There are certain places in this world that draw people to them. The ones to come to immediately to mind in the U.S. are Los Angeles, California, or New York City, New York, as cornerstones of music, theater, and entertainment… Read More ›
In Theaters
“Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” strikes all the typical Austen rom-com notes.
Back in 2013, Director Jerusha Hess brought to life the silly world of Shannon Hale’s novel Austenland. In it, Jane Hayes (Keri Russell), a 30-something fangirl for the works of Jane Austen, travels to a British resort themed to the… Read More ›
Hypothesis: You’re in need of an original sci-fi comedy. Theory: “Tim Travers and the Time Traveler’s Paradox” will satisfy your needs (known and unknown).
Some people would rather test a universe-threatening hypothesis than go to therapy and it shows. But that’s the commonality with so many stories throughout humanity, isn’t it? Instead of facing the real, internal problem, humankind manufactures a greater dilemma that,… Read More ›
“Manas” turns years of research into a sobering drama with intimate and powerful storytelling. [SFFILM]
Manas is a sweeping and emotionally resonant film that lingers long after the credits roll. With breakthrough performances and a poignant human feel that permeates every frame, it is not only a must-watch but also a strong contender for awards… Read More ›
The clear potential in “The Devil Smokes” gets hampered by narrative indecision and a need for stronger directorial discipline. [SFFILM]
The Devil Smokes (and Saves the Burnt Matches in the Same Box) (El diablo fuma (y guarda las cabezas de los cerillos quemados en la misma caja)), also listed simply as The Devil Smokes, is an ambitious and visually arresting… Read More ›
No ticket to “Dogma: The Resurrection Tour?” Snag one for the wide release and see Kevin Smith’s divine comedy in all its brand-new 4K remaster glory.
Bethany: Having beliefs isn’t good? Rufus: I think it’s better to have ideas. You can change an idea. Changing a belief is trickier… — Dogma (1999) There are some directors whose work influences you in surprising ways. Of the many… Read More ›
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” faces its greatest challenge yet: manifesting a satisfying conclusion for a long-running franchise.
Trigger Warning: The Final Reckoning contains two sequences involving flashing lights and light patterns that may be difficult for photosensitive viewers. In 1996, director Brian de Palma’s spy thriller Mission: Impossible released into theaters, bringing the beloved television series created… Read More ›
Filmmaker Ali Weinstein’s “Your Tomorrow” explores the past and present of a publicly-invested third space. [ATLFF]
Third places are an important part of any community. They provide individuals, young and old, a place to congregate outside of home and work/school, to relax with various kinds of leisure activities. For the Ontario, Canada, community, this includes Ontario… Read More ›
Pavli Serenetsky’s coming of age tale “More Beautiful Perversions” explores the importance of discovery through transient, ephemeral love. [ATLFF]
Content Warning: Adult nudity is present in the film. Nothing explicitly sexual, but not discrete. Not every relationship we have is meant to last. This is a painful realization, whether it occurs as a child, a teen, a young adult,… Read More ›
“Sister Midnight” loses itself amidst a glut of messaging and genre-bending. [BUFF]
Writer/director Karan Kandhari (Bye Bye Miss Goodnight) presents audiences with Sister Midnight, a dark comedy (slightly akin to Nightbitch (2024) while also being incredibly different) about the situations that arise from arranged marriages and what happens when you’re just not… Read More ›
“Thunderbolts*” is a step forward in revitalizing the MCU as Phase Five phases out.
May 2nd, 2008 — the Paramount Pictures produced and distributed Iron Man releases into theaters and audiences discover they are a small part of a larger universe. Seventeen years later, Thunderbolts* debuts, the 36th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe… Read More ›
Dramatic thriller “Honeymoon” examines the emotional erosion of war breeching a newly marital home. [SFFILM]
Zhanna Ozirna’s Honeymoon (Медовий місяць) is a film that speaks directly to our moment in history, an intimate yet shattering portrait of love under siege. Evocative of Raymond Briggs’s When the Wind Blows (1986), it shares that film’s power in… Read More ›
Documentary “Sonaggios” shows us the modern day struggles of an artisanal tradition. [SFFILM]
Sonaggios is an incredibly moving and visually captivating documentary that takes viewers into the heart of Tonara, a small village in the mountainous region of Sardinia, Italy. For nearly 150 years, Tonara has been home to a unique artisanal tradition… Read More ›
Affleck and Bernthal deliver quality action from boss battles to sibling squabbles in “The Accountant 2.”
The hot titles seared into my memory from 2016 include 10 Cloverfield Lane, Keanu, Everybody Wants Some!!, Kubo and the Two Strings, and The Accountant. At the time, I praised director Gavin O’Connor and writer Bill Dubuque’s film, saying it… Read More ›
Julien Colonna’s crime thriller “The Kingdom” grapples with the complexity of choice and consequence. [ATLFF]
Choices and consequences. Most of the time, when we think of choices and consequences, it’s within the framework of ourselves. We view it from the perspective of the decisions we make and the repercussions that follow. In reality, our choices… Read More ›
“Mongrels” explores the complexities of a transplanted family in a strong feature-debut by Jerome Yoo. [ATLFF]
What does it mean to be happy? The answer changes depending on who you ask, what mood they’re in, where they live, what their own experiences/philosophies are, and more. If you live in a capitalist society, happiness is based on… Read More ›
Brandon Colvin deafens with silence in drama “The World Drops Dead.” [ATLFF]
Trigger Warning: The World Drops Dead involves both suicidal ideation and execution that may be difficult for sensitive viewers. Additionally, be advised that this will be discussed in the following review. God is Silence — this is the title of… Read More ›
“The Surfer” rides a wave that only Lorcan Finnegan and Nicolas Cage can shred.
When one sits down to watch a Nicolas Cage, movie there is a certain expectation and mood that is set. You know you’re in for a ride of potentially ridiculous proportions that is simply insane or you’re getting a performance… Read More ›
The hard-hits within “Holy Night: Demon Hunters” partially make up for the as-expected elements of a supernatural thriller.
There are some who will tell you that horror is having a resurgence right now, and they’d be misinformed at best, misunderstood at worst. Horror films have been a steady part of storytelling since before the advent of moving pictures… Read More ›
“The Wedding Banquet” invites you to find your seat at the table.
The Wedding Banquet (2025) is one of those rare films that functions more as another swing at bat than as a remake, and returning screenwriter James Schamus (The Wedding Banquet (1993); Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) scores at least a double… Read More ›