Upon its release in 2022, The Bad Guys proved to be a surprising smash hit. The reviews were quite positive, with praise on all accounts. This included the screenplay, voice performances, and very entertaining action. Add in a gross of… Read More ›
In Theaters
Comedic short “Shrimp Fried Rice” may not contain shrimp (it totally does). [Fantasia]
Sometimes filmed content needs 90+ minutes to tell its story effectively. Other times, it needs less. It all depends on the story that is being told, the ability of the actors in the project to convey the story in the… Read More ›
Amid clunky execution, fantasy rom-com “ChaO” reminds that we are forever our own storytellers. [Fantasia]
We are the music makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams;— World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: Yet we are the movers and shakers Of the world… Read More ›
Get ready to throw down in “The Forbidden City.” [Fantasia]
Since Cain slew Abel, it’s believed that humanity has continued to find ways to betray itself, regardless of the cost. As such, stories have found ways to exploit this element of the human condition as a means for narrative catalyst,… Read More ›
“Oh, Hi!” utilizes its cringe and charm well for a generation-defining rom-com.
Sophie Brooks (writer, story, producer, director) and Molly Gordon (lead, producer, story) took on several roles to bring arguably the most millennial/Gen Z movie imaginable. The film works so flawlessly well but is sure to get under the skin of… Read More ›
“Terrestrial” is tethered too tightly to elevate to the heights it aspires to reach. [Fantasia]
When you hear that the director of one of the most absurdist and out-there comedies that shouldn’t work but does is making a genre-bending science fiction comedy horror-esque movie, curiosity definitely peaks. However, there has to be something more to… Read More ›
Comedy “The Floaters” captures the mishegoss of summer camp, even if it is pretty paint-by-numbers.
Context Warning: The Floaters is an inherently Jewish film and I was raised in the Reform sect, so some things are going to be discussed that only those aware of the terms may understand. This warning is applied because the… Read More ›
“Honeko Akabane’s Bodyguards” walks the fine line between manga art direction and reality, bringing some fun along with it. [Fantasia]
Trigger Warning: An extended introduction sequence includes frequent brief flashing effects that may be difficult for photosensitive viewers. What does it mean to be a hero? Stories from around the world and throughout time try to navigate this question. Few… Read More ›
Lo-fi punk comedy “The Gesuidouz” isn’t for everyone (and that’s alright). [Japan Cuts]
Art isn’t for everyone. It can be profitable for the artist if it is, striking the balance between personal vision and widespread appreciation, but it’s not a necessity. Sometimes art is entirely for the artist, the work so niche that… Read More ›
Sci-fi fantasy “Rewrite” encourages a re-evaluation of what people expect from time loop stories. [Fantasia]
Each story — the ones we tell ourselves that make up our reality and the ones that creatives make for the books, shows, and films we ingest — is a matter of perspective and, frequently, the audience is rarely asked… Read More ›
Pass the moonshine and man your battle stations: it’s time to “Hold the Fort.” [Fantasia]
I ain’t here for a long time, I’m here for a good time So bring on the sunshine, to hell with the red wine Pour me some moonshine When I’m gone, put it in stone, “He left nothing behind” I… Read More ›
“Abraham’s Boys: A Dracula Story” twists itself in knots.
There have been a slew of films hiding their true premises in their trailers this year — not spoiler-level twists, just selling the public a different idea. Abraham’s Boys is right there with Sinners, Materialists, 28 Years Later, and The… Read More ›
Crime drama thriller “Sovereign” will haunt you.
Have you seen Justin Kurzel’s highly under the radar crime thriller, The Order (2024)? Did you see it and immediately think to yourself that you wanted to see more of this? If you haven’t, have you seen some of Dick… Read More ›
Roots and wings drenched with resentment require a new generation to invoke “Self-Help” to break free from generational trauma. [Chattanooga Film Festival]
Parents of the modern generation find themselves with unique challenges compared to prior ones, particularly due to a shift in perspective which acknowledges children as people and not as accessories. This means recognizing their needs and emotions, helping to position… Read More ›
Kang Hyungchul’s superhero action thriller “Hi-Five” brings the laughs and the pain.
“With great power, comes great responsibility.” – Stan Lee, 1962 Amazing Fantasy #15 Despite it now being more than 17 years since the Marvel Cinematic Universe began with Iron Man (2008), superhero stories remain in high demand from audiences in… Read More ›
“Jurassic World Rebirth” strikes the tone for a fun summer action blockbuster.
The Jurassic Park series is one of the most profitable and beloved franchises in film history. There’s a sense of reliability in their fun nature, no matter the overall quality of the film. Steven Spielberg’s iconic 1993 film was revolutionary… Read More ›
The horror of R.T. Thorne’s alt-universe “40 Acres” is planted firmly in our past and present. [The Overlook Film Festival]
The longer one is alive, the more one learns about history, the more timeline events feel like traveling in a circle, rather than in a flat line. Communities build up, empires rise, blights come, and, eventually, the empires fall. The… Read More ›
Character-driven drama “The Scout” offers a meditative narrative about the spaces we occupy. [Tribeca]
Turn on the tv, switch on a streaming service, and you’re going to find some form of programming. These programs, whether you realize it or not, are planned as meticulously as possible to ensure that entertainment is high, all the… Read More ›
“Dog of God” is horrific, bloody, and grotesque while strangely hot and provocative. [Tribeca]
Let all that you do be done in love. – 1 Corinthians 16:14 Love is a many splendored thing Love lifts us up where we belong All you need is love! – “Elephant Love Medley,” Moulin Rouge There are many… Read More ›
Driven by intense performances, “Hot Milk” is a slow burn in which setting is everything.
Under the relentless sun in the coastal Spanish town of Almería, a chronically ill woman and her daughter/caretaker grapple with years of suppressed tension and resentment as the mother seeks treatment for a mysterious condition that has left her unable… Read More ›