“LOVE, GUNS & OTHER UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTHS” – A romantic comedy crime thriller feature

Posted on September 1, 2025 by aa

TITLE: “LOVE, GUNS & OTHER UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTHS”
By Armand Arekian

GENRE: Neo-Noir Romantic Comedy Crime Thriller

LOGLINE:
When a neurotic relationship coach with a fear of confrontation falls for a charming con artist posing as a client, he’s pulled into a whirlwind of love, lies, and a very inconvenient murder.

SYNOPSIS:
Milo Glass is a relationship guru who can fix anyone’s love life—except his own. Cynical and anxious, Milo is stuck in his head, avoiding conflict and commitment alike. When Veronica Vale, a captivating and unpredictable woman, walks into his office seeking advice on her toxic dating history, Milo becomes obsessed… only to learn she’s not who she claims to be.

Veronica is actually a small-time con artist looking to escape her criminal partner, Darren, and use Milo’s clean-cut image to disappear. But when Darren winds up dead, the odd couple must navigate nosy detectives, suspicious friends, and Milo’s own neuroses—all while falling messily in love.

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“RUBY RED”: Some fairy tales end in blood… a re-imagining of Red Riding Hood

Posted on September 1, 2025 by aa

TITLE: “RUBY RED”
By Armand Arekian

TAGLINE: “Some fairy tales end in blood”

GENRE: Slasher Horror/Survival Thriller

LOGLINE:
A young woman delivering supplies to her grandmother’s cabin must outwit a sadistic killer stalking the woods, transforming from frightened prey into a blood-soaked predator.

SYNOPSIS:
RUBY “RED” CARTER sets out to deliver supplies to her GRANDMA at her cabin in the woods, but her journey turns into a nightmare when she discovers the brutal aftermath of a serial killer known as THE WOLF. After stumbling upon the mutilated bodies of two of his victims, COLE and HUNTER, in the woods, Ruby is forced to flee as the predator stalks her relentlessly. She narrowly escapes into the forest, where she must rely on her wits and limited resources to survive. Using crude traps, clever maneuvering, and raw fury, Ruby learns to fight back, culminating in a final, primal showdown inside the cabin. In a bloody confrontation, she kills The Wolf and emerges changed forever—no longer prey, but a hardened survivor.

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Slay Bells Ring – a horror micro-short

Posted on July 23, 2024 by aa

LOGLINE:
A dysfunctional family’s chaotic Christmas Eve takes a dark turn when a sinister Santa arrives, bringing terror instead of gifts.

SYNOPSIS:
On Christmas Eve, the dysfunctional Smith family gathers in their sparsely furnished living room, struggling to maintain the holiday spirit amidst bickering and a father’s drunkenness. Their bleak celebration is interrupted by the arrival of a menacing Santa Claus, who brings not joy but a sack filled with grotesque and horrifying gifts. As the sinister figure reveals his true intent—to punish the family for their lack of Christmas spirit—the night descends into a nightmare of terror and violence. Desperation and fear grip the Smiths as they face the consequences of their fractured relationships and forgotten holiday cheer, culminating in a horrific and bloody showdown.

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Urban Decay: The Johnny “Guitar” Slinger Story

Posted on July 23, 2024 by aa

LOGLINE:
A famed punk rocker from the 1970s mysteriously vanishes from the music scene, leaving an indelible mark with his one-minute songs, sparking a journey to uncover his legacy.

SYNOPSIS:
In this mockumentary, the enigmatic story of JOHNNY “GUITAR” SLINGER, the legendary frontman of the iconic ’70s punk rock band URBAN DECAY, is explored through interviews and rare archival footage. Known for their electrifying hardcore songs, Urban Decay rose to fame rapidly before abruptly disappearing from the music scene. Former manager BIG JIMMY SMALLS, devoted groupie SALT WATER TAFFY, slick record executive VITO ROMANO, and childhood friend and bandmate LARRY LAWRENCE recount their experiences, painting a picture of Johnny’s passion and the pressures that led him to walk away during the rapid rise of his career. As the documentary crew, along with Larry, track Johnny down to a remote country house, they find a man who traded fame for peace. The film captures Johnny’s enduring legacy and the poignant reality of a musician who chose authenticity over stardom, leaving an indelible mark on those who remember his brief but impactful career.

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A Killer’s Credo – a psychological thriller

Posted on April 7, 2024 by aa

LOGLINE:
A detective interrogates a sociopathic serial killer, attempting to uncover their hidden motives and psychological complexities.

SYNOPSIS:
In “A KILLER’S CREDO”, a gripping psychological thriller set entirely within the confines of a police interview room, DETECTIVE SAMANTHA PARKS, a seasoned detective, confronts JOHN HARRISON YATES, a cold and calculating, sociopathic serial killer, in a battle of wits and wills. As Parks delves into Yates’s twisted psyche, probing for answers to the heinous murders he’s committed, the interrogation becomes a chilling exploration of the darkest corners of the human soul. With each revelation, Yates’s unsettling charisma and manipulative tactics cast doubt on Parks’s own sense of morality, blurring the lines between hunter and prey. As tensions escalate and hidden motives come to light, Parks finds herself confronting uncomfortable truths about her own capacity for darkness. In a climax that leaves both the characters and the audience reeling, Yates’s chilling revelations force Parks to confront the unsettling reality that the truest monster may lurk not in the shadows but within Parks herself. “A Killer’s Credo” is a thought-provoking thriller that challenges perceptions of justice, morality, and the nature of evil, leaving a lasting and haunting impression.

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The Meeting: Script Review

Posted on March 14, 2024 by aa

The Meeting: Review by J.E. Clarke via Script Revolution

A tense negotiation between two rival mafia bosses takes place in a seedy motel room.

Who doesn’t love a good crime drama?

Just as linguine must be dressed in just the proper red sauce, so must mob stories marinate in conflict to get things (cue the chef hand signal) “just” right.

As Armand Arekian’s The Meeting opens, mob bosses Vincent and Salvatore face off in a seedy motel room. From the start, it’s a territorial pissing contest. Their crime dominions have overlapped.  Someone’s guaranteed to get hurt. As to who, that depends: who has bigger cojones? In this particular struggle for dominance, which alpha male will blink first?

As the two negotiate, one thing’s clear: neither of these men are push overs.

On the table is a bottle of whiskey and an open backpack full of cash. Vincent glances at his watch, impatient, then looks up at Salvatore.

VINCENT
You’re late, Sal. Time is money, 
and I don’t have either to fucking waste.

Salvatore smirks, taking a slow sip of his whiskey and glancing at the backpack.

SALVATORE
You always were a fucking stickler for time, Vincent. 
But we’re here now. Let’s get down to business.

Vincent eyes Salvatore warily, leaning back in his chair.

VINCENT
 We’ve been at this shit for too long, Sal. 
Our territories are overlapping, 
and it’s causing problems for both our families. 

Hmmm – perhaps it’s finally time for a truce? Or a pay-off?

Or… maybe a doublecross?

What will happen next? And… will Martin Scorsese or Francis Ford Coppola be involved?

Or… will YOU be the next director to usher in a crime/mob gem?

Single location with a deliciously effective surprise twist, The Meeting is a very budget friendly short that mob-focused directors should take an interest in… ‘cause ignoring a cinema gem like this would be a crime!

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The Meeting: a neo-noir crime thriller short script

Posted on February 17, 2024 by aa

LOGLINE:
A tense negotiation between two rival mafia bosses takes place in a seedy motel room.

SYNOPSIS:
In this tense, noir-inspired story, VINCENT and SALVATORE, rival mafia bosses, convene in a seedy motel room to negotiate the division of their overlapping territories. As their heated discussion unfolds, an uneasy truce is struck with a signed agreement and a backpack full of cash. However, the fragile peace shatters when an unexpected knock on the door triggers a deadly confrontation. Both men, suspicious of foul play, draw their guns simultaneously, leading to a chaotic exchange of gunfire. The seedy motel room becomes the stage for their final, fatal confrontation, as Vincent and Salvatore both succumb to the consequences of their violent world, leaving behind a scene of smoke and silence. The door opens, and THE MAID finds the two men dead. After spotting the backpack, she nonchalantly zips it closed and straps it to her shoulder, quietly leaving the room.

“THE MEETING” is a gripping tale of greed, betrayal, and the brutal consequences of a criminal underworld’s desperate struggle for power.

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“Last Date” – It’s here!!!

Posted on February 1, 2024 by aa

Last Date - short horror filmThe production of my short script “last Date” is complete and the film has been released. A huge tank you goes out to Mad Wife Productions. They did an awesome job on the film… better than I imagined it would be.

It is currently available on YouTube: “Last Date”

 

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A Brief History of Halloween in Film

Posted on October 31, 2023 by aa

Halloween movies have become a beloved tradition for many, capturing the spooky and playful spirit of the holiday. Here’s a brief history of Halloween movies:

  1. Early Influences (1920s-1930s): The roots of Halloween movies can be traced back to the early years of cinema. Classic horror films like “Nosferatu” (1922) and “Frankenstein” (1931) set the stage for the spooky, atmospheric themes that would become a hallmark of Halloween movies.
  2. Universal Monsters (1930s-1940s): Universal Pictures introduced iconic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and the Mummy during this period. These creatures would go on to star in a series of sequels and crossovers that remain popular Halloween classics.
  3. The Golden Age of Horror (1950s-1960s): The 1950s and 1960s saw the rise of B-movie horror, with films like “Plan 9 from Outer Space” (1959) and “Psycho” (1960) achieving cult status. Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” in particular introduced a new level of psychological horror.
  4. The Slasher Era (1970s-1980s): Halloween movies as we know them today truly took off during this period. John Carpenter’s “Halloween” (1978) introduced the iconic character Michael Myers, while “Friday the 13th” (1980) and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984) popularized the slasher subgenre.
  5. Halloween Franchise (1980s-present): The “Halloween” series, starting with the 1978 film, has been one of the most enduring and influential in the genre. It spawned numerous sequels, reboots, and spin-offs, making it a staple of Halloween movie marathons.
  6. Family-Friendly Halloween Films (1990s-present): In the 1990s and beyond, a wave of family-friendly Halloween movies, such as “Hocus Pocus” (1993) and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993), became annual viewing for all ages.
  7. Modern Horror (2000s-present): Recent decades have seen the resurgence of horror films as serious works of art. Movies like “The Conjuring” (2013) and “Get Out” (2017) have become critical and commercial successes and are frequently featured in Halloween movie lineups.
  8. Halloween Reboots (2010s-present): In the 21st century, Hollywood has embraced the trend of rebooting and reimagining classic horror franchises. The “Halloween” series, for instance, saw a successful reboot in 2018, bringing back Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode.
  9. Indie Horror (2010s-present): Independent filmmakers have made a significant impact on the Halloween movie landscape. Films like “It Follows” (2014) and “The Babadook” (2014) have garnered critical acclaim and added a fresh, innovative twist to the genre.
  10. Streaming Services (2010s-present): With the rise of streaming platforms, horror anthologies like “The Haunting of Hill House” (2018) and “The Haunting of Bly Manor” (2020) have introduced new ways to enjoy spooky stories in a binge-worthy format.

Halloween movies have evolved and diversified over the years, catering to a wide range of tastes and age groups, but they continue to be a significant part of the Halloween tradition, providing thrills, chills, and a dash of spooky fun for audiences around the world.

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One Night In Reno – Dark Comedy Short Script

Posted on October 27, 2023 by aa

One Night In RenoLOGLINE:
A bride-to-be and her three bridesmaids embark on a wild bachelorette weekend in Reno. When a stripper’s accidental death leads to a desert cover-up, hilarity and chaos ensue.

SYNOPSIS:
“ONE NIGHT IN RENO” is a dark comedy that dives headfirst into the uproarious misadventures of JESSICA, a bride-to-be, and her three lively bridesmaids, LISA, ALEXIS, and MOLLIE, as they embark on a bachelorette weekend in Reno. Their journey begins with excitement and revelry at a lavish hotel and casino, where Jessica’s winning streak, Lisa’s losing streak, and Alexis’s flirtations with a HANDSOME STRANGER set the stage for a wild night. Mollie, the pragmatic planner, strives to keep the group on schedule but can’t anticipate the chaos that ensues.

When the girls hire DIMITRI, a hunky male stripper, to amp up the festivities in their hotel suite, their night takes an unexpectedly twisted turn. Amid the seductive performance, Jessica accidentally sends Dimitri crashing into a table, rendering him unconscious. Drunk and scared, and believing Dimitri is dead, panic sets in as they grapple with the ramifications of their actions, ultimately leading them to bury Dimitri in the unforgiving desert. What follows is a darkly comedic odyssey as the women struggle to conceal their outrageous secret, weaving a web of lies and hilarity that keeps them on their toes and the audience laughing. “One Night in Reno” is a rollicking ride through friendship, secrets, and the unforeseen repercussions of a bachelorette party gone hilariously awry.

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