
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1 month agoon
January 8, 2026By
Willie DavidCentral Florida News
“Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker” Brings Diversity and Magic to Orlando’s Holiday Stage
Published
3 months agoon
November 6, 2025By
Willie DavidORLANDO, Fla. (FNN ARTS & CULTURE) – Orlando Community Arts, Inc. proudly presents “Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker,” an original adaptation of the classic Nutcracker story written by Beverly Page, published author and executive producer. This vibrant holiday production brings the magic of the season to life while celebrating the cultural diversity that defines Central Florida.
Audiences are invited to join Clare on a magical journey through her enchanting dream, traveling alongside the Chocolate Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy around the world — from Africa and Asia to the Caribbean, India, and beyond — before reaching the dazzling Kingdom of Toys.
Described as soulful, bold, colorful, exciting, lively, and delightful, “Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker” offers an unforgettable holiday experience for the entire family — filled with music, dance, and cultural storytelling that capture the heart of the season.
About Steglich Ross and Associates
Steglich Ross and Associates, based in Apopka, Florida, are premier experts in crafting and executing large-scale events that elevate brands and inspire audiences. The firm specializes in festival planning, marketing strategy, brand development, and creative web design, offering personalized solutions that help clients connect with their communities in meaningful ways.
Entertainment
Jeffery Lorenzo Williams: Defying Limits and Redefining Possibility
Published
3 months agoon
November 6, 2025ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – When you hear the word “disability,” it’s easy to imagine limits, restrictions, and barriers. But for Jeffery Lorenzo Williams, those words have no place in his vocabulary. Paralyzed at 13, Williams identifies as a person of determination — a term that reflects strength and capability, not limitation. His life has become a masterclass in turning adversity into empowerment, proving that the most powerful movement begins in the mind.
During an exclusive interview with FNN News, Williams reflected on the event that changed his life and the mindset that carried him forward.
“I never focused on what I couldn’t do,” Williams said. “I focused on what I could and I just kept moving forward.”
That perspective has shaped a career defined by reinvention. Today, Williams is an accomplished New York City real estate broker, motivational author, pilot, and footwear designer. Each title tells part of the same story — one of perseverance, creativity, and purpose.
Through his footwear brand JLorenzo’s, Williams designs adaptive sneakers that merge fashion with motivation. His collections feature empowering inscriptions such as “Be somebody nobody thought you could be.” He laughs as he recalls me being his first customer. “Each inscription represents walking not just physically, but walking in purpose,” he said.
His work has not only built a stylish, inclusive brand but has also redefined what representation in fashion can look like. Earlier this year, Williams brought that message to Daniel’s Leather’s Inclusive Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week 2025, joining nearly 40 wheelchair-using models, including Ms. Wheelchair America 2026, Latavia Sturdivant. The event was more than a showcase — it was a celebration of visibility and empowerment. “The energy was incredible,” Williams said. “It wasn’t about being different, it was about being seen.”
Beyond fashion, Williams takes his passion for breaking barriers to the skies. As a licensed pilot, he flies glider planes, something he calls the ultimate expression of freedom.
“Flying gives me freedom,” he said. “It’s proof that even when life grounds you, you can still soar.”
His memoir, “My Feet Are Off the Ground: Turning Tragedy Into Triumph,” chronicles his remarkable journey from paralysis to success. Proceeds from the book fund nursing scholarships, extending his lifelong commitment to giving back. Looking ahead, Williams plans to bring his story to new audiences through a documentary and a stage play, with his son, Jeff Jr., potentially portraying him on screen.
When asked if he would change his past, Williams paused thoughtfully before answering.
“Of course, I’d love to walk,” he said. “But if I hadn’t gone through what I did, I wouldn’t have been able to touch and change lives the way I have. That’s worth more than anything.”
Jeffery Lorenzo Williams doesn’t just live with determination — he embodies it. Through his work, his story, and his example, he continues to challenge the world’s perception of ability. His life is a vivid reminder that real barriers often exist only where others place them, and that courage, when paired with purpose, can truly move mountain.
In a world quick to define people by their obstacles, Jeffery Lorenzo Williams is a compelling reminder that true limitation exists only where we allow it.
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Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com