Film
SUMMONING THE SPIRIT
Largely known for his work on LGBTQ fare like Luz and Sex Weather – has put character, story, and effective pacing before any effect or money shot.. because he knew he won’t have those. And like Art Arister, Robert Eggers, David Robert Mitchell, and Scott Derrickson before him, Summoning the Spirit might just be the one that ports him from the unknown leagues to in-demand territory.
While it won’t work on audiences that consider Cocaine Bear the cream of the crop of horror, Garcia’s short and slower moody monster movie will work on audiences who are chasing something more masterfully handled and compelling. This is arthouse horror – and arthouse horror done right.
Rafe Oman -Scare Magazine
Love in Dangerous Times
“The low-budget 'Love in Dangerous Times' is surprisingly effective in capturing the current moment.” -Cary Darling -The Houston Chronicle
“Love in Dangerous Times” may have been meant to capture a particular place and moment in the recent past, but, as the pandemic drags on and spikes around the world, it remains very much about the present.” -The Houston Chronicle
“We’ll have to wait to see how well Love in Dangerous Times holds up in the future, once life has gotten back to normal and a whole slew of art has been made about this period in history. For now, it’s a wonderful film to watch during the pandemic, and a sweet story to take your mind off the downfall of democracy. There’s much that will prove relatable to almost everyone going through quarantine, as well as plenty of humorous diversions – such as the appropriately uncomfortable socially distanced sex scene – that will make you feel a lot better about your own life.” -Christopher Lewis - mxdwn.com
“The new indie drama Love in Dangerous Times is deeply rooted in the pandemic, having been filmed smack dab in the middle of it, exploring the evolving attitudes and experiences almost in real-time as the nationwide shutdown has dragged on, and even using the global infection total as a framing device for marking the passage of time. Writer/Director Jon Garcia uses the film to ask questions that will feel intimately familiar to most people living through this unprecedented moment – or at least to young people who can afford to live alone — like, how do you forge a real, personal connection with someone you’ve never met? How do you keep your mind occupied in the absence of almost all forms of human contact? And wouldn’t it be great if you wrote and starred in a play about your unresolved issues with your ex?” -Christopher Lewis - mxdwn.com
If there’s any glimmer of hope…any upside to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has to be the new stories ready to be told when it comes to filmmaking. The key is to be the first, and filmmaker Jon Garcia is the first out of the gates with his COVID romance, Love in Dangerous Times. -Allan Ng - Film Threat
“Love in Dangerous Times has a low-budget independent film vibe that would be easy to dismiss compared to the big studio romances. This is why we love indie films. It’s different in nature and necessity. If you’re a fan of falling in love, give this ambitious gem a chance.” -Allan Ng - Film Threat
With heartwarming performances from fellow cast mates Marian Mendez (LUZ), Bruce Jennings (An Unlikely Insurgency), Jimmy Garcia (The Librarians), Cecily Overman (Combat Report), and newcomer Liz Kohl, Love in Dangerous Times is a poignant reminder — Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Socially distance. And fall in love. -Rich Andrew-LA Arts
Love in Dangerous Times has its finger on the pulse not just because it was both made and released during the pandemic, but because of its choices in its pandemic-related content. Without going into particulars, there are a couple scenes near the end that feature characters sharing the same space. These contain common types of physical interaction, both indulged in and resisted – this last in striking fashion. One particular moment between two old friends – Jason and his bestie Ishmael (Jimmy Garcia) – is both an immensely satisfying release, and a provocative reminder of just how dangerous all this really is. It’s a reality of the human heart that. -Derick Armstrong- Reel Good
Love in Dangerous Times hits all the right notes and maybe in future will be considered a very accurate portrayal of an unusual time in our history when we all thought we were untouchable. However, being filmed so early on in the pandemic, it isn’t really thorough enough and feels like the film is in a bubble. There’s more going on right now than anyone could encapsulate in one movie and although a valiant effort, maybe Love in Dangerous Times would settle better in a few months.Love in Dangerous Times hits all the right notes and maybe in future will be considered a very accurate portrayal of an unusual time in our history when we all thought we were untouchable. However, being filmed so early on in the pandemic, it isn’t really thorough enough and feels like the film is in a bubble. There’s more going on right now than anyone could encapsulate in one movie and although a valiant effort, maybe Love in Dangerous Times would settle better in a few months.-Battle Royal With Cheese - Joel Fisher
What Love in Dangerous Times gets right is how it speaks to its audience. A slight, 90 minute offering may not seem able to deliver the emotional heft of Supernova or Ammonite, but this film works by building simple stories with a small cast. Far from being unambitious, as this film comes to an end, there is not only a sense that we know the characters, but we feel that we have travelled their journey with them. It is this attention to story-telling that brings the film together. Love in Dangerous Times succeeds not only in capturing the mood of lockdown as a curiously universal experience, but also how our desire to reach out, and articulate what we feel, has become a way to survive. -Helen Tope- The Reviews Hub
“Love in Dangerous Times”: Jon Garcia has come up with a winning dramedy about making a love connection during a lockdown. A bored and unproductive Portland playwright (Ian Stout) Zoom-meets the smart, funny and lonely Sorrell (Tiffany Groben) and the immediately click. Garcia’s feature makes the most of this confined-quarters relationship, and somehow fashions a Zoom sleeping date into one of the most endearing romantic scenes of 2020. If you need to lift your spirits, start here. Details: 3 stars; streaming on multiple platforms. -Randy Myers - The Mercury News
Among the first films to directly deal with the pandemic and lockdown, and actually filmed entirely during the days of Corona, this is actually a quite touching romance that's pretty much exactly about what the title suggests, but manages to not over-dramatize things but concentrates on the new trivial of a totally changed (or at least reduced) world, and as a result the romance between Jason and Sorrell becomes to tangible, because it's given its time to grow, doesn't sprout out of big gestures but develops in conversation that only slowly turn into the (believable) for more. And a very subtle direction gives this growth enough space while the two grounded central performances make the film feel real - and maybe one of the most romantic movies to come out of 2020. -Searchmytrash.com -Search My Trash-Mike Haberfelner
Sex Weather
Jon Garcia has a pair of aces in the form of Al’Jaleel McGhee and Amber Stonebraker, who star as Darrel and Sydney, former collaborators who connect for a brief, heady tryst. They sell the material wholeheartedly and manage to make a one-setting, two-actor film emotionally compelling.~LA Times
Room To Grow
An intriguing cast of teenage characters enlivens the Outfest documentary Room to Grow. Docs about LGBTQ kids are nothing new, and yet directors Matt Alber and Jon Garcia have managed to find fresh, compelling stories to tell in this rousing and eye-opening film. Most of these kids are going through challenges in their adolescent years, though these challenges aren’t always predictable. -Stephen Farber -The Hollywood Reporter
The Falls Trilogy
With such an eclectic filmmaking sensibility, Jon Garcia is looking to become a major new talent in American cinema ~Edge Media Network
Out of nowhere it seemed, a sweet little LGBT love story called The Falls seemed to capture a special place in the hearts of audiences nationwide ~The Independent Critic
An ocean of calm and love in a world that is filled with so much conflict and angst-be that political, social or economic ~JWR
…repression and strict religious vocation are touched upon realistically and respectfully, letting the story of one man finding himself -and another man- shine through with grace and dignity ~Vancouver Weekly Canada
…well acted, wonderfully directed and cleverly conceptualized… a nuanced and superb analysis of how two young men find affection and sexual attraction for each other in in the confines of a repressive religious context ~Mamba South Africa
It’s a brave first time writer/director who walks on Mormon ground… Jon Garcia has nevertheless succeeded in crafting a remarkably compelling tale of love… Simply heartwarming… Love is not a sin in The Falls ~Gay Celluloid
...set to take the 2013 festival circuit by storm this fall ~Huffington Post
a very satisfying continuation…Writer/producer/director Jon Garcia has crafted a wonderful story of love, acceptance, choice and reconciliation… Garcia pulls out stellar performances from Ferrucci and Farmer. ~The E List
While still at its heart a love story, The Falls: Testament of Love presents a wonderfully complex look at families, commitments, and the intersection of religion and love ~Purple Unions
Garcia shot the movie in July of this year. He premiered the move in October. That’s only four months to put together a feature film, which isn’t a lot of time ~The M Report
THE HOURS TILL DAYLIGHT
…a ghost film through-and-through…Garcia has an eye for horror~The Evil Blogger
It’s just a creepy haunting story. That’s what will make The Hours Till Daylight stand out from the rest ~UK Horror Scene
A supernatural thriller inspired by true events…Once the exorcism begins, Marco has until daylight to defeat the malevolent spirit or risk losing everything…Garcia brought an interesting perspective to the subject matter ~Cody Hamman, Horror Movie News
MUSIC
"...Crafting songs that are personal and moving and that veer from understated folk, to gently forceful and soaring rock." --Oregonian
"Jon Garcia has already achieved what so many artists have been trying to accomplish: He makes the ordinary beautiful and manages to make every day events and trials and tribulations intriguing as he displays them in a new light." --Carton Newspapers
"Armed with a whole crew of talented musicians, Jon Garcia creates songs that combine folk, a tiny bit of country, and a whole lot of rock." --Portland Mercury
"Jon Garcia reaches for the highest note on every track and is not afraid to let his sensitive side show." --Sound Seattle
"Garcia's impeccable song writing and performances have drawn fans from all over the world." --Two Louie's Press
"...it's clear this guy has a really pretty voice." --Willamette Week
"(Jon Garcia) brings you through metaphorical representations of every landscape and every time of the day while you listen." --Skyline Press
"... A glimpse into a soul who would rather find enjoyment in everyday life, than rely on already tired and generic emotional states that show up on most records." --Playback Magazine
"Folk, acoustic rock is what Jon brings to the party." --Northwest Noise Magazine
“This folk indie song writer has come a long distance from his Austin, TX based roots. He has graced a few bands while working in the "college" scene to which he decided to move to Portland and start his fame anew. Enjoying tours that would soon support his self titled album, he experimented with exciting new focuses of alchemy with music and stretch the boundries that hold indie together. With all this experience and talent we will see how much fuel Jon has, and if he can get him self to cloud 9 and back. This journey brings you through metaphorical representations of every landscape and every time of the day while you listen to it. You can travel from the snow filled valleys of Mount Kilimanjaro, to the soft sun soaked plains of Germany and back with the raw emotions that come out with this record. Soft and indie, they still bridge the gap that many artists and albums can't do with their genre. One doesn't need to be a strict fan of this type of music to be able to relate to it and love it, just a few listens will get you hooked and keep you in a soft chair filled with fluffy furs of euphoria that let you fall asleep and dream your sweet nocturnal sleep forever.” —Pernell Fowler (skyline Press) August 22 2006
“The recycled paper and ink–drawn cover art of Jon Garcia’s CD cover, his self-titled album is an organic picture of folk guitar straight from Portland. It sounds like a gentle lullaby, one that Ryan Adams might listen to before bed. Some people might pass this kind of music off as easy listening for the folk rock crowd, but that just means you don’t get it. Imagine life through a camera lens, looking at every detail like a newborn for the first time. Suddenly, simplicity becomes a much larger thing, worth taking some time to notice.Overall, these 14 tracks serve as a glimpse into a soul who would rather find enjoyment in everyday life than rely on already tired and generic emotional states that show up on most records.” -Janelle Greenwood (Playback Magazine) July 12, 2006
Jon’s self-titled release is full of mellow folk rock and a barrage of inspired lyrics. So I guess you know it’s summer, and while I listen to Jon’s music, I can’t help think this album fits perfect into any warm summer day. Jon has posse. I’m in this posse. Folk, acoustic rock is what Jon brings to the party. Don’t let the tracks on the album fool you, he’s not as depressed as some of t he tracks sound.-Tim Gerner (Northwest Noise Magazine) July 21, 2006
In Music We Trust interview