Ray Karwel's Time Again is a B-movie, a relentlessly stretching flick that weaves together the traditional crime thriller genre and tosses in time travel while over-stretching its technical limitations the entire time. It doesn't always work but, who'd a thunk it, it's actually a lot of fun.

Sisters Marlo (Angela Rachelle) and Sam (Tara Smoker) are sisters working in the same diner. A fateful decision to swap shifts ends in tragedy when an incident in the diner leads to multiple deaths and the disappearance of Sam. Months later, Marlo is attacked by the mysterious Mr. Way (Scott F. Evans), an underground crime figure but is rescued by Detective Lym (John T. Woods). Sam, it seems, had received a tip of mystical coins and, for reasons not immediately disclosed, Mr. Way and his underlings are after them. When an old lady (Gigi Perreau) offers Marlo the chance to travel back in time to save her sister, Time Again really takes off.

Time Again is a refreshingly earnest film, with Karwel seeming to understand his limitations but never giving in to them. While the special effects don't always work, everything here is so straightforward and honest that it's nearly impossible to not admire the production.

Time Again was nominated for Best Action Film at this year's Action on Film Festival, and it's a film that should play well with fans of the B-movie genre. The performances are hit-and-miss, but Angela Rachelle seems to tap into the film's vibe and gives a spirited and energetic performance while also have a terrific chemistry with John T. Woods as Detective Lym. The dialogue is occasionally stilted, but these two keep it interesting.

Individually, the two sisters do a fine job with the appropriately named Tara Smoker (Yep, she's smokin') giving off a Southern California vibe that half makes you wonder if she's not trying out for the new Charlie's Angels. Together, however, the two are a bit more irritating (Okay. Okay. MUCH more irritating) as their Barbie routine wears a bit thin. Scott F. Evans also does a top notch job here.

Tech credits are generally solid given the film's obviously low-budget action intentions, though as a critic who regularly reviews super low-budget indies it's hard not to be a bit disappointed that $1.2 million didn't come off as more convincing in the film's action sequences, special effects and its closing sequence.

That said, fans of B-flicks will likely find reason to enjoy  Time Again and if it finds its way to an indie fest near you it's worth checking out. For more information on the film, visit the Time Again website.

© Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic