ACCLAIM

ATTACK OF THE MURDER HORNETS

“With an appealing mix of terror and humor, it transforms its report on this national crisis into a portrait of successful government and community collaboration, and the way in which our safety -- and future -- is guaranteed by science.” - THE DAILY BEAST
Attack of the Murder Hornets plays like a spooky true-crime tale. Stephenson's documentary moves at a thriller's brisk clip with so much built in drama, ambiance and character. The story is a compelling ecological race against time, with real stakes: When honeybees are in danger, the entire food chain is also at risk.” - WIRED
A true-life thriller, a genre romp and quasi–Close Encounters of the Third Kind, it also puts human nature under the microscope.” - WHAT SHE SAID
“An engrossing real life horror story.” - SPIN
“Filmmaker Michael Paul Stephenson not only scores points on style but also substance, revealing the character of a state scientist and citizen scientists as well as the impact of greed on scientific research that comes in a last-act twist.” - THE SEATTLE TIMES
“A terrific, absorbing film that documents a real-life horror movie come to life.” - SCREEN ANARCHY
A riveting nature doc shot through a horror/sci-fi lens.” - ARS TECHNICA
“One of the best shows on Discovery+” - INDIEWIRE

GIRLFRIEND'S DAY

“It's all in the details, and that's where Girlfriend's Day goes right where so many films of its kind go wrong... director Michael Paul Stephenson crafts Girlfriend's Day with an eerie precision... by the time it's all over, you're left with the same giddiness you feel after reading a Daniel Clowes comic or a Jonathan Ames story.” - PASTE MAGAZINE
Girlfriend's Day is more than likely going to enable Stephenson-who has now proven himself to be quite the adept director-to continue marching to the best of his own artistic drummer.” - BIRTH.MOVIES.DEATH
“Directed by Michael Paul Stephenson with an incredibly human touch, the film explores the quiet beauty of the people that write the words behind greeting card.” - DEN OF GEEK
“Bob Odenkirk does some damn fine work in this black comedy he skillfully navigates through an obstacle course of genres and tones giving way to noir-inflected mystery.” - VULTURE
“A fun and surreal examination of passion. Plays every scene with a deadpan sensibillity that alternates between biting and tenderness, - BIRTH.MOVIES.DEATH

THE AMERICAN SCREAM

“Like he did in Best Worst Movie, Stephenson deftly balances naturalistic humor, fascinating people, and moments of poignant tenderness.” - COMPLEX
The American Scream eloquently captures varying frustrations and desires of the middle-class everyman... it never overstates the drama beneath its scenario, instead allowing the subtext to creep out...” - INDIEWIRE
The American Scream is a focused vision; it is a sweet, tender portrait of an odd American Dream. - / FILM
The real heroes of Halloween are those who transform their humble abodes into something epically terrifying…” - ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
A surprisingly poignant look at America’s fascination with the scariest holiday of the year.” - BLOODY DISGUSTING

BEST WORST MOVIE

Hilarious… awesome! - ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
A touching and at times uncomfortable portrait of people making peace with an unwanted past.” - THE NEW YORK TIMES
Best Worst Movie is the populist doc to beat this year.. - SLANT MAGAZINE
Follow your dreams. Follow your heart. Best Worst Movie is living proof that time does heal all wounds -- and bad movies.” - BEHIND THE LENS
“Hilarious and sad... priceless.” - THE NEW YORKER
“One of the best documentaries of 2009… differing and fascinating levels of obscurity, normalcy, and dysfunction… gets us back in touch with what it means to love movies, to make them, and to have our lives changed by them for better, and sometimes Worst.” - /FILM
“A raging success... infectiously fun, energetic, and crazily enthusiastic.” - THE ONION A.V. CLUB
Curiously touching…” - ROGER EBERT
Best Worst Movie captures the geek-joy fizz when fame morphs into notoriety, and artlessness becomes its own art.” - L.A. TIMES