The concept of Kate Beecroft’s docufiction EAST OF WALL closely resembles Chloé Zhao’s The Rider and the film has some of the similar gorgeous and serene South Dakota scenery on display. The non-professional cast of mostly family members is much larger and they do a fine job. They are more or less playing themselves, but […]
Sukkwan Island – Sundance 2025
Vladimir de Fontenay’s SUKKWAN ISLAND with Swann Arlaud, young actor Woody Norman from C’mon C’mon, and Alma Pöysti would have been a fine father-son survival drama if it was not for its confusing structure that utilizes misdirection. You spend the last fifteen minutes of the film wondering what the heck is going on and you […]
Bunnylovr – Sundance 2025
Writer/director/actor/producer Katarina Zhu’s Bunnylovr, which had its premiere at Sundance Film Festival, is a personal film about being young and lonely in the city. Her performance as Rebecca and her direction are excellent. I wish the story was a little less predictable. Rachel Sennott was her bubbly self as the best friend. It was also […]
Jazzy
Films about childhood don’t get any more heartwarming than Morrisa Maltz’s coming-of-age drama JAZZY, which is nominated for the John Cassavetes Award and Best Editing at this year’s Film Independent Spirit Awards. We were first introduced to Jasmine in Maltz’s previous film The Unknown Country as a member of Lily Gladstone’s character’s extended family. Here […]
The Damned
Thordur Palsson’s Tribeca Festival selection THE DAMNED is now in theaters and should be of interest to folk horror fans. In a 19th century Icelandic fishing community, the residents’ inability or even willingness to rescue the survivors of a sinking ship puts a curse on them. Odessa Young is perfectly cast as the widow, the […]
The Last Showgirl
Pamela Anderson shines alongside an exceptional supporting cast that includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Bautista, Kiernan Shipka, and Billie Lourd in Gia Coppola’s The Last Showgirl. The realistic indie drama does not dig too deep, but at 85 minutes, it does not wear out its welcome either. Autumn Durald’s unique photography works better here compared […]
I’m Still Here
Walter Salles tells the true story of a family to show the atrocities committed by the Brazilian dictatorship in I’m Still Here. What a powerful and moving film this is! Fernanda Torres’ performance is one for the ages. Loved Salles’ use of Super 8 and family photos, and the stunning look of the film overall. […]
2024 Favorites
These are some of my favorite films I have seen in 2024. The Brutalist Anora Challengers Hard Truths I’m Still Here Love Lies Bleeding When the Light Breaks Jazzy Daughters Queer His Three Daughters The Seed of the Sacred Fig A Real Pain All We Imagine as Light Sacramento Crossing Misericordia Babygirl Exhibiting Forgiveness A […]
The Fire Inside
Oscar-nominated cinematographer Rachel Morrison’s directorial debut gives you the inspirational sports biopic and also a less conventional aftermath of success we don’t often get to see, thanks to Barry Jenkins’ compassionate script. Ryan Destiny is fierce as Olympic boxer Claressa Shields and Brian Tyree Henry gives his best performance since Causeway as her coach. There’s […]
Babygirl
Halina Reijn’s Babygirl is juicy and entertaining. Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson are both sensational. Even though it is a very different film than Reijn’s Bodies Bodies Bodies, one similarity is their use of music to great effect including a montage set to Never Tear Us Apart by Inxs and a hotel room scene with […]