Almost every town in the world has something that they pride themselves on, something that they can hang their hat on that no one else can. For my hometown, Roanoke, Virginia, it’s being called the Star City of the South,… Read More ›
Reviews
Addison Heimann’s “Hypochondriac” is horror as therapy. [SXSW Film Festival]
Addison Heimann deals with the ghosts in his past by bringing them to light, inviting scrutiny from whoever chooses to open the Pandora’s box that is Hypochondriac. While few directors probably choose to enter the game with an exposé into… Read More ›
Korean thriller “Midnight” weaponizes perception, creating a deceptively devious night of horror.
There are some films that come along and you think to yourself “I need to see this.” It’s how I felt with the announcement of Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022), but… Read More ›
“6:45” plays with time to generate horror, but actually just creates tedium and celebrates misogyny.
I love a film that plays with conventions. It can be a rom-com that positions itself as a traditional romance involving the ability to time travel but it’s really a story of fathers, sons, and family (About Time). It can… Read More ›
“Win a Trip to Browntown!” isn’t the prize it intends to be.
There is something to admire about someone who chooses to write, star, and direct a project they are passionate about. However, there is also some level of humility and knowledge about committing to something that daunting. Win a Trip to… Read More ›
Cooper Raiff continues to deliver strong crowd-pleasing stories in his second feature, “Cha Cha Real Smooth.” [SXSW Film Festival]
There’s always *that* Sundance film each year that comes out the festival the most triumphant one way or another, whether it be from the awards it won or the stars it has within it or the amount of money a… Read More ›
“The Cow” fails to deliver on an intriguing concept. [SXSW Film Festival]
There was a viral tweet going around a few days ago from E! News with some truly stunning pictures of Anne Hathaway and a caption that read “Did Anne Hathaway make a deal with the devil? She is literally aging… Read More ›
Drama “To Leslie” offers another powerful leading role for Andrea Riseborough. [SXSW Film Festival]
Every gay has their actress, or at least the one that we consider “our own” in a way the mainstream doesn’t fully. Sure, we all generally love Gaga and Meryl and Glenn, and so many other classic gay icons, but… Read More ›
The horror of “Soft & Quiet” is in the truth of it, for better or worse. [SXSW Film Festival]
It’s often said that money is the root of all evil, and while over the course of all human history that might be true, in the modern era, it’s becoming more clear that white supremacy is the root of all… Read More ›
Sam Green’s experimental documentary “32 Sounds” is something you listen with, not to. [SXSW Film Festival]
What does it mean to sit in a moment? For some, it means to be present, to actively engage in the “now.” It implies an action, a movement made in order to seize what’s before you. It’s the difference between… Read More ›
Pete Ohs’s “Jethica” offers an approach to forgiveness and grief we’d all be better to consider. [SXSW Film Festival]
Jethica is a film that wastes no time in laying its narrative out on the table with a refreshing efficiency. No padding, no filler, no three hour runtime, just a film that has a statement to make, makes it, and… Read More ›
Aisha Dee slays in Australian horror comedy “Sissy.” [SXSW Film Festival]
We’ve all had our experiences with bullies. Some more than others, certainly, but looking back on the pitfalls of adolescence in the light of adulthood, there’s always that nagging voice in the back of your head telling you “If you… Read More ›
The supporting cast steals the show in comedy “Spin Me Round.” [SXSW Film Festival]
Jeff Baena has written a lot of things over the last few years that have broken the mold and done something new for the comedy genre by not delivered the typical trope movies. He and his now wife, Aubrey Plaza,… Read More ›
“Spaz” explores the failed success of cinematic CG artist Steve Williams. [SXSW Film Festival]
Steve Williams. This is a name anyone who loves movies should know, but how many people can honestly say they know of Steve Williams, or Spaz as he was known to friends? He is the reason why James Cameron’s Abyss… Read More ›
“A Lot of Nothing” delivers on a whole lot of something. [SXSW Film Festival]
“Messy” defined by Mirriam-Webster’s Dictionary is as follows: “marked by confusion, disorder, or dirt.” Mo McRae’s feature debut A Lot of Nothing is absolutely messy, but in the best way possible. The movie starts off being one thing and then,… Read More ›
30 Helens agree: “Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks” is a hilarious and heartfelt tribute to comedy legends who’re still at it. [SXSW Film Festival]
You can get a sense of a person by the comedy they ingest or reference. Often, their humor is shaped by those they enjoy or admire, so you can tell what they find sacred or profane. It’s the same thing… Read More ›
Regina Hall and Zoë Renee bring the damn house down with their performances in “Master.” [SXSW Film Festival]
One of the larger debates during my senior year of high school was the rift between my Black friends debating the merits of attending a Historically Black College & University (HBCU) or that of a Primarily White Institute (PWI), and… Read More ›
Mishandled situational comedy “Millie Lies Low” results in audience frustration. [SXSW Film Festival]
There are movies that lend themselves to the elements and take advantage of them to their benefit. Then there are movies that ignore what the story lays out for them and try to become something they really aren’t. Unfortunately, in… Read More ›
Lovecraftian “The Cellar” wastes an interesting concept on a poorly constructed foundation. [SXSW Film Festival]
At some point in your life you’ve had the hair on your neck stand on end with the feeling of not being alone. It could be in the comfort of your living room, full lights on, or on a midnight… Read More ›
Colin West’s “Linoleum” is a frustrating yet rewarding watch. [SXSW Film Festival]
There are rare instances in films where casting decisions are made that are uncharacteristic to the lead’s background, such as casting comedians in very dramatic roles. Linoleum does that feat very well, giving us a very uncharacteristic character for Jim… Read More ›